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Home: Video University Forums: Canon All Camcorders:
What accessories for Canon XL1s?

X-Michael
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Apr 14, 2004, 1:38 PM

Post #1 of 5 (1295 views)
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What accessories for Canon XL1s?	Can't Post

I'm finally getting some funds together to buy the Canon XL1s I've been wanting since I was ripped off by <a href="http://www.philterhouse.com/nikki.html" target="_blank">Nikki Brindle</a> last Fall.
What are the must-haves for this camera?
I'm wonderring about a tripod, microphone, lenses, LCD monitor, batteries, filters, carrying case, etc.
Thank you

X-Norman_Woo
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Apr 15, 2004, 1:18 PM

Post #2 of 5 (1292 views)
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Re: What accessories for Canon XL1s?	Can't Post

Hi Michael
This is what I have with my XL1:
Must have:
- UV Filter (to protect your lens)
- Soft Bag (Tamrac) or Hard Case (Pelican 1610)
- Extra battery: BP945 (I have 4)
- Canon Dual Battery charger CH-910 (which can mount on the MA100 (see below) to double your battery power to the camera.
- Canon VL-10Li (10 Watt) - sometime you need to give it that extra punch
- Tripod (I have the Manfrotto 0.28 with the 501 head). Some folks have reported that the 501 gets "sticky" sometime. It is not a full "Fluid" head. You man want to try also the 503.

Nice to have:
- 0.6X Wideangle lens adapter from Century Optics (not full zoom-through) or the Canon 3X (more expensive)
- UHF wireless mics (stay away from VHF models - too much intereferences)
- Canon 1.6 Extender (Great for extreme closeups) which goes between the XL1s and the lens
- Varizoom zoom and focus controller
- MA100 shoulder support and XLR
- Glidecam V16 or other stablization device
: I'm finally getting some funds together to buy the Canon XL1s I've been wanting since I was ripped off by <a href="http://www.philterhouse.com/nikki.html" target="_blank">Nikki Brindle</a> last Fall.
: What are the must-haves for this camera?
: I'm wonderring about a tripod, microphone, lenses, LCD monitor, batteries, filters, carrying case, etc.
: Thank you

X-Michael
Imported Account

Apr 19, 2004, 2:16 AM

Post #3 of 5 (1292 views)
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Thank you [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thank you for the advice. It's interesting, but people seem to be encouraging me NOT to buy an XL1s. But when my mind is set on something....
: Hi Michael
: This is what I have with my XL1:
: Must have:
: - UV Filter (to protect your lens)
: - Soft Bag (Tamrac) or Hard Case (Pelican 1610)
: - Extra battery: BP945 (I have 4)
: - Canon Dual Battery charger CH-910 (which can mount on the MA100 (see below) to double your battery power to the camera.
: - Canon VL-10Li (10 Watt) - sometime you need to give it that extra punch
: - Tripod (I have the Manfrotto 0.28 with the 501 head). Some folks have reported that the 501 gets "sticky" sometime. It is not a full "Fluid" head. You man want to try also the 503.
:
: Nice to have:
: - 0.6X Wideangle lens adapter from Century Optics (not full zoom-through) or the Canon 3X (more expensive)
: - UHF wireless mics (stay away from VHF models - too much intereferences)
: - Canon 1.6 Extender (Great for extreme closeups) which goes between the XL1s and the lens
: - Varizoom zoom and focus controller
: - MA100 shoulder support and XLR
: - Glidecam V16 or other stablization device
: : I'm finally getting some funds together to buy the Canon XL1s I've been wanting since I was ripped off by <a href="http://www.philterhouse.com/nikki.html" target="_blank">Nikki Brindle</a> last Fall.
: : What are the must-haves for this camera?
: : I'm wonderring about a tripod, microphone, lenses, LCD monitor, batteries, filters, carrying case, etc.
: : Thank you

X-Norman_Woo
Imported Account

Apr 19, 2004, 2:02 PM

Post #4 of 5 (1292 views)
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Re: Thank you [In reply to]	Can't Post

: Thank you for the advice. It's interesting, but people seem to be encouraging me NOT to buy an XL1s. But when my mind is set on something....
Hi Michael
I own both the Sony PD150 (since 2002 - My backup camera) and the Canon XL1 (since 2001). I find that I end up using the XL1 more often than the Sony.
The Sony is mainly used in low-light situation (during receptions in weddings for examples) as it beats the XL1 in that area. I believe the XL1s is bit better in low light than the XL1. I also use the PD150 in situations where I don't want to call attention to myself (documentaries where you just want to grab and shoot and run). The PD150 colors are very rich and bit on the cold (blue) side of things. The Canon is a bit warmer and softer (towards the red side of things). The PD150 has a built in LCD screen and XLR connectors (which I had to buy separately for the XL1). The PD150 also comes with a B+W viewfinder, excellent for focusing. A B+W viewfinder for the XL1 is an optional accessory. The PD150 also takes DVCAM tapes. If cost is a factor, you may want to go the PD150 as it has almost everything.
The main reasons for using the XL1 more is
- I can get really close-ups of faces during those emotional moments in weddings (the money shots), extreme closeups of athletes faces, arms, bodies for sports using the 1.6 extender (more money shots). The lens stabilizer is excellent.
- the FRAME mode gives it a very unique look. It's somehere between the plastic video look and film look. In all my stuff I shoot now (Weddings, documentaries, fashion shows, music videos, etc.) I shoot exclusively in FRAME mode. In all cases, my clients always asked if I had shot in film. I don't want to start any flame wars here between Canon Vs others and film vs video, etc.
- Interchangeable lens
You may want to rent out a few of these cameras to try out. You may want to wait for the XL2. That's my next purchase ...
The bottomline is what the end users sees (happy clients). So lighting, exposure, framing all plays an important role. You also have to know what the camera can/cannot do.
Both the Sony and Canon are excellent cameras.
Regards

X-Michael
Imported Account

Apr 20, 2004, 12:18 AM

Post #5 of 5 (1292 views)
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Re: Thank you [In reply to]	Can't Post

That is some really great insight. I have used both the PD150 and the XL1s. I've also use the VX2000. I like the mix of the PD150 and XL1s (rented them for my last wedding)and hope to eventually have one of each. My interest is not only weddings. I have a great deal of ideas for short films for which I think the XL1s would be better suited. The films of course are just for the fun of movie-making, weddings are what pays for the equipment to have all the fun. Thank goodness for the weddings as I couldn't get away with spending so much money on a "hobby."
I'm pretty sure I will start with the XL1s. Again, thank you for the great feedback.

Thank you for the advice. It's interesting, but people seem to be encouraging me NOT to buy an XL1s. But when my mind is set on something....
: Hi Michael
: I own both the Sony PD150 (since 2002 - My backup camera) and the Canon XL1 (since 2001). I find that I end up using the XL1 more often than the Sony.
: The Sony is mainly used in low-light situation (during receptions in weddings for examples) as it beats the XL1 in that area. I believe the XL1s is bit better in low light than the XL1. I also use the PD150 in situations where I don't want to call attention to myself (documentaries where you just want to grab and shoot and run). The PD150 colors are very rich and bit on the cold (blue) side of things. The Canon is a bit warmer and softer (towards the red side of things). The PD150 has a built in LCD screen and XLR connectors (which I had to buy separately for the XL1). The PD150 also comes with a B+W viewfinder, excellent for focusing. A B+W viewfinder for the XL1 is an optional accessory. The PD150 also takes DVCAM tapes. If cost is a factor, you may want to go the PD150 as it has almost everything.
: The main reasons for using the XL1 more is
: - I can get really close-ups of faces during those emotional moments in weddings (the money shots), extreme closeups of athletes faces, arms, bodies for sports using the 1.6 extender (more money shots). The lens stabilizer is excellent.
: - the FRAME mode gives it a very unique look. It's somehere between the plastic video look and film look. In all my stuff I shoot now (Weddings, documentaries, fashion shows, music videos, etc.) I shoot exclusively in FRAME mode. In all cases, my clients always asked if I had shot in film. I don't want to start any flame wars here between Canon Vs others and film vs video, etc.
: - Interchangeable lens
: You may want to rent out a few of these cameras to try out. You may want to wait for the XL2. That's my next purchase ...
: The bottomline is what the end users sees (happy clients). So lighting, exposure, framing all plays an important role. You also have to know what the camera can/cannot do.
: Both the Sony and Canon are excellent cameras.
: Regards