I don't know, but does it really matter? Look at it creatively. If the 1/30th
gives you the look you want and it still looks great then by all means use it!
(I would)

No-one will watch the movie later and say "oh look at the resolution loss this
guy has because he switched to 1/30th shutter on his Optura XI" :)

Yeah, Rob you have a point. Thanks

Is there away to turn the auto power off off. I dont think there is, just thought I'd ask, thanks.

Not on the original XL1. It will drop into STANDBY from PAUSE if there is a tape in the transport after around 5 minutes. If there is NOT a tape in the camcorder it will not not drop into STANDBY but will remain operating as a camera.

Canon suggests that the only way to keep the XI from shutting off is to use the AC adapter as the power source, not the battery. I haven't tried it, so I don't know if it's true.

True - in that when using the battery, the camcorder will shut down when the battery runs out of available charge. However, using the A/C adapter does not prevent the XL1 from going into standby if a tape is in the camcorder.

Canon suggests that the only way to keep the XI from shutting off is to use the AC adapter as the power source, not the battery. I haven't tried it, so I don't know if it's true.

No it still does it with the AC adapter, Im not even using the battery. It makes no sense to have the auto power off when shooting indoors while using the AC adapter, its just stupid.

Again, the key point is having a tape in the XL1. After about 5 minuts it goes into Standby mode (not the same as turning the power off with the dial). This is a carryover from pure consumer camcorders - to save battery and reduce damage to tape and head wear from a camcorder left in pause mode for a long time.

Pro users complained, so the XL1s had an option to disable this feature so that only the tape transport (VCR portion) is turned off after 5 minutes, the camera head continues to run.

Key to max cable length for analog signals is the quality loss you can tollerate. You state quality is not a major issue, if so you can use a lot of cable (much more than 20-30 meters) as long as you have enough signal at the far end to drive your monitor, and adding a line amplifier can address that.

Using a small RF converter to change your camera analog output to a channel 3/4 TV signal can get you more distance, especially if using distribution amplifiers - parts available from Radio Shack, and it will give you audio too, but you will need a TV receiver a the other end rather than just a simple monitor.

im refering to the optura xi, does it do the same thing?

its hard to zoom without the onboard mic. picking up the squeak when u try to zoom real slow. (the friction between the zoom control against the camera)


is there a good way to avoid this witout having to buy an external mic. or having to edit out with sound editing?


thanks

All camcorders suffer from this problem. The best way to defeat this issue is to go ahead and get the DM-50 external mic for the Advanced Accessory Shoe. It's shock-mounted and any motor noise from the cam is dampened. It's your best bet, really.

hmm, well today i turned it on to take a few photos, and noticed something weird..

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y221/tmdistorted/uhoh.jpg

I have no idea why this happened and what the problem could be...could it be the internal nd filter stuck? or the ccd is messed up?

Very strange. I have the same camera but have not experienced the problem you are. Sorry to be of no help.

Get it replaced by your vendor or send it to Canon for repairs right away.

I do have to say, it is a very strange error. Not only are both sides different, but there's a third anomaly on the bottom left side as well.

Are you able to re-create the error?

Howdy,

I was shooting some footage for work the other day and it was a one-man operation where I was pretty much running around like a mad-man the entire time. As such, I chose to leave the focus on auto instead of manual. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get good tracking shots as I was walking around the setting.

Anyhow, I noticed that for some reason, now more than ever, the xi has been a little testy with regards to auto focus. Even when I've got my subject in the frame clearly it pulled in and out (I imagine this was because there were several subjects in the background that were milling about). My question is has anyone else experienced this with auto focus? Any suggestions that would help out? The lighting in this place was phenomenal. In fact, I've gotten the best images yet out of this camera, so I didn't think that was my issue. Just would like to hear if anyone has experienced the same kind of scenario. Thanks.

I think its been brought up before that the autofocus tends to hunt a bit. I only had a Xi for a month or two but noticed the same tendency even when lighting was above average.

I've had it occur with my Xi as well.

a. One quick fix is to use infinity focus (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=43509).
b. Another technique, is to let the autofocus get a lock, and then turn the manual focus ON.

When I'm running around, my thumb is constantly on the MF button, flipping back and forth, to get a solid focus. I only use the focus ring when the cam is on a tripod.

** The on board mic will record the sound of the focus ring. Getting a DM-50 or Videomic will avoid this problem.

Thanks guys.

Although it's unfortunate that this camera has a tendency to hunt, at least I feel better knowing I wasn't going crazy. Thanks for the tip on the infinity focus. I've rarely ever used that so I'll give it a shot.

Jason

I second Michael's comments, however, I rarely use the auto focus button. I've gotten pretty used to the focus ring.

When I run and gun I just set it to infinity and zoomed out all the way.

Hi everyone,

Have been searching your very informative, real people site for the past week looking for tips on how to choose my next vidcam. Still using an 8 year old Sony 8mm in PAL but since moved to North America.

Basically I narrowed my choice down to either of the Xi or Optura 60 because:

1. I do not want another large camera body to carry around (have an S400 and 20D with lenses allready)

2. have a universal Canon battery charger that will charge any Canon battery

3. Low light is not that important - lowest light condition will at least have one incandescant bulb

4. both cameras are virtually same price here in Canada

5. I can convert my old PAL videos to digital with either camera ( if I use a PAL - NTSC converter before I send signal to Canon camera)

I am leaning towrds the 60 model:
- it is newer
- video quality is the same as Xi?
- smaller and lighter
- has all the features of Xi?

Am I correct in my assumptions of the choice between these two?
As I live far away from any city, I shall have to order over the internet and will have no chance to test either.

I would welcome any coments on anything I might have overlooked or if you think my assumptions on these two cameras are incorrect. Even if you think I should go for another brand of camera, please drop my a line here on this post. I would appreciate any and all opinions.

Thanks for a very informative site, regards

Pete

I'd take the 60 over the XI. The 50 & 60 are like having a mini GL1/GL2 except missing framemode and 3 ccds.

Honestly, I think these two cams are so similar, I'd probably recommend the 60 to you based on your desire for a smaller camcorder. The Xi, in my opinion, is actually quite a bit larger than the 60.

On the plus side, you could flip a coin and choose the cam at this point: both are great.

Philip Williams
www.philipwilliams.com

Thanks for your advice.
I guess I'll go with the 60 then.
Regards
Pete

Well I had this thing for 2 years and its been "freaking out" on me. The left side of the screen is darker than the right (not a lcd issue because its the same for viewfinder and when transfered to pc). I was wondering what the best place to repair this thing would be? I live in NYC so anything in Manhattan would do. I would rather not send it out because I would be needing the camera in a little over a month (for a vacation).

Any help is appreciated.

-Max

Canon Factory Service
100 Jamesburg Road
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
tel: 732-521-7007

Make sure to request a repair number (http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=SupportDetailAct&fcategoryid=227&modelid=9371) before sending it in.

So... Yeah.
It's going pretty cheap refurbished, is it a good deal?
My budget is $1000

Go for the Optura 50, it's an updated version of the Xi in a smaller package and you can still buy it new for around US$400-$500. The Xi might be a good deal if you can get it for much less than that.

On eBay, rufurb ones are going for $385 - $450.
$450 is the most expensive one I saw on there.
But, would it be better for me to buy a gs250 from MATSUIYASTORE or whatever it is on eBay for $583.80?
It says its brand new, and i've read about people buying panasonic 3ccd camcorders from that ebay store on I think it was this forum, they have a good reputation.
But it ships from Japan.

Mel, get it from a DV Info Sponsor (http://www.dvinfo.net/sponsors/index.php), they really are the best in the business. It'll be one less thing to worry about.

Click here to see the price for a brand new Optura 50 from B&H Photo (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=371473&is=REG&addedTroughType=search).

I need some raw footage from the Canon Optura XI.
I would REALLY appreciate it.

Anything in particular you'd be interested to see?

Tim

Umm, something like indoor footage in the daytime?
And outdoor footage with whatever :)

Umm, something like indoor footage in the daytime?
And outdoor footage with whatever :)

Mel,

Send me an email.

BTW, I'm a bit south of Albany-- down here in the Catskills.

Tim

Okay Tim, I have e-mailed you.

I posted this to another site, but got no response, so I thought I would try here, as I *think* there are some former Optura Pi or Optura Xi users here (Dan Keaton?). :)

Does anyone who has the HV10 have any previous experience with the Optura Pi or Optura Xi? I've had both of the Opturas and found that the older Pi had better low light performance. I was wondering how the HV10's low light performance is versus the others.

Also, will the HV10's BP-310 and BP-315 batteries fit and charge okay in a charger for a BP-511 and BP-522 (I have a charger for these that I use for my Optura Xi and G6)?

I have quite a few Sony DVM60PR2 tapes left; if I do get the HV10, will I be able to use them in it, or should I get another tape to use? If the latter, which tapes (and online source) do you recommend?

Thanks!

Jim

I recently tried to play back 3CCD video on my Optura Xi, but it didn't work. The audio and video was messed up but I don't know why. The video was shot using a Panasonic consumer camera. I was able to borrow the original camera, but I still want to know why it didn't work.

It is not at all uncommon to experience difficulties in tape playback between different makes of camcorders. Plus, it's possible that throughout its earlier usage, the Optura has been profiled for a particular tape brand. Inserting another tape of a brand that it's not used to, can frequently result in playback problems. It's usually best to play a tape back from the camera on which it was shot, or another cameera of the same make, or a camera used to the same brand of tape.

I am considering buying the following for my Optura Xi:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=367747&is=REG

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=423360&is=REG

My question is will this adapter provide phantom power or will I have to use batteries? The shotgun microphone supports both, but it would be nicer to have it phantom powered. I am going to buy an XH A1 around February 2008, so I will have XLRs with phantom power then.

My question is will this adapter provide phantom power or will I have to use batteries?

You will have to use batteries. There isn't 48v of power coming through the miniplug on your camera, it's more like 5v.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=224231&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

The Beachtek DXA-6 is an XLR adapter that uses a 9 volt battery for phantom powering. That's the only adapter I know of that supplies phantom power. I agree phantom power is a lot better than a battery. I've forgotten to turn mics on or off, and end up with no audio because of dead batteries or because it isn't on. I have the NTG-1 and I love it, so I think you will be happy with the NTG-2.

I think it's okay if I use batteries. I'll only be using this for about a year before I buy the A1, so it's okay if it doesn't work without batteries. I would rather save $250 so I can buy the new camera faster.

I used the same kind of tapes as usual (sony) and it didn't work. I think that the problem is that the cameras are from different companies. If I use an Xl2 or Gl2, would I be able to play back?

I'm bringing back the life of this thread, haha. I've recently been saving up for a purchase of the DVX100B. I'm still young, and it occurred to me that my dreams may be a bit unrealistic. I still am saving up for it, and I'd hope to have it maybe a little bit later or rather a lot later than what I have been expecting. I have barely been making movies, and already I want such a brilliant camera. I've finally realized that I could be doing so much more with my Optura XI.

What I am looking for is some accessories to enhance my XI. So I am on the look out for some Shotgun Mic's, hopefully something easy to conveniently attach onto the hotshoe. My budget is limited, and hopefully something cheap that'll work will do.

I've been looking at the Azden ECZ-990. Can anybody tell me their experience with it? Or can anybody recommend it for me? I hear it is pretty cheap and it does a pretty good job for being less than a 100 bucks.

Maybe possibly even the MKE-300? Same with above, any recommendations?

Also, I'm trying to achieve the more "movie" look. So hopefully, I want to get some kind of lens/adapter, to achieve a more depth.

Brandon,
I used the Optura Xi for a few years (2004-2006) before upgrading to an XL2. For accessories, you will definitely want to get a good tripod and a shotgun mic.

I would recommend getting a Rode NTG-2 because it has battery power available so you can put in a AA and get a cheap adaptor instead of buying a $250 adaptor with built-in phantom power. Buy a Manfrotto fluid head tripod of some type.

A DOF adapter is not really an option for the Optura Xi without spending several thousand.

You may also want to consider upgrading to a GL2. B&H has a sale going on now ($150 off), so they are $1800 new and about $1400 used. That may be a better option that you could use instead of waiting a long time to get the DVX100.

Hey Brandon,
not sure what your priorities are, but the 16:9 native Xi is a lot of fun. In full daylight, I used it along side the GL2. Neither were worth anything in low light.

Have you considered an HV20? It shoots native 16:9, both DV and HDV. For making movies, there's nothing comparable in its price range, or even adding $1500, to the images achieved in 24P Cine mode. In low light it's pretty darn good as well. Once you get your bank account filled, you'll probably be looking at an AH1 or similar, in which case you could use the HV20 as a deck.