Canon XHA1: "The Remarkable Gift"

Well, I'm not going to make a post every time Steven Dempsey puts something up on vimeo. However, "The Remarkable Gift" is a fairly recent offering and while "Disjecta" has clearly shown that he knows how to nicely frame a shot, capture maximum detail with the Canon XHA1 and masterfully color correct the footage...

This particular short represents a nice collage in terms of creative editing and filmmaking techniques, as well as the achievement of a truly meaningful narrative. It seems in some ways to be a creative culmination of the visually pleasing photographic pieces to date.


The Remarkable Gift from Steven Dempsey on Vimeo.

This piece was shot with a combination of the XHA1 and Letus Extreme depth of field adapter, and also some shots were done with the Canon XLH1, the sister camera to the XHA1 which allows interchangeable lenses but utilizes an identical 1/3" CCD chip to that of the XHA1.

Canon XHA1: VIVIDRGB Preset

It has been around for a little while, but it is one of the more popular and effective custom presets for the XHA1 and deserves a bit of special attention.

The VIVIDRGB preset was developed by XHA1 guru Steven "Disjecta" Dempsey (of Pine Lake Films).

The preset itself can be downloaded HERE.

VIVIDRGB actually underwent a couple of incarnations during its development and refinement. The above link is to the final version.

Here are a few clips of VIVIDRGB in action.


Trying out the VividRGB preset (XH A1) from Jesper Dudal on Vimeo.


Canon XHA1 Test1 VividRGB preset from videonivaria on Vimeo.

And here is an interesting "behind the scenes" from a music video shoot using the VIVIDRGB preset on the XHA1.


Judas Feet :: "Mockingbirds" from Taylor Rudd on Vimeo.

Be sure to thank Steven Dempsey for his fine work and generosity in sharing as your captured images become infinitely more compelling versus the XHA1's out-of-the-box settings.

Canon XHA1: "An Uncluttered World" by Steven Dempsey

For all the posts that I have done with regard to the Canon XHA1, it is about time that I actually devoted one to the work of Steven Dempsey, who is one of the more proficient users of this camera and out there improving its name by employing it with some artistry and expertise.

Not too long ago, he finished his most recent nature short (the genre within which he generally works) and it is titled An Uncluttered World.

Within the confines of the genre he has chosen, he has certainly shown an ability to bring the best out of the camera with some of his imagery. If this particular short doesn't blow you away, he does have a fairly extensive library and you are bound to find something that pleases your eye.


An Uncluttered World from Steven Dempsey on Vimeo.

His website for Pine Lake Films can be found HERE.

And the link to his cinematography DEMO REEL.

Steadicam Merlin: Tutorials and Instructional Links...

And here are some links for figuring out your Steadicam Merlin...

I'll begin with a link to a good TUTORIAL VIDEO by Shiv Kumar on setting the Merlin up for the Canon XHA1. The general principles will apply to other cameras.

Here is a BLOG POST by Steven Dempsey on his experience setting up his Merlin with the XHA1.

And here is a FORUM DISCUSSION on Steadicam Posture over at DVXuser.

Stabilizer Battle: Glidecam 4000 vs. Steadicam Merlin - Forum Discussions

Below are just some collected discussions on the topic of these two stabilizer options. As usual, each has its proponents and detractors...

DVinfo THREAD

GLIDECAM vs. MERLIN for the XHA1

GLIDECAM 4000 on DVforums

MERLIN or GLIDECAM: DVXuser

And here is an HV30 FORUM DISCUSSION about the Merlin, the 4000, and a couple other competitors.

And last but not least, a BLOG POST by a fellow who loves the Steadicam Merlin for use with his XHA1 much more than his old Glidecam. That fellow is, of course, Steven Dempsey, one of the more well-reputed users of the XHA1.

Canon XHA1: Stock Lens - Footage

Again, as a response to the interest in the topic, I am going to present specifically some clips that are done with the cameras and their stock lenses only. In this case, we're going to look at the Canon XHA1.

Many of the complaints about this camera are that people don't like the HDV codec, they don't like the compression, they don't like the color reproduction (especially out of the box) and some will say that this camera offers less latitude in post. Anyway, I've gathered up some clips done with the XHA1 stock lens and as always, I will let you be the final judge and jury.

I'm going to open up with two of my favorites...


Vin LeSoulier - Families in the Park from Vin LeSoulier on Vimeo.


Si Bheag Si Mhor - harp tune by Carolan played by Mark Harmer from Mark Harmer on Vimeo.

I think these two clips show some of what can be done with a bit of effort in the editing room and also knowing how to take advantage of the XHA1 despite its limitations and 1/3" chip.

Enjoy, as well, some additional XHA1 stock lens clips...


Ellwood Bluffs from Stephen Lewis on Vimeo.

And here is one by Steven Dempsey, another fellow who has shown a notable aptitude with this camera.


Monday - HD from Steven Dempsey on Vimeo.


Autumn from Sergey Stefanovich on Vimeo.

Canon XHA1: Custom Preset Tests - Footage

Especially given how flat and drab the XHA1 footage is reputed to be directly out of the box, there has been a great deal of interest online and in forums about custom in-camera presets to tweak the camera's settings for image capture and color rendition. With these presets, you will see that there is actually quite a bit of latitude for different looks within the XHA1 before even getting to post-production. It does, however, require a little bit of work, research and testing on your part.

Below are some instances of test preset footage undertaken by various good samaritan videographers. And do bear in mind that these individuals are under no obligation to post such tests. They do so entirely out of a desire to help move everyone's expertise along, so big ups to these guys, and also to the developers of the presets (among them, Steven "Disjecta" Dempsey") for sharing the fruits of their ingenuity...


Canon XH-A1 Custom Preset Movie from Gert Kracht on Vimeo.

Update: The Roger Shealy video of preset tests (which was linked to here) was taken down from Vimeo.

HERE is a link to a database of XHA1 custom presets and a discussion of the concept.

And HERE, Paolo Ciccone discusses his TRUECOLOR presets. They are also FURTHER DISCUSSED in the DVinfo Forum.

And below is footage of a cutom preset ("VISION") by John Hope. The link with the actual video will also provide the settings of his preset.


XHA1 Preset: VISION from John Hope on Vimeo.

Here is the "VIVIDRGB" preset being tested out...


Trying out the VividRGB preset (XH A1) from Jesper Dudal on Vimeo.

Here is a LINK to the thread with the (updated) VIVIDRGB preset. There was an original version that was revised.

Canon XHA1: Best of the Best - Footage

Now, when I started this series, I vowed to look extensively not only at the Sony EX1 and the Panasonic HVX-200A, but also the Canon XHA1, a significantly lower-cost alternative that does have some good potential if used in the right hands.

For the moment, I am just going to provide reference to some of the better footage that has been developed with this camera, whose price has dropped significantly from its already low starting point for a prosumer camera. Indeed, this camera seems to be the bridge between the territory of "consumer" and "prosumer."

Employed properly, though, it can produce some professional quality work.

If Philip Bloom is the EX1 kingpin, then perhaps Marlon Torres is making a similar name for himself with his Canon XHA1 work.

Here are a couple clips:

THE LAST SON OF CELESTE

This is quite a large file at 720p. If you go to torresstudios.com you can find links to the clip at smaller resolutions.

One thing that will stand out is Mr. Torres' talent for matte painting and post-production, which simply make the XHA1 look good through no virtue of its own. That said, the camera did give him what he needed to get this piece done. Note as well, though, that the piece seems to be heavily ADR'd (re-recorded dialogue in post). Many people have not been impressed with the XHA1's audio recording capabilities and sampling rates. I don't know if the camera was a limitation for on-set sound or not (it would not be fair to assume so - anything from sound design to microphone quality to microphone placement to an airplane overhead could have forced a need for ADR) but I just wanted to flag the issue. I wanted to flag the issue without drawing any hasty conclusions about the XHA1 and sound, that is.

Another project in the works by Mr. Torres is JUNIPERO, where a glimpse will show some of the additional imagery he is capturing with this camera.

Here, as well, is a nice clip put together by a harp player. He did some significant grading in post production but one notable thing about this clip is that he used the stock XHA1 lens - no depth of field adapter.


Si Bheag Si Mhor - harp tune by Carolan played by Mark Harmer from Mark Harmer on Vimeo.

As well:

A good DOCUMENTARY PIECE.

A MUSIC VIDEO (Tamar - "A New Day") filmed with the XHA1 and a Letus Extreme.

And a pair of clips by Steven Dempsey:


Postcards from the Road from Steven Dempsey on Vimeo.


Olympic National Park from Steven Dempsey on Vimeo.

Again, the above was done with the stock lens and no adapter.

Here is a fairly cool motorbike clip. Some nice editing but do notice that the headlights of the motorcycle create a bit of vertical banding with the CCD chip as the bike races down the highway. See, I'm not making this stuff up. It actually kind of works with this clip but generally speaking, it is a pretty ugly phenomenon.


little video "SPEED" from Maxim Lupascu on Vimeo.

And some work with a macro lens...


macro snail from Marco Rognoni on Vimeo.

And the following clip... Well, I just like it. It's not a technical clinic in terms of cinematography or camera operation. The settings on the camera aren't ideal (the highlights get blown out at the end) and it's really quite simple. But hey, the guy was making his mother's birthday present and it's just a nice little clip.


So Many Colors! HD from Nick Mitzenmacher on Vimeo.

And here is the TRAILER FOR "EVOLUTION", a snowboarding piece shot on the XHA1. Looks pretty good.