GEAR CANONXF605
Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus. It brings eye detection AF and EOS iTR AFX intelligent head detection and tracking functionality to the XF series for the first time. This is designed to maintain sharp focus on a subject, even if they turn away from the camera – vital for news and documentaries. To make the system fit for quick use, there is a new Direct Touch user interface, allowing fast selection of which subject to focus on. It even controls on-screen settings, menu navigation and playback control. The menu system is based on the latest version from the EOS C70 cinema camera, so is very good and easy to understand. The XF605 is really at the cutting edge of technology with the new multi-function accessory shoe – the same as the EOS R3 mirrorless pro flagship camera. This accepts the CA-XLR2d-C, an XLR microphone adapter from independent brand Tascam. The adapter makes it possible to assign XLR inputs to all four audio channels offered by the XF605, for greater flexibility in capturing audio. The camera records audio separate to a memory card as a WAV file. It’s ideal for transcription or translation apps, so is perfect for YouTubers or news. Camcorders prove their worth with great audio, compared to mirrorless or DSLR cameras. Dual XLR inputs take top-quality mics with either line or mic input, controlled by simple switches –
The 8.3-124.5mm lens gives a huge range, equivalent to 25.5-382.5mm. This 15x optical zoom can be stretched further digitally, but this hurts quality. It’s better to opt for Canon’s optional converters that simply screw on. We used the £460/$499 TL-U58, which gives a 1.5x crop. So, at the long end, the focal length is equivalent to 574mm. You can see the difference it makes in these shots, all taken from the same position. One was with the 1.5x converter (below), one with the standard lens set to wide (top right), and the other with the £402/$499WA-H58Wwide-angle converter (bottom right). This gives a 0.8x reduction, so the equivalent focal length is 20.4mm. GOWIDER AND LONGER!
and levels are adjusted with dials. There’s no need to dig into menus. The everyday features make this a truly professional tool, with the most-used functions handled by dedicated buttons or switches. The left side of the main camera body has controls for the ND filters and ISO/gain, white-balance presets or auto white-balance, a push AF/ MF button, image stabilisation, peaking, zebras and waveforms. Quick auto buttons get the camera up and working as fast as possible, if in a rush. And an infrared button engages super low-light settings, when in near-darkness. The handgrip has an easy rocker switch for zooming, although you can take control and use the lens rings instead, if preferred. The back end of the camera has all the pro connections you’d want, like
ZOOM TIME All three of these images are from the same place, using converters
timecode and genlock, as well as 12G-SDI output. This is where the Canon shows its true colours as a modern machine. Beyond traditional broadcast- style I/O options, it has IP live streaming that supports multiple protocols, remote control for multi-camera operation alongside Canon PTZ cameras, and can be used as a simple webcam via USB-C. Streaming is HD, though for 4K you still need the flagship XF705. The camera uses widely available SD cards in dual slots, although a fast card is needed to capture 4K at a high bit rate. For workflows that vary from live streaming to quality recording for editing in post, the XF605 has options. It records different file formats, resolutions, colour sampling and proxies to separate cards simultaneously. And it’s possible for the image to be outputted to both 12G-SDI and HDMI connections at the same time. This offers lots of choice, as these signals can be fed into monitors or recording systems, supporting both pre-recorded and live workflows.
LENS FLAIR! The incredible zoom range of the standard lens lets you crop in on part of the scene without moving (top left)
BUTTON IT There are lots of external control knobs and dials, so all the most-used settings are fast to change (left)
“Everyday featuresmake this a truly pro tool, with the most-used functions handled by dedicated buttons”
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PRO MOVIEMAKER
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