Anybody else catch some oil rig footage on the news with a soldier shooting his red and white Canon?

Kinda shocked and awed me that they don't use the smaller sonys.

John, there are a variety of DV camcorders being used in the Middle East right now by the military and by journalists; the majority of which are the Canon XL1S and Sony PD150. In fact I think I've seen PD150's more than anything else. No doubt about it, the XL1S is an easy thing to spot.

I haven't seen an XL1S yet but I sure see alot of Sonys...usually catching their distinctive profile in shadow rather than in view.

I can't help wondering if the camera operators, who probably normally use much more sophisticated cameras, are enjoying them or cursing them.

Article about these 'backpacker' journalists who pack around DV cams and satellite gear in Iraq now.

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030327.gtbackmar27/BNStory/Technology/

Here in the UK I know the PD150 is really popular with journalists and documentary filmmakers. One of the main reasons is because Sony Broadcast market the camera and not Sony consumer, not sure how it works in the US. But the point is it is viewed as a pro camera, not a million miles away from the Sony DigiBetas. Quite a smart move by Sony.

Also one can argue that camera is better suited for journalism and documentary filmmaking- size and LCD screen. I also recently heard the BBC modify the audio on the PD150.

It's not just the XL1 or PD150 that's being used in the Gulf by journalists. I've a friend who sold a load of the consumer Sony DV cameras to journalists just prior to the conflict. Reason? Night vision capabilities.

Back in 2000 I know that the Marine Combat Camera unit out of San Diego was using the XL1. One of the Marines was shooting with it during a beach landing exercise here in Hawaii.

I also saw an XL1 at Schofield Army Barracks the other week, being operated by a soldier during a deployment ceremony.

One of the advantages of the Canon over other video cameras is that it's easy to fit the XL1 with night vision equipment. This is a true passive photomultiplier, not just infrared sensitivity which require an IR illumination source (not a good idea in combat conditions). The photomultiplier goes between the lens and the camera and allows the camera to maintain features such as zoom range and image stabilization.

http://www.electrophysics.com/Browse/Brw_ProductLineCategory.asp?CategoryId=30&Area=NV

Dean Sensui
Base Two Productions

There must be some good restrictions on these toys.
Looks like they would be fun, to bad there arent any good photos showing what the image quality will look like.


Rob:D

It must be rather frustrating to have such a good, small camera such as a PD150 or XL1S pushing images through a videophone.

hi , all




I have seen the canon xl1 in the war, yep shootin oil fealds,all right go canon.



Joshua

<<<-- Originally posted by Keith Loh : Article about these 'backpacker' journalists who pack around DV cams and satellite gear in Iraq now.

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030327.gtbackmar27/BNStory/Technology/ -->>>

The story said that the PD150 cost $7,000 and weighs 12 pounds!! It must be the Iraqi Freedom special edition.

bulletproof vest included!

Helmet sold seperately. LOL.
12 pounds of Hardcore butt kickin.
Or
Tailor made with gun rack.


Whatever it is im sure it couldn't be 12lbs.
Maybe they have that one attached to the planes front end.


Rob:D

I noticed that as well. Probably includes the tripod.

The National Geographic/MSNBC/NBC team (Peter Arnett's team at least) is using several XL1S's. I also think I saw them with a GL2 sitting on a table in the background of one shot.

I've heard that a large percentage of all shows on the Nat-Geo channel are shot on XL1S's too.

I'd like to know how the guys shooting in the desert are keeping the sand and dust out. They don't appear to be using any covers. I'll bet their zoom and focus rings feel pretty "crunchy" by now.

G

Hey, a couple of years ago there was a story in Videomaker ( I think) that was talking about the military adapting the XL-1 for its combat camcorder because it was so damn tough, as well as being broadcast quality, and, its ability to continue to work in very high humidity. Last year I went to the Video school in Rockport, Maine. There were a couple of military combat photographers and videographers there. Yep, they used Canon XL-1/ 1s. Trust me, I have had mine from Patagonia to the Amazon, on Hazardous waste sites and at -12 in the Rockies. And it still keeps on ticking!! Bob

On an HD mailing list, a poster said he was leading 2 USMC HD Combat Camera Teams. 4 teams using Sony F900's.

Crazy, I'd rather lug the XL1 around. I had to lug the F900 on a shoot and it was not friendly to the arms.

Them soldiers have big biceps.

I just saw an Air Force tech sgt shooting a live fire training exercise at the Pohakuloa training area in Hawaii with a Sony PD-150. He said his unit was testing them out.

They also shoot with an XL1.

Results with the 150 were good, he said.

Dean Sensui
Base Two Productions

Oh yes, good old P.T.A.

I was stationed there in the 80's as a MPI/TAI Officer...

I know lots of different toys are being used, but my initial post was that I saw a soldier being filmed setting up an xl1 to shoot an oil rig fire.

I know if it were me (using the auto lens) I'd encase the thing in plastic and use something like the Varizoom controller to make any adjustments. That way the lens and it's mechanisms stay clean, yet allow the different focus, zoom adjustments.

I just figured that size and weight might be of paramount importance, not to mention battery longevity, on the road trip to Baghdad.

I also think that I'm seeing a fair amount of stuff with the indicative image quality of Frame-mode. Although if they're using a fast shutter speed, it can sometimes have a similar effect. A bit jittery on action shots. But also a certain smoothness of color saturation leads me to think..Canon!