Canon XHA1: Panalook Preset

The following video clip is simply a glance at the "Panalook" preset in action. This is one of the many presets that have been developed by devoted users to maximize the performance and color rendition of the Canon XHA1. In this case, it is just a collage of outdoor shots.

One particularly noteworthy (and unrelated) aspect of the video is the creator's use of a rack focus between different titles that are on screen simultaneously (in the opening moments). This was an effective technique that also highlighted the relatively shallow depth of field used in the video.


Canon XH-A1 - Panalook preset from Pathelin on Vimeo.

Canon XHA1: A User's First Day with the Camera

The following video is simply a decent example of what people are doing with the Canon XHA1 directly out of the box, on the first day. The filmmaker here (Nathan McClendon) did a little bit of research and downloaded Steven Dempsey's VIVIDRGB preset (wisely avoiding the Canon factory settings) but beyond that, did not benefit from any accessories such as a depth of field adapter, steadicam, dolly or such. The end result? Just some pretty good images for someone's first day with the camera.


Xha1 First Day from Nathan McClendon on Vimeo.

Canon XHA1: "Sweet Talk"

The following clip is a homemade video to "Sweet Talk" by The Killers, put together by Montauk Media with the Canon XHA1.


Sweet Talk-The Killers from Montauk Media on Vimeo.

It goes to show that you can do some decent stuff with a camera, no money, some set design and a bit of editing practice.

Canon XHA1: "Sleeper"

Just another quick note, in the interest of helping get the word out on indie productions. The following clip is a sample from "Sleeper", a low-budget vampire feature being shot on the Canon XHA1. It's another example of what people are out there doing with prosumer cameras these days. In this case, it was shot in 25f mode. My understanding is that a Letus Extreme adapter was also employed in the shoot, which is continuing at Catsby Films Ltd.

Sleeper: how to kill a vampire - SCENE 19 - Rough Cut/WIP from Catsby Films Ltd on Vimeo.

Canon XHA1: Green Screen - Footage 2

I already posted a previous EXAMPLE OF GREEN SCREEN FOOTAGE with the Canon XHA1.



I figured this video warranted a further post not only because you get to see the green screen and a pulled key, but because the poster (Jon Lawrence) also takes a few moments to describe his lighting setup.


Chroma Key Demo - HD from Jon Lawrence on Vimeo.

You can also visit Jon Lawrence's blog HERE, where he discusses his photography endeavors among other things.

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: "New Soul" by Steven Tapia

Whenever I see something noteworthy achieved with one of the prosumer cameras we tend to look at, I like to bring it to the attention of readers, prospective camera buyers, and the public in general.

The following is a video piece put together by director Steven Tapia. While it benefits greatly from the post-production and effects work done in the editing room, it was shot on the Canon XHA1. Just don't think you're going to be able to buy the XHA1, pull it out of the box, and whip together something that looks like this without putting in your hours.

Canon XHA1: VISION02 Preset by John Hope

In the continuing search for the perfect XHA1 presets to combat its drab out-of-the-box color rendition, we have a new and pretty effective entry. As we know, there have been a wide array of presets developed, including some fine work by Steven Dempsey and Paolo Ciccone, among others.

Here, John Hope has developed VISION02.

Feel free to take a look at it in action in the following clip.


New VISION02 preset test from John Hope on Vimeo.

The preset is also used in the Phil Kneen video I refer to in this other POST of mine (the seagull footage only).

If you like what you see from this preset, you can download it HERE.

And be sure to thank John Hope. Here is his VIMEO PAGE.

But at least now you have another option.

Canon XHA1: SGPro Adapter Footage

Courtesy of Phil Kneen, we get to see the XHA1 combined with the SGPro depth of field adapter.

**Addendum: Unfortunately, the embedded video, "Videodoodle by Phil Kneen" was deleted by the producer. Please explore the site for additional footage of your camera of choice with your adapter of choice.**

In this instance, he has used two lenses, a 17-40mm, and a 70-200mm.

The shot of the seagulls was using the VISION02 preset by John Hope.

All in all, some pretty nice work. Hopefully the kid grows into the sunglasses one day...

Canon XHA1: Turn the AGC Off!

I don't know how many times I've seen the same issue pop up in forums, time and time again...

AGAIN...

AND AGAIN...

AND AGAIN IN DANISH...

The Canon XHA1 comes with a button called the Auto Gain Corrector (AGC). Generally, this is switched on and what happens? The camera interprets the environment and determines how much gain it will add to the footage for its idea of a better image. The result: Grain, grain and more grain.

If you are working with this camera, just start by switching the AGC off (located on the left side of the camera, just in front of the power / filming mode dial).

Then try getting the image you want in other ways, like aperture control. You can always switch the AGC back on if you're overwhelmed by the manual controls. But at least you'll have the option of not getting swamped with unwanted digital grain.

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.

Canon XHA1: "The Signal" Continued...

As a follow-up to my original POST regarding The Signal and its being made with the Canon XLH1 (the almost twin sibling of the XHA1), I wanted to add a bit of additional information, given that this film does represent some of the most effective narrative work done to date with this camera.

Below are a couple of clips from the film, to get a taste for the style and results that were achieved by director David Bruckner.





And the official trailer...



According to IMDB, the film had an estimated budget of $50,000 and made triple that in its opening weekend, culminating in $250,000 American gross revenue (theatrical).

Canon XHA1: Green Screen - Footage

Well, we've seen some green screen work from the other cameras. Here is a bit of recent XHA1 keying work in the form of a music video.


Ace Mob Records "Boom" from Manu on Vimeo.

Canon XHA1: "Standing Firm"

And once again, Jack is here to help spread the word about people pushing hard to pursue their dreams.

In this case, we have another independent feature where the filmmakers are employing the Canon XHA1. It is called Standing Firm and it is worth taking a look, as their site and blog include some photos and information of their equipment and techniques.

OFFICIAL SITE

PRODUCTION BLOG

Canon XHA1: "The Signal"

I thought, in relation to the XHA1 projects discussion, that I would mention The Signal, a feature that was shot, I believe, not with the Canon XHA1 but with the XLH1. However, the two cameras utilize extremely similar systems and the same chip, the primary difference being only the interchangeable lenses of the XLH1. In many forum discussions, people almost use the two cameras interchangeably...

The project has met with some notable recognition and is considered one of the success stories of the Canon prosumer line.

OFFICIAL SITE

IMDB PROFILE

Indeed, in terms of narrative cinematic work, it may be the Canon prosumer line's high water mark in terms of cinematic feel, film look and effective storytelling.

Canon XHA1: Sanda100 Steadycam Footage

For all the Glidecam vs. Steadicam discussion, here is a bit of footage of the Canon XHA1 with another competitor, the Sanda100.


Canon xh-a1 with steadycam Sanda100 in Turin, Italy. from Luca Ghione on Vimeo.

Canon XHA1: Used with Glidecam 4000 + SmoothShooter - Footage (Part 1)

The majority of these clips are actually from one particular videographer, James Hooey, but I am including them as a collection because he has done a good job of documenting his learning curve with these pieces of equipment and producing a continues stream of video footage along the way.

The clip below is his first day with the SmoothShooter system, after some experience already with both the XHA1 and the Glidecam 4000. He does some tests such as running flat out to see how the system responds. He describes the experience of filming without a SmoothShooter to be somewhat hellish.

Kind of makes me think of the GlideCam systems a little bit like my Mach 3 razor. The handle (Glidecam) is almost free, but then you have to take out a mortgage for the razor blades (the SmoothShooter). Anyway, here is some footage.


Glidecam 4000/Smooth Shooter Tests from James Hooey on Vimeo.

And some more clips of the combination at work...


Night of Living Louder - Meet the Suspects from James Hooey on Vimeo.


Bowery's Lament - Underground 66 Music Video from James Hooey on Vimeo.

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.

Glidecam: Tutorials and Instructional Links

Well, the waters are deep in the Glidecam vs. Steadicam vs. X, Y and Z discussion, almost as deep as cameras, adapters and microphones... Except that (even to a worse degree than the adapter market) there are really not a lot of hard and fast answers.

Anyway, for those with a Glidecam and having trouble, or those considering the option of a Glidecam, here are few links on how-to, personal experiences, and so on.

Here is one man's experience with the GLIDECAM 2000 and the CANON XHA1. It includes videos of his stages of learning. And here are a few pointers from the DVXuser FORUM on the XHA1 with the Glidecam 4000.

A tutorial video on balancing it with the XL2:


How to balance a Canon XL2 on a glidecam

And I am generally not one to promote corporate sites, but this VIDEO from the Glidecam site goes over the balancing mechanisms to a degree.