XH-G1 in my hands at last! at DVinfo.net

Peter Ferling · December 14th, 2006, 07:03 PM

Ah, the new camera smell when you first open the box....

My first impressions with this camera are very positive. It's big, but not more so than the XL1s. Better balance, strong build, but not as heavy or bulky as an HVX.

It will take some practice to relearn the location of the controls without taking my eyes away from the viewfinder, which on the Varizoom DVrig is at a confortable position. I'm used to side mounted viewfinders, but this setup is just a better fit.

The Marshall HDA monitor is sharp enough for judging focus, even though I'm presently going in via composite BNC (RCA jacks on the included component cable -not very pro. I'll have find a replacement or some adaptors).

I'm not liking the IAF at all. It's too touchy. It's ok for objects ten feet away, but focus on something in arms reach, or zoom in for a tight shot and gets confused as to which object to focus on. (I'm disabling it with the matte box anyway).

The DVRig Pro is a definite buy. I can easily handle this within a busy OR, and the fact that I can point the camera downward is a vital need.

I'm going to test out the HD-SDI tommorrow (if my cineform plugin arrives...) Here's some picts:

http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=753&c=51

Pete

Chris Hurd · December 14th, 2006, 07:05 PM

Looking great, Pete! Congrats -- and thanks for the pics,

Michael Y Wong · December 14th, 2006, 08:51 PM

Wow Peter! I thought I buy alot of gear! Congratulations!

Peter Ferling · December 14th, 2006, 08:54 PM

Thanks and your welcome! I was tempted to bring that thing home... however, I opted to bake cookies with my daughter. The wife would approve... :)

Peter Ferling · December 14th, 2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Y Wong

Wow Peter! I thought I buy alot of gear! Congratulations!

Well, there's buying gear and then try finding the time to use it : )

Steven Dempsey · December 14th, 2006, 09:25 PM

Peter, nice rig. What are you using to support your Marshall monitor? Where did you get it and how much?

Thanks :)

Peter Ferling · December 14th, 2006, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Dempsey

Peter, nice rig. What are you using to support your Marshall monitor? Where did you get it and how much?

Thanks :)

Thank you.

The marshall is hanging off a Noga locking arm. Pretty tough.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Andrew Ott · December 14th, 2006, 10:38 PM

Sweet rig. Bet you're proud.

Peter Ferling · December 14th, 2006, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Ott

Sweet rig. Bet you're proud.

Only somewhat... :) Actually, I'm more relieved. I won't be having to perform mirales with 4:1:1 green screens, (I'll know more about that in a few days).

I've installed an Xena HS board, and will see what an HD-SDI capture looks like in PPro 2. Wish me luck... :)

David Ziegelheim · December 14th, 2006, 11:07 PM

Which rails are those? Cavision? And which matte box?

Thanks,

David

P.S.
I've got to stop posting in the wee hours of the morning.

John Huling · December 15th, 2006, 05:34 AM

Peter could you post where you got the Matte box, Rails etc and which model Cavision that is? What filters you have for it etc.
Thanks

Philip Williams · December 15th, 2006, 05:40 AM

That just looks awesome Peter. Looking forward to hearing about your test results.

Jerome Marot · December 15th, 2006, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Ferling

The Marshall HDA monitor is sharp enough for judging focus, even though I'm presently going in via composite BNC (RCA jacks on the included component cable -not very pro. I'll have find a replacement or some adaptors).

The adaptors should be relatively easy to find in a shop selling electronic or computer parts...

Mark Bournes · December 15th, 2006, 09:05 AM

Impressive....most impresssive...(you star wars geeks know who I'm quoting...) anyway nice Rig Peter, I'm looking forward to you posting some clips in the near future.

Peter Ferling · December 15th, 2006, 09:21 AM

David, John I order the cavasion kit CAMB44DVXN. It's both for the DVX and XL2 camcorders, and fits the G1. However, it's at the near or extreme positions. I think cavasion should come out with a more flexible model specific to these. However, it works and gets the job done.

I have the bellows to get a little more protection, at the cost of zooming through a little if I pull the bellows out more than 2 inches. The flap is sturdy enough with a locking mech that can be screwed down to hold it, but it's not variably adjustable.

The filter holders are metal, as well as the rail mounts. With the rods appearing to be made of carbon fibre. Both the flap and matte holder on the end of the bellows is ABS, which is fine as it keeps it light. So, the right materials are in use where needed.

Jerome, I'm aware of the adaptors, but even so, I still run the risk of having a cable pulled loose (which is reason for wanting BNC to begin with). RCA jacks on comsumer camera being hooked to consumer equipment is fine. But this camera, being HD-SDI should take exception and canon should have provided pro connectors for the component ends. Since this is a custom cable, I'm tempted to break out the wire-cutters and solder on some BNCs instead, (are you listening Canon?)

Now I'm off to test the signals and such. I'll see how PPro2 natively handles the signal with the Xena board. I now have a preset in my project folders for HD-SDI capture.

December 14th, 2006, 07:03 PM	#1
Peter Ferling Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wyomissing, PA Posts: 1,141 Images: 57	XH-G1 in my hands at last! Ah, the new camera smell when you first open the box.... My first impressions with this camera are very positive. It's big, but not more so than the XL1s. Better balance, strong build, but not as heavy or bulky as an HVX. It will take some practice to relearn the location of the controls without taking my eyes away from the viewfinder, which on the Varizoom DVrig is at a confortable position. I'm used to side mounted viewfinders, but this setup is just a better fit. The Marshall HDA monitor is sharp enough for judging focus, even though I'm presently going in via composite BNC (RCA jacks on the included component cable -not very pro. I'll have find a replacement or some adaptors). I'm not liking the IAF at all. It's too touchy. It's ok for objects ten feet away, but focus on something in arms reach, or zoom in for a tight shot and gets confused as to which object to focus on. (I'm disabling it with the matte box anyway). The DVRig Pro is a definite buy. I can easily handle this within a busy OR, and the fact that I can point the camera downward is a vital need. I'm going to test out the HD-SDI tommorrow (if my cineform plugin arrives...) Here's some picts: http://www.dvinfo.net/gallery/showimage.php?i=753&c=51 Pete

December 14th, 2006, 07:05 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Looking great, Pete! Congrats -- and thanks for the pics, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

December 14th, 2006, 08:51 PM	#3
Michael Y Wong Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada! Posts: 353	Wow Peter! I thought I buy alot of gear! Congratulations! __________________ dreaming hobbyist + storyteller www.michaelywong.com

December 14th, 2006, 09:25 PM	#6
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	Peter, nice rig. What are you using to support your Marshall monitor? Where did you get it and how much? Thanks :) __________________ Try my Digital Therapy: http://www.pinelakefilms.com/digital_therapy.html Films on ExposureRoom: http://exposureroom.com/members/disjecta.aspx/videos/

December 14th, 2006, 11:07 PM	#10
David Ziegelheim Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warren, NJ Posts: 398	Which rails are those? Cavision? And which matte box? Thanks, David P.S. I've got to stop posting in the wee hours of the morning. Last edited by David Ziegelheim; December 15th, 2006 at 08:10 AM.

December 14th, 2006, 08:54 PM	#4
Peter Ferling Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wyomissing, PA Posts: 1,141 Images: 57	Thanks and your welcome! I was tempted to bring that thing home... however, I opted to bake cookies with my daughter. The wife would approve... :)

December 14th, 2006, 10:38 PM	#8
Andrew Ott Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 62	Sweet rig. Bet you're proud.

December 15th, 2006, 05:34 AM	#11
John Huling Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA Posts: 172	Peter could you post where you got the Matte box, Rails etc and which model Cavision that is? What filters you have for it etc. Thanks

December 15th, 2006, 05:40 AM	#12
Philip Williams Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Snellville, Georgia Posts: 614	That just looks awesome Peter. Looking forward to hearing about your test results. __________________ www.philipwilliams.com

December 15th, 2006, 09:05 AM	#14
Mark Bournes Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 565	Impressive....most impresssive...(you star wars geeks know who I'm quoting...) anyway nice Rig Peter, I'm looking forward to you posting some clips in the near future. __________________ Mark www.sharkvp.com

December 15th, 2006, 09:21 AM	#15
Peter Ferling Trustee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Wyomissing, PA Posts: 1,141 Images: 57	David, John I order the cavasion kit CAMB44DVXN. It's both for the DVX and XL2 camcorders, and fits the G1. However, it's at the near or extreme positions. I think cavasion should come out with a more flexible model specific to these. However, it works and gets the job done. I have the bellows to get a little more protection, at the cost of zooming through a little if I pull the bellows out more than 2 inches. The flap is sturdy enough with a locking mech that can be screwed down to hold it, but it's not variably adjustable. The filter holders are metal, as well as the rail mounts. With the rods appearing to be made of carbon fibre. Both the flap and matte holder on the end of the bellows is ABS, which is fine as it keeps it light. So, the right materials are in use where needed. Jerome, I'm aware of the adaptors, but even so, I still run the risk of having a cable pulled loose (which is reason for wanting BNC to begin with). RCA jacks on comsumer camera being hooked to consumer equipment is fine. But this camera, being HD-SDI should take exception and canon should have provided pro connectors for the component ends. Since this is a custom cable, I'm tempted to break out the wire-cutters and solder on some BNCs instead, (are you listening Canon?) Now I'm off to test the signals and such. I'll see how PPro2 natively handles the signal with the Xena board. I now have a preset in my project folders for HD-SDI capture.