Considering XHA1, used to Panny DVX and SDX....

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Duct Tape Films

Well-known member
Longtime DVX user, considering the XHA1, except one thing sticks out as a possible deal breaker to me. Mind you this is coming just from reading the manual, so please correct my misconception if I'm wrong, but did Canon actually go out of their way to give these focus assist functions like zooming the viewfinder/LCD, etc., but NOT include any sort of numerical focus readout, either on the barrel or in the LCD? Hoping someone can tell me otherwise, because all the other shortcomings are easily outweighed by the pricepoint, and the positives.

edit: Yeah so neverflippingmind. I finally found this gem - "The focal distance to the subject will be displayed for approximately 3 seconds." Let's see, I've got a DVX, XL1, a dual 2.7 G5, and some other crap to get on sellin'. I'll be joining ya'll sooner rather than later as a XHA1 owner.
 
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Not only does it give you the readout like you found out but you can set it to feet or meters, not just and insignificant number from 1-93 like the DVX.
 
The focus distance reading on the A1 is great. I　have tested it extensively and it is totally accurate. I need nothing more than a tape measure to get perfect focus everytime, which is so simple, but so important with HD. M2 is another story.
 
Duct Tape Films said:
edit: Yeah so neverflippingmind. I finally found this gem - "The focal distance to the subject will be displayed for approximately 3 seconds." Let's see, I've got a DVX, XL1, a dual 2.7 G5, and some other crap to get on sellin'. I'll be joining ya'll sooner rather than later as a XHA1 owner.
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I'd hang onto that G5 if I were you. I have the same machine and it runs the latest FCP with HDV editing extremely well. You will want this computer to be able to edit native HDV with satisfying snappiness. If you simply have to scrape all that you can to get the A1...understandable...but you will wish for a faster computer if getting the A1 leaves you with a slower machine.
 
Elton said:
I'd hang onto that G5 if I were you. I have the same machine and it runs the latest FCP with HDV editing extremely well. You will want this computer to be able to edit native HDV with satisfying snappiness. If you simply have to scrape all that you can to get the A1...understandable...but you will wish for a faster computer if getting the A1 leaves you with a slower machine.
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But I ALSO have a Quad 2.5, as I needed both to autorotoscope my last film, and don't really need both anymore. Seeing as the camera's name in shorthand is the A1, has anyone nicknamed their camera, "steak sauce"?
 
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scharky said:
Not only does it give you the readout like you found out but you can set it to feet or meters, not just and insignificant number from 1-93 like the DVX.
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Black Crowes playing through my head - "Jealous. Jealous again." Which dependable merch has the best prices right now (not grey market though) on the A1? I usually use B&H....
 
Duct Tape Films said:
But I ALSO have a Quad 2.5, as I needed both to autorotoscope my last film, and don't really need both anymore.
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Well, there you go. A Quad will do nicely. :)
 
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