XL1 / XL1S various posts

Jeff Donald · August 21st, 2003, 02:11 PM

I've never had a problem using different brands (wet/dry) of cleaning tapes. Repeated use of cleaning tapes can damage the heads, so I would send them off to Canon for a professional cleaning.

Nathan Gifford · August 21st, 2003, 04:29 PM

It is still a good idea to send the camera yearly to Canon. Besides the cleaning you can have any firmware upgrades done plus the important head alignment.

Dan Uneken · August 24th, 2003, 09:02 AM

I don't think you should get bad captured images either way. There's something wrong there.

In the green box mode, the camera won't let you set movie mode in the menu, so it's normally interlaced. (I'm talking XL-1).
Green box mode is generally to be avoided. Best to use manual mode and get to grips with all components: shutter speed, aperture, white balance, gain... it's not as hard as it sounds, while filming you only change one variable most of the time. And then there is focus of course & zoom.... We should be born octopusses....

Perhaps specify exactly what's wrong with your footage and what equipment you use and maybe post a screen shot, then often the wizards on this forum will scoot to the rescue.

Maurizio Panella · August 31st, 2003, 05:01 AM

Hi all,I need to know if is possible to use the xm1/xm2 batteries on my xl1 camera.
Thanks in advance,Maurizio.

Don Palomaki · September 1st, 2003, 06:30 AM

I use same batteries on GL1 and XL1 with no problem. You can check battery numbers listed in the manuals to be sure.

Thomas Berg Petersen · September 2nd, 2003, 07:08 PM

Dear forum:
I have a weird problem. Let me first run through my set up.

I have shot a lot of tapes of auditions using my XL1S PAL using the standard 16x Servo lens. I have mounted a Cavision Matte box. The matte box is only expanded by 1/3 of its full capacity. I have a UV filter screwed onto the lens. I have recorded in green easy mode since it is only auditions. I also used a Sony video monitor.

Here is the problem. When I capture the footage in my NLE (iMovie since I just need to capture and export the clips to iDVD, I don't use FCP3), there are some vignetting in all 4 corners. It is worst in the top corners. And I only see it when I have capture it. I didn't see it on the video monitor (800 lines), so I am very spooked. I used a couple of Home Depot spot lamps with a 200W tungsten as light.

Also when I shoot wide shots i.e. wide angle I don't see the vignetting, it only appears when I zoom. I have previously used this camera set up and haven't seen any vignetting.

Anyone who has any suggestions? I will be using my camera in 1 month to shot my short film, and I can't have any surprises.

Jeff Donald · September 2nd, 2003, 07:44 PM

Computer screen viewer in iMovie underscans, shows the complete image. Your 800 line video monitor overscans (crops), as all monitors do. It's just the difference between computer and NTSC video.

You can purchase production monitors that have switchable underscan. But this can be a pricey feature. You customer will never see the vignetting, because his monitor (TV) will overscan also.

Boyd Ostroff · September 2nd, 2003, 08:13 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Thomas Berg Petersen : I will be using my camera in 1 month to shot my short film, and I can't have any surprises. -->>>

Yeah, you really do need to check your footage on an underscanning monitor, or in your NLE which shows the full frame. I learned the hard way that the VX-2000/PD-150 LCD screen and viewfinder don't show the entire frame. I gather this is true for most (if not all) prosumer camcorders. If your movie is going to be digitally projected or printed to film the chances are that the full frame will show, so you have to be extra careful.

One thing which I've found really useful is a little shareware program called BTV Pro. You can use a PowerBook as a monitor by connecting it to your camera via firewire. It will show you the full video frame (and also do some other cool things like capturing video for tapeless recording). It can also display anamorphic 16:9 in the correct proportion.

John Hudson · September 3rd, 2003, 10:12 AM

I am new to this forum and reside in San Diego, CA. Any ideas onthe best place to buy the XL1s? I see it on ebay for around $3500.00. I almost bought it on Amazon, but it appears I was very close to becoming a victim of fraud. Someone saying they just bought it and they needed to sell it and they wanted to ESCROW it through www.escrow1st.com. After some careful research, I found out the website had been created a week ago (www.NetworkSolutions.com) and none of the information added up, the site was not secure (https:). Anyhow, when I started calling them out on it, they suddnely vanished only to reurn as a new Amazon merchant (The new email is registered at www.escrow1st.com). I had a friend email and inquire and the same story was given to the T.

Anyway, I was this close to finally getting the XL1s. Anyone have any suggestions for a San Diego wannabe filmaker? It is retailing for $4100.00 at the stores here. Anyone? Bueller? Fry?

Chris Hurd · September 3rd, 2003, 01:53 PM

Run, don't walk, to my Sponsors page and be sure to read my post at the top of this forum's index called Where to Buy the XL1S. Hope this helps,

Christopher Hughes · September 5th, 2003, 09:43 AM

Canon made a Hi-8 camera that preceded the XL1, that had interchangeable lenses.

It can been seen at the site:
http://161.58.152.172/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=5031066&Product_Code=CANL2

The pictures not quite clear, but is the mount compatible with the XL1s? Just saw someone selling the camcorder in local press and wondering if the 3x lens with it is compatible.

Thanks!

Jeff Donald · September 5th, 2003, 09:46 AM

It is not compatable, to the best of my knowledge.

Arturo Tapia · September 5th, 2003, 06:29 PM

The only place in Chicago that I know where you can try out the XL1s before you buy it is at Helix Camera & Video

HELIX
310 SOUTH RACINE
CHICAGO IL 60607
312 421-2804

www.helixphoto.com

Hope this helps out a few of you guys looking for the XL1s in Illinois.

Dennis Morgan · September 7th, 2003, 08:31 PM

I was surfing around on the Optex website and came across this accessory for the XL-1 Color Viewfinder. Has anyone seen one of these units installed on an XL-1? What are the Pros and Cons of such and attachment? Should one just go ahead and invest in the FU-1000 monochrome viewfinder as opposed to the viewfinder extension setup?

See link: OpTex XL1S Extension Viewfinder

Would like to hear back if anyone has info.
Dennis

Dylan Couper · September 7th, 2003, 10:51 PM

I had one of my XL1's sitting for a while. I turned it on, and nothing happened, except the viewfinder started blinking off and on. Just flashing a whitish screen. No power went to any of the camera at all. I put a new, charged battery (guess that one was near dead when I put it in), and it powered up fine.

Has this happened to anyone else?

August 21st, 2003, 02:11 PM	#901
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I've never had a problem using different brands (wet/dry) of cleaning tapes. Repeated use of cleaning tapes can damage the heads, so I would send them off to Canon for a professional cleaning. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

August 21st, 2003, 04:29 PM	#902
Nathan Gifford Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Tickfaw, LA Posts: 1,217	It is still a good idea to send the camera yearly to Canon. Besides the cleaning you can have any firmware upgrades done plus the important head alignment. __________________ Nathan Gifford Southern Cyclist Magazine & Productions For quick answers try our Search! To see me and Rob Lohman click here

August 24th, 2003, 09:02 AM	#903
Dan Uneken Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Andalucia, Spain Posts: 301	I don't think you should get bad captured images either way. There's something wrong there. In the green box mode, the camera won't let you set movie mode in the menu, so it's normally interlaced. (I'm talking XL-1). Green box mode is generally to be avoided. Best to use manual mode and get to grips with all components: shutter speed, aperture, white balance, gain... it's not as hard as it sounds, while filming you only change one variable most of the time. And then there is focus of course & zoom.... We should be born octopusses.... Perhaps specify exactly what's wrong with your footage and what equipment you use and maybe post a screen shot, then often the wizards on this forum will scoot to the rescue. __________________ Film & TV locations & production Spain http://www.fotofilmvideo.com/

August 31st, 2003, 05:01 AM	#904
Maurizio Panella Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Reggio Emilia Italy Posts: 63	Batteries question Hi all,I need to know if is possible to use the xm1/xm2 batteries on my xl1 camera. Thanks in advance,Maurizio.

September 1st, 2003, 06:30 AM	#905
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	I use same batteries on GL1 and XL1 with no problem. You can check battery numbers listed in the manuals to be sure. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

September 2nd, 2003, 07:08 PM	#906
Thomas Berg Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NYC, NY Posts: 111	Vignetting only appears in NLE Dear forum: I have a weird problem. Let me first run through my set up. I have shot a lot of tapes of auditions using my XL1S PAL using the standard 16x Servo lens. I have mounted a Cavision Matte box. The matte box is only expanded by 1/3 of its full capacity. I have a UV filter screwed onto the lens. I have recorded in green easy mode since it is only auditions. I also used a Sony video monitor. Here is the problem. When I capture the footage in my NLE (iMovie since I just need to capture and export the clips to iDVD, I don't use FCP3), there are some vignetting in all 4 corners. It is worst in the top corners. And I only see it when I have capture it. I didn't see it on the video monitor (800 lines), so I am very spooked. I used a couple of Home Depot spot lamps with a 200W tungsten as light. Also when I shoot wide shots i.e. wide angle I don't see the vignetting, it only appears when I zoom. I have previously used this camera set up and haven't seen any vignetting. Anyone who has any suggestions? I will be using my camera in 1 month to shot my short film, and I can't have any surprises. __________________ Thomas

September 2nd, 2003, 07:44 PM	#907
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Computer screen viewer in iMovie underscans, shows the complete image. Your 800 line video monitor overscans (crops), as all monitors do. It's just the difference between computer and NTSC video. You can purchase production monitors that have switchable underscan. But this can be a pricey feature. You customer will never see the vignetting, because his monitor (TV) will overscan also. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

September 2nd, 2003, 08:13 PM	#908
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,801	Re: Vignetting only appears in NLE <<<-- Originally posted by Thomas Berg Petersen : I will be using my camera in 1 month to shot my short film, and I can't have any surprises. -->>> Yeah, you really do need to check your footage on an underscanning monitor, or in your NLE which shows the full frame. I learned the hard way that the VX-2000/PD-150 LCD screen and viewfinder don't show the entire frame. I gather this is true for most (if not all) prosumer camcorders. If your movie is going to be digitally projected or printed to film the chances are that the full frame will show, so you have to be extra careful. One thing which I've found really useful is a little shareware program called BTV Pro. You can use a PowerBook as a monitor by connecting it to your camera via firewire. It will show you the full video frame (and also do some other cool things like capturing video for tapeless recording). It can also display anamorphic 16:9 in the correct proportion.

September 3rd, 2003, 10:12 AM	#909
John Hudson Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: 32° 44' N 117° 10' W Posts: 820	buyer beware and information needed. I am new to this forum and reside in San Diego, CA. Any ideas onthe best place to buy the XL1s? I see it on ebay for around $3500.00. I almost bought it on Amazon, but it appears I was very close to becoming a victim of fraud. Someone saying they just bought it and they needed to sell it and they wanted to ESCROW it through www.escrow1st.com. After some careful research, I found out the website had been created a week ago (www.NetworkSolutions.com) and none of the information added up, the site was not secure (https:). Anyhow, when I started calling them out on it, they suddnely vanished only to reurn as a new Amazon merchant (The new email is registered at www.escrow1st.com). I had a friend email and inquire and the same story was given to the T. Anyway, I was this close to finally getting the XL1s. Anyone have any suggestions for a San Diego wannabe filmaker? It is retailing for $4100.00 at the stores here. Anyone? Bueller? Fry?

September 3rd, 2003, 01:53 PM	#910
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Run, don't walk, to my Sponsors page and be sure to read my post at the top of this forum's index called Where to Buy the XL1S. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 5th, 2003, 09:43 AM	#911
Christopher Hughes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sunderland, England (y Merida, Mexico) Posts: 269	XL1s Lens compatible??? Canon made a Hi-8 camera that preceded the XL1, that had interchangeable lenses. It can been seen at the site: http://161.58.152.172/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=5031066&Product_Code=CANL2 The pictures not quite clear, but is the mount compatible with the XL1s? Just saw someone selling the camcorder in local press and wondering if the 3x lens with it is compatible. Thanks!

September 5th, 2003, 09:46 AM	#912
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	It is not compatable, to the best of my knowledge. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

September 5th, 2003, 06:29 PM	#913
Arturo Tapia New Boot Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 12	XL1s Dealer in Chicago. The only place in Chicago that I know where you can try out the XL1s before you buy it is at Helix Camera & Video HELIX 310 SOUTH RACINE CHICAGO IL 60607 312 421-2804 www.helixphoto.com Hope this helps out a few of you guys looking for the XL1s in Illinois. __________________ ArtTapia

September 7th, 2003, 08:31 PM	#914
Dennis Morgan New Boot Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 11	New Viewfinder extension from Optex I was surfing around on the Optex website and came across this accessory for the XL-1 Color Viewfinder. Has anyone seen one of these units installed on an XL-1? What are the Pros and Cons of such and attachment? Should one just go ahead and invest in the FU-1000 monochrome viewfinder as opposed to the viewfinder extension setup? See link: OpTex XL1S Extension Viewfinder Would like to hear back if anyone has info. Dennis

September 7th, 2003, 10:51 PM	#915
Dylan Couper Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia Posts: 8,314	odd XL1 behaviour I had one of my XL1's sitting for a while. I turned it on, and nothing happened, except the viewfinder started blinking off and on. Just flashing a whitish screen. No power went to any of the camera at all. I put a new, charged battery (guess that one was near dead when I put it in), and it powered up fine. Has this happened to anyone else? __________________ Need to rent camera gear in Vancouver BC? Check me out at camerarentalsvancouver.com