Michael Wisniewski
August 27th, 2005, 06:15 PM
All right, y'all, This is one stop shopping for all things Optura. Feel free to contribute as much as you like. I'll periodically re-edit the FAQ as it expands. The listings are growing so I'm trying to provide low budget options, next to "investment" type equipment.
GENERAL RESOURCES
Canon USA (http://www.canondv.com)
DVInfo.net Optura Jr. Watchdog (http://www.dvinfo.net/canonoptura/index.php)
WHERE TO BUY
DVInfo.net Sponsors (http://www.dvinfo.net/sponsors/index.php)
ACCESSORIES - What should I buy for my Optura?
Batteries - In addition to Canon, Power 2000, Lenmar, & CTA produce batteries compatible with the Opturas.
Using 3rd party batteries is a very common practice among camcorders owners. Be aware that if you send in your Canon camcorder for repair with a 3rd party battery attached, Canon can and will void your warranty. Read this post (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=49445) as a cautionary tale.
A current listing for Canon NB-2xx and BP-2xx series batteries (http://www.dvinfo.net/canonoptura/articles/optura40elura70-2.php#batt)
Lenses
Canon (www.canondv.com) makes specific wide angle and telephoto lenses to match each of their camcorders. Canon lenses do not have an outer filter thread, so you'll have to make a filter sandwhich with the filters in-between the lens and the camcorder.
Raynox (http://www.raynox.com/) makes some good wide angle and telephoto lenses, and many have outer filter threads. You may need a step up/step down adapter to attach the Raynox lens to your camcorder.
Century Optics (http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/dv/camera/4.htm) makes several lenses for the Optura series
A mini review of the wide angle .55 adapter (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=57671)
Using 35mm still lenses on the Optura Xi (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=52216).
Microphones
Canon
DM-50 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=201377&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation) - Shotgun (stereo). Only works with Canon's Advanced Accessory Shoe. Powered by the camcorder's battery. Cannot be used with other microphones. Must be used ON the camera.
Rode
Videomic (http://www.rode.com.au/?pagename=Products&product=VideoMic&PHPSESSID=fc8cd1ad50cd08bf0f15f8cdc67c5c77) - Shotgun. 1/8" connector. Battery powered, with shockmount. Accessories (http://www.rode.com.au/?pagename=Accessories&PHPSESSID=fc8cd1ad50cd08bf0f15f8cdc67c5c77#VideoMic_&_NTG)
NTG-2 (http://www.rode.com.au/?pagename=Products&product=NTG-2) - Shotgun. Dual power: battery or phantom power. Accessories (http://www.rode.com.au/?pagename=Accessories&PHPSESSID=fc8cd1ad50cd08bf0f15f8cdc67c5c77#VideoMic_&_NTG)
NT3 (http://www.rode.com.au/?pagename=Products&product=NT3) - Hyper-cardioid condenser. Dual power: battery or phantom.
Audio Technica
AT831b (http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/4eefe86da4a8288f/index.html) - Cardioid Condenser Lavalier. Dual power: battery or phantom
AT899 (http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/102fa42601dd18dc/index.html) - Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier. Dual power: battery or phantom
AT897 (http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/9aeff7bd1ee954dc/index.html) - Shotgun. Dual power: battery or phantom
- Hyper-cardioid condenser. Phantom only.
[url=http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/69c1a91daefb7b3c/index.html]AT4073a (]AT4053a[/url) - Shotgun. Phantom only.
Sennheiser
ME66 (http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/products_microphones_k6_03284) - Shotgun. Requires K6 (battery/phantom) or K6P (phantom only) powering modules
ME64 (http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/products_microphones_k6_03282) - Cardioid. Requires K6 (battery/phantom) or K6P (phantom only) powering modules
XLR Adapters
Studio 1 Productions (http://www.studio1productions.com/xlr-menu.htm) - Adapters designed to clip onto your belt. Useful for Opturas that load tapes from the bottom.
BeachTek (http://www.beachtek.com/products.html) - Adapters that attach directly to the bottom of the camcoder. BeachTek also has models that provide phantom power. The DXA-10 model is designed to be mounted or used with a belt clip.
Stereo mini to XLR cable (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=160632&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation) - Inexpensive way to use battery powered or dynamic XLR mics with short cable runs of 15 feet or less.
Rode XLR to mini adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=387850&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) Another inexpensive way to connect battery powered or dynamic mics with short cable runs of 15 feet or less.
Matte Boxes
Cinetactics Matteblox (http://cinetactics.com/)
Lights
Low budget lighting article by Scott Spears (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=19944)
Canon
Video Flash Light VFL-1 (http://www.canoncompanystore.com/epages/annex.storefront?ProductDetail=8834A001AA)
Video Light VL-3 (http://www.canoncompanystore.com/epages/annex.storefront?ProductDetail=3175A002AA)
Camera Bright LED (http://www.camerabright.com/index.htm)
Lowell Lighting (http://www.lowel.com/)
Support & Stabilizers
Steadicam Merlin (http://www.steadicam.com/handheldmerlin.html)
Video Innovators shoulder support and camcorder handle - You can see an interesting setup for this shoulder support here. And more of their other products
TIPS, TRICKS, & STRATEGIES - Working with your Optura
Optura Tips 01 (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=27280)
Optura Tips 02 (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=48949)
Using infinity zoom (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=43509)
REVIEWS
Optura 600
Design Technica (http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review3191_intro15962.html)
Videomaker (http://www.videomaker.com/article/12309)
Optura 50/60
DV Spot (http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/canon/optura60-review/index.shtml)
By DVINFO members
Robert Mann Z. (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=42672)
Kevin McNerney (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=50967)
ADVISORY NOTICES
Defective Sony CCD chips (http://www.canon-asia.com/index.jsp?fuseaction=image-phenomena_notice)
VIDEOS MADE WITH THE OPTURA
Pending
GENERAL RESOURCES
Canon USA (http://www.canondv.com)
DVInfo.net Optura Jr. Watchdog (http://www.dvinfo.net/canonoptura/index.php)
WHERE TO BUY
DVInfo.net Sponsors (http://www.dvinfo.net/sponsors/index.php)
ACCESSORIES - What should I buy for my Optura?
Batteries - In addition to Canon, Power 2000, Lenmar, & CTA produce batteries compatible with the Opturas.
Using 3rd party batteries is a very common practice among camcorders owners. Be aware that if you send in your Canon camcorder for repair with a 3rd party battery attached, Canon can and will void your warranty. Read this post (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=49445) as a cautionary tale.
A current listing for Canon NB-2xx and BP-2xx series batteries (http://www.dvinfo.net/canonoptura/articles/optura40elura70-2.php#batt)
Lenses
Canon (www.canondv.com) makes specific wide angle and telephoto lenses to match each of their camcorders. Canon lenses do not have an outer filter thread, so you'll have to make a filter sandwhich with the filters in-between the lens and the camcorder.
Raynox (http://www.raynox.com/) makes some good wide angle and telephoto lenses, and many have outer filter threads. You may need a step up/step down adapter to attach the Raynox lens to your camcorder.
Century Optics (http://www.centuryoptics.com/products/dv/camera/4.htm) makes several lenses for the Optura series
A mini review of the wide angle .55 adapter (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=57671)
Using 35mm still lenses on the Optura Xi (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=52216).
Microphones
Canon
DM-50 (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=201377&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation) - Shotgun (stereo). Only works with Canon's Advanced Accessory Shoe. Powered by the camcorder's battery. Cannot be used with other microphones. Must be used ON the camera.
Rode
Videomic (http://www.rode.com.au/?pagename=Products&product=VideoMic&PHPSESSID=fc8cd1ad50cd08bf0f15f8cdc67c5c77) - Shotgun. 1/8" connector. Battery powered, with shockmount. Accessories (http://www.rode.com.au/?pagename=Accessories&PHPSESSID=fc8cd1ad50cd08bf0f15f8cdc67c5c77#VideoMic_&_NTG)
NTG-2 (http://www.rode.com.au/?pagename=Products&product=NTG-2) - Shotgun. Dual power: battery or phantom power. Accessories (http://www.rode.com.au/?pagename=Accessories&PHPSESSID=fc8cd1ad50cd08bf0f15f8cdc67c5c77#VideoMic_&_NTG)
NT3 (http://www.rode.com.au/?pagename=Products&product=NT3) - Hyper-cardioid condenser. Dual power: battery or phantom.
Audio Technica
AT831b (http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/4eefe86da4a8288f/index.html) - Cardioid Condenser Lavalier. Dual power: battery or phantom
AT899 (http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/102fa42601dd18dc/index.html) - Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier. Dual power: battery or phantom
AT897 (http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/9aeff7bd1ee954dc/index.html) - Shotgun. Dual power: battery or phantom
- Hyper-cardioid condenser. Phantom only.
[url=http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/69c1a91daefb7b3c/index.html]AT4073a (]AT4053a[/url) - Shotgun. Phantom only.
Sennheiser
ME66 (http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/products_microphones_k6_03284) - Shotgun. Requires K6 (battery/phantom) or K6P (phantom only) powering modules
ME64 (http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/products_microphones_k6_03282) - Cardioid. Requires K6 (battery/phantom) or K6P (phantom only) powering modules
XLR Adapters
Studio 1 Productions (http://www.studio1productions.com/xlr-menu.htm) - Adapters designed to clip onto your belt. Useful for Opturas that load tapes from the bottom.
BeachTek (http://www.beachtek.com/products.html) - Adapters that attach directly to the bottom of the camcoder. BeachTek also has models that provide phantom power. The DXA-10 model is designed to be mounted or used with a belt clip.
Stereo mini to XLR cable (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=160632&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation) - Inexpensive way to use battery powered or dynamic XLR mics with short cable runs of 15 feet or less.
Rode XLR to mini adapter (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=387850&is=REG&addedTroughType=search) Another inexpensive way to connect battery powered or dynamic mics with short cable runs of 15 feet or less.
Matte Boxes
Cinetactics Matteblox (http://cinetactics.com/)
Lights
Low budget lighting article by Scott Spears (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=19944)
Canon
Video Flash Light VFL-1 (http://www.canoncompanystore.com/epages/annex.storefront?ProductDetail=8834A001AA)
Video Light VL-3 (http://www.canoncompanystore.com/epages/annex.storefront?ProductDetail=3175A002AA)
Camera Bright LED (http://www.camerabright.com/index.htm)
Lowell Lighting (http://www.lowel.com/)
Support & Stabilizers
Steadicam Merlin (http://www.steadicam.com/handheldmerlin.html)
Video Innovators shoulder support and camcorder handle - You can see an interesting setup for this shoulder support here. And more of their other products
TIPS, TRICKS, & STRATEGIES - Working with your Optura
Optura Tips 01 (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=27280)
Optura Tips 02 (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=48949)
Using infinity zoom (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=43509)
REVIEWS
Optura 600
Design Technica (http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review3191_intro15962.html)
Videomaker (http://www.videomaker.com/article/12309)
Optura 50/60
DV Spot (http://www.dvspot.com/reviews/canon/optura60-review/index.shtml)
By DVINFO members
Robert Mann Z. (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=42672)
Kevin McNerney (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=50967)
ADVISORY NOTICES
Defective Sony CCD chips (http://www.canon-asia.com/index.jsp?fuseaction=image-phenomena_notice)
VIDEOS MADE WITH THE OPTURA
Pending