My New HX A1... at DVinfo.net

Daniel R Green · July 11th, 2007, 12:18 AM

I received my new Canon from B&H about 2 weeks ago. I've just begun to start learning the set-up and getting used to the non-shoulder design. The Design Firm, where I am the Cinematographer and video Editor, just sold our XL-2s in favor of going HD. I must say, my first impressions are as follows...
1. Holy crap, this is smaller then I thought.
2. Holy crap, this picture is better then i thought.
3. I love it.

Aside from being dealing with the no shoulder and trying to keep it steady when not on the sticks, Its pretty straight-forward. I love the manual Iris Ring... being able to make adjustments on the fly is awesome. I do not miss the little thumb-wheel from the Xl-2. I like the new gain swtich, except getting -3 in the menu is a pain. Had some trouble with my Monfrotto 501 as the bulging place where you put your hand keeps me from locking the quick release plate. Anyone had similar issues? Our Redrock M2 should make this a non-issue though. I like the LCD, but I really don't like the standard eye-piece, which I've seen a lot of complaints about. I kinda miss my eye piece on the XL-2. Only other complaint is - no flat surfaces to attach stuff. My wireless mike receiver has no home. And my shotgun mic wont fit in this extra huge mic holder- what's up with that anyway? This is my Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin with interchangeable parts. Standardization people. Haha. So yeah. There is my assessment of my new HX A1

All in all. I love it. The design will make is easier to apply all the upgrades we have coming. We didn't need a big shoulder mount camera, most of what we do is on a tripod, and its size will help us be able to manage it better once our Redrock M2 is attached.

Our Redrock m2 HD bundle w/ follow focus and our 100GB fire store are on the way. As well as a Glidecam 4000 and smooth-shooter(for hand-held shoots) and a J-Rod(to sole my lav receiver issue) and a HD monitor. I'm very excited about DTE.

If anyone is using a similar set-up, I'd love to hear feedback on your thoughts on how it all works with the Canon.

Nick Weeks · July 11th, 2007, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel R Green

Had some trouble with my Monfrotto 501 as the bulging place where you put your hand keeps me from locking the quick release plate. Anyone had similar issues? Our Redrock M2 should make this a non-issue though. I like the LCD, but I really don't like the standard eye-piece, which I've seen a lot of complaints about. I kinda miss my eye piece on the XL-2.

I have the 503 head and I'm experiencing the same issue, but it holds well enough even though its not completely tight. I may try and fabricate some sort of adapter at some point, but I don't really use the tripod much.

On the eyepiece, get the "Eye Cup Large" from the sony accessory Web site, it's about $40 and worth every penny. It's the eyecup for the HX1 that has the "elephant ear" shape to it and fits perfectly over the canon eyepiece.

Here's a thread with some pictures:
http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=80777

Part# 217941401 from https://servicesplus.us.sony.biz/sony-parts.aspx

Oh yea, and don't you mean XH A1? :)

Daniel R Green · July 11th, 2007, 11:16 AM

Haha, I do mean XH A1... sorry. So many random numbers and letters floatin around in the duders head, man. Lots of hairs in the little duders head.

July 11th, 2007, 12:18 AM	#1
Daniel R Green New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 14	My New HX A1... I received my new Canon from B&H about 2 weeks ago. I've just begun to start learning the set-up and getting used to the non-shoulder design. The Design Firm, where I am the Cinematographer and video Editor, just sold our XL-2s in favor of going HD. I must say, my first impressions are as follows... 1. Holy crap, this is smaller then I thought. 2. Holy crap, this picture is better then i thought. 3. I love it. Aside from being dealing with the no shoulder and trying to keep it steady when not on the sticks, Its pretty straight-forward. I love the manual Iris Ring... being able to make adjustments on the fly is awesome. I do not miss the little thumb-wheel from the Xl-2. I like the new gain swtich, except getting -3 in the menu is a pain. Had some trouble with my Monfrotto 501 as the bulging place where you put your hand keeps me from locking the quick release plate. Anyone had similar issues? Our Redrock M2 should make this a non-issue though. I like the LCD, but I really don't like the standard eye-piece, which I've seen a lot of complaints about. I kinda miss my eye piece on the XL-2. Only other complaint is - no flat surfaces to attach stuff. My wireless mike receiver has no home. And my shotgun mic wont fit in this extra huge mic holder- what's up with that anyway? This is my Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin with interchangeable parts. Standardization people. Haha. So yeah. There is my assessment of my new HX A1 All in all. I love it. The design will make is easier to apply all the upgrades we have coming. We didn't need a big shoulder mount camera, most of what we do is on a tripod, and its size will help us be able to manage it better once our Redrock M2 is attached. Our Redrock m2 HD bundle w/ follow focus and our 100GB fire store are on the way. As well as a Glidecam 4000 and smooth-shooter(for hand-held shoots) and a J-Rod(to sole my lav receiver issue) and a HD monitor. I'm very excited about DTE. If anyone is using a similar set-up, I'd love to hear feedback on your thoughts on how it all works with the Canon.

July 11th, 2007, 11:16 AM	#3
Daniel R Green New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 14	Haha, I do mean XH A1... sorry. So many random numbers and letters floatin around in the duders head, man. Lots of hairs in the little duders head.