I would like to see an option that zooming in or out turns off the Focus Assist feature.

I just got mine this week, and that has been the thing that is bugging me the most. I zoom in to get focus, choose the Focus Assist, and then I want to zoom back to get my shot. Right now I have to zoom out and press that ill-placed button.

Lol - or is this an option that I just haven't found yet?

It is indeed one of the poll options, Barry... third one up from the bottom: "Option: AF off during zoom (prevent focus pulsing)." Looks like it's been a popular choice too.

Hmmm, I think that is different. I don't mean in AF Mode. I mean when you press Focus Assist Mag. and it digitally zooms in to give you better resolution to focus. If you then zoom out manually, it stays in Focus Assist mode. I'd like to see any change in the zoom automatically turn off the Focus Assist Mag.

I can't imagine wanting to change the zoom with that option on. You need it off to frame a shot.

Oh man... I *completely* misunderstood you earlier, Barry! Focus Assist... duh! That's what I get for not waiting for my first cup of coffee. Looks like I mentally transposed "AF" (autofocus) for Focus Assist.

Anyhoo, I think you're dead on with that request. I sure wish it had been brought up back when we were seeking submissions to the poll. What we might wind up doing, is to run the poll one more time with a refined set of options. We'll drop the top-voted winning options, and the bottom options which got the least number of votes. And then we can throw in a couple of excellent idea submissions such as yours that weren't picked up the first time around.

We could call it "F. Asst. Mag. auto off when zooming." Maybe it could be a Custom Functions option.

So maybe we'll do that after this one reaches 100 voters or so.

Hi all, 2 questions regarding the firmware updates:

1. Why aren't more people concerned with the lack of Peaking customization and colors? I don't own the A1 (yet) but I've messed around with it, and I do think the color peaking on the Sony V1U, for example, is vastly superior and makes focusing much easier than on the A1. Am I missing something? Is the A1's peaking function actually just fine as it is, even given its smallish LCD? Wouldn't peaking colors and customization be a huge, fundamental improvement to one of the most important functions of the A1 - to accurately focus an image?

2. When might a firmware update for the A1 actually happen? Did Canon put a firmware update out for the GL2, and if so, how long after that camera was introduced?

Ben, I also find the peaking to be one of the weakest points of the A1 - even more annoying than its mutual exclusiveness with the zebra.

As far as I know, there has never been a firmware update issued for the GL2.

There's no guarantee that one will be issued for the XH series camcorders either.

Hmm. Do you know whether there have ever been firmware updates for any of the Canon camcorders? This info could very well factor into people's decisions to buy now vs. to wait for improvements that may only arrive with the A2...

So far there have been a couple of firmware upgrades issued for the XL H1.

Thanks for putting up the poll, Chris.

Lots of great suggestions. Tough to pick only four. I voted for switchable audio limiting, zebra with peaking, AGC gain limit option, and viewable preset names.

Two that didn't make the list:

1) A menu option for 2:3:3:2 advanced pulldown for the 60i analog outputs when shooting 24F HD.
This is primarily for recording without tape, such as directly into a computer (where you can choose a non-HDV codec that might be better for green screen work). Advanced pulldown is easier to remove cleanly to get back to 24 fps.

2) A menu option to make letterboxing active on composite outputs while shooting 16x9.
Currently letterboxing only works during playback. Composite monitoring during shooting is always vertically stretched to 4x3. Letterboxing to show the actual aspect would make it more useful for clients to see framing while shooting.

Cheers,
-Jamie
www.JamieKrutz.com/jvideo.html

I was a little concerned that the A1 does not allow any sort of manual focusing while simultaneously zooming. It's funny though because assuming all the manual dials are servo mechanisms the A1 will zoom and change it's aperture simultaneously so why not zoom and focus?

That would be a feature to add in my opinion.

This is a feature the XLH1 is afflicted with as well. Someone in the Canon
Organization let this design flaw go by and it keeps popping up. Apparently they have only one mechanisim to control zoom and focus and when one is trying to use manual focus you are not actually adjusting the lens but the mechanism is. When you are zooming it is already busy so you can't focus and vice versa.

All digital video camcorders using auto-servo lenses work like this. It's not a Canon thing.

The only manufacturer that lets you zoom and focus at the same time is Panasonic, and only on a couple of models.

Well Hooray for Panasonic since they have figured out how to make Auto Focus and Manual focus work on the same lens. As far as I can tell there are only four manufacturers in this part of the market. Sony, JVC, Panasonic and Canon.
Canon had more than a few years to see what Panasonic did with similarly priced cameras and dropped the ball. I don't know of any video/ filmmaker who would want the Canon Focus Zoom lens design compared to the Panasonic one in this instance.
It doesn't mean the overall package is bad but it is one of the least professional aspects of the Canon cameras.

Well Hooray for Panasonic since they have figured out how to make Auto Focus and Manual focus work on the same lens. As far as I can tell there are only four manufacturers in this part of the market. Sony, JVC, Panasonic and Canon.
Canon had more than a few years to see what Panasonic did with similarly priced cameras and dropped the ball. I don't know of any video/ filmmaker who would want the Canon Focus Zoom lens design compared to the Panasonic one in this instance.
It doesn't mean the overall package is bad but it is one of the least professional aspects of the Canon cameras.

It's not about figuring out how to do it, it is a matter of cost, size and weight. Besides most pros would not be trying to zoom and focus simultaneously. I think even with a separate motor for both, that any camera would have a difficult time using its autofocus while zooming, except maybe while on a tripod and rock steady. Would that be correct Chris?

With the lens adjusted correctly, you would stay in focus while zooming anyway.

Mike

Catagorically, the Sony FX1 and Z1 CAN zoom and focus at the same time.

Canon A1 will autofocus and zoom at the same time, but no manual focus and zoom.

There are two types of shots where simultanious zoom & focus is needed - dolly zooms (the "vertigo" effect); and the travel show standard - a zoom pull focus from a scenic background to a foreground presenter.

ding! ding! ding! zoom/pull focus...my original concern all along about the focusing issue. As for being able to autofocus while zooming I think it's not what you may think.... I have tried very slow zooms with autofocus engaged and it does not seem to update focus until after the zoom has stopped.

I'm certainly not suggesting that this shortcoming will come up often....these shots are not often used but still....it's like.....come on?

So if a firmware were to allow this to happen THAT would top my list for updates. Then everything else....

Catagorically, the Sony FX1 and Z1 CAN zoom and focus at the same time.

Canon A1 will autofocus and zoom at the same time, but no manual focus and zoom.



So does that leave Canon as the only manufacturer at this level which doesn't allow you to manually focus and zoom at the same time?

As for when this is useful try shooting a live event where you are constantly following action and reframing.

you can try give option "LCD color and VCF without color together" :-) , thanks.

Wow Chris where's the "all of the above". Some of these things I didn't even know the camera couldn't do in it's current state. I'm still trying to learn it.

It's my first Canon camera since I started out in video. I switched early on from a GL-1/XL-1s combo for a VX2100/PD170 combo for low light performance (weddings).

So far I'm very impressed with the A1 so far.

Ok, so these conversations are good, but let's get back to the question at hand:

IS CANON COMMING OUT WITH A FIRMWARE UPDATE OR NOT?

I would like the option of four separate histograms (R, G, B, and luminance) or one combined. And the option of large or small.

I would like to be able to select the Custom Preset 'by name' in the menu and activate it at that point, rather then having to remember what number it was assigned to and then use the silly buttons on the side.

I would like to be able to select the Custom Preset 'by name' in the menu and activate it at that point, rather then having to remember what number it was assigned to and then use the silly buttons on the side.

Or better still - have just one button (assigning something more important to the other), and be able to cycle with it through all presets including OFF and displaying their names (not just numbers) on the LCD/VF.

I would like to be able to select the Custom Preset 'by name' in the menu and activate it at that point, rather then having to remember what number it was assigned to and then use the silly buttons on the side.That's why we offered "Display active C. Preset name (record and playback)" as one of the poll options, but really I don't think activating a preset should be buried in the menu. The last thing I want to do when calling up a preset is to open the menu and dig for it. The buttons on the side make much more sense.

Or better still - have just one button (assigning something more important to the other), and be able to cycle with it through all presets including OFF and displaying their names (not just numbers) on the LCD/VF.No, you really do need two buttons; one to cycle and one for on / off. If I want to turn on a preset, or turn it off, I want a dedicated button for that. I don't want to cycle through a bunch of presets just to find the "off" setting. The way it's set up right now makes sense, with the exception of the blinking "CP Off" for a few seconds, which takes some getting used to. Even better is the ability of the Custom Key #2 to works as a "CP Backward" button. That three-button combination is very easy to work with: scroll backward, on / off, scroll forward.

I'd love to see a display option for record on/off indicator only. I'm surprised I'm the first to mention this. I find it very hard to compose a shot, particularly when a subject is in top right area, with screen obstructed by all the indicators.
When turning all indicators off I'm then left with no record confidence in viewfinder/lcd. Why not just leave record confidence indicator on?

In my personal shotout btw Sony HVR-V1 and Canon XH-A1 I noticed that the knee settings of the A1 are very weak, almost unnoticeable. With the Sony in low knee I can really manage a full stop of higlight more than Canon, so, I wish in a most effective low knee setting (a ultra-low level added to the standard 3 levels for compatibility with older presets), I think it would be a great improvement in highly contrast images handling; sorry for my bad english...

So how are we doing with this. Is it time to present it to Canon?

I'd like to present it with some kind of an even number. We're currently at 186 people who have participated in the poll, so perhaps we'll cut it off at 200 (but 250 would be even better).

Sounds like a plan! Thanks Chris.

Sounds good. Chris, how do you plan to present the results? In person?

The one thing that I really liked about the HVX200 is that it has true variable frame rates that allow you to have true slow motion without the ugliness of that post-production slow motion strobe.

I REALLY, REALLY wished the XH-A1 had that. To me, the camera would be just about perfect as it could be with that.

How will we be notified that there is a firmware update for our XH cameras? Does canon send out an email to XH customers? Also, does anyone know how easy it is to update the firmware? Risky?

I'm with Deke on this -

What's involved in a firmware upgrade? Download to a PC/Mac and then into the camera via firewire?

Or is it the old send-it-back-to-the-factory-and-wait-for-it?

If that's the case, then the one and only first vote should be - "allow for user downloadable firmware upgrades"...

What's involved in a firmware upgrade?
Read this thread: XL H1 Firmware Upgrade Details (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=73850)

Chris, how do you plan to present the results? In person?I presented the original XL2 Wishlist in person (http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=31636), so I can certainly do the same with this wishlist as well. I'll have an opportunity to do so at NAB, so perhaps that's when the cut-off should be. But as I said at the beginning of this thread: don't get your hopes up too much, as there has never been any implication that Canon will issue a firmware upgrade for the XH series at all.

I haven't voted yet, unfortunately my wish list requires hardware changes - anyone got any idea of why the white balance buttons and switches counts no less than FIVE to set and they are spread around at random?

So, my number one wish is that the white balance button be replaced by a dial with six settings:

Auto, outdoor, indoor, Kelvin, A, B

Then ok, two more may be required to configure the last three settings. But that would eliminate/liberate two buttons.

My second wish is that the output switch be eliminated. Let "bars" be available for custom buttons.

My third wish that gain be a dial, maybe with one more setting: off/0dB, so it should be: Auto, Off, low, medium, high. That eliminates/liberates one button.

My fourth wish is that the preset selector buttons be replaced with a dial that lets you scroll through the stored settings - so you can go both back and forth. I haven't used presets much but as I understand it if you pass the setting you want, you have to go all the way around.

So, when will the XH-A2 get out?

My final wish is that all push buttons are custom buttons! Yeah! Photo button to be push AF (most important on my list), the four buttons on the barrel to be custom whatever, and that custom buttons are not restricted: Anything that has two settings on/off, should be assignable to a custom button: In the menu where a setting is selected one should have the choices: On/off/assign to button.

Cheers, Erik

I hope I'm not stealing Chris' thunder here, but I know he is super busy here at NAB and anyway I took this pic with my camera so he doesn't have it yet. Without further ado, attached is a photo of Chris giving a hardcopy of your Wishlist to Canon reps including the actual firmware engineering managers. Yes, they do listen to you!

Yay! Go Chris! And thanks Pete for the pic!

Awriight, way to go!!!

I need the standard def output to be switchable like the Z1. Right now the live output is only squeeze.

Help!

Great news about NAB.

Chris, how did they respond?

Hi Andrew, they responded by saying that they continue to watch this forum, and indeed this particular thread, closely and with great interest. In typical corporate fashion, no promises were made; nothing at all was implied other than their sincerity regarding the keen interest they have had in reading what everybody here has had to say.

As for myself, it was a real treat to meet these fellows -- the XH series and other Canon camcorders literally began life directly from their hands. My own take on the situation is that it is much better to expect nothing to happen, and then be pleasantly surprised if something actually transpires out of this.

Since Pete Bauer and I have already "officially" handed the poll results over to the people that matter, at this point voting is closed (but of course the thread remains open).

Thanks Chris, good news anyway. Being open for surprises without expectations goes for me too.

My only excuse is the A1 and similar takes a lot longer to make it down here to the Antipodes. Then, of course, one has to get to know the camera.

Okay, it's here, and I know it (er, -ish!).

If there's one thing above all else that narks me about the A1 (and I presume this is not confined only to the A1) is the focus, and the ability to see whether it is, indeed, correct. Most of my shooting is in the countryside, wide open spaces, long zooms, little if anything for an AF system to lock on to (neither, often, can I).

Peaking is good. Peaking and Magnify is better. But it still ain't good enough. I've seriously thought of lugging a 21" or 24" HD screen around to actually "see it as it is", but decided even I'm not that crazy. Which leaves either the built in LCD or an available 7" (low res) or so external (it seems no one is going to be bringing out a 7" 1080 screen any time soon)

How to make it better?

Allow "variable mapping" (doesn't need any more buttons, just a menu option) so that the actual area of the ccd shown on the screens is either the current 1/5 ( I think, with Magnify on) or a few variable ratios all the way to 1:1. And show both Peaking and Magnify on the external screen to boot.

The ability to map, pixel for pixel, the central portion of the ccd's I/P would just about let me focus on a Fur Seals whiskers from 40 feet.

Of course, there'd need to be a facility to tell the A1 just how many pixels the external screen had to play with!

Doesn't seem like too big an ask, really.

Oh, and allow a couple more settings for that Manual Focus speed, even at "slow" it's too fast.

There you go. If there ever is another poll on the subject of the A1 (which will probably be morphing into the A1s or A2 any day now) that's my favourite. Tho' in practice, as I said, this problem probably afflicts all HDV cameras. Anone know if any other manufacturers have a better system?

Regards,

Chris

I vote for

Additional Shutter speeds (1/33rd and/or 1/40th)
Add intermediate steps in Gain (+9db, +15db)
Display active C. Preset name (record and playback)
Display lens info (focus and zoom) on playback

I would like to be able to record HD video on the scan disk.

What do you mean by "Scan Disk?"

Are you referring to the SD (secure digital) flash memory card?

Sorry, I guess that's what i'm refering to.

I never thought I'd make it back to this thread/subject, but I suppose the current edit I'm cutting reminded me and forced me to do so.

"OIS On / Off mappable to Custom Key" was THE number one request... and for good reason. For example, on a gig that demands continually rolling tape... and having to pop off a tripod (running with OIS off obviously) and then going handheld... for one thing there's no way to even get into the dang menu in the first place while rolling tape (not to mention how cumbersome it would be) to turn OIS on! Currently, you have to stop rolling, and dig into the menu to do this.

To this day nothing has been done regarding this & I, as well as many, feel it should be on Canon's top priority list for a firmware upgrade. Seriously... how difficult could it be?

I'm steaming here, but my rant is over.

I guess that whole thing about the possibility of firmware upgrades was just a marketing ploy.