XL-H1 body, lens and nanoFlash riddle at DVinfo.net

Tyge Floyd · September 23rd, 2009, 10:17 AM

I'm poking around on the B & H web site trying to put some numbers together (again!) on adding a nanoFlash into my gear and I run across this.

XL-H1s ($7995) + nanoFlash ($2895) = $10,890

XL-H1 body ($3995) + XL lens ($2199) + nanoFlash ($2895) = $9094

I understand the the XL-H1 is discontinued but I shot it and it's a great camera. What I need to know is if this lens is the same lens that is on my XL-H1a. If so, I think I just figured out how to save $1796 on a new camera with HD/SDI out and the nanoFlash.

Tell me why this will not work?

Per Johan Naesje · September 23rd, 2009, 10:53 AM

Tyge,
I believe it´s possible to use the "new" 20x HD lens connected to a "old" XL-H1.
Note that the new lens has an additional iris ring (for manual adjusting aperture), you also have independent zoom and focus. I´m not sure but you might have to do a firmware upgrade to the old XL-H1 for this new functions to work properly!
In fact the 6X wide HD lens which also had the new iris ring, was applied with a firmware upgrade-card in the box.

Also note that the old XL-H1 don´t have embedded audio in the HD/SDI signal. The nano don´t have any xlr audio connectors (only analog audio inputs), so you might have a problem capture good audio with this setup.
The old XL-H1 don´t have timecode signal in the embedded HD/SDI stream either, so you have to manually start/stop recording with the nano.

I believe the Flash XDR would have been a better choice paired with the old XL-H1 IMHO!

Dan Keaton · September 23rd, 2009, 03:24 PM

Dear Tyge and Per Johan,

The XL H1 (all models) have RCA audio outputs.

A simple RCA (stereo) to 3.5mm mini-plug will work to provide audio from the XL H1 to the nanoFlash. This is a very low cost cable, available in many places.

The XL H1 can provide Phantom Power, for the mics, if needed.

Tyge Floyd · September 23rd, 2009, 05:17 PM

So, no embedded audio but per Dan it seems there is a work around for that.

Does anyone else have any input on if the lens will work on the body?

Michael Galvan · November 26th, 2009, 08:28 PM

The newer XL lens will work with the older XL H1 body, but I think the iris ring won't work.

John Richard · November 27th, 2009, 06:34 PM

Just my 2 cents being an owner of an original XLH1...

I would opt for the newer XLH1s if you are going to use the marvelous nanoFlash as it has everything coming in embedded via one single secure HD-SDI cable to the nano:

-video
-audio
-timecode

just a very clean setup with 1 cable

And you get the benefit of the better lens control

And maybe some new firmware upgrades to the XLH1s in the future? but it seems like Canon has let their wonderful baby go dormant for some reason.

But chosing the nanoFlash is the most awesome decision you could have made to improve BOTH your video AND audio output from the XLH1 or s. World of difference in quaility and workflow. You did some good homework.

September 23rd, 2009, 10:17 AM	#1
Tyge Floyd Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 287	XL-H1 body, lens and nanoFlash riddle I'm poking around on the B & H web site trying to put some numbers together (again!) on adding a nanoFlash into my gear and I run across this. XL-H1s ($7995) + nanoFlash ($2895) = $10,890 XL-H1 body ($3995) + XL lens ($2199) + nanoFlash ($2895) = $9094 I understand the the XL-H1 is discontinued but I shot it and it's a great camera. What I need to know is if this lens is the same lens that is on my XL-H1a. If so, I think I just figured out how to save $1796 on a new camera with HD/SDI out and the nanoFlash. Tell me why this will not work? __________________ At full draw, Tyge Floyd

September 23rd, 2009, 10:53 AM	#2
Per Johan Naesje Trustee Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Akershus, Norway Posts: 1,413	Tyge, I believe it´s possible to use the "new" 20x HD lens connected to a "old" XL-H1. Note that the new lens has an additional iris ring (for manual adjusting aperture), you also have independent zoom and focus. I´m not sure but you might have to do a firmware upgrade to the old XL-H1 for this new functions to work properly! In fact the 6X wide HD lens which also had the new iris ring, was applied with a firmware upgrade-card in the box. Also note that the old XL-H1 don´t have embedded audio in the HD/SDI signal. The nano don´t have any xlr audio connectors (only analog audio inputs), so you might have a problem capture good audio with this setup. The old XL-H1 don´t have timecode signal in the embedded HD/SDI stream either, so you have to manually start/stop recording with the nano. I believe the Flash XDR would have been a better choice paired with the old XL-H1 IMHO! __________________ - Per Johan

September 23rd, 2009, 03:24 PM	#3
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Dear Tyge and Per Johan, The XL H1 (all models) have RCA audio outputs. A simple RCA (stereo) to 3.5mm mini-plug will work to provide audio from the XL H1 to the nanoFlash. This is a very low cost cable, available in many places. The XL H1 can provide Phantom Power, for the mics, if needed. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

September 23rd, 2009, 05:17 PM	#4
Tyge Floyd Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 287	So, no embedded audio but per Dan it seems there is a work around for that. Does anyone else have any input on if the lens will work on the body? __________________ At full draw, Tyge Floyd

November 26th, 2009, 08:28 PM	#5
Michael Galvan Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 775	The newer XL lens will work with the older XL H1 body, but I think the iris ring won't work. __________________ www.michaelgalvan.com www.screenanthology.com

November 27th, 2009, 06:34 PM	#6
John Richard Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Incline Village, Nevada Posts: 604	Just my 2 cents being an owner of an original XLH1... I would opt for the newer XLH1s if you are going to use the marvelous nanoFlash as it has everything coming in embedded via one single secure HD-SDI cable to the nano: -video -audio -timecode just a very clean setup with 1 cable And you get the benefit of the better lens control And maybe some new firmware upgrades to the XLH1s in the future? but it seems like Canon has let their wonderful baby go dormant for some reason. But chosing the nanoFlash is the most awesome decision you could have made to improve BOTH your video AND audio output from the XLH1 or s. World of difference in quaility and workflow. You did some good homework.