I just check out the CanonDV site and they have a video clip of the making of the Canon ZR Series commercial. It was shot with the XL1s. Very insightful!

Does anyone know what mattebox they are using on the XL1s


http://www.canondv.com/service/commercial_zr.html

Interesting movie! It looks like they used the manual lens. Don't
know what hood...

they should have a better quality version of this clip. can't tell the texture with this. is there a better version of this?
Takeshi

If its the commercial I am thinking about it probably close to a year old (before the S was announced). Its really neat seeing a bunch of steriod equipped XL-1s.

From the video it looks like a Chrosziel matte box and follow focus assembley. The matte box looks like it's configured to hold 4X5 filters as well as a 138mm or 4 1/2 round filter in a separate ring.

Definitely a manual lens, 16X, and a camera assistant to pull focus. No other way to go for a serious shooter.

I'm surprised that they used the color eyepiece instead of opting for the sharper monochrome, especially since the operator has to be able to see clearly when it comes to the focus as it is being pulled.

Can't really see much detail but the on-board monitor looks like it could be a TransVideo with an adapter to take a Canon battery for power.

Overall pretty sweet... also pretty expensive!

They must have had one heck of a budget. I've worked on feature films (35mm) and TV shows that had less crew and equipment!!!

Well the camera's are their own, which were probably the trade
show models or something so that didn't cost anything. I would
bet that the accesories were either given by them for testing
purposes, loned or otherwise obtained without paying. Keep in
mind that Canon is quite a big player!