XF300 - 4 Newbie Quesrtions

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djkoz

Well-known member
I just purchased the XF300 and it arrived a few days ago. Since it's about a 4 year old model you can expect that Canon will soon announce its bigger and better model at half the price. :-( But in the meantime, I have a few questions:

1. Is anyone else having problems removing batteries? I've opend the door, slid the lever over but the battery does not pop out at all. I am having a very difficult time gripping it to pull it out. The springs inside the compartment seem to be useless. Any ideas?

2. Is there an accurate way to check for stuck pixels? I did try a couple of test shots with the lens cap ON and the gain set to +12db and again at +21db in both 1080 and 720 modes. With the gain set to 21db I did notice what appears to be one pixel flickering, like a twinkling star. Is this something to be concerned about? Is there a better way to test for stuck pixels?

3. I have implemented the BBC's recommendations for Custom Picture files and also the one in Doug Jensen's video on the XF305/XF300. However, I am trying to find custom files that will give me as close to a film look as possible, and another that will yield rich, vibrant colors right out of the camera without color grading in post. Do you have any links?

4. Is there a way that I can connect the XF300 to my android tablet (Nexus 10) to use as a monitor? not so much for focusing but rather so others can watch the framing, etc. on a somewhat bigger screen. If this is possible can it be done wirelessly? I know I could buy a monitor (expensive) or, perhaps, use a 21" LED TV (heavy and it costs money).

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Dan
 
Hello. Is the camera new or used?

1) No problems here. Maybe you are having an issue.

2) That is best way to check. If you see a twinkle it is ahot pixel. There may be a way to correct using the camera's software but I do not know it. Maybe someone will or try calling Canon

3) Test, test and test more. Tweak the settings and learn the camera. Hook the camera up to good display that is calibrated as best you can and start changing things. This way you will get YOUR settings and look.

4) No.
 
+1 - when I got my XF100 I downloaded all the online CP files I could find and did not like ANY of them - they were all either not flat enough or not vivid enough for me - so I also recommend testing for yourself.

I always use "Cine1" for Gamma and for Color Matrix: Select (I find that you get weird color shifts if these don't match)
For a flat look raise the Black Master Pedestal, experiment with a lower Knee: Point to control highlights and a higher Black Gamma to raise shadows, lower Sharpness but raise Coring, and lower Saturation (via Color Matrix Gain)

For a more finished look, do mostly the opposite: lower Black Master Ped, raise Knee: Point and lower Black Gamma, raise sharpness and lower Coring, raise Color Matrix Gain to taste. For the finished look you might also like using one of the Normal settings for Gamma and for Color Matrix: Select.

Hope this helps give a head start...
 
Regarding battery removal I also noticed that sometines the spring just does not have enough force to push the battery out enough to be able to grab it and pull it out. What I do is to tip the end of the camera down slightly before I press the release lever. The spring action along with gravity and the weight of the battery are enough to push the battery out far enough. Works every time.

Hope this helps.
 
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