Used Canon XLH1A High Definition MiniDV Camcorder

2013-09-30T21:00:00

HDV technology is officially gone but if you still use it or have access to it, it is still a great camera to shoot with. I love the ability to use a 20x lens and a 6x wide angle lens and have the camera (push auto focus/iris/zebra etc) recognize each lens as a normal functioning L series lens. I love that fact that the IS III lens holds the focus after you zoom in (to get your focus) and zoom back out. I like the fact the XLR connections are in the rear of the camera not the side. I love the fact that the manual controls are outside on the body and not inside the menu because I do a lot of "run and gun" event shooting with lots of changing scenes,lighting conditions and sound levels. Don't get me wrong, this is the yesterday's tech but it was one of the best of "yester year". You can use the D-componet cable to hook up to a HD Tv monitor (or converter to "run with HD-SDI to a switcher). HDV only shoots 25 mbs but how many times do you anticipate shooting a wedding or concert in 50mbs. You can not use HDV tape in FCP X (so I heard) but I still use FCP 7 and use a sony 15 au to inport the tapes (60i/30p/&or 24p) and FCP recognizes all three formats with no problems. I did howerever just recently buy the FS CF PRO dte (with an additional back up spare battery) and 4 sandisk 60mbs 64 gb cards. FCP 7 does not like MXF format from the DTE but it does accept MXF from the XF300 camera without a problem. I am reduced to use Qtime with the DTE but most people won't noticed the difference. YES...... I purchased a XF 300 in addition to the XLH1a camcorder. I am a professional and I need to be ready for anything that my clients throw at me. Since I own both of them,I can use either camera I want. I choose to grab the XLH1a as my primary camera because it is the most versital in the feild. YES>>>>> the XF 300 has the cmos and the XL has ccd tech. Yes>>> the xf shoots 25/35/50 mbs but I don't see the need to go above 35mbs. I am not shooting for a "hollywood movie co nor has anyone hired me to do a "4K" movie/tv show. I like the shoulder rest on the XL. The XF is front heavy and not balanced as well as the XL. Still it is hard to say that the XF does not produced a "better looking" quality (to be fare and honest) but you would have to look at the "SAME FOOTAGE, SHOT AT THE SAME TIME, UNDER THE EXACT SAME CONDITIONS & WATCHED/VIEWED ON THE SAME FLAT SCREEN TV (SIDE by SIDE)" to see the advances (benefits) that the XF has over the XL. That will NEVER NEVER NEVER happen in the real world. Even if you have three of the same cameras ( in the real world), just the fact that they are shooting from three different locations (meaning the light fall off/shadows/intensity) will be different for all three cameras and there will be some variation of color saturation/iris,quality between the cameras (unless you are in a controlled environment like a tv studio or sports arena). For everyone else like me there are windows & doors opening and closing changing my white balance. There are DJ's raising and lowering the microphone levels and music. There are times when you need to zoom in from the back of the conference to get the main speaker at the podium and there are times when you have to get as many people on the dance floor doing the latest "line dance". For me, the XLH1a provides the most versatility between the two cameras. DSLR cameras are nice if you don't need to plug a lot of "stuff" into/onto your camcorder AND you don't mind the 12-15 buffer (FAT) issue but for me, I think my clients will scream bloody murder if My Camera Stops Recording in the middle of a very important speach/song/sermon/vows/dedication or any other none repeatable event. Do your homework. Find out what works best for you but as for me. I like this camera. Yes>>>> it is heavy. Use a tripod with casters (dolly) and a quick release plate. NO>>>> this camera does not have a 3-4' LCD display. Buy and mount a 7-10" monitor onto the tripod mentioned above. NO>>> this camera is not tapeless. Buy the FS CF PRO (not the HS... it does not shoot all three formats/frame rates). The XL shoots both HDV (as an emergency back up) and onto a CF card (using the FS CF PRO) I am sure that one day I will eventually feel comfortable in relying solely on CF cards (memory cards) to capture my events but for now, I like the comfort and peace of mind knowing that I have my old trusty dusty tapes to fall back on in the event that something goes wrong with the memory cards. YES>>>> the XF has two slots and the chances of both of them going bad are slim to none (if you have the camera set up to shoot both card slots at the smae time and not have them set up as a "relay" to start the second one when the first one fills up). The FS CF PRO dte only has one card slot so buy a large enough card to cover yourself (that goes for both cameras) and for goodness sake. Don't have 10 hrs worth of memory space and only 6hrs of battery life. Buy MORE THAN ENOUGH BATTERY LIFE!!!!!!!!! Never ever worry about if you have enough "juice" How to become a Professional Shooter 101. Always have more "stuff" then what is required for that shoot. It is better to have it and not need it as oppose to needing it and not....................

TIMOTHY P.

2013-08-12T21:00:00

Lots of bells and whistles for many uses. Great picture in any mode 24P 30P or 60i. So many features I suggest you take the time to read the manual and experiment to get full usage. Great having the XLR inputs for external mics. Killer lens ! Adorama did a great job of finding me a used package and shipping it. It was like brand new condition.

ANDREW B.

2012-01-29T19:00:00

This camera is a beast. It's big, it's got all the bells and whistles and it has outstanding image quality. This is one of my favorite hd cameras. I love it most because when we show up to a wedding with this huge camera in our shoulder. They know we are professional. You can't go wrong with this camera.

Jessica W.