Canon XL1s Vs Nature photgraphy - Complete newbie

I know nothing about lenses for the XL1s, but since it's a DV video camera I'm a bit confused about the "movie mode".

Since it's a video camera, isn't it always in a "movie" mode and isn't it made to play movies back on TV back on a TV?

Are you talking about a "still" mode where it just takes 1 frame like digital camera? If so I don't think any video camera does as well as a cheap 3MP still camera for that application.

HI Bob, thanks for your contribution. I should have made myself a little more clear. 'Frame movie mode' is supposed to give a 'film' look to the footage, whereas normal movie mode runs at a higher frames per second rate therefore giving a sharper picture. I wanted to give this project a 'professional look' by making it look as though it's been filmed but the flicker when using this mode obviously won't allow me to do this. As a result of finding this out, I can't quite figure out why this function would be included. Anyway, I have heaps more questions to ask from anyone that might be familiar with these cameras but thought I'd start with this one first. Thanks for your time. Brett

Hi Brett,

In case you don't know about this site, check out the forum: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=44

For macro work you cannot do better than the Canon or Nikon (yes, you can use them with an adapter) still camera lenses. Macro looks really good with this camera as there is (in macro) a perception of greater sharpness. I did a preservation doc with the camera so know it pretty well, what it can and cannot do. I would say to stay away from the frame movie mode, or whatever they call it- unless you have done tests that indicate it is somehow best for your purposes. You can always convert to film look later if you want. Email me if I can help in any way: oreamnos1@fnol.net (that's the number "1" rather than the letter L). - John

Think about getting a Canon or Nikon close up Diopter for whatever lens you use. These are not that costly and do a wonderful job for close up work. Forget about the cheap-o filter adapters, however. I guess what lens you use will determine if you need them or not. Good luck.

Brett,

I do not know specifically about XL1, but:

Frame mode is needed mostly if you intend to capture stills out of DV footage. Frame-mode shot (within noninterlaced stream) with all scanlines taken at the same time will give a nicer (sharper) image than one reconstructed from two adjacent half-frames in interlaced mode separated by 1/60 sec or so, in case subject moves or camera shakes, with adjacent scanlines captured at different time points.

There are few other reasons, but pretty marginal and specific, I do not recall them, like if NTSC-PAL conversion is expected or something like that.

Since actual refresh rate of frame mode is half of interlaced mode, flicker is more noticeable. Thus if your primary target is motion picture, interlaced mode is preferred; go for frame mode only if stills are important.

As for lenses:

I believe (not 100% certain, but think that) XL1 has optional adapter for Canon EF lenses, this makes all arsenal of Canon optics available. You will want either dedicated macro lens (perhaps 200mm, since your camera is fairly large and you do not want to stick it in the face of poor insect) or telephoto equipped with double-element diopter, such as 250D or 500D. Focal distance depends on your intended subjects, primarily their size and comfort zone, and also on how you are going to provide the lighting.

If your subjects are quite mobile, having sharp zoom such as 70-200+500D is helpful to initially locate the subject and then zoom on it.

You may also want to investigate how Image Stabilization feature of the lens glues into your camcorder.

Having said that, you asked your question in the wrong forum. It relates to specific technical issues of videography and there is just unlikely to be too many (if any at all) people knowledgeable about it on this forum. You are better to ask it at Videography subforum of photo.net or outside of photo.net.

Some other questions related to macro work in general may be common with macrophotography, and those may be more easily answered here.

A good place to ask questions on DV cameras -- and the XL1s especially -- is the forums at http://www.dvinfo.net