Canon Optura FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
All right, y'all, This is one stop shopping for all things Optura. Feel free to contribute as much as you like. I'll periodically re-edit the FAQ as it expands. The listings are growing so I'm trying to provide low budget options, next to "investment" type equipment.
GENERAL RESOURCESWHERE TO BUYACCESSORIES - What should I buy for my Optura? - Batteries - In addition to Canon, Power 2000, Lenmar, & CTA produce batteries compatible with the Opturas.
- Lenses
- Canon makes specific wide angle and telephoto lenses to match each of their camcorders. Canon lenses do not have an outer filter thread, so you'll have to make a filter sandwhich with the filters in-between the lens and the camcorder.
- Raynox makes some good wide angle and telephoto lenses, and many have outer filter threads. You may need a step up/step down adapter to attach the Raynox lens to your camcorder.
- Century Optics makes several lenses for the Optura series
- Using 35mm still lenses on the Optura Xi.
- Microphones
- Canon
- DM-50 - Shotgun (stereo). Only works with Canon's Advanced Accessory Shoe. Powered by the camcorder's battery. Cannot be used with other microphones. Must be used ON the camera.
- Rode
- Videomic - Shotgun. 1/8" connector. Battery powered, with shockmount. Accessories
- NTG-2 - Shotgun. Dual power: battery or phantom power. Accessories
- NT3 - Hyper-cardioid condenser. Dual power: battery or phantom.
- Audio Technica
- AT831b - Cardioid Condenser Lavalier. Dual power: battery or phantom
- AT899 - Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier. Dual power: battery or phantom
- AT897 - Shotgun. Dual power: battery or phantom
- AT4053a - Hyper-cardioid condenser. Phantom only.
- AT4073a - Shotgun. Phantom only.
- Sennheiser
- ME66 - Shotgun. Requires K6 (battery/phantom) or K6P (phantom only) powering modules
- ME64 - Cardioid. Requires K6 (battery/phantom) or K6P (phantom only) powering modules
- XLR Adapters
- Studio 1 Productions - Adapters designed to clip onto your belt. Useful for Opturas that load tapes from the bottom.
- BeachTek - Adapters that attach directly to the bottom of the camcoder. BeachTek also has models that provide phantom power. The DXA-10 model is designed to be mounted or used with a belt clip.
- Stereo mini to XLR cable - Inexpensive way to use battery powered or dynamic XLR mics with short cable runs of 15 feet or less.
- Rode XLR to mini adapter Another inexpensive way to connect battery powered or dynamic mics with short cable runs of 15 feet or less.
- Matte Boxes
- Lights
- Support & Stabilizers
- Steadicam Merlin
- Video Innovators http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=98769&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation - You can see an interesting setup for this shoulder support http://www.videoinnovators.com/product1.html. And more of their other http://www.videoinnovators.com/product2.html
TIPS, TRICKS, & STRATEGIES - Working with your Optura
REVIEWSADVISORY NOTICES
VIDEOS MADE WITH THE OPTURA
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"Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese
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