Optura Xi various questions

Pete Smith · August 24th, 2005, 05:54 AM

Hi everyone,

Have been searching your very informative, real people site for the past week looking for tips on how to choose my next vidcam. Still using an 8 year old Sony 8mm in PAL but since moved to North America.

Basically I narrowed my choice down to either of the Xi or Optura 60 because:

1. I do not want another large camera body to carry around (have an S400 and 20D with lenses allready)

2. have a universal Canon battery charger that will charge any Canon battery

3. Low light is not that important - lowest light condition will at least have one incandescant bulb

4. both cameras are virtually same price here in Canada

5. I can convert my old PAL videos to digital with either camera ( if I use a PAL - NTSC converter before I send signal to Canon camera)

I am leaning towrds the 60 model:
- it is newer
- video quality is the same as Xi?
- smaller and lighter
- has all the features of Xi?

Am I correct in my assumptions of the choice between these two?
As I live far away from any city, I shall have to order over the internet and will have no chance to test either.

I would welcome any coments on anything I might have overlooked or if you think my assumptions on these two cameras are incorrect. Even if you think I should go for another brand of camera, please drop my a line here on this post. I would appreciate any and all opinions.

Thanks for a very informative site, regards

Pete

Patrick Jenkins · August 24th, 2005, 08:56 AM

I'd take the 60 over the XI. The 50 & 60 are like having a mini GL1/GL2 except missing framemode and 3 ccds.

Philip Williams · August 24th, 2005, 09:45 AM

Honestly, I think these two cams are so similar, I'd probably recommend the 60 to you based on your desire for a smaller camcorder. The Xi, in my opinion, is actually quite a bit larger than the 60.

On the plus side, you could flip a coin and choose the cam at this point: both are great.

Philip Williams
www.philipwilliams.com

Pete Smith · August 24th, 2005, 09:36 PM

Thanks for your advice.
I guess I'll go with the 60 then.
Regards
Pete

Max Sitnikov · April 14th, 2006, 12:50 PM

Well I had this thing for 2 years and its been "freaking out" on me. The left side of the screen is darker than the right (not a lcd issue because its the same for viewfinder and when transfered to pc). I was wondering what the best place to repair this thing would be? I live in NYC so anything in Manhattan would do. I would rather not send it out because I would be needing the camera in a little over a month (for a vacation).

Any help is appreciated.

-Max

Chris Hurd · April 14th, 2006, 01:29 PM

Canon Factory Service
100 Jamesburg Road
Jamesburg, NJ 08831
tel: 732-521-7007

Michael Wisniewski · April 14th, 2006, 01:43 PM

Make sure to request a repair number before sending it in.

Mel Abdo · April 29th, 2006, 06:36 AM

So... Yeah.
It's going pretty cheap refurbished, is it a good deal?
My budget is $1000

Michael Wisniewski · April 29th, 2006, 09:46 AM

Go for the Optura 50, it's an updated version of the Xi in a smaller package and you can still buy it new for around US$400-$500. The Xi might be a good deal if you can get it for much less than that.

Mel Abdo · April 29th, 2006, 12:02 PM

On eBay, rufurb ones are going for $385 - $450.
$450 is the most expensive one I saw on there.
But, would it be better for me to buy a gs250 from MATSUIYASTORE or whatever it is on eBay for $583.80?
It says its brand new, and i've read about people buying panasonic 3ccd camcorders from that ebay store on I think it was this forum, they have a good reputation.
But it ships from Japan.

Michael Wisniewski · April 29th, 2006, 02:16 PM

Mel, get it from a DV Info Sponsor, they really are the best in the business. It'll be one less thing to worry about.

Click here to see the price for a brand new Optura 50 from B&H Photo.

Mel Abdo · May 13th, 2006, 12:16 PM

I need some raw footage from the Canon Optura XI.
I would REALLY appreciate it.

Tim Ribich · June 3rd, 2006, 08:57 PM

Anything in particular you'd be interested to see?

Tim

Mel Abdo · June 5th, 2006, 11:52 AM

Umm, something like indoor footage in the daytime?
And outdoor footage with whatever :)

Tim Ribich · June 5th, 2006, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel Abdo

Umm, something like indoor footage in the daytime?
And outdoor footage with whatever :)

Mel,

Send me an email.

BTW, I'm a bit south of Albany-- down here in the Catskills.

Tim

August 24th, 2005, 05:54 AM	#121
Pete Smith Tourist Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2	Optura Xi vs. 60 - is there a choice? Hi everyone, Have been searching your very informative, real people site for the past week looking for tips on how to choose my next vidcam. Still using an 8 year old Sony 8mm in PAL but since moved to North America. Basically I narrowed my choice down to either of the Xi or Optura 60 because: 1. I do not want another large camera body to carry around (have an S400 and 20D with lenses allready) 2. have a universal Canon battery charger that will charge any Canon battery 3. Low light is not that important - lowest light condition will at least have one incandescant bulb 4. both cameras are virtually same price here in Canada 5. I can convert my old PAL videos to digital with either camera ( if I use a PAL - NTSC converter before I send signal to Canon camera) I am leaning towrds the 60 model: - it is newer - video quality is the same as Xi? - smaller and lighter - has all the features of Xi? Am I correct in my assumptions of the choice between these two? As I live far away from any city, I shall have to order over the internet and will have no chance to test either. I would welcome any coments on anything I might have overlooked or if you think my assumptions on these two cameras are incorrect. Even if you think I should go for another brand of camera, please drop my a line here on this post. I would appreciate any and all opinions. Thanks for a very informative site, regards Pete

August 24th, 2005, 08:56 AM	#122
Patrick Jenkins Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 382	I'd take the 60 over the XI. The 50 & 60 are like having a mini GL1/GL2 except missing framemode and 3 ccds. __________________ PAL shooter in NTSC territory

April 14th, 2006, 12:50 PM	#125
Max Sitnikov Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New York City, NY Posts: 25	Optura XI needs a repair Well I had this thing for 2 years and its been "freaking out" on me. The left side of the screen is darker than the right (not a lcd issue because its the same for viewfinder and when transfered to pc). I was wondering what the best place to repair this thing would be? I live in NYC so anything in Manhattan would do. I would rather not send it out because I would be needing the camera in a little over a month (for a vacation). Any help is appreciated. -Max

April 14th, 2006, 01:29 PM	#126
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Canon Factory Service 100 Jamesburg Road Jamesburg, NJ 08831 tel: 732-521-7007 __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

April 14th, 2006, 01:43 PM	#127
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Make sure to request a repair number before sending it in. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

August 24th, 2005, 09:45 AM	#123
Philip Williams Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Snellville, Georgia Posts: 614	Honestly, I think these two cams are so similar, I'd probably recommend the 60 to you based on your desire for a smaller camcorder. The Xi, in my opinion, is actually quite a bit larger than the 60. On the plus side, you could flip a coin and choose the cam at this point: both are great. Philip Williams www.philipwilliams.com

August 24th, 2005, 09:36 PM	#124
Pete Smith Tourist Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2	Thanks for your advice. I guess I'll go with the 60 then. Regards Pete

April 29th, 2006, 06:36 AM	#128
Mel Abdo Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 42	Canon optura Xi an option? So... Yeah. It's going pretty cheap refurbished, is it a good deal? My budget is $1000

April 29th, 2006, 09:46 AM	#129
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Go for the Optura 50, it's an updated version of the Xi in a smaller package and you can still buy it new for around US$400-$500. The Xi might be a good deal if you can get it for much less than that. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

April 29th, 2006, 12:02 PM	#130
Mel Abdo Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 42	On eBay, rufurb ones are going for $385 - $450. $450 is the most expensive one I saw on there. But, would it be better for me to buy a gs250 from MATSUIYASTORE or whatever it is on eBay for $583.80? It says its brand new, and i've read about people buying panasonic 3ccd camcorders from that ebay store on I think it was this forum, they have a good reputation. But it ships from Japan.

April 29th, 2006, 02:16 PM	#131
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	Mel, get it from a DV Info Sponsor, they really are the best in the business. It'll be one less thing to worry about. Click here to see the price for a brand new Optura 50 from B&H Photo. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

May 13th, 2006, 12:16 PM	#132
Mel Abdo Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 42	RAW FOOTAGE from Optura XI I need some raw footage from the Canon Optura XI. I would REALLY appreciate it.

June 3rd, 2006, 08:57 PM	#133
Tim Ribich Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 138	I can do that Anything in particular you'd be interested to see? Tim

June 5th, 2006, 11:52 AM	#134
Mel Abdo Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 42	Umm, something like indoor footage in the daytime? And outdoor footage with whatever :)