Hello,

I currently own the Canon XH-A1 and love the custom preset resources available on DVInfo (eg, "VividRGB", "Panasonic DVX" colour profile etc). Is there a resource, or a set of trial profiles that have been posted online?
I would love to replicate the VividRGB preset as found on the Canon XH-A1 for the XF300 - the colours were so rich.

I have been using the XF300 for about three weeks and am interested in manipulating the custom presets.

Thanks,
Andrew

In the XHA-1 forum here on DVINFO, there should be a spreadsheet containing all the different profiles. I think it is a STICKY on the top of the forum

You can manually assign the profiles via reading the spread sheet then SAVE to your SD card.

I set up several profiles then went into the last menu and added all the new profiles at once.


http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xl-h-series-hdv-camcorders/66776-xl-h1-custom-presets-download-library.html


This camera ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Lou - but does this library for the XLH1/XHA1 etc, translate to the XF series? Surely the XF handles colours differently to the XH/XL series?

Andrew

Sure does for the most part. Canon made the Profiles similiar. Manually adjust your profiles and see if you like what you chose.

The preset menu on the XF seems to be quite different. I used the "panalook" settings on my XHA1 and am trying to duplicate that look, but am getting lost in the preset menu. Could some one post their settings for the "panolook"?

Many Thanks!

I agree it is different style menu, but I use the the same Matrix and Gamma settings etc. as my XHA1S.

There is a thread for the XF 300, with an extensive collection of CCPs for the XF 300 at vimeo.

For those with the XF 100, would you guys be willing to share your preferred CCP with us newcomers? I know many XF 100 would greatly appreciate it as well!

Please share with us if possible!

Thanks.

If Sam didn't beat me to it, I was about to post the same message.

A thank you in advance to anyone who can help me out!

A good starting point if you haven't explored it already is Alan Roberts recommended settings discussed here:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xf-series-hd-camcorders/494763-alan-roberts-analysis-xf100-xf105.html

Following some suggestions provided by Lou Bruno and based on playing around with the settings while connected to a monitor, I have picked the following settings for a vivid with crushed blacks. I must provide the following caveat, however, I don't know how optimal this preset is for post-processing, highlight preservation, and all the things that the experts think about. Shadow details are certainly lost to some extent, but I like the look for daytime landscapes and outdoor scenes (have not tried it with people in the scenes).

Gamma Cine 2
Black - master Pedestal -4
Black Gamma -5
Low Key Saturation Enabled and set to 10
Knee Point 95
Sharpness -8 (I think this really helps the clarity of the scene if you have a lot of details)
H Detail Frequency 3
Coring Level 1
Color Matrix Cine 2 and Gain 25

Everything else is at defaults. I also like the Cine V preset that came loaded with the camera. I have the default preset on A with sharpening turned down and high frequency detail turned up (as shown above), Alan Roberts' settings on B, and the vivid with crushed blacks on C. Once you have a starting point I would encourage experimentation. Every preset will have some sort of limitation or benefit depending on taste, shooting requirements, subjects, shooting environment and end use.

Enjoy!

Pat

CPName : "OUTSIDE "

Protect : Unprotect
Gamma : Cine1
Black - Master Pedestal : -10
Black - Master Black-Red : 0
Black - Master Black-Green : 0
Black - Master Black-Blue : 0
Black Gamma - Level : 0
Black Gamma - Range : 0
Black Gamma - Point : 0
Low Key Satur. - Enable : On
Low Key Satur. - Level : 7
Knee - Enable : On
Knee - Automatic : On
Knee - Slope : 0
Knee - Point : 95
Knee - Saturation : 0
Sharpness - Level : 1
Sharpness - H Detail Freq. : 0
Sharpness - Coring-Level : 0
Sharpness - Coring-D-Ofst : 0
Sharpness - Coring-D-Curve : 0
Sharpness - Coring-D-Depth : 0
Sharpness - HV Detail Bal. : 0
Sharpness - Limit : 0
Sharpness - Select : 0
Sharpness - Knee Aperture-Gain : 0
Sharpness - Knee Aperture-Slope : 1
Sharpness - Level Depend-Level : 0
Sharpness - Level Depend-Slope : 0
Sharpness - Level Depend-Offset : 0
Noise Reduction : Automatic
Skin Detail - Effect Level : Off
Skin Detail - Hue : 0
Skin Detail - Chroma : 16
Skin Detail - Area : 16
Skin Detail - Y Level : 16
Selective NR - Effect Level : Off
Selective NR - Hue : 0
Selective NR - Chroma : 16
Selective NR - Area : 16
Selective NR - Y Level : 16
Color Matrix - Select : Normal1
Color Matrix - Gain : 15
Color Matrix - Phase : 0
Color Matrix - R-G : 0
Color Matrix - R-B : 0
Color Matrix - G-R : 0
Color Matrix - G-B : 0
Color Matrix - B-R : 0
Color Matrix - B-G : 0
White Balance - R Gain : 0
White Balance - G Gain : 0
White Balance - B Gain : 0
Color Correction - Select Area : Off
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Phase : 0
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Chroma : 16
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Area : 16
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Y Level : 16
Color Correction - Area A Revision-Level : 0
Color Correction - Area A Revision-Phase : 0
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Phase : 0
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Chroma : 16
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Area : 16
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Y Level : 16
Color Correction - Area B Revision-Level : 0
Color Correction - Area B Revision-Phase : 0
Other Functions - Setup Level-Level : 0
Other Functions - Setup Level-Press : Off
Other Functions - Clip At 100% : Off






CPName : "INSIDE__"

Protect : Unprotect
Gamma : Normal1
Black - Master Pedestal : 0
Black - Master Black-Red : 0
Black - Master Black-Green : 0
Black - Master Black-Blue : 0
Black Gamma - Level : 0
Black Gamma - Range : 0
Black Gamma - Point : 0
Low Key Satur. - Enable : Off
Low Key Satur. - Level : 0
Knee - Enable : On
Knee - Automatic : On
Knee - Slope : 0
Knee - Point : 95
Knee - Saturation : 0
Sharpness - Level : 0
Sharpness - H Detail Freq. : 0
Sharpness - Coring-Level : 0
Sharpness - Coring-D-Ofst : 0
Sharpness - Coring-D-Curve : 0
Sharpness - Coring-D-Depth : 0
Sharpness - HV Detail Bal. : 0
Sharpness - Limit : 0
Sharpness - Select : 0
Sharpness - Knee Aperture-Gain : 0
Sharpness - Knee Aperture-Slope : 1
Sharpness - Level Depend-Level : 0
Sharpness - Level Depend-Slope : 0
Sharpness - Level Depend-Offset : 0
Noise Reduction : Automatic
Skin Detail - Effect Level : Off
Skin Detail - Hue : 0
Skin Detail - Chroma : 16
Skin Detail - Area : 16
Skin Detail - Y Level : 16
Selective NR - Effect Level : Off
Selective NR - Hue : 0
Selective NR - Chroma : 16
Selective NR - Area : 16
Selective NR - Y Level : 16
Color Matrix - Select : Normal1
Color Matrix - Gain : 9
Color Matrix - Phase : 0
Color Matrix - R-G : 0
Color Matrix - R-B : 0
Color Matrix - G-R : 0
Color Matrix - G-B : 0
Color Matrix - B-R : 0
Color Matrix - B-G : 0
White Balance - R Gain : 0
White Balance - G Gain : 0
White Balance - B Gain : 0
Color Correction - Select Area : Off
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Phase : 0
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Chroma : 16
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Area : 16
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Y Level : 16
Color Correction - Area A Revision-Level : 0
Color Correction - Area A Revision-Phase : 0
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Phase : 0
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Chroma : 16
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Area : 16
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Y Level : 16
Color Correction - Area B Revision-Level : 0
Color Correction - Area B Revision-Phase : 0
Other Functions - Setup Level-Level : 1
Other Functions - Setup Level-Press : Off
Other Functions - Clip At 100% : Off

I've been meaning to ask this question for a while so thanks for posting those.

Another question though. Are these CPs intended to give footage that is neutral and needs lots of grading etc? I do quite a bit that requires footage that looks as true to life as possible straight out of the camera and as little grading and PP as possible.

Andy S

Awesome stuff!

CPName : "DEEP CLR"

Protect : Unprotect
Gamma : Cine2
Black - Master Pedestal : -2
Black - Master Black-Red : 0
Black - Master Black-Green : 0
Black - Master Black-Blue : 0
Black Gamma - Level : 0
Black Gamma - Range : 0
Black Gamma - Point : 0
Low Key Satur. - Enable : Off
Low Key Satur. - Level : 0
Knee - Enable : On
Knee - Automatic : On
Knee - Slope : 0
Knee - Point : 95
Knee - Saturation : 0
Sharpness - Level : 4
Sharpness - H Detail Freq. : 0
Sharpness - Coring-Level : 0
Sharpness - Coring-D-Ofst : 0
Sharpness - Coring-D-Curve : 0
Sharpness - Coring-D-Depth : 0
Sharpness - HV Detail Bal. : 0
Sharpness - Limit : 0
Sharpness - Select : 0
Sharpness - Knee Aperture-Gain : 0
Sharpness - Knee Aperture-Slope : 1
Sharpness - Level Depend-Level : 0
Sharpness - Level Depend-Slope : 0
Sharpness - Level Depend-Offset : 0
Noise Reduction : Automatic
Skin Detail - Effect Level : Off
Skin Detail - Hue : 0
Skin Detail - Chroma : 16
Skin Detail - Area : 16
Skin Detail - Y Level : 16
Selective NR - Effect Level : Off
Selective NR - Hue : 0
Selective NR - Chroma : 16
Selective NR - Area : 16
Selective NR - Y Level : 16
Color Matrix - Select : Normal1
Color Matrix - Gain : 23
Color Matrix - Phase : 0
Color Matrix - R-G : 0
Color Matrix - R-B : 0
Color Matrix - G-R : 0
Color Matrix - G-B : 0
Color Matrix - B-R : 0
Color Matrix - B-G : 0
White Balance - R Gain : 0
White Balance - G Gain : 0
White Balance - B Gain : 0
Color Correction - Select Area : Off
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Phase : 0
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Chroma : 16
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Area : 16
Color Correction - Area A Setting-Y Level : 16
Color Correction - Area A Revision-Level : 0
Color Correction - Area A Revision-Phase : 0
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Phase : 0
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Chroma : 16
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Area : 16
Color Correction - Area B Setting-Y Level : 16
Color Correction - Area B Revision-Level : 0
Color Correction - Area B Revision-Phase : 0
Other Functions - Setup Level-Level : -2
Other Functions - Setup Level-Press : Off
Other Functions - Clip At 100% : Off

I've been meaning to ask this question for a while so thanks for posting those.

Another question though. Are these CPs intended to give footage that is neutral and needs lots of grading etc? I do quite a bit that requires footage that looks as true to life as possible straight out of the camera and as little grading and PP as possible.

Andy S

I think Lou's CPs are intended to give you a fairly finished look in camera. The crushed blacks vivid one I provided is also a "pre-baked" finished look. The Cine V looks like it provides a lot of latitude for post processing, as do the Alan Roberts settings.

Pat

Wow, these are amazing guys, thank you! I will be back in Hong Kong in a week, will try it out on the camera then!

In regards to my "INSIDE" setting. You can bring NORMAL 1 to NORMAL 4 and it will be somewhat brighter.


NOTE: These settings can be used for the XF-100 as well as the XF-300.

For a setting with more latitide, use the BBC setting or the OFF setting-default. This allows more adjustments in post.

Lastly, like any setting, it is up to the user to design or change settings depending on the present environment as light conditions can change, especially outdoors and time of day.

I'm looking for a preset that really helps to pop the colours a bit more, crushes the blacks a bit as I feel the camera's preset is too cold in colour temperature.

Which preset wouldI be looking for and how do I go about getting this onto the camera?

thanks

Use Deep CLR....I crushed the blacks and increased the matrix.

I notice that some of the colors on my 305 are not very faithful, there is quite a bit of over-sharpening on fine details, and there could be more detail in the shadows.

I know that a lot of Custom Presets have been published on this forum, but I am looking for a tutorial that will teach me how to do it myself. My background is in photography and film, so a lot of the terms in the list of presets in the manual I am not familiar with.

I have a color checker, some resolution charts and a calibrated monitor and am looking forward to calibrating my camera.

Hi Bob,

did you checked this link:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xh-series-hdv-camcorders/126811-xh-custom-presets-download-library-copy.html

Thanks, Will.

Found just what I was looking for, a Canon whitepaper that explains all the custom presets

http://downloads.canon.com/cpr/software/video/XLH1_CustomPresets_v2.pdf

thanks for sharing!

Hi,
based on the information on this forum, a lot of us has already the XF 100 in combination with the other Canon cameras and or as replacement camera.

My question: do you have specific settings and or presets to exchange like the ones for the XH series?

If yes: please make them public

Wil

NOBODY? Are you all using the standard preset?

Check this thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xf-series-hd-camcorders/497213-custom-picture-presets-xf-100-a.html

there might be others also in this forum.

If you dig a little deeper there is a thread in here with great info on xf100 presets with links to more info.

Erik & Gerald,

many thanks

There have been lots of downloadable picture profiles for the Sony EX1/EX1-R/EX-3.

Where are they for the Canon XF-300/305?

My XF-300 is underway and I want to prepare myself as best as I can. With the exception of shoulder support and on camera lighting, the rest is fully ready for use. Case, filters, CF-cards, batteries, mics, tripod, etc. are all ready to use.

Merged all the threads I could find on XF series presets (XF-305/300/105/100).

we got this allready ?
CP files for Canon XF Cameras - Canon XF Video forum on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/groups/canonxf/forumthread:230636)

none of these links appear to be working anymore. I'm still not happy with my XF305 colour settings - can anyone share their best setting?

Looking for something that I can use for weddings, something that will pop the colours slightly and crush blacks a little bit too.

Martin,

You sound like me two weeks ago... I'm currently using Doug Jensen's CP file recommendations from his 305/300 training video. They're in chapter 8 of his video series (I don't think he would appreciate sharing them on the internet). Do you have the set? WELL WORTH THE $$$, and on sale now for $75. It has been SUCH a help to me, a relative video novice, and certainly a novice with the XF300 as my first pro-level video camera.

I initially didn't like his CP settings because I was trying to use them without listening to anything else he was saying - I just ran the camera on full auto and dropped the CP file on it - big mess. I HATED the colors, and it would take me hours in post just to get the colors back to "normal." As robust as everyone says the Canon file format is, it was really being badly abused by the gymnastics I had to put it through to just get back to square 1.

The CP file is one aspect to color, I think - but the others are just as important: you have to have correct exposure, and the white balance needs to be correct. I was leaving the camera on auto everything and, combined with the CP files I was trying, it was an icky mess. I had to get off auto gain, off of auto exposure, and for heaven's sake, off of auto white balance, and doing a custom white balance on a white card or 1/4 warm card (that Doug also sells). Just doing that, I got SO MUCH better color that it is like a different camera.

Doug posted a trailer of his video on his site, and some excerpts of a couple of chapters in his DVD series.The colors of stuff he's shooting are EXACTLY what I was hoping to get out of the XF300, and now I'm much closer. I can now use Colorista II to tweak the color, not beat it into submission... Here's the link to the trailer: Mastering the Canon XF305/300 Camcorders training DVD (http://www.vortexmedia.com/DVD_XF305_PROMO.html)

It's like editing jpg files - make DARNED sure the exposure and white balance are correct in the shot, or you're going to have a heck of a time getting back to what you need to be there. Have you ever tried to get rid of the color shift (usually to red) in an underexposed jpg? Or tried to fix white balance in a jpg file? Often it is almost impossible without trashing the shot, and that's what I felt I was doing with much of my XF300 footage.

I understand that some of the RED cameras and 4k cameras have some kind of raw video shooting - not sure - but I can't begin to imagine the size of those files. When I open a 16 bit 21mb raw file from my 5DII, it's 120.3 mb - for ONE FRAME... I wonder what a 4k 16bit file would be like... the less than 2k XF300 files are big enough! Makes my head hurt...

ANYWAY, I'm sure I'm telling you what you already know - but just sharing my color journey. You mentioned the links are dead? Here's the VIMEO thread on CP files: https://vimeo.com/groups/canonxf/forum/topic:230636

Regards,

Larry Becker

Martin,

Do you have access to a broadcast monitor? Or at least a decent HD television you can calibrate for a proper video image?

I ask because finding these settings you are looking for is as simple as setting up a well lit scene of different colors and color chart if you have one, plugging your camera into the monitor and tweaking. Move each setting all the way to the extremes to see what it does then find the sweet spot and create a look.

It will take some time but you will learn how much you can get out the camera and best of all, you will end up with YOUR settings. But you have to trust your monitoring because you will be making adjustments based upon its output.

Tim, that advice is spot on. It's the best way to learn what happens when you fiddle with all these menu items. I started in video about a hundred years ago, when those nice JVC KY orange 3tube devices were top dogs, Then i slowed down into stills, but last year returned to the movie fast lane. And I was bamboozled by the myriad of things you had to set up before getting the shot. But after the initial shock, you tend to learn the new ways and a great way to do that is what Tim suggested. Even if the TV is not perfect, you'll still get a good idea of what the various menu items do in real life. Have patience, and fun! Good luck.

You mentioned the links are dead? Here's the VIMEO thread on CP files: https://vimeo.com/groups/canonxf/forum/topic:230636
Larry Becker

It's another Dead link Larry

Actually we need to be hosting these preset files directly on DV Info Net. There's no need to use a third-party file sharing system; just click "manage attachments" when making a post. I recommend one new thread per individual preset, and one thread "to rule them all" as a general directory.

A preset is like a recipe... it is not intellectual property protected by copyright. If you have one, please share it with the forum -- by posting it here, instead of linking to it at some other site. Thanks in advance,

It's another Dead link Larry

Hmmm - I'm clicking on it and going right to it... Do you have something turned on in IE or whatever browser you're using that prevents jumping to links? Anyway, just look on the Vimeo XF300/305 group - it's in the sticky section at the top of the forum.

Chris - you're right - they're just recipies. Good analogy. Has there been any thought of making a sticky that would be a good place to list them? I'm reluctant, though, to post something that I believe the author has expressed some reluctance about posting - I'll let Doug do that if he's willing - AND I'd want to post something that I've worked through and understand. I'm not there yet.

I was just looking at the manual again on CP files. I'd forgotten that you can embed a CP profile in a still shot or video in camera AFTER you shoot it (pg. 116)... I wonder if that means you can swap them in and out of a file to see what works? Or if once they're in, they're cooked in for good? Has anyone tried this?

Looking again at everything that's going on in a CP file (Knee slopes? Black gamma?), there's a lot going on here. I was hoping to have, say, one that worked great for bright sunlit scenes, one for interior shots with natural lighting, one for nature shots that would pop the colors a bit, one for low-light church scenes and so on... Some have expressed hope that they could get files that would help them match the output of other cameras they have used/use. Looks like I've got some experimenting to do.

And I need to figure out how to get my Marshall "Professional" 5" monitor (V-LCD50-HDMI) to show more realistic/true colors (it warms them up too much and if I get it to look right on the Marshall, the colors are WAY off in the actual video file - the XF300's monitor does a much better job of matching color. I've spent some time trying to adjust the Marshall to match, but I haven't nailed it down yet. Made it worse, actually, and had to zero it out. But the point about using calibrated monitor to set colors that Tim and Stewart made is, of course where we actually need to be heading. I remember trying to edit my first scanned slides and digital photos before I had a calibrated system. It was HORRIBLE and frustrating and a lot of guess work. Is anyone having better luck than I am with real color representation on an on-camera monitor? Are there calibrated/certified on-camera monitors?

Once I get my video into my computer, I'm looking at it in a calibrated system and I can see how badly I screwed up! - but shooting it and evaluating it in camera, I feel like I'm just guessing.

Larry

Has there been any thought of making a sticky that would be a good place to list them?

If you guys can get a thread going with the uploaded files (attached to the
post) and the settings / description, I'll make it a sticky. But we need the
info to live here, not linked to an off-site source.

Hmmm - I'm clicking on it and going right to it... Do you have something turned on in IE or whatever browser you're using that prevents jumping to links? Anyway, just look on the Vimeo XF300/305 group - it's in the sticky section at the top of the forum.

Larry

I am using Chrome and just get a Vimeo page saying Page Not Found. Never have this problem normally. Can anyone else view the page via the link?

I look forward to seeing some Canon profiles on this site, at the moment I getting a heavy pink cast on most footage.

Hmmmm....might be a Chrome thing? I don't use it so I don't know...

Vincent- just go to Vimeo.com, do a search for XF300, go to groups and then forums. It's the third stickey in that forum. Sorry you're having grief finding it - trying to help, honest!

Larry

Or maybe try typing in the actual address? Chrome might be blocking links that have aliases (or whatever they're called). Go to this: https://vimeo.com/groups/canonxf/forum - and it's the third topic down.

Larry,

Thank you for taking the time to post an alternative link, but it still does not work for me. Here is a screen shot of the page, I notice that the htpps:// is crossed out. I also tried the link in IE with the same result.

This one works for me Vincent (as posted earlier by Larry ) Canon XF Video forum on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/groups/canonxf/forums).

I am using Safari though.

Thank you Alan, your link works for me too. Will have a good root through the posts.

Any problems drop me a line - I sent you a PM

Thank you Alan, I have sent you an email

Alan,

I am mystified... It works on my iPad, my home pc, my laptop... I WONDER if it's because I'm a Vimeo member and am logged in when I click that link? I suggested that you just go to Vimeo.com and do a search on canonxf in groups - but it sounds like you've made your way there.

Let us know if you find anything helpful!

I have been playing more with Doug Jensen's CP file - and if I'm on full auto it looks AWFUL!!!! Dingy green cast... BUT, if I go to full manual, do a custom white balance, set the gain appropriately to get the iris in the range I want it, use zebras to set the exposure (which seems to be a little higher than what auto would do-one to 1.5 notches above the recommended setting on the camera's screen), things look really great... maybe a LITTLE on the cool side for my taste (depending on the subject, I guess. If I want to warm it up a little - I use the same process and white balance to a 1/4 warm card - THEN it looks right.

If I'm shooting on full auto in panic run & gun mode, I use the "TrueVid2" CP file on the Vimeo site. That seems to give pleasing, usable colors.

I hope this all helps, and sorry for causing you frustration!

Larry

(PS - I made peace with my Marshall V-LCD50-HDMI monitor - I set the color space to "linear" and it PRETTY WELL matches the output of the camera -still just slightly warm, but close enough-happy with the Marshall now!)

@ Larry:
I'm currently using Doug Jensen's CP file recommendations from his 305/300 training video
I use it last week on an extended work, 7 days outdoor, sunny, clouds and so on.
and i must say, its a great colorfeeeling,
on an calibratet TFT-Eizo 27"can you see the different to the normal CP-Setting witch comes out of the camera.
It works for me very good. No issues so far for me.
Iam still using the version 1.0 fomr the camera.
Is there a importend need to update to the actual version ?

Hi Markus,
Greetings to you in West Germany from Los Angeles!

On the CP file from Doug Jensen's video, I'm glad you like it. I find that, especially if I am able to put the camera on full manual and adjust the exposure myself (iris, gain, white balance) that it is a really nice setting - I will usually have to bump up the exposure a little above what the camera suggests, though, or it will look too dark.

Regarding Firmware upgrades to the camera - there have been two, but the first one is the more important. According to Canon, the upgrade to 1.0.2.0 does this:

Firmware Version 1.0.2.0 incorporates the following fixes and improvements:
1. Adds a focal length guide to display the numeric value of the focal length position and a function to make fine adjustments to the camcorder's optical axis in order to assist 3D shooting.
2. Updates the scan reverse shooting functionality to include vertical inversion and horizontal inversion functions.
3. Adds a double-slot recording function that records the same image and audio to two memory cards, simultaneously.
4. Adds a menu item to turn relay recording ON/OFF.

So it adds some functionality for 3D shooting AND enables double slot recording (to put the same image on two CF cards at the same time) - as well as a couple other things.

The second Firmware upgrade wasn't important to me, but might be to you as it adds some languages, including German, to the camera's menu system. Here is the email from Canon:

Firmware Version 1.0.3.0 for the XF305/XF300 and Firmware Version 10.2.0 for the XF105/XF100 incorporates the following improvements:
• Adds Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Polish and Simplified Chinese languages to the camcorder's menu.

If you DO decide to upgrade the firmware, you MUST ALSO UPGRADE THE Canon XF Utility software or it won't recognize the clips you recorded previously. Here is the section of the email about that:

Firmware Version 1.0.3.0 is for camcorders with Firmware Version 1.0.0.0 through 1.0.2.0. If the camcorder's firmware is already Version 1.0.3.0, it is not necessary to update the firmware. Once the camcorder is updated to the latest version, it cannot be restored to a previous version. Clips recorded with Firmware Version 1.0.2.0 will not be recognized by the bundled Canon XF Utility Ver. 1.0 application. Please update to Canon XF Utility Ver. 1.1., which is available for download on the Canon website.

So, in summary, Yes, I think it's important to upgrade the firmware of the camera, but when you do so you will also have to upgrade the XF utility software or you won't be able to load the clips you have shot. If you upgrade to version 1.0.3.0, it includes the 1.0.2.0 features as well.

I hope this makes sense!

Best Wishes,

Larry

Greetings to you in West Germany from Los Angeles!
Thank you and greetings back !
Yes, I think it's important to upgrade the firmware of the camera
Well,
so i will perform the update after the next event from this year..
Thanks for the lot words in your answer !

Hi! I'm trying to understand how to adjust the noise reduction setting in the Custom Picture Settings. Knowing how to adjust this properly might help me with footage shot in lower light at say +6 or +9 db gain which is what I use in receptions. Has anyone adjusted the Noise reduction settings and what values have improved low light footage WITHOUT sacrificing detail? Sorry if I asked this before...
I know that some people use Neat Video to reduce noise but the rendering times seem to get really longer.
I would prefer to get good results in camera if possible.
thanks! Loving my XF300 working along a Canon T3i.
Erick