GL / XM assorted posts, 2003

[Chris Hurd]

All tapes or just one? Just one... faulty cassette. All of 'em... could be a camcorder service issue.

[John Stanley]

Hi,
I did search the forum about this and got some information.
I've been recording audio during interviews with the subject wearing a Sennheiser ew100 series lav mic going straight into the GL2.
I have been wearing a cheap Radio Shack clip on and running it to another camera, which is kind of a pain when editing (I have to import the video just to get that audio track in) and the Radio Shack mic sounds pretty bad, to boot.
My question is whether its a good idea to add adapters that go from 1/8" to XLR to get both mics into the side of the BeachTek and then mix it into the GL2 from there. If it's OK to go that route, then I'll just plug the wired mic into the Beachtek.
Is this a passible setup?
Or should I continue to record the second mic into a separate source?
Thanks as always!
- John

[Ken Tanaka]

John,
I think you'll be fine using a 1/8" plug-to-XLR adapter and then plugging it into the 2nd channel of your BeachTek. It will be much simpler to edit! The adapter is inexpensive and should be easy to find. Failing local sources, look at Markertek; they specialize in such stuff. Do a test shoot to assess it.

[John Stanley]

OK..Thanks for such a quick response! (I actually have to film something tomorrow.)
I am going to get an adapter and start testing. It will make the editing a lot easier.
Thanks again.

[Edward Seid]

I'm a Sony PD150 owner and know absolutely nothing about the Canon GL2.

I noticed that amazon.com has the GL2 for $2343.59. I have no idea if that's a good price or not, but I thought it might be of interest to some here.

To get this pricing, you must be logged into your amazon.com account. On the first page, there's a Gold Box in the upper-right hand corner. Amazon.com normally rotates ten Gold Box offers every 24-hours or so. The GL2 just so happens to be in today's rotation.

To take advantage of the Gold Box pricing, you must have previously ordered something from amazon.com. To see the full product details on amazon.com, visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...waiichesspr-20. I think there are only 2 left at this price.

I hope this is of use to someone.

[Tony Marino]

Hello, I'm tying to transfer mini dv to mini dv. Is there going to be any loss in video quality and if so how much by using a canon cv-150f 4 pin dv cable? If there is any loss will it be noticeable when I burn the copy onto a dvd recorder for the tv since dvd is only 480 lines? Will it matter if I record from a one chip camcorder to my three chip GL-1?

Is it true that the mini dv tapes can shed or loss quality like vhs tapes after being played back or recorded more than 4 or 5 times?


Thank you,
Tony

[Nathan Gifford]

Using firewire there is no loss in quality. Its an all digital format.

I haven't a clue how many times you can replay a miniDV tape. But unlike VHS, miniDV is all digital. That means until you start losing bits, there is no degradation.

[Chris Hurd]

Tony

<< canon cv-150f 4 pin dv cable >>

Don't buy that thing... it's way overpriced. Any generic 4-pin to 4-pin FireWire cable will do. If it says it's the IEEE1394 standard, then it's all you need.

<< If there is any loss will it be noticeable when I burn the copy onto a dvd recorder for the tv since dvd is only 480 lines? >>

No loss.

<< Will it matter if I record from a one chip camcorder to my three chip GL-1? >>

Nope. The recording section is pretty much the same on all 1-chip and 3-chip camcorders.

<< Is it true that the mini dv tapes can shed or loss quality like vhs tapes after being played back or recorded more than 4 or 5 times? >>

All tape-based media is prone to data loss through improper storage and handling. However DV tapes can be recorded over and played back many, many, many times. That said, if it's valuable video, record it once and don't re-record over it. Why bother with that, because tape is cheap! Dirt cheap. Even the best DV tape is inexpensive. So don't compromise, play it safe and record a tape once only unless you're just playing around. I've got a couple of tapes I use for practice shooting that have been re-recorded twelve or fifteen times. But my paying jobs are strictly one-pass affairs (and back-up copies to go with 'em). Hope this helps,

[Don Palomaki]

Some tests of DV transfer published in thelate 1990 went 100 generations of copying with no noticeable losses. The losses you get will be cumulation of efects of any drop outs and read errors on the tape - very different from analog formats like VHS, S-VHS, Hi8 and 8mm.

[Justin Kroman]

I have read that the GL1 has a 58mm that will fit most Tiffen still photo filters. I have heard good things with the enhancing filter. I dont know the size of the GL2 lens, but if it is that same i see no reason that it wouldnt work there too. I have not tried this myself, but I read about it in RES Magazine.

[Chris Hurd]

The lens is one of only three things that did *not* change between the GL1 and GL2 (the other two things being Frame Movie mode and Optical Image Stabilization). The GL2 lens is identical to the GL1. Hope this helps,

[David Mesloh]

I'm going to Disney World with the family. First and probably last trip with my sons Grandmother around. We're leaving on the 21st of April.I have an XL-1 but the thing is just too darn big to use for this type of trip. The wife says I look like I'm shooting a feature film when I use it on family outings. (So what's the problem with that?) Anyway, I'm in the San Francisco Bay area. I'll sign an agreement that make me responsible for any damage. (Just for the record I'm horribly anal about my equipment, It will be in good hands.) If you are from my area I can loan you my XL-1 so you have a camera to use. It hase the 16x auto as well asthe 16x manual lens. Plus lots of accessories. Any other options would be appreciated. I'll pay for shipping if you are out of the area.

Regards,

David Mesloh
408-202-2214 cell

[Cesar Ruiz]

Hi Mike,

There's a post where you wrote:
Testing:

Put the cap on the camera. Gain up to 18db. Set shutter speed to 1/8th a second.


Viewing:

Set monitor brightness to full bright so the blacks levels are washed. This way you see the full extent of the image.

If your using the LCD 2.5 screen Turn the brightness setting to full. Clear all data on screen.


Well I have a dead pixel, but only when the shutter is at 1/8 of a second. I have heard that some people get their cameras back worse. Can this dead pixel thing get worse? Should I even bother sending it in? I bought it just 10 days ago.

[Scott Silverman]

How can I smoothly make a not-to-noticeable manual exposure adjustment while recording? Whenever I shoot in manual there is always this very noticeable shift in exposure when I adjust my shutter speed or aperture, even when I do it very slowly, little by little. I am sure many of you have run into this problem. What is the way to fix it...if there is one?

Thanks

[Ken Tanaka]

Scott,
To a very great degree this is a matter of judgement that comes from extensive practice and critical review of the practice.

Remember, though, that Manual mode is not the best solution for all situations or even most situations. In fact, it's generally a poor solution for live event coverage where the light may be unpredictable or erratic. Using Tv or Av will generally be a better choice in such situations.