Canon XHA1 w/a adapter, Sennheiser mic, 60i for worldwide release
by Zdenicka Novotna
on
Jun 25, 2009 at 4:11:59 pm
I have Canon XHA1 and have a bunch of questions. Could you guys who know something about it please help me.
I need to shoot HD video that will be used in different counries. Can I shoot in 60i and then have it converted to 50i? Do I need to have a DVD or a BluRay 60i release converted at all? I understand than in Asia DVD players take 60i and so do LCD/plazma TV's. I know that in Europe practically all VHS recorders played NTSC 4.3, not 3.58. I believe that it was to allow playing US produced tapes on PAL TV's w/o conversion to PAL. So is it OK to shoot 1080/60i and do not convert the speed for worldwide release, maybe just change something else, not the base speed of 30 fps? I don't know what would have to be changed. Could someone enlighten me? Also new DSLR cameras that shoot video, usually shoot 30p, which is great for Internet and probably can be played on DVD / BluRay worldwide. Am I right? I also understand that 60i is good because you can convert to 60p for 720/60p, plus you can create 120i or 60p (please correct me; I don't know, which one is right) for 2x slow motion or just use the 60p for slow motion on 30p. Do you know if the camera can also do fast motion, or does it have to be done in post?
I have Vegas 8, but still have not used it. Is it usable for this camera?
Can 60p be used on digital projectors in theters with digital projection? I know that both Christie and Sony projectors are used in theaters. Does anyone know which formats they accept?
Which formats do festivals accept?
To get shallow DOF, I am planning on getting a DSLR, not a 35 mm adapter. I believe that in the future the DSLR quality will improve on HD performance. If I would use Canon 5DMkII with HD output, can I convetr the 30p to 60i to match my video?
There are plenty of 0.5x Tokina HD wide angle adapters available on Ebay for $90, made in Japan. I know that it is not Canon. Still, did anyone use it? It has 72 mm and 105 mm threads. There are plenty of other w/a adapters on ebay that have the same 0.5x magnification, but are offbrand and have only 80 or 90 mm front. These I know are crappy. But how about a major brand Tokina? Has anyone used it? Don't please just tell me it's junk, because it's cheap, unless you tried it.
I have also a chance of buying for little money mint 0,45x fisheye HD 72 mm thread adapter by 16x9 company. The notmal price is near $900. I can get it for a fraction of that. Is it good? Don't tell me it'd great just because it is a good brand. I'd like to hear from those who tried it.
I can also buy quite inexpensively used mint Sennheiser ME66. Is it good for the camera? How do I isolate it from the camera noise? I had Sony Z1 and it had little soft rubber pillows in the microphone holder. The Canon has quite hard rubber. Also the Sony hood was better made.
How do you think the Canon compares to Z1?
I know that shotguns are not recommended for indoors, but this shotgun is short. Is it OK for indoors? Can it be used for talking directly to it, having mouth really close, or the directional characteristic depends on the distance of the sound source from the mike?
All answers will be appreciated. I know I am asking a lot, but maybe others will too benefit from this.
Re: Canon XHA1 w/a adapter, Sennheiser mic, 60i for worldwide release by Brian Findlay on Jul 2, 2009 at 11:14:38 pm
Wow.. too many questions to answer.. I'll hit a few.
I use the Sennheiser ME66 with this and other cameras, works great for what it's meant for. If you are doing lots of sit down interviews, buy a lav. I shoot most interviews with lav and shotgun into each channel.. almost always use the lav.. but if you are moving through a crowd, etc.. the shotgun works fine.
Don't know about aftermarket lenses, Canon's works fine but you can't autofocus with it as it covers the autofocus dothingy (technical term).
For festivals, all have their own formats. I strongly, strongly, suggest signing up for "without a box" you'll save alot of time and money.. too long explanation, just Google it.
Formats are a big issue.. but I can summarize it like this; For DVD as final target 30P is probably the best for anything with action, but you will pay a huge price if you try to move it to film and the film will suffer. If you want to go to film 24 FPS. I am sure there is a reason, but I could never understand why anyone would do 1080i. As far as 50/60.. google it, there are several good articles on conversions and specifics.
You could be right on the DLSR, but I use a Letus with old Nikor lenses.. works great but very bulky with long setup times.
Re: Canon XHA1 w/a adapter, Sennheiser mic, 60i for worldwide release by Brian Findlay on Jul 2, 2009 at 11:16:44 pm
Last comment.. having posted alot of questions on these boards, if you are serious about wanting answers you will find that posting 1 (maybe a second related question) is best. Hope it works for you.
