Wide Angle for Optura Xi
 

Hi,

I am trying to obtain a wide angle adapter for my Xi, and I am looking for an adapter that will allow the footage to look as close to film as possibly can (super wide). I am going to use the adapter with the 16:9 mode on the camera.

is there a good apapter which i can use?

thanks

Century Optics makes 16:9 wide angle adapters. They'll give you the super wide 2.35:1 ratio you're looking for.

These are the screw-on adapters:
- 37mm (click here)
- 58mm (click here)

I like the century optics one, but the Xi has a 46mm thread, so how will I be able to use this?

For the screw on adapters you'll need one of these:

- 46mm-37mm step down ring (click here)
- 46mm-58mm step up ring. (click here)

XI compares with 3ccd?
 

I was just wondering if the XI compares closely to a 3ccd prosumer camera such as the pvdv953 trv950 etc. I know its got a 1/3.4 huge ccd with RGB color filter but will that cut the cheese? Because Im going to be using this camera for some green screening work etc. Thanks guys

Hi Nathan, take a look at my web site's Green Screen DV and chromakey tutorials for examples of what can be accomplished with an old original Elura, green poster paper, one light bulb and some star wars toys.

In short, yes, the Optura Xi should work well for green screen. Your software's capability to work with 4:1:1 compressed DV video will be the deciding factor.

Philip Williams
www.philipwilliams.com

Thanks
 

Thanks for the reply Philip, wow that's really impressive for using that camcorder. I am going to be using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit the video. Also, I am going to be filming outside and would really like to add a lens hood to the XI. Tell me if I am wrong with this (sorry if newb question): The Canon Optura XI has a 46mm filter diameter and I am going to get a 43mm thread DV lens hood. So I will need a 46mm to 43mm adapter ring right? I screw the adapter ring to 46mm diameter filter and then screw the lens hood onto the other end of the adapter ring that is 43mm. Sorry about a pretty stupid question, just wondering If I got it right.

Generally I don't think using step-down rings is a good idea. If you shoot with your lens at the widest setting you'll almost certainly get the ring into your shot. Stick with 46mm or larger accessories.

As for Premiere, hopefully they've improved the keyer to work with DV footage. I recall the older versions really had a problem with the 4:1:1 color sampling and you'd get nice chunky squares at the edges of the mask. Again, hopefully this won't happen in the new version.

Good luck,
Philip Williams
www.philipwilliams.com

do you know of any lens hoods that work with 46mm filter threads? Thanks

lens hood on Optura XI (help)
 

I was just wondering if anyone has tried using the gl2 lens hood on the optura xi? I know I need a 46mm to 58mm step up ring, but thats no problem. I dont really want to use a step down ring because It might get in my shots. I know it would get the job done, but would it look good?

I think the GL2 hood is a bayonet style mount which would be hard to mount to a step ring with out modifying the hood.

I use a Hama hood (click here) on mine. Available at B&H.

46mm to 52mm step up
 

I ended up getting that exact one at B & H, I ordered a step up ring of ebay as well. Thanks for the reply

(where you the one that had those pictues with the hood on the xi?)

BandH tracking number?
 

I ordered the 52mm Hama hood off of B&H yesterday. The order is still processing, I am just wondering how long it will take before I get a tracking number. I ordered off of beach camera and got a tracking number and shipping confirmation the same day, simply amazing. Anyway, whoever has ordered of B&H generally how long does it take to get your tracking number?

Nate, If you bought it from Ultimate electronics I am not suprised one singal bit. I bought a camcorder from them (a used one supposedly in like new condition) a couple of months when I filmed with it, I saw lines and other marks on the tape while I played it back. I took it to fast track repair, and they said they were the dirtiest heads they have ever seen. I was in shock, it was suppose to be a barely used camera. Anyway they had to completely replace the heads on it. I never got billed, maybe Ultimate new they sold me a rip off camera. I took it to the repair shop through them, don't know how smart that was, but I didn't have to pay for the repair. Now I was driving around one day and found out that Ultimate Electronics here is closing down, hmm wonder why.

XI Remote operation questions
 

I want to set up my Optura XI to record some wildlife remotely. Trying to find a source for a small LCD (?) type video display that could be connected to serve as a remote monitor. Quality isn't particularly important as it would be used mostly for composition.

At the same time, I'm trying to find out what the maximum distance would be for a wired connection from the camera to such a monitor? In most cases we'd be limited the max range of the remote control in any event, but curious to know what the options might be without that limitation.

There are several portable/battery operated LCD monitor solutions on the market for around $299 on up. If you go to B&H Photo's website, search for "portable LCD monitor".

Several people have also reported successfully using portable DVD players as a monitor.

I've also seen some reported attempts at using a portable Playstation, but I'm not sure if they were successful.

Make sure the monitor supports 16:9 if you're going to use it, otherwise your image will appear squished.

Keep us informed on how it works out.

Thanks, Michael. B&H seems to have a number of choices, such as:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ist&sku=189258

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=381823&is=REG

Even one w/ a built-in TV tuner.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=270601&is=REG

I might be in the city in the near future. I'll have to stop by and check these things out. Unless you know exactly what you're getting, there's no substitute for actually handling these things first.



Yeah, but with a Playstation I suppose one would have another diversion were they to get too bored looking at the screen. :)

Hopefully someone will have some input as to the practical limitations with respect to how far apart the camera and such a remote display could work?

Interesting question.

It looks like the practical limit for composite video is about 20-30 meters . S-video's practical limit is 5-7 meters. Per this document, (click here)

Another option is to use a laptop in the field. It can act as a monitor and remote control in one package. Unfortunately, firewire has a cable limit of 4.5 meters, so you'd have to use firewire repeater/extenders to get farther away.

Interesting link-- thanks much for that.

I hope to do some testing next week. Interesting that the quality of the firewire cable is such a significant factor. Guess that explains why the prices for any given length of cable can vary so much.

I'll let you know how I make out!

Optura XI 1/30 shutter, drop vertical res?
 

Does the Optura Xi drop some vertical resolution when shooting in 1/30. I have looked at 1/60 and 1/30 and it looks the same. Does anyone know? 1/30 looks more like film to me, and I dont see any drop in res if there is some its so faint I cant notice. Anybody know for sure.

I don't know, but does it really matter? Look at it creatively. If the 1/30th
gives you the look you want and it still looks great then by all means use it!
(I would)

No-one will watch the movie later and say "oh look at the resolution loss this
guy has because he switched to 1/30th shutter on his Optura XI" :)

Yeah, Rob you have a point. Thanks

XI and the auto power off
 

Is there away to turn the auto power off off. I dont think there is, just thought I'd ask, thanks.

Not on the original XL1. It will drop into STANDBY from PAUSE if there is a tape in the transport after around 5 minutes. If there is NOT a tape in the camcorder it will not not drop into STANDBY but will remain operating as a camera.

Canon suggests that the only way to keep the XI from shutting off is to use the AC adapter as the power source, not the battery. I haven't tried it, so I don't know if it's true.

True - in that when using the battery, the camcorder will shut down when the battery runs out of available charge. However, using the A/C adapter does not prevent the XL1 from going into standby if a tape is in the camcorder.

No it still does it with the AC adapter, Im not even using the battery. It makes no sense to have the auto power off when shooting indoors while using the AC adapter, its just stupid.

Again, the key point is having a tape in the XL1. After about 5 minuts it goes into Standby mode (not the same as turning the power off with the dial). This is a carryover from pure consumer camcorders - to save battery and reduce damage to tape and head wear from a camcorder left in pause mode for a long time.

Pro users complained, so the XL1s had an option to disable this feature so that only the tape transport (VCR portion) is turned off after 5 minutes, the camera head continues to run.

Key to max cable length for analog signals is the quality loss you can tollerate. You state quality is not a major issue, if so you can use a lot of cable (much more than 20-30 meters) as long as you have enough signal at the far end to drive your monitor, and adding a line amplifier can address that.

Using a small RF converter to change your camera analog output to a channel 3/4 TV signal can get you more distance, especially if using distribution amplifiers - parts available from Radio Shack, and it will give you audio too, but you will need a TV receiver a the other end rather than just a simple monitor.

im refering to the optura xi, does it do the same thing?

Optura XI Zoom
 

its hard to zoom without the onboard mic. picking up the squeak when u try to zoom real slow. (the friction between the zoom control against the camera)


is there a good way to avoid this witout having to buy an external mic. or having to edit out with sound editing?


thanks

All camcorders suffer from this problem. The best way to defeat this issue is to go ahead and get the DM-50 external mic for the Advanced Accessory Shoe. It's shock-mounted and any motor noise from the cam is dampened. It's your best bet, really.

something happened to the optura Xi
 

hmm, well today i turned it on to take a few photos, and noticed something weird..

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...orted/uhoh.jpg

I have no idea why this happened and what the problem could be...could it be the internal nd filter stuck? or the ccd is messed up?

Very strange. I have the same camera but have not experienced the problem you are. Sorry to be of no help.

Get it replaced by your vendor or send it to Canon for repairs right away.

I do have to say, it is a very strange error. Not only are both sides different, but there's a third anomaly on the bottom left side as well.

Are you able to re-create the error?

Xi Auto-Focus
 

Howdy,

I was shooting some footage for work the other day and it was a one-man operation where I was pretty much running around like a mad-man the entire time. As such, I chose to leave the focus on auto instead of manual. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get good tracking shots as I was walking around the setting.

Anyhow, I noticed that for some reason, now more than ever, the xi has been a little testy with regards to auto focus. Even when I've got my subject in the frame clearly it pulled in and out (I imagine this was because there were several subjects in the background that were milling about). My question is has anyone else experienced this with auto focus? Any suggestions that would help out? The lighting in this place was phenomenal. In fact, I've gotten the best images yet out of this camera, so I didn't think that was my issue. Just would like to hear if anyone has experienced the same kind of scenario. Thanks.

I think its been brought up before that the autofocus tends to hunt a bit. I only had a Xi for a month or two but noticed the same tendency even when lighting was above average.

I've had it occur with my Xi as well.

a. One quick fix is to use infinity focus.
b. Another technique, is to let the autofocus get a lock, and then turn the manual focus ON.

When I'm running around, my thumb is constantly on the MF button, flipping back and forth, to get a solid focus. I only use the focus ring when the cam is on a tripod.

** The on board mic will record the sound of the focus ring. Getting a DM-50 or Videomic will avoid this problem.

Thanks guys.

Although it's unfortunate that this camera has a tendency to hunt, at least I feel better knowing I wasn't going crazy. Thanks for the tip on the infinity focus. I've rarely ever used that so I'll give it a shot.

Jason

I second Michael's comments, however, I rarely use the auto focus button. I've gotten pretty used to the focus ring.

When I run and gun I just set it to infinity and zoomed out all the way.