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You can start shooting in two conveniently placed buttons depending how you wish to hold the camera. Actors know at first sight this isn't home movies. But they are there when I need them. video. One for fluorescent lighting, one for Neutral Density, and UV to protect the camera. The camera is as auto or manual control as you like. Favorable to your desired camera technique.
Being a director, I consider camerawork one of many pieces of filmmaking. There are two levers to control zoom. There is fish-eye effect, keep in mind. No different than your actors. But I'll be honest. But since I acquired the camera, companies including Canon are coming up with HD cameras cheaper and of higher resolution as the XHA1. When they see you spent money to capture their appearance and performance they'll feel as serious as you. Camera envy: I didn't buy this camera to look cool.
True, they're for consumers and tourists but I do wonder if the benefits of the XHA1 will depreciate. Durability: The record button on top of the handle is a little screwed up. 16:9 is the only resolution with 24 or 30fps. The shutter is noticeably delayed and the quality is film grainy. Such philosophy shows in my review and films, by the way.One of the first lessons I learned is not having an audience distracted by the quality of the presentation, i.e. Be very careful to never to touch the LCD with your fingers. The UV lens seemed to make sense to protect your investment until I noticed reflections from the video in my video. If you're going to lead a team of talent and film crew to shoot a project that will be shown in public in a cinema somewhere, best you look the part.
However, the price point isn't gradual its a giant leap. Without explaining the advantageous of HD, I'll focus reviewing the camera and say the video looks great in capturing minute details. Sometimes, a still image is more appropriate.Battery life: I purchased a larger spare battery from a third-party. For me, its a feature of convenience and not a substitute for professional DSLR photography. Image stabilization helps hand-held look near tripod quality. I purchased a third-party shotgun mic from Amazon and moved the quality from a C+ to a B. Though the camera has a built in ND filter with feedback, I've encountered such bright days it wasn't enough.
The monitor is a guide, judge your work after you pull from miniDV.Still photography: Others are discouraged if not disappointed that Canon offered a simple, no-brainer feature to a digital commodity. But it is nice on occasion to frame a subject in widescreen. Hint: do not use IS while on a tripod at risk of having the floating camera effect. Other than that, it holds up fine. I use the camera as a tool to capture moments. One fast, the other slow.
I was serious about my endeavors in filmmaking. (In fact, I will acquire Canon's latest models after they come out in April). Probably one of the weaknesses. Post process editing, lighting, cinematography aside you can find better cameras. Microphone: It's okay with a little tinniness. I can say it makes it look not cheap - not recorded from a hand held picked up at W-mart or B-Buy. When you take this camera out for action it demands serious attention. My review is not applicable to professionals but geared towards a niche demographic who can afford not having technology be a culprit to better art.
You also have the luxury to record and have AC power. Being a proponent of Canon, I was quite satisfied with my decision with the XHA1 knowing I couldn't spend anymore.While there are reasons to shoot in SD or even 4:3, there is no sense to deny yourself HD. The smears linger and any pressure smudges the image. I shoot mostly wide angle and choose to dolly in/out of my subjects.
I consider myself a prosumer filmmaker and not a cinematographer. Disappointed since I don't use the camera that often and that button even less.
I can't say the XHA1 makes a film look great. Since I abhor the "shaky camera" style, I cannot review the differences between IS and not when looking to present that technique.
The spring underneath is worn and sometimes the button doesn't pop up in its place and is pinned under the chassis. The charger works quickly.I bought a set of filters, again from Amazon.
Because I compete in timed projects, I practice guerrilla style filmmaking not having the luxury for all the bells and whistles to set up a scene optimally. I've had this camera since 2007.
Many of my imperfections I remedy post-process. You will need a separate memory card.
And the new camcorders don't have to fake it like this one.XLR hookups, so what, fine add $200. And the big "look at me" design. It doesn't, compare the f-stop between it and a prosumer camcorder and point and shoot. Stink out your pinky and look at the quick, smaller than that. You're buying this thing and you can't edit. One that you really can't or shouldn't pay. And that is what you are paying for, a lame status thing. No.
The ability to shoot at different resolutions. This four months of mortgage payments. Are you a zoom freak. Three of those, one for each color is what your image is recorded through. The ability to change settings with a button instead of a menu. It is the same imager as your $99 point and shoot camera.
Afraid of moving your legs. Probably a football game. The only things you should be concerned with.are a 24fps frame rate.and the ability to change lenses.Neither of these are offered on this camera. So does a point and shoot for stills, why should doing that for video cost you thousands.The ability to do slow zooms. Everything else is bells and whistles.If you were offered two cars, both had the same guts and performance, but one had a bunch of bells and whistles and cost more than four times as much, which would you buy.What is the rest of the money for. WOW.not that is worth thousands more.
Most consumer camcorder do that too and the newer camcorders don't have to shoot in lower HD rez.HDV is only 1440 x 1080.not the full 1920x 1080. Hey I have a expensive car, I must be important.Unfortunately that is the stigma attached to videography. 24f is not true 24fps and barely looks like it. A big telephoto lens, that does not help gather more light. Is that why you are buying this.What the hell does this thing do that warrants the price difference between it and even the Canon consumer model HD camcorders.I've used this camera, nothing warrants it.NOTHING except to look like a pro. And that is why your over half your point and shoot photos are blurry without a flash. But they probably cost $50 to build on this thing.Manual controls of wb, shutter, etc. This is half the cost of a new car.
NO.If you have skills you will do fine with a $900 camera.Are you a budding filmmaker. In order to sastify your clients ignorance, you must have a "big" camera, even though the same results can be achieved with a $900 camera.And instead of charging anything realistic to what's really built in this camera, Canon and the industry get together and make up an arbitrary semi-pro, pro price point. The ability to manually focus with a ring. Go buy a $200 point and shoot that takes HD video and you have the same imaging ability of this camera. When was the last time you saw a slow smooth ZOOM on network tv. Will this camera, give you abilities you cannot get using something less expensive. Do you know how small that is.
Nothing in this camera is not in your average point or shoot, except the lens which arguably and comparitively $500 worth of gears and glass.And of course if you want to look like a pro, you have to buy one of these under-equipped behemoths.Will this camera make you talented. That is what is gathering all the info. It does not even have a higher zoom ratio. Afraid of editing. Kinda like driving a hummer.
Point and shoots do that too. This camera is unbelievably overpriced.It's like they priced it by the pound or by the button.The imagers are 1/3". Big whoop, so do point and shoots.The ability to shoot at pseudo frame rates. The ability to hook in pro mics.
I see supply and demand has increased the value. it's not $5,000. Happy shopping and shooting. Hey,I order this camera 2 years ago, it's a great piece of equipment. When I got it the price was $3,250. Let that tell you something, but do try to find a better price.
It does even more than we expected it to. This camera was purchased for our newspaper. A great product creating marvellous pictures and sound especially when we video a local symphony orchestra.
look for footage tests, comparisons with other non-canon models and siphon throughThis camera is probably the best model in its price range. aside from that, image quality, on camera controls, preset management, it's all the same.
Just a suggestion. the only reservation i have is that it's kind of uncomfortable to hold.
The L lens is just awesome. I was aware of this limitation before buying it, but I didn't mind.
I did my research, and after about two weeks of online forums and reviews I settled on the XH A1 due to its great low-light performance. compared to the G1, it's the same, except for a vnc connector panel.
I suggest you by an on-shoulder support so that you get less shakier shots and more control.
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