Canon XL1 - User Manual

Setting up camera Canon XL1 and getting ready to shoot.

Tripod

•

Get the tripod into position and place the camera securely so that you hear it ’clicking’ into
position.
Lock the tilt lock. Rock the camera a little to test if it is attached properly.

Never leave the camera unattended.

Powering up

•

When using batteries (DC) make sure that there is one in the camera and one spare in the
camera box.

•

If you are using mains power (AC) plug the transformer (which converts from 240 volts to
12 volts) into the mains power and the battery adaptor into the battery slot.

•

Turn the camera on. (The selector wheel on left hand side) Turn it ‘M’ for Manual.
The camera will turn off automatically (go onto ‘Standby’) after a few minutes.
To turn back on push the ‘

Standby’

button.

•

Check that the gain is set to 0db (if shooting in normal lighting conditions).

•

Connect the monitor if using one.

Lighting

•

Set the lighting. This can be done before the camera is set up but it is useful to see the
lighting through the viewfinder or external monitor.

White balance

•

Turn the White Balance button to 3 o’clock. Place your white card near your subjects face.
(Different positions within your lighting set-up can have different colour temperatures.)
Then hit the White Balance button.

•

The other white balance settings should not be used unless you are in a real rush – which
you shouldn’t be. You can select ‘A’ for ‘Automatic’ or ‘Light bulb’ when you are inside with
lights or, ‘Sun’ when you are outside. Because this camera has a colour view finder you
can be reasonably confident that in terms of colour – ‘What you see is what you get.’

Insert tape

•

Make sure you close inside door first.

Exposure

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Use the viewfinder on the camera to check the exposure not the external monitor.

•

Utilise the zebra-pattern function (this is always on) – adjust your iris to get a small
amount of zebra pattern on the highlights of the face.

•

Make sure you have decided on an exposure style and stick to it.

Focus

•

Once the frame is set - zoom in to the subject’s eye and focus. With this camera it is
imperative that you use Manual Focus.

•

On the barrel of the lense you will see AF (Auto focus) – M (Manual). When in the ‘Manual’
mode you can push the ‘Push AF’ to auto focus. Only trust this if you can see that it is in
focus.