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Mounting with Canon Xh-A1
- Thread starter Sudafed
- Start date
Hello & welcome sudafed,
The DOF adaptor you buy will dictate whether you need a rail support system or not. There are compact units that use a vibrating focus screen and are light enough so they don't need a support system, especially if you flip the image in camera. If your camera cannot flip the image (to my knowledge only the JVC GYHD200 series can) and you want the image right side up you will need to buy an optical flipper which means support rails and a tripod head big enough to carry the total weight.
I use Nikon AF-D lens (50mm f1.4 & 85mm f1.8) because they're well priced and also work beautifully on my 35mm SLR.
The DOF adaptor you buy will dictate whether you need a rail support system or not. There are compact units that use a vibrating focus screen and are light enough so they don't need a support system, especially if you flip the image in camera. If your camera cannot flip the image (to my knowledge only the JVC GYHD200 series can) and you want the image right side up you will need to buy an optical flipper which means support rails and a tripod head big enough to carry the total weight.
I use Nikon AF-D lens (50mm f1.4 & 85mm f1.8) because they're well priced and also work beautifully on my 35mm SLR.
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I would say rails are a requirement even for the lighter systems like the Brevis or the upcoming SG Blade. You'd probably be fine without them using lighter lenses, but for big telephoto lenses and heavier zooms and so on you don't want to put that much stress on your lens mount & camera. Rails also allows you to attach accessories like a follow focus and a matte box which you might want to add later.
Do I need a rail system?
Yes, the better balanced the better, even DVshop Indian rails support that reminds the Cavision's "Z" shaped support is better than those that have tripod plate mounting holes almost directly beneath the camcorder's.
What kind of tripod head?
Libec H38 could be the minimum but it has non adjustable counterbalance that can get tricky when used on JIB - best in it's class for sure. If you put together heavy enough packkage you could try the O'Connor 30 from the eBay (going for as less as $400 lately) but this head would be even trickyer and much heavier than the rest that will be mentioned here
And what lens line have you guys had the most luck with?
The Zeiss ZF is the most sustainable line if I may say so as it can be purchased new and replaced with new ones - insurance and legal business wise this is the only manual lens line in the shops these days. No ultra wides tough and the 25mm one vignettes more than any of the others I've seen (might have been setup error)
There was an Canon F1 with three lenses on the bay yesterday with 3 decent FD lenses that were at a bargain price if you want to get by really cheap (a $100 per fast lens).
Be sure your lenses are from the same series like the Zeiss ZF or when Canon FD make sure they are either without the chrome ring or with SSC marking, therefore you get the same optical/color characteristics.
BTW Canon FD series are the only lens line that has the focusing direction in the same way as cinema or broadcast lenses, infinity mark on the right - might be useful when hiring an AC or any other trained professional, even the A1 itself has the focusing direction in that way.
Cheers,
T
Yes, the better balanced the better, even DVshop Indian rails support that reminds the Cavision's "Z" shaped support is better than those that have tripod plate mounting holes almost directly beneath the camcorder's.
What kind of tripod head?
Libec H38 could be the minimum but it has non adjustable counterbalance that can get tricky when used on JIB - best in it's class for sure. If you put together heavy enough packkage you could try the O'Connor 30 from the eBay (going for as less as $400 lately) but this head would be even trickyer and much heavier than the rest that will be mentioned here
And what lens line have you guys had the most luck with?
The Zeiss ZF is the most sustainable line if I may say so as it can be purchased new and replaced with new ones - insurance and legal business wise this is the only manual lens line in the shops these days. No ultra wides tough and the 25mm one vignettes more than any of the others I've seen (might have been setup error)
There was an Canon F1 with three lenses on the bay yesterday with 3 decent FD lenses that were at a bargain price if you want to get by really cheap (a $100 per fast lens).
Be sure your lenses are from the same series like the Zeiss ZF or when Canon FD make sure they are either without the chrome ring or with SSC marking, therefore you get the same optical/color characteristics.
BTW Canon FD series are the only lens line that has the focusing direction in the same way as cinema or broadcast lenses, infinity mark on the right - might be useful when hiring an AC or any other trained professional, even the A1 itself has the focusing direction in that way.
Cheers,
T