Question about focusing on the XH-A1

[HelloEvo]

Hey everyone!
I'm currently in a little dilemma between buying an XL2 or an XH-A1. I had a question about the focusing on the XH-A1. Now, my main reason for buying a camera is because me and my cousin are going to start shooting serious short films, and the right shots are very important. One reason I'm leaning towards the XL2 is, of course, the interchangable lenses. Now for the question, with the stock XH-A1 lens, would I be able to zoom in on an object while the rest of the picture is blurry? For instance, would I be able to focus only on the barrel of the gun, while the face of whoever is holding it is not visible? A good example of how thats used is in Man on Fire, where the director is using focus to focus in and out of the mirror, between two people, while denzel was talking to the mother of the little girl. If I'm not making any sense, I apologize, let me know and I'll try to clear it up. The only thing stopping me from buying the XH-A1 is the lens/focus. I won't be using HD for a couple of years, so I'll only be shooting in SD with it. The other camcorder (my cousin's) we're going to use to shoot is a DVX100A. Let me know what you guys think, thanks.

[Huy Vu]

You're talking about DOF. And the answer to your questions is yes. Properly framed, opened iris and at long focal length the A1 can do what you want.

[DavidChia]

It is good enough because of the 20x zoom lens . But only good enough, If you are looking for something more like really film like D.O.F, something more blurry. My best bet is to get a 35mm adapter with any camera that you chose.

Check out here for a test of how a XHA1 stock lens show up to D.O.F against one that has an adapter on.

http://www.cinevate.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=256&highlight=bokeh

[HelloEvo]

My cousin keeps telling me to get the XL2, and I don't know why. He hasn't researched camera's for a couple of years but he told me not to get the XH-A1 because of the cost of HD, I'm so confused on what to get it's not even funny.

[Kdawg]

Go for the XH A1 if you can convince him. You have the choice between HD or SD with that camera. You will have the same Depth of Field with both cameras. If you want a more shallow DOF, even the XL2 needs a 35mm adapter. There is a section devoted to 35mm adapters here, you should research that as well.

But you and your cousin will be kicking yourself a couple of months down the road, when you want to... for instance green screen something. Big difference between HD and SD in keying a color out. The interchangeable lense on the XL2 is not as versatile as you may think. It wont take just any old canon lense. And another lense will cost a few thousand bucks for that thing. Good luck with convincing him to reconsider.

[HelloEvo]

Go for the XH A1 if you can convince him. You have the choice between HD or SD with that camera. You will have the same Depth of Field with both cameras. If you want a more shallow DOF, even the XL2 needs a 35mm adapter. There is a section devoted to 35mm adapters here, you should research that as well.

But you and your cousin will be kicking yourself a couple of months down the road, when you want to... for instance green screen something. Big difference between HD and SD in keying a color out. The interchangeable lense on the XL2 is not as versatile as you may think. It wont take just any old canon lense. And another lense will cost a few thousand bucks for that thing. Good luck with convincing him to reconsider.

So you're pretty much saying we can do everything we could do with the XL2, with the XH-A1 right? because his main thing is he wants us to be able to get the right shots, and sometimes that may require some crazy DOF work.

[Barry_Green]

The XL2 can interchange lenses, the XHA1 can't; that's probably the biggest thing the XL2 can do that the A1 can't.

As far as DOF, they're both 1/3" camcorders so they'll have identical DOF at the same focal lengths.

[Spartacus]

I just have a deja vu.
The exact dvx-cousin and don´t buy HD yet and get an XL2, have you posted this already awhile ago, maybe on DVinfo...?

On topic: If your cousin already owns a DVX and you really need a second cam: why not just score a used DVX...?

[HelloEvo]

I just have a deja vu.
The exact dvx-cousin and don´t buy HD yet and get an XL2, have you posted this already awhile ago, maybe on DVinfo...?

On topic: If your cousin already owns a DVX and you really need a second cam: why not just score a used DVX...?

I did post this a while ago, and I still haven't decided. Why would we buy two of the same cameras? the point of me getting something different is so we're not limited to only a DVX.

[Spartacus]

I did post this a while ago, and I still haven't decided. Why would we buy two of the same cameras? the point of me getting something different is so we're not limited to only a DVX.
Wow! "...limited to only a DVX"
I hope you can back this up with enough DP skills, mate...

Ok, so why would you need two of the same cameras?
You can get multiple angels, perfectly intercutting.

But maybe you should simply do some reading up (or watching) to improve on your camera skills.

What about lights? Or a dolly? Microphones?
You already have access to one of the best DV cameras out there, why bother with another?
And there´s a lot more to shooting "serious short films", like you said you´re up to.

A own camera for the sake of having one, won´t benefit you as much as expanding your lighting kit or audio gear IMHO.

Good luck!

[HelloEvo]

Wow! "...limited to only a DVX"
I hope you can back this up with enough DP skills, mate...

Ok, so why would you need two of the same cameras?
You can get multiple angels, perfectly intercutting.

But maybe you should simply do some reading up (or watching) to improve on your camera skills.

What about lights? Or a dolly? Microphones?
You already have access to one of the best DV cameras out there, why bother with another?
And there´s a lot more to shooting "serious short films", like you said you´re up to.

A own camera for the sake of having one, won´t benefit you as much as expanding your lighting kit or audio gear IMHO.

Good luck!
I knew this was going to happen. I knew someone was going to take the fact that I don't want a DVX personally. Me and my cousin will eventually part ways, and if I invest my money into equipment, I'm left without a camera. We have some equipment, but we will be buying more, obviously. There is no such thing as a good film without proper lighting/audio.

My options are between an XL2, and an XH-A1. I will not be shooting documentaries, I will not be shooting weddings (at least not anytime soon), so HD really isn't that important to me right now. Not to mention having to buy an HD-DVD player, and burner is going to run me another god knows how much. So for now I'm gonna stick to SD and try to do some great work with that. I do want to learn CGI/green screen work, though, which is why I'm torn. I understand how hard it is to learn CGI, but I am still young so I think I have enough time. I was just about ready to buy the XL2, but my main thing is, I don't want to regret not getting the XH-A1 a couple months down the road, and vice versa.

[DavidChia]

If you shoot HD and later down convert the footage to SD it is better then just shooting SD.

HD has more details to begin with, So when you put HD down to SD size. It looks better even when you zoom in 3 time in a SD timeline. But when you zoom in 3 times in an SD footage in a SD timeline. you will see that the footage will start falling apart.

You don't need to buy a HD burner , because most of the people out there are still outputting in SD format. Because the common crowd don't have that kind of money to buy a HD DVD player yet.

[Kdawg]

Hmmm I have a DVX and my other camera is the XH A1! There is a preset you can download that makes the A1 look like the DVX. (not the camera, the footage) I have not yet tried to match the two. But the reason for getting two of the same cameras is so when you do a two cam shoot, the white balance and everything matches perfectly.

I really really wanted an XL2 before I got the DVX. It looks soooo much cooler than the DVX. In fact I was ordering one, when I found out I had to buy the 20x lense separate, which makes it much more expensive than the DVX. Anyway, I went with the DVX and never looked back. I would say get another DVX or get the XH A1. IMHO. I am sure whatever you decide, you will make some great flicks.

BTW, I understand the SD thing for the next couple years. But in two years, when you move to HD you will be selling your XL2 for pennys on the dollar because nobody will want SD. As far as keeping its value, the A1 is a better choice. It sounds as though you really want the XL2 and so I say go for it.

[HelloEvo]

Thanks for all the help guys, I really do appreciate it. Now the XH-A1 was my first option, but I guess my cousin was trying to warp my mind (he always wanted to work with the XL2) and he's 30 (I'm 19) so I usually listen to what he says, just based off of that. The problem is, he hasn't really researched any camcorders since he got his DVX, so I'm not sure if he knows exactly what the XH-A1 can do. He told me it doesn't matter what camera we have for our shorts (between the XH-A1 and the XL2) because when we shoot our serious stuff we're going to be renting better cameras anyway, I don't know about that yet though because I have yet to shoot a legit film (it's coming though, and when it does, you guys will be the first to see it, no doubt).

I've posted this topic two different times on this forum, and most everybody told me to get the XH-A1, and I know for a fact you guys wouldn't suggest spending $3500 on an inferior product, so I'm leaning more towards that every day. I want my cousin and I to go to a camera shop, and test them both out, just so he can see the XH-A1 up close and personal.

[elrond_2003]

Using my XHA1 I find that at maximum focal length I can focus my finger at 1m (closest focus distance) and not see anyting but blur from my face about 2 feet farther back. Try it in the store to see. Note that this won't work at the short focal length, DOF is very large even ar f/1.6 (as you expect).

[drdimento]

Using my XHA1 I find that at maximum focal length I can focus my finger at 1m (closest focus distance) and not see anyting but blur from my face about 2 feet farther back. Try it in the store to see. Note that this won't work at the short focal length, DOF is very large even ar f/1.6 (as you expect).

Yeah, and stick a 2x lens on the front of the A1 and then try the same thing. WOW!

[prodigywookie]

Get an xh-a1 !!!!

You wont regret it!!

[fredrickkinsman]

If your buying the xl2 for the interchangeable lenses the adapter that enables it has glass in it that will give 7x zoom ,at least thats the way it was with the xl1.Maybe it has changed i dont know because i think the xl2 is far inferior to the dvx,also the view finder on the xl2 suck and always have since the xl1.canon dropped the ball once again on the xl series.if you can find a dvx to match up to the other cam like someone else said then thats your best bet.other wise for beginning to make short movies i would buy an hv30 which its image smokes the xl2 and get a 35mm dof adapter.and if your dp skills far surpass the capabilities then get the a1.Hd is where its at , why go in reverse when things are moving foreward.

[skinny!]

There is a preset you can download that makes the A1 look like the DVX. (not the camera, the footage).

i laughed my a$$ off when i read the very last part of that...