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Home: Video University Forums: Canon All Camcorders:
Ergonomics

 

 


AndrewMSV
Veteran


May 10, 2006, 2:54 AM

Post #1 of 10 (3151 views)
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Ergonomics Can't Post

In spite of all the negative feedback XL users give about the front-heavy XL series, I still prefer the way the XL feels over the FX1.
To me the FX1 is an impossible hand-held cam. It's just too heavy to hold it steady for long periods of time. I consistently get steady shots with the Canon despite it being heavy on the lens.

What do you guys think?


Andrew
m o r n i n g__s t a r__v i d e o g r a p h y
sf chapter, vu california crew
I think we should turn that whole region into one shiny piece of radioactive glass. - CartoonChris




Becca
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May 17, 2006, 12:47 PM

Post #2 of 10 (3107 views)
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Re: [AndrewMSV] Ergonomics [In reply to] Can't Post

I have not had a chance to check out a FX1 yet... but I agree that (with a little practice) the XL can be held steady. Just needed to build up a little upper body strength to hold the weight for longer than a few minutes and utilize a monopod when I know that I will be handheld for longer than 30 minutes. When I switch over to my GL2... it feels like it weighs next to nothing.


- Rebecca
RWilliamsVideo
Becca's myspace


AndrewMSV
Veteran


May 21, 2006, 7:05 AM

Post #3 of 10 (3064 views)
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Re: [Becca] Ergonomics [In reply to] Can't Post

becca,
have you noticed how embarassingly slow the canon forum is?

the sound of the crickets is deafening.
Laugh


Andrew
m o r n i n g__s t a r__v i d e o g r a p h y
sf chapter, vu california crew
I think we should turn that whole region into one shiny piece of radioactive glass. - CartoonChris




Becca
User


May 21, 2006, 9:17 AM

Post #4 of 10 (3063 views)
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Re: [AndrewMSV] Ergonomics [In reply to] Can't Post

chirp...chirp... yep I hear it too Tongue


- Rebecca
RWilliamsVideo
Becca's myspace


Lydian
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May 21, 2006, 9:49 AM

Post #5 of 10 (3057 views)
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Re: [Becca] Ergonomics [In reply to] Can't Post

I agree, i hardly ever look in the canon section because there is never anything new posted.
I love my XL2 but i was thinking about getting an FX1 as well purely because of all the hype over high def and it's advantage.
I dunno still on the fence with high def.
If it's true about the handheld situation i may hold off, I get supersteady shots with my xl2 and if they bring out a high def gl2 I may get that for my second cam and upgrade to an xlh1.
I have only had my XL2 for over a year now so won't upgrade for the next twelve months by which time it will all be different formats anyway.
We should all converse here more often about canon's XL series, i still have alot to learn about the camera side of things and could do with all of your expertise and experience!





*Vu bookmarked on the phone.


Becca
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May 21, 2006, 7:05 PM

Post #6 of 10 (3045 views)
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Re: [Lydian] Ergonomics [In reply to] Can't Post

Personally, I am going to hold off on high def for a while. I am very happy with the images I can get with my personal GL2 and the college's XL1s.

The XL2 looks like a great cam: I am currently trying to convince my bosses that I "have" to upgrade our camera because even the university's media department is upgrading their equipment this fiscal year.

It is so great to find other people that also use these canon cams! So far, all my camera knowledge has been learned by pure trial and error from just jumping into projects with both feet.Shocked


- Rebecca
RWilliamsVideo
Becca's myspace


Lydian
User


May 22, 2006, 6:43 AM

Post #7 of 10 (3041 views)
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Re: [Becca] Ergonomics [In reply to] Can't Post

same here to be honest with you.
When I first started out I used to hire the xl1 for the weekend until I was confident I could make a go of the business, and the Xl2 had not long come out when i plucked up the nerve to buy it.
I haven't looked back, it is very easy to get caught up in the High Def phenomena though, at first I was regretting not getting the Z1 but i still think we are a little way off delivering high def weddings especially here in the UK, despite certain people claiming otherwise on these boards about Brits going nuts for high def, frankly that is utter Bollox.
I have booked half a dozen weddings for 07 already and when I have touted to all the clients the possibility of shooting their wedings in high def next year, not one of them has shown any interest, and their eyes kind of glaze over as you explain it to them.
Even though every television now being sold here is high def ready, people aren't running to go out and buy the new high def satelite boxes that SKY have released, confusion over formats, yada,yada.
I guess we will have to wait and see.
Obviously it is going to happen, the question remains how long?
Until then my XL2 will rock
Cool


AndrewMSV
Veteran


May 22, 2006, 2:33 PM

Post #8 of 10 (3036 views)
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Re: [Lydian] Ergonomics [In reply to] Can't Post

I couldn't hold off on buying a cam when my business took off a few years back so I had to buy what was available. The XL1S was the best camera out there for my tastes. The next year the XL2 was released and I was kicking myself because the XL2 is vastly superior to the XL1S... the native 16x9, the bigger flip open viewfinder, the fixed problem with backfocus, 30p and 24p, all that stuff and more.

I doubt I'll ever get an H1. US$9000?! Are you kidding me?

Anyway, for now I have a GL2, XL1S, and the FX1 for HDV stuff.

Cheers!


Andrew
m o r n i n g__s t a r__v i d e o g r a p h y
sf chapter, vu california crew
I think we should turn that whole region into one shiny piece of radioactive glass. - CartoonChris




Lydian
User


May 22, 2006, 8:28 PM

Post #9 of 10 (3027 views)
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Re: [AndrewMSV] Ergonomics [In reply to] Can't Post

Andrew you have an FX1?
Okay so be honest which do you prefer between the XL1s and the Fx1?
I was discussing this with someone this evening about the difference between the canon and the sony and they said they prefered the Z1 because of the wider lense on it, apparently it's really wide and he finds he uses a wide angle lense with the canon to compensate.
Is that true?





*Vu bookmarked on the phone.


AndrewMSV
Veteran


May 22, 2006, 8:36 PM

Post #10 of 10 (3024 views)
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Re: [Lydian] Ergonomics [In reply to] Can't Post

I like my Canon better for many reasons:
- Sentimental reasons Smile
- Ergonomics how it's held
- Ergonomics how the buttons are laid out
- Dual audio channels
- better glass (sort of subjective)
- interchangeable lenses

I like the Sony for these reasons
- native 16x9/HDV (although the 16:9 mode on the Canon holds up against the SD 16:9 on the Sony.)
- no backfocus problems

Frankly, I'm not sure how wide the Sony is compared to the Canon. You can look up tech specs and find that out pretty easily. I always have Century Optics wide angle lens on my Sony.

If I had ONE wedding to shoot to impress the client and ONE chance to acquire great images and sound and must not to screw it up, I'd go with the Canon. I know it better and it's reliable. (Aren't all weddings sort of like what I described? - one shot to get it right.)

But the FX1 is a great camera though. I'm about to shoot a short movie for the youth group at my church and I'm probably going to shoot it entirely with the Sony. haven't decided yet.

CHeers!


Andrew
m o r n i n g__s t a r__v i d e o g r a p h y
sf chapter, vu california crew
I think we should turn that whole region into one shiny piece of radioactive glass. - CartoonChris