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Canon XL H Series HDV Camcorders
Canon XL H1S (with SDI), Canon XL H1A (without SDI). Also XL H1.

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Old January 3rd, 2009, 03:16 PM   #1
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Distance readout - focus assist

How accurate is the distance readout for focus on the XLH1?

Anyone have any tips for helping achieve reliable focus?
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Old January 3rd, 2009, 04:08 PM   #2
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Hi Doug...........

This has had a pretty good thrashing on the XH forum over the years, and the concensus is/ was that the XH A/G 1 was exceedingly accurate, and the H1 should be as good, if not even better.

Of course, it depends on how good your brain/ eyes are at working out what that lcd/ elf is telling you.

I gave up attempting to accurately focus my A1 at anything over 10 metres (about 33 feet) and invested in a Laser Rangefinder instead.

Take the reading, dial it in and bingo, on the money every time.

The greater the distance, the better it works.

Those Canon lenses show up even a metres inacuracy at 700+ metres (think yards plus a bit), believe it or not.

Others prefer the outrigger LCD route.

I suppose it all depends on how much of a problem you find it, if it's a problem at all.


CS
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Old January 12th, 2009, 11:43 PM   #3
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Laser Rangefinder?

Hey Chris--just wondered which Laser Rangefinder you are using?

Thanks Ron
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Old January 13th, 2009, 12:34 AM   #4
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Hi Ron..........

The Nikon 1200.

Only accurate to .5 metres, but does the job out to well past the A1's furthest focus setting of about 980 metres (the Nikon will work to 1200 metres).


CS
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Old January 13th, 2009, 02:03 PM   #5
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Chris,
can you give me the model info on the laser rangefinder you mentioned? I assume it would be also helpfull when using my 35mm dadpter.
Thanks
Bruce Yarock
Yarock Video and Photo
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Old January 13th, 2009, 02:35 PM   #6
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Hi Bruce.............

This is the first URL I tripped over for it, there's heaps more if you do a search.

Nikon Laser 1200S Range Finder - Jessops

Not sure Nikon haven't changed the specs since I bought mine, as I'm sure mine is only a 5X magnification.

Even @ 5 X it can be a little squirrely.

It's biggest drawback is the closest measure distance of 11 yards/ 10 metres.

Leica (or is it Zeiss?) I believe (don't quote me) do one that will measure from pretty well zero distance to about 1000 metres at even finer accuracy.

May be worth checking it out.


CS

Last edited by Chris Soucy; January 13th, 2009 at 02:37 PM. Reason: Oops.
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