Canon XH A1?

[cryssi]

DH is looking at this one now. Has anyone used it? I'm checking out camcorderinfo.com right now. I wanted to know if any of you have it?

 

[cryssi]

it is $3499 @ J&R Audio www.jr.com

I've ordered from them before (albeit it was for ipod cleaner) without a problem...

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Kind of a strange question. Setting aside the fact that it's $3,500 price tag puts it outside the range of most casual videographers, it's not the sort of video camera I'd come looking at a Disney photo site for info about.

The problem is that, while it appears to be a great camcorder, it's a piece of pro-gear. If your knowledge about it is so limited that you'll learn about it from others here, you probably aren't the target market for it. It's big. It's heavy. It's incredibly complicated. You would probably be better off with a HV20 and spending the difference on a pro-video tripod, a really good shotgun, and a couple of good wired lavs.

 

[cryssi]

I totally see your point. I just wanted to know if anyone here did (pro?)videography and had experience with that camcorder. You all are so knowledgable in all things photo/video, and are the first ones I come to for advice... I won't be the one using it, that's DH's realm. This camera has everything that he is looking for, I guess I just wanted confirmation to the great reviews that it had...

c

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I haven't held or used one personally but I've been researching that video camera as well. I've looked at a lot of comments about and watched a lot of sample video. It really looks very good.

Some places that I've looked for info and samples:
http://dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=138
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/forumdisplay.php?f=93

I'm trying to decide between it or the HV20. It's a lot of extra money compared to the HV20. It's got better video quality, but at quite a cost in dollars, size, and complexity. If you spend the time to master it, I think you'll get better video in more challenging circumstances. On the other hand, if you use it like point&shoot video camera, I don't think it will add much value over an HV20.

My other concern is around the uses of HDV and mini-DV. I think that HDV will get replaced by AVCHD in the next couple of years. I also think that the days of tape are numbered. If I'm going to cough up $3,500 for a video camera, I'd be rather annoyed to find myself replacing it in 2-3 years. On the other hand, every year shooting SD with a mediocre video camera is another year without good video of the kids.

 

[0bli0]

it wouldnt be the first time someone used a high-end video cam to take the family at Disneyland/world

 

[cryssi]

Mark, that's the thing. I told DH to get a consumer cam for now, and when he does more video (we've done a few videos with a Digital8) to upgrade, but he doesn't want to spend $1500 on a consumer cam now and then in a year spend another $3500 on the cam that he really wants. He's really been wrestling with that. Well, there's no hurry right now anyway...

thanks for the links! I will make sure DH checks them out...

c

 

[MarkBarbieri]

A surprisingly high number of people with the XH A1 plan on getting an HV20 to use as a B camera and as a playback deck. The B camera is great for interviews because you can switch between people during editing. The playback deck is handy if you shoot a lot because it saves the life of your primary video camera.

I'm not advocating that he buy one of each. I'm just pointing out that if he starts with the HV20, he'll still have a use for it if he gets the XH A1 next year. And if he gets bored with it, he's not out nearly so much money.

Life is a real challenge. There are so many fun things to do and so little time and money to do them with.

 

[cryssi]

it wouldnt be the first time someone used a high-end video cam to take the family at Disneyland/world

hey! how did you get that pic? that's my brother! ROFLMAO j/k

 

[cryssi]

A surprisingly high number of people with the XH A1 plan on getting an HV20 to use as a B camera and as a playback deck. The B camera is great for interviews because you can switch between people during editing. The playback deck is handy if you shoot a lot because it saves the life of your primary video camera.

I have heard this, too.

I didn't think about the 2 camera interview thing...hmm...

Life is a real challenge. There are so many fun things to do and so little time and money to do them with.

No kidding! DH wants to get all this stuff before we have kids b/c it will be near impossible to do once we do have them...

 

[cryssi]

Ok, so they had the XH-A1 on display at Fry's this weekend. First of all, wow! I would be sold on the picture quality alone. DH held it and was playing with the controls. It actually isn't a very heavy/big camera. Well, in comparison with consumer palm-sized camcorders, it is, but taking into consideration the type of camera it is, it's pretty compact. I picked it up and it's pretty light. DH has decided that he wants that camera now, so it's just a matter of finding the best price...we have a few months anyway, although DH wants to have a bit of time to figure out the camera before our trip.

I wanted to check out the HV20 for comparison, but they didn't have any there...not that I think it would have swayed DH from that XH-A1 though! lol

 

[amelia1]

It's way too much camera for me. I would not recommend it for personal use. Very heavy and complicated. DH is in that field so to speak. I think he really bought it for himself and the guys at work, more than he did me!! LOL
I am now in the market for a new consumer mini camcorder.

DH is looking at this one now. Has anyone used it? I'm checking out camcorderinfo.com right now. I wanted to know if any of you have it?

 

[cryssi]

Canon has a $250 rebate on this now through June, I think!

 

[MarkBarbieri]

A $250 rebate...wow, it's practically free.

 

[cryssi]

dontcha know it!



hey, with that extra $$ I can...well...no, I guess not...drat, not quite enough for my 70-300mm...

LOL!

 

[photo_chick]

DH has used the Canon XL 2. He borrowed it for shooting work stuff. It is big, bulky, and heavy. DH would love a high end camera, we make a lot of movies. But I am a film and video minor and he minored in radio television and film so we are not the normal consumers. We will no be getting one any time soon though. The quality is great, but not good enough for us to justify spending that kind of cash on it.

DH shot this for work with the Canon XL 2... keep in mind that it was shot in a studio environment though.
http://www.toddworld.com/interactive/movie_dbgtDemo.html

This one has video shot with a Canon 8mm camcorder, a canon digital camcorder, and some with the XL 2. All in "real world" situations.
http://www.toddworld.com/interactive/movie_little.html



If you are doing professional video work I would get it, but not for just home use. But then if you have the cash and don't mind lugging it around it might be the one for you.

 

[Anewman]

DH has decided that he wants that camera now, so it's just a matter of finding the best price...

Buydig has it @ $3,395 b4 rebate, Free shipping and no tax. Tax savings alone is a couple hundred bucks.

 

[cryssi]

thanks, I'll check it out...I'm definitely one for free shipping/no tax...

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I got one. I figured with $250 off, it was so cheap now that I may as well give it a shot. Here are some first impressions.

I was told by friends that it's pretty small. I guess size is a matter of perspective. I think a 30D is a puny camera while others complain that it's too big. The XH A1 may be small compared to the XL H1, but it's a darn sight bigger than any camcorder I've used.

They probably made it the size that it is so that they could fit all the buttons on it. It looks like it contracted some type of button sprouting chicken pox. I'd swear that there are at least three zoom controls on the darn thing.

I read through the manual and I still have no clue how to use this thing. It took me a couple of minutes just to figure out how to turn the thing on. I've obviously got a lot to learn.

I've been told that I should keep it in TV or M mode. I've got to watch for zebras. I've got keep it in manual focus but use the focus button when I want it to focus. I swear that I didn't have to learn as much to fly an ultra-light as I did just to start shooting with this thing.

The lens is a nice lens. It has that little red stripe that looks so nice on the black background. The only problem with the lens is that it has three rings on it (zoom, focus, and aperture). I'm told that's great because it gives me lots of control but so far it just gives me lots of confusion.

I downloaded about a dozen "presets" that are supposed to give it different looks. I have no idea when to use which ones. I'm also trying to sort through the frame rate options. Why would I want 24F if I could shoot 30F instead? And when should I shoot in "i" vs "F"?

I finally took some footage and dumped it onto my computer. I wanted to convert it to something that I could watch up in the theater. The camera shoots at 1080 and the projector displays at 720. I guess I'll deal with that when I render.

I'd really like to just look at the output, so I decided to just render everything that I shot. Not messing around with sound, editing, or any of the other things that essential to making a video somebody else might want to watch.

I decided to render it in QuickTime. I adjusted some settings and let her rip. My 5 minute blockbuster took 3 hours to render and resulted in a 28 gigabyte file that nothing would play.

I tried again using WMV. This time I got something useable, but it still took 3 hours. These turnaround times are going to make it really hard to learn what I'm doing. I know that I want to play around with sharpening, boosting the saturation, and boosting the contrast, but I'm not in the mood to wait another 3 hours to see how it looks.

I opened the additional books that I got on videography. Neither is very good. I've noticed that most pro photographers tend to be introverted. Most videographer/directors tend to be megalomaniacs. It comes through in the books.

They apparently coat camcorders with the same magic substance they use on cameras. It's that substance that infects you with the "I need just a few more things" disease. I ordered a new tripod head (Gitzo 2380). I've got the geeks at the office spec'ing out a new PC for video editing. My video friends are now telling me that decent sound is going to be a minimum of a four figure expenditure. Then there are lights, steadycams, 35mm adapters, and kinds of other goodies wanting to be bought.

So far, I'm bewildered by the camcorder. My arm is sore from carrying it around. I'm totally confused by the technology. I'm having a hard time adjusting to thinking in terms of video rather than still photos. I feel totally incompetent. On the other hand, as soon as I fill out that rebate (and wait a few months), I'll be $250 richer. Sweet.

 

[cryssi]

I'm sure glad no one is around to hear me laugh my butt off at your post!

I wish I had some tips/advice, but seeing as you bit the bullet first and got the camera, you will probably have everything all figured out by the time DH and I pick one up...

DH has already told me that he needs a new computer for editing (since he normally does his editing on this laptop which is most definitely on it's way out), and what you said about the 4 figure sound expenditure kind of scares me...

Please keep us posted, and I'll let you know when our bank account is $3k+ lighter...