Canon GL2 User Manual

Canon GL-2 Mini-DV User Guide

What is it?

MVCC’s replacement for the Panasonic 456 SVHS camcorders, the GL-2s are high-quality, entry-level mini-DV format

cameras available for checkout.

What’s in each camera kit:

Canon GL-2 IEE 1934 Firewire Cable Headphones

Power Adapter with AC Cord, and DC Coupler (attaches to Adapter)

AV output cable (mini to 3 RCA)

Optional parts upon request:

Wireless Controller Large eye cup 8 M Memory card SVHS cable USB cable

Battery Power The 945 charges in 3.5 hours, the 915 charges in 1.5 hours 945: 4 hours of record time with viewfinder, 3.5 hours with LCD 915: 1 hour of record time with viewfinder, 50 min with LCD

DC Power The small DC coupler attaches to the camera’s battery slot Triangle DOWN and Cord UP.

* The camera automatically turns itself off if in standby for five minutes.

ON THE CAMERA

BOTTOM: Beachtek 2-channel audio mixer:

Input for left and right sources, with audio controls at the back of the unit. Can switch between Line and Mic inputs.

NOTE: there’s a cable that runs from the front of the Beachtek unit to the Mic Input mini-port (by the tape compartm ent). When this cable is IN the mixer works but the Camera’s built in Mic DOES NOT. Unplug the cord to use the cam’s mic.

RIGHT: Tape Compartment:

Push the Open/Eject button, and while pressed forward simultaneously push the casing out (right) to expose the tape hatch. Gently, gently insert the tape. Close by pushing the part marked “PUSH,” then close the outer compartment.

DC5V: DC Terminal Mic: for plugging in external mics (Note: with mixer on bottom this isn’t needed). Green Headphone Jack: Mini connector for headphones.

T/W: Zoom in and out

Card/Tape: Toggle from shooting video to still photos on memory card. (Card available by request)

Photo: Press to take the photo

Standby/Lock: if the power switch is set to camera, you can use the standby lever to turn the camera on and off (by switching

to lock). This saves power.

Red button: press to record.

TOP: Eyepiece: Adjustable by sliding out first, then tilting up.

Red button: start and stop recording

T/W: Zoom in and out

Lock: slide this forward to lock the top’s zoom and record controls from accidental operation.

Camera/Off/Play: Switch between record video or VCR mode, or turn off camera.

Rec Search 1/+: when the camera is in Record Pause mode, hold the Rec Search – or + button while watching the viewfinder

to the point you wish to start restart recording. This ensures a clean record edit.

Rec Review ->: When camera is in record pause mode, press and release -> button to play back the last few seconds, and return to record pause mode.

FRONT:

The tally light (to indicate recording) and remote control sensor are located at the front-center of the camera mic.

BACK: Battery: Push the battery in, then down to lock, with the Arrow pointed Down. Batt Release: Releases the battery.

Output Hatch Ports

: Blue 0I – Lanc terminal for remote controllers

: 5-pin port - USB terminal for downloading still photos to a computer

: DV In/Out- firewire port for sending video to PC, or other DV devices.

: Yellow AV – Composite signal to RCA audio/video devices. Use cable in kit.

: S-video – for taking an svhs signal output. Still need the Yellow AV for audio.

About the Menu

In the back of the camera, push the SELECT Wheel IN to call up your shooting conditions: Auto, TV (manual shutter speed), AV (manual aperture), Manual (manual shutter speed, aperture, and gain), Sand&Snow (when a bright background underexposes the subject), Spotlight (to reduce glare from spotlight recordings).

*MENU calls up all the internal working functions, and should stay as is. *Zebra levels are set to 90%.

Clear Scan: 1 Set camera to TV mode. 2 Press down the EXP button (by focus ring) until CS appears in VF. 3 Go into MENU – Cam. Set

Up (push in select wheel) 4 Scroll down on select wheel until Clear Scan option appears – push in 5 Scroll select wheel until the HZ rate causes the lines on your computer screen to disappear.

Left: Audio L/R: Controls the volume for each channel. Levels shown in VF or LCD.

Audio Rec Level: A (automatic) or M (manual). On A, it overrides the L/R controls

[]..P: Program Selector

[] : Easy Recording - fully automatic, Auto focus, exposure, and all adjustments

P: Choose various record options.

AUTO: Easy record, but you can use any manual functions Other options as listed

Focus A/M: Select Auto or Manual focus. If Manual, use the focus ring to adjust

ND Filter: “Sunglasses” for your camera; advisable when shooting in bright conditions. An ND is seen in the VF when on.

When the standby lever is put to lock, ND filter retains your selection. When camera is powered off, ND defaults to off.

LCD Viewfinder: pops out and rotates.

Display/Data Code: Inside the LCD VF compartment on the camera. Toggle to turn off the VF display of data.

D. Effects/Bars Select – Press Select to pull up menu for Fader/Effect/Color Bars. Then use the Menu wheel on the back of the camera.

Up/Down on wheel chooses type. Push wheel in to get options within each, then the wheel up and down to selection the specific type. Push wheel in to confirm. Then push On/Off to activate.

EXP: Exposure dial. In Auto mode, this only effects the iris. In Manual Mode (flip []…P to P) you can use Exp to adjust, shutter, iris and gain. VF shows results.

White balance. Is auto, unless in P mode. Manual iris: push <*> to toggle between <*> (auto) light bulb (indoor) or sun (outdoor). Aim camera at white object, push the <*> button.

Troubleshooting:

If your camera is on but you see no picture, Check the standby/lock control.