Xl2 Leans To Right at DVinfo.net

Christopher Thompson · October 24th, 2006, 12:19 AM

Ok so I've had my xl2 for close to two years now, and I've always noticed that it leans to the right, as in when i level a tri-pod it never is actually "level" when I look through the viewfinder.

i haven't found ANYTHING about this problem anywhere else and I was wondering if this is common of all xl2's or if this is just an isolated case. Please let me know.

Greg Boston · October 24th, 2006, 12:31 AM

I would double check the built in level on your tripod if that's what you're referencing. I had one that wasn't accurate as I was seeing the same thing you were. I put a torpedo level on the tripod plate w/o camera and found the circular level was off. A few delicate taps with a rubber mallet got the two in agreement and then I added a drop of superglue to help keep it in place.

Just a thought,

-gb-

Christopher Thompson · October 24th, 2006, 12:34 AM

thanks for the advice, but it does it on every single tripod i've ever used with it.

has no one else had this problem?

Richard Alvarez · October 24th, 2006, 01:21 AM

No, my XL2 is level when the head is level.

Alan James · October 24th, 2006, 01:57 AM

Yes my XL2 has been leaning (I think to the right) last few shoots I'ver been on. At first I thought it was my tripod but after checking and double checking I discovered it wasnt. I'm thinking it has somthing to do with the plate on the bottom of the camera but I cant find anything. I havent really cared cause I have been just re-leveling my tripod after every setup. Even if the camera is broken I'm not sending it back and going without it for weeks as its gets fixed when I can just adjust my tripod.

Jarrod Whaley · October 24th, 2006, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Alvarez

No, my XL2 is level when the head is level.

Same here.

Christopher Thompson · October 24th, 2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrod Whaley

Same here.

I got it when it first came out. perhaps this was something they fixed in later models?

Richard Alvarez · October 24th, 2006, 02:51 PM

I have one of the earlier models, it has the 'film grain' button on it.

Christopher Thompson · October 25th, 2006, 12:30 AM

Hm. So does mine.

I'm at a loss then. Maybe I should contact canon.

Richard Alvarez · October 25th, 2006, 03:17 AM

So what you're saying, is that if you set the camera on an absolutely flat, level surface... a hard table top for instance, then the frame is 'tilted'... that is the top and bottom of the frames are not parallel to the table... right?

(And yes, you'll have to hold the camer in place, as it is not "balanced' to simply sit flat on a surface.)

Christopher Thompson · October 25th, 2006, 11:44 AM

Yes. Even when held flat to a surface everything is tilted (the camera tilts to the right)

Jonathan Kirsch · October 25th, 2006, 12:03 PM

My viewfinder (the whole thing) tilts left (down)...but I think that's because the locking wheel isn't tight enought. So even though I see stuff level in the viewfinder, I have to make sure the camera isn't leaning right to compensate!

Yeesh.

Jonathan

Jarrod Whaley · October 25th, 2006, 01:29 PM

I'm not sure I really see the problem here, even if the camera does want to lean to the right (which I haven't noticed with my XL2). If your tripod can be adjusted to level the image (via a ball joint, for example), can't you just adjust it so that the image is level?

Christopher Thompson · October 25th, 2006, 01:34 PM

yes, as a matter of fact you almost inherently start adjusting for it after a while. I was just wondering if this was common amongst all xl2 users or if it was an isolated case

Richard Alvarez · October 25th, 2006, 09:10 PM

I guess the question comes down to this. Is the bottom of your CCD block mounted parallell to the botom of the Camera, correct? The way to check that being to use a level to check a table top - (Making sure the surface is perfectly level) then placing the camera flat on the table, and shooting a registration chart that is perfectly flush in front of it (to avoid any keystoning)

Otherwise, yeah... you have to level a camera on a tripod anyway... and hand held shots with the Canon XL@ are ALWAYS a wrestling match! LOL

October 24th, 2006, 12:19 AM	#1
Christopher Thompson New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20	Xl2 Leans To Right Ok so I've had my xl2 for close to two years now, and I've always noticed that it leans to the right, as in when i level a tri-pod it never is actually "level" when I look through the viewfinder. i haven't found ANYTHING about this problem anywhere else and I was wondering if this is common of all xl2's or if this is just an isolated case. Please let me know.

October 25th, 2006, 01:29 PM	#13
Jarrod Whaley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: chattanooga, tn Posts: 721	I'm not sure I really see the problem here, even if the camera does want to lean to the right (which I haven't noticed with my XL2). If your tripod can be adjusted to level the image (via a ball joint, for example), can't you just adjust it so that the image is level? __________________ -->jarrod whaley. www.oakstreetfilms.com

October 24th, 2006, 12:31 AM	#2
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	I would double check the built in level on your tripod if that's what you're referencing. I had one that wasn't accurate as I was seeing the same thing you were. I put a torpedo level on the tripod plate w/o camera and found the circular level was off. A few delicate taps with a rubber mallet got the two in agreement and then I added a drop of superglue to help keep it in place. Just a thought, -gb-

October 24th, 2006, 12:34 AM	#3
Christopher Thompson New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20	thanks for the advice, but it does it on every single tripod i've ever used with it. has no one else had this problem?

October 24th, 2006, 01:21 AM	#4
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	No, my XL2 is level when the head is level.

October 24th, 2006, 01:57 AM	#5
Alan James Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 261	Yes my XL2 has been leaning (I think to the right) last few shoots I'ver been on. At first I thought it was my tripod but after checking and double checking I discovered it wasnt. I'm thinking it has somthing to do with the plate on the bottom of the camera but I cant find anything. I havent really cared cause I have been just re-leveling my tripod after every setup. Even if the camera is broken I'm not sending it back and going without it for weeks as its gets fixed when I can just adjust my tripod.

October 24th, 2006, 02:51 PM	#8
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	I have one of the earlier models, it has the 'film grain' button on it.

October 25th, 2006, 12:30 AM	#9
Christopher Thompson New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20	Hm. So does mine. I'm at a loss then. Maybe I should contact canon.

October 25th, 2006, 03:17 AM	#10
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	So what you're saying, is that if you set the camera on an absolutely flat, level surface... a hard table top for instance, then the frame is 'tilted'... that is the top and bottom of the frames are not parallel to the table... right? (And yes, you'll have to hold the camer in place, as it is not "balanced' to simply sit flat on a surface.)

October 25th, 2006, 11:44 AM	#11
Christopher Thompson New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20	Yes. Even when held flat to a surface everything is tilted (the camera tilts to the right)

October 25th, 2006, 12:03 PM	#12
Jonathan Kirsch Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 204	My viewfinder (the whole thing) tilts left (down)...but I think that's because the locking wheel isn't tight enought. So even though I see stuff level in the viewfinder, I have to make sure the camera isn't leaning right to compensate! Yeesh. Jonathan

October 25th, 2006, 01:34 PM	#14
Christopher Thompson New Boot Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20	yes, as a matter of fact you almost inherently start adjusting for it after a while. I was just wondering if this was common amongst all xl2 users or if it was an isolated case

October 25th, 2006, 09:10 PM	#15
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	I guess the question comes down to this. Is the bottom of your CCD block mounted parallell to the botom of the Camera, correct? The way to check that being to use a level to check a table top - (Making sure the surface is perfectly level) then placing the camera flat on the table, and shooting a registration chart that is perfectly flush in front of it (to avoid any keystoning) Otherwise, yeah... you have to level a camera on a tripod anyway... and hand held shots with the Canon XL@ are ALWAYS a wrestling match! LOL