So I just got these in the mail a couple of hours ago and these are my first thoughts:

I am so used to my 12 lb XL2 (yes I said 12 lbs!)

The Xh-a1 feels like a toy compared to my xl2.. especially the plastics.
The body does feel solid though.

The weight and ergonomics are so totally different I don't know how to handle it.. I am used to shoulder mount.. and even when just handheld on the xl2 I am used to the size and wight supporting my stabilization.
I'm feeling clumsy when using this camera! I know I will get used to it sooner or later but does anyone have any good tips?


Also there are so many more things in the menu then on the xl2.. which is not a plus.. like audio switching to and from XLR's.. don't like. We'll there is a lot in the menus that I'm not used to.

I am also finding it hard to mount accessories as there is little room and no back-plate... humm custom work needed!

The wide angle on the xh-a1 20x lens is super impressive!
Iris ring and shutter dial absolutely A++
Lack of light on side status monitor.. annoying but wont miss much.

Load it up brother, rods, mattebox, shoulder mount.

There are a wide variety of shoulder supports available for a camcorder like this. Sounds like you'd be much more comfortable shooting with one of them.

This thread about shoulder mounts for the Z1 should also apply to the Canon: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=57910

thanks for the quick responses.. i will check them out!

This is a concern of mine too .. although I haven't picked up an A1 yet, as they're not yet available in the UK.

I haven't found any shoulder mount supports that I've liked the look of.

Cavision offer great rods ( http://cavision.com/rods/minidvFF.htm ) and also offer a shoulder pad thing ( http://www.cavision.com/pictures/SonyHDV/btsps2.htm ) .. but I read a bad review of the shoulder support. It doesn't look that comfy or practical to me, PLUS, it's way too far back.

I emailed Cavision to ask why all their pictures show the shoulder support to be waaay far back ( http://www.cavision.com/pictures/SonyHDV/SonyHDV.htm ), when obviously you would ideally want the shoulder support to be under the centre of mass ... They said yes, this is a factor, but these HDV cams only have a rear viewfinder or quite rear LCD .. they need to be mounted "in front" of the operator in order to see them.

This is a fair point.

So ... the best solution I can think of at the moment is this--

Cavision rods ( http://www.cavision.com/rods/minidvQR.htm ), but slide the camera-holding bit off the rails and insert it backwards ... this would cause it to jut off the back of the camera, and you could fasten accesories to it somehow. This would also leave completely bare rods underneath the camera, where you could custom build a shoulder pad ... like the zacuto one ( http://store.zacuto.com/product.php?productid=71&cat=13&page=1 ), but, er, cheaper.

Then put these on the front- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=Search&A=details&Q=&sku=442198&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

For monitoring, I'm thinking something like a Noga arm ( http://www.adorama.com/ZONDG11043.html ) holding a 7" LCD quite far forwards, even just behind and to the side of the matte box.

For Mattebox, there are good options, personally I use a Formatt FM-500 I picked up on ebay for £70..

This would be a great setup, centre balanced over the shoulder, and can think of fastening stuff to the back plate somehow also ...

Thought I'd share my plans/thoughts, in case others are going to go through this!

I need to think about focus though, I don't shoot anything auto focus (events included), so I don't know how I'll manage that... HDV has tougher focus requirements, so maybe I'll have to switch to auto for events and FF for Cine/Promos

Load it up brother, rods, mattebox, shoulder mount.

Hey Noel, which mattebox are you using? Can you give me a link?

I previously used a GL2 and find the A1 to be much heavier to hold. After about 30-40 seconds of handheld shooting... my hands and arms begin to noticeably shake as my muscles begin to fatigue. And after about a minute, you can definitely see my shaking in the shots. So some sort of stabilization system is def. recommended. I have started bracing my camera-hand arm at the elbow with my other free hand to kind of give extra strength for myself... but I am still fatiguing very fast.

I'm known to be a bit of a shrimp though, so I don't know how fatiguing it would be for a beefier cameraman.

I don't think I would call my self a "Beefy" cameraman.. but I think it's too light.. or actually no.. the A1 is a perfect weight for it's size;
I really just prefer shoulder mount cameras over handheld ones..

At our ministry TV set we use Hitachi Brodcast shoulder cameras (about 30lbs) I love em! they are so much easier to keep stable for long periods of time. Love having a manual lens too.. (OH I'll just have to get an H1 too :)

So I just got these in the mail a couple of hours ago and these are my first thoughts:

I am so used to my 12 lb XL2 (yes I said 12 lbs!)

The Xh-a1 feels like a toy compared to my xl2.. especially the plastics.
The body does feel solid though.

The weight and ergonomics are so totally different I don't know how to handle it.. I am used to shoulder mount.. and even when just handheld on the xl2 I am used to the size and wight supporting my stabilization.
I'm feeling clumsy when using this camera! I know I will get used to it sooner or later but does anyone have any good tips?


Also there are so many more things in the menu then on the xl2.. which is not a plus.. like audio switching to and from XLR's.. don't like. We'll there is a lot in the menus that I'm not used to.

I am also finding it hard to mount accessories as there is little room and no back-plate... humm custom work needed!

The wide angle on the xh-a1 20x lens is super impressive!
Iris ring and shutter dial absolutely A++
Lack of light on side status monitor.. annoying but wont miss much.

Hey Michael sorry to change the subject, but I see that you are using the new Varizoom LED Light.
How do you like it so far?

I love it.. infact I'm going to order a second one.. Although please mention the fact that they don't have a canon battery mount yet and that they MUST!!
I am using a very small sony battery and it never goes dead; even when shooting all day..

Here are some pics with it mounted to the A1 without the barn doors.
I really didn't know where else to mount the battery.. this wouldn't be appropriate if you plan on using a shotgun mic..

I love it.. infact I'm going to order a second one.. Although please mention the fact that they don't have a canon battery mount yet and that they MUST!!
I am using a very small sony battery and it never goes dead; even when shooting all day..

Here are some pics with it mounted to the A1 without the barn doors.
I really didn't know where else to mount the battery.. this wouldn't be appropriate if you plan on using a shotgun mic..
Why don't you just mount it on the handle further back?
I know that it might cover the VCR controls, but at least you would be able to use a shotgun mic with it.

BTW just saw this on Varizzoms website for Canon batteries. The last picture (S7200C DV Battery Clamp for Canon).
http://varizoom.com/products/batteries/s7200.html

Why don't you just mount it on the handle further back?
I know that it would cover the VCR controls, but at least you would be able to use a shotgun mic with it.

Because it would cover the VCR controls :)

(and I don't have a shotgun mic.. so no worries there)

BTW just saw this on Varizzoms website for Canon batteries. The last picture (S7200C DV Battery Clamp for Canon).
http://varizoom.com/products/batteries/s7200.html

Sweet! Ok, its time to call them.. :)
BTW please be sure to mention us (michael & rebecka a.k.a. VisualMasterpiece) when you call in :)

Ok, Michael this is strange.
Myself and the wife are also names Michael & Rebecca. But on the other coast.

Sweet! Ok, its time to call them.. :)
BTW please be sure to mention us (michael & rebecka a.k.a. VisualMasterpiece) when you call in :)
Mike, quick question also..Does the Battery Clamp (sled) give you the option to be mounted via a camera hotshoe, instead of on the handle.
This way I could use a standoff hotshoe adapter that would enable me to mount the camera light and the battery holder on the same hotshoe.

that is funny.. in a cool way.. what kind of videography do you focus on?

that is funny.. in a cool way.. what kind of videography do you focus on?
Wedding and Event Vidoegraphy (recitals, live performancees and such).

Hey Noel, which mattebox are you using? Can you give me a link?

Everything here in Tokyo is expensive so I am using the Cavision set up with Redrock 18 inch rods. Ill post a complete pic, mattebox, rods, shoulder mount.. mattebox, rods, shoulder mount plus m2. Wait til tomorrow.

Noel, that would be really appreciated .. decent shoulder mounting without breaking the bank is the only remaining question-mark over my A1 purchases :) Don't want to find that my ideas won't work once I have it all in my hands. Plus I don't have any handycam type cameras to play with to test it out.

Noel, that would be really appreciated .. decent shoulder mounting without breaking the bank is the only remaining question-mark over my A1 purchases :) Don't want to find that my ideas won't work once I have it all in my hands. Plus I don't have any handycam type cameras to play with to test it out.
Kris, you may want to take a look at the NEW DV Multi Rig from DVTec.

I have 2 threads going in the Support Your Local Camera section.

One is my initial review:
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=74945

and the other thread, shows some pics on my website of my setup and configurations using a Sony VX2100 (much larger setup than I would need with an A1, (as the built in XLR's and shockmount, wuld eliminate the need for a Beachtek box and mounting the mic on the handle):
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=78500

I took a look at the A1 last night in my BVA meeting as a rep from Canon showed us the new cams from Canon.
It was already #1 on my radar, and this just about confirmed that this will be my next big purchase.
The DvMulti Rig will work fantastic with this camera. And my setup will get event smaller than what is shown on my website, as I will have the addition of built in XLR's and a shock mount on the camera, thus shrinking my comfiguration a bit. Add a new LED light from either Sony or Varizoom (runs on camera batteries) and I reduce hanging cables, further streamlining my setup.

Right now as it is I can shoot in about 10-15 totally different shooting configurations rock solid and fatigue free for an entire 8-12 hour shoot.
BTW the new optical stabalization on the A1 is totally awsome, as is the very quick auto focus.

...the built in XLR's and shockmount...
Do those of you who've tried it agree that the supplied mic mount is good enough not to need a separate shock-mount when using an on-camera mic? What sort of mics have been tried so far? How much motor and handling noise is transmitted through each?

TIA

(or maybe this should be a new thread...?)

Mike, quick question also..Does the Battery Clamp (sled) give you the option to be mounted via a camera hotshoe, instead of on the handle.
This way I could use a standoff hotshoe adapter that would enable me to mount the camera light and the battery holder on the same hotshoe.

No just as show in photos; clamp mount for the battery sled.. its quite nice though and you can remove the clamp and attach the sled with a screw somewhere..