Camera question: Canon Optura 50

Like others among you, I'm preparing to buy a camcorder to use with my Mac, either with iMovie or one of the Final Cut versions. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the Canon Optura 50. I consulted Consumer Reports, and found it to be the only model they tested that was a) tape based (a propos of a valuable pointer elsewhere in these discussions that only tape-based cameras will allow post-production editing), and b) have all four of the following features, which I desire: 1) A/V input, 2) external mic input (very important to me), 3) headphones output, and 4) firewire capability.
Any feedback on this model (Canon Optura 50), or other suggestions/pointers? Thanks.

Welcome to the forum.
You don't say what program you'll be using nor what computer you have nor your mode of shooting nor your artistic goals - but here's some generic advice.
1. Canon cameras are notorious for their weak implementation of firewire and timecode - two significant issues when working with Final Cut.
2. Their implementation of the firewire protocol is non-standard. Be sure to use FIREWIRE BASIC (a reduced instruction set) as the device control protocol when working with them.
3. Canons don't play well with other devices on the same bus. Since all firewire ports on a Mac connect to the same bus, if you are using an external hard drive, you may need to install a firewire card (PCI, PCMCIA or Expresscard34 depending on your machine) to create a second bus for the camera. This isolates the camera from the hard drives. Once this happens, they may work flawlessly. If you have a computer model that lacks the capability of adding a second firewire bus, you could be SOL
4. Some Canon cameras have never had an issue connecting and capturing. Some have major issues. In fairness to the brand, other cameras have connection issues as well but not to the same extent (as it would seem from the posts on these boards).
5. Inexpensive cameras have inexpensive tape drive systems that will cost nearly as much as the camera to fix if they blow up. These cameras do not like the hammering of jog and shuttling when used as capture device.
Good luck,
x

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Canon Optura 50

I have a Canon Optura 50 that will not power up. Because I have two of these camcorders I also have back up batteries and the ac adapter chargers that will interchange. The faulty camcorder is completely dead and will not indicate it is charging when plugged into either charging unit. This camera was working in the card mode and tape mode and suddenly went dead. Has anyone out there experienced a similar problem?? Can anyone help other than tell me to scrap the unit..
Ed

Hi Edward74,
Unfortunately, because the service life for this camcorder has expired, Canon no longer offers the service required to repair it. For options available to you, please contact us.
Did this answer your question? Please click the Accept as Solution button so that others may find the answer as well.

Considering Canon Optura 50

I'm about to upgrade my 6 year old Canon Optura Pi, and the Optura 50 is at the top of my list at the moment. I will be using it with iMovie HD 6, and just want to make sure I should not be opting for a comparable Sony or other brand. The review at camcorderinfo.com leads me to believe that this is a decent camera for my needs. Specifically I'm most interested in an Optical Image Stabilizer and minimal vertical cropping when switching to widescreen.
What I'd like to know is if anyone is having problems solving any of the following issues (these seem to pop up in the discussions about Canon from time to time):
- downloading/control of the camera from within iMovie
- audio problems
- shooting in widescreen
Any comments or suggestions?
Many thanks in advance...
Ian
Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.6) iLife '06

I recently got an Optura 50 and am very satisfied with it. Had a good deal in which I got a tripod, carrying case and 5 tapes as well. Regarding your concern: I initially had a problem connecting the Optura 50 with my G5 so that iMovie could download tapes. The problem turns out to be the idea that the
Firewire bus will not recognize the camera unless it is the only device on the bus. I had to turn off (but not physically disconnect) my external FW drives in order to get iMovie to recognize the Optura. When connected, though, it works fine. Another respondent on this forum indicated that this is basically true for canon products anyway.
Otherwise, no particular problems. I am following the advice of others in setting the audio recording to 16 bit. The menu system to do this is easy to use. I am also able to use the camera as a pass through device to record old VHS tapes in iMovie.
Am very happy with the camera. I don't know about the wide screen question though.
Hope this helps.
BF

Can't import from Canon Optura 10 into iMovie

I just bought a MacBook Pro 15 inch specifically for making/editing movies. I connected a 9pin-4pin DV Firewire Cable to my Canon Optura 10 (set in Play/VCR mode). The other end of the cable was connected to the Firewire port on the MacBook Pro. I opened up iMovie. Nothing pops out. I tried importing but only the MacBook Pro's built-in camera pops out.
The DV Firewire Cable I'm using is one year old. I never used it until now. Since I bought it (1 year ago), it's been stored safely in its package. It has a lifetime warranty.
Can someone please suggest or help me? Thanks. I am very disappointed right now because I bought this MacBook Pro for only one reason --- to edit my movies --- and that doesn't seem to work so far.

Hi
May be You find help in my list.
*NO CAMERA or A/D-box*
Cable
• Sure that You use the FireWire - USB will not work for miniDV tape Cameras
FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-pin FW one ?
• Test another FW-Cable very often the problem maker.
Camera
• Test Your Camera on another Mac so that DV-in still works OK
• Toogle in iMovie pref. Play-back via Camera (on<->off some times)
• Some Cameras has a Menu where You must select DV-out to get it to work
• Camera connected to "charger" (mains adaptor) - not just on battery
Does Your Camera work on another Mac ?
Sorry to say it is to easy to turn the 6-pin end of the FW-cable 180 deg wrong.
This is lethal to the A/D-chip in the Camera = needs an expensive repair.
(Hard to find out - else than import/export to another Mac ceased to work
everything else is OK eg recording and playback to TV)
Connections
• Daisy Chaining most often doesn’t work (some unique cases - it’s the only way that work (some Canon Cameras ?))
Try to avoid connecting Camera <--> external HD <--> Mac but import directly to the Mac then move
the Movie project to dedicated external hard disk.
Mac
• Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk ? Please specify the amount of free space.
(Other hard disks don't count)
I go for a minmum of 25Gb free space for 4x3 SD Video - and my guess is 5 times more for 16x9 HD ones
after material is imported and edited.
SoftWare
• Delete iMovie pref file may help sometimes. I rather start a new account, log into this and have a re-try.
• Any strange Plug-ins into QuickTime as Perian etc ? Remove and try again.
• FileVault is off ? (hopefully)
Using WHAT versions ? .
• Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
• QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
• iMovie 8 (7.1.?) ?
• iMovie HD 6 (6.0.4/3) ?
*Other ways to import Your miniDV tape*
• Use another Camera. There where tape play-back stations from SONY
but they costed about 2-4 times a normal miniDV Camera.
• If Your Camera works on another Mac. Make an iMovie movie project here and move it
over to Your Mac via an external hard disk.
(HAS TO BE Mac OS Extended formatted - USB/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT DO)
(Should be a FireWire one - USB/USB2 performs badly)
from LKN 1935.
Hi Bengt W, I tried it all, but nothing worked. Your answer has been helpfull insofar as all the different trials led to the conclusion that there was something wrong with my iMovie software. I therefore threw everything away and reinstalled iMovie from the HD. After that the exportation of DV videos (there has not been any problem with HDV videos) to my Sony camcorders worked properly as it did before. Thank you. LKN 1935
from Karsten.
in addition to Bengt's excellent '9 yards of advice' ..
camera set to 'Play' , not rec/computer/etc.?
camera not on battery, but power-line?
did your Mac 'recognize' this camera before...?
a technical check.
connect camera, on, playback, fw-connected...
click on the Blue Apple, upper left of your screen ..
choose 'About../More..
under Firewire.. what do you read..?
More
• FileVault - Secure that it’s turned off
• Network storage - DOESN’T WORK
• Where did You store/capture/import Your project ?
External USB hard disk = Bad Choise / FireWire = Good
If so it has to be Mac OS Extended formatted
----> UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange is NOT Working for VIDEO !
mbolander
Thanks for all your suggestions. What I learned is that I had a software problem. I had something called "Nikon Transfer" on my Mac that was recognizing my Canon camcorder as a still camera and was preventing iMovie from working properly. After uninstalling Nikon Transfer and doing a reboot, everything worked great.
I never liked the Nikon Transfer software anyway--I guess I'll get a cheap card reader and use that to transfer photos in the future.
*No Camera or bad import*
• USB hard disk
• Network storage
• File Vault is on
jiggaman15dg wrote
if you have adobe cs3 or 4 and have the adobe bridge on close that
or no firewire will work
see if that halps
DJ1249 wrote
The problem was the external backup hard drive that is connected, you need to disconect the external drive before the mac can see the video camera.
Yours Bengt W

Canon Optura 50 capture won't connect

I have new Canon Optura 50; great camcorder, BUT my Mac will not connect/see it via 1394 in any application (FC HD/iMovie/istopmotion). I know it's not a cable etc. issue, since it sees my junker ZR10 just fine.
DV setting is set to "Basic". Please help; this is VERY aggravating.
thanks,
Christopher
Dual 2.0 G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6) LaCie 250 GB HD (Firewire 800)

The Optura 50 should be the ONLY external FW device
connected to your Mac. The Canon cams in particular
don't like any other FW device on the FW bus at the
same time. Your Easy Setup should be DV-NTSC and
your camera should be cabled (while turned off) and
then turned on in VCR mode before you start FCE.
Your ZR10 is an old camera and Canon may have changed
their FW circuitry since then.
Thanks for the specific reply. Does this mean my new external drive (connected via Firewire 800) can not be used? (This would suck, frankly, since I bought it to use with video, and it's USB 2.0 connection is not quick enough for video, I suspect)
Does the G5 Dual 2.0 have a single Firewire bus, or are the front and rear ports on a different bus?
thanks again!
(BTW, I never use that Canon ZR10 as a camcorder; it's "beater" to just use for dubs/ as a cheap deck).

How do I export video from a Canon Optura 30 camcorder to my iMac/ iMovies? I've tried a Firewire cable but imovies doesn't seem to recognise the camcorder.

I've been trying to export video from my Canon Optura 30 camcorder to imovies with a firewire lead, however nothing happens and imovies doesn't semm to reconise the camcorder. Can anyone help please?

Here is a compatibility chart for iMovie:
http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras/en/index.html?lang=en_US
I did not see yours; however, as long as it has firewire, it should work. Did you read the instructions in both your camcorder manual and in iMovie on the steps needed?
If you can't get it to work after following the steps, what format does it record in? Is it on a memory card? If so, it'd be easy: just use a USB card reader, plug it in and import your footage that way.

Canon Optura 400

My macbook pro won't recognize my canon optura 400. I am using a fire wire cable. Any suggestions? Is there a driver I need?

Post the steps that you are attempting. What software are you using to try to recognize the camera while it is connected via firewire?

Just bought a new camera a canon vixia Hfm31 HD

Just bought a new camera a canon vixia Hfm31 HD . I am having trouble. There is no audio in the audio track and video look slow motion replay.

This is aimed at Premiere Pro, but may help
A link with many ideas about computer setup http://forums.adobe.com/thread/436215?tstart=0
And even more hardware discussion http://forums.adobe.com/community/premiere/hardware_forum
Including this post about 3 possible builds http://forums.adobe.com/thread/598040?tstart=0
Work through all of the steps (ideas) listed at http://ppro.wikia.com/wiki/Troubleshooting
If your problem isn't fixed after you follow all of the steps, report back with ALL OF THE DETAILS asked for in the FINALLY section, the questions at the end of the troubleshooting link... most especially the codec used... see Question 1

Canon Optura 600 - work with the Intel Core Duo?

I am thinking of investing in a Canon Optura 600 miniDV camcorder. Does anyone know if this will be compatible or not with the new intel range?
I am planning on buying the 20" iMac later this year, when more software has been ported over, but I want to buy a miniDV camcorder at the moment.
Does anyone know if this model is compatible?
Thanks in advance guys!!!
sunomata.

I have a Canon Optura 400, and it works just fine
with my iMac G5. I see no reason why anything in the
Optura line would not work with the new iMac. I was
at the Apple Store at the Mall of America the other
day, and they were giving a demonstration of the new
iMac (specifically iLife 06), and the presenter was
demonstrating the use of a Canon MiniDV camera with
iMovie. I did not notice which model she was using,
but suffice it to say that Canon has an excellent
reputation of working well within a Mac environment.
Thanks very much!
How do you rate the Optura 400 as a camcorder?
Do you recommend me buying it?
I have had my eye on it for a while now and was wondering if that was the best of the affordable Canon range.
I think I will buy it now, but I was wondering what your thoughts on your camcorder are. Pros? Cons?
Thanks again,
sunomata.

After importing images from my card using LR 5.4, the GPS data does not show in the metadata panel. However, when I look at the imported images using Bridge, the GPS data is visible. Anybody know why LR is not seeing the GPS data? Camera is Canon 6D.

After importing images from my card using LR 5.4, the GPS data does not show in the metadata panel. However, when I look at the imported images using Bridge, the GPS data is visible. Anybody know why LR is not seeing the GPS data? Camera is Canon 6D.

Ok, the issue seem to be solved. The problem was this:
The many hundred files (raw and xmp per image) have been downloaded by ftp in no specific order. Means - a couple of files in the download queue - both raw and xmps. Most of the time, the small xmp files have been finished loading first and hence the "last change date" of these xmp files was OLDER than the "last change date" of the raw file - Lightroom then seem to ignore the existence of the xmp file and does not read it during import.(a minute is enough to run into the problem)
By simply using the ftp client in a way that all large raw files get downloaded first followed by the xmp files, we achieved that all "last changed dates" of the xmp files are NEWER than the related raw files. (at least not older)
And then LR is reading them and all metadata information has been set / read correctly.
So this is solved.

Camera RAW 8.7.1 installed and PS says it can not hanle the format, but my camera is Canon EOC 60D, on the list. How can i fix this?

Have installed Camera RAW 8.7.1 and PS says it can not hanle the format, but my camera is Canon EOC 60D, on the list. How can i fix this?

If you use menu File>Open As and in the open dialog use the type pulldown select camera raw then select a jpeg image when ACR opens do you see 8.7.1 in ACR window frame ?
The Canon support ACR EOS not EOC right. What version of Photoshop are you using only CS6, CC and CC2014 can use ACR 8.7.1.
EOS 60D
CR2
6.2
3.2
EOS 60Da
CR2
7.1
4.1

HT201071 Please add support for Camera RAW Canon PowerShot G2

Please add support for Camera RAW Canon PowerShot G2,
it may be ancient, but there are still a lot of G2s out there, and it's annoying to have a different workflow for pictures from them...
best,
case

You are not writing to Apple here. This is a user to user help forum.
Instead, send your comments or suggestions directly to Apple via Mac OS X Feedback.
You are unlikely to get a direct response from your "Fedback", but you can be certain that the responsible Apple people will see your input for consideration in future product development.

Canon optura 600

if you are using a canon optura 600, would you please give me your comments. I of course am very interested in how the video imports into FCE. thank you joanlvh

Hi -
I am of no help either but interested in the very same because I'm having the same problem! Have you tried saving a movie on an SD card instead of tape? I wonder if it would read a movie in that format? That is my next step. Of course, I want to make it work with taped movies too! I will keep watching to see if any real answers come your way.
Is it possible to get a hold of that guy that said he got it to work and ask how?
Thank you!
mT
iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.4)

Questions - Canon HV30/HV20 users

After reading several reviews I’m thinking of purchasing a Canon HV30 camcorder to do some HD recording. Yet I am proceeding with caution - HD files are huge and I’m wondering in a generally way how my - intel 24” 2.15 GHz - RAM at 3gig iMac will perform? Will it perform real time video captures etc. with this tape based camera? I am a patient sort of person and don’t mind waiting for things to process but is it even reasonable to use this setup for HD.
2nd Question --
– I use iMovie 6 and Final Cut Express 3.5. I have several large capacity FW 800 external drives connected to the iMac I would like to use with this camcorder.
However there's always unexpected things like I have read the Canon HV30 uses FW400 port and does not like any other FW devices connected when capturing video to the computer – So does that include the FW800 port as well?
Perhaps a few of you have some experience with the HV30 or HV20 - I’d like to hear your thoughts on what to expect - would it be a good choice. What are your brags and nags about your HV30?
I know that's subjective but I'm looking for good video quality - ease of editing and having the ability to save the edited movie back to tape. Latter when bluray media and burners get more reasonable I may burn the edited movies to disk.
Thanks for any thoughts,
Steve
800 mhz eMac 768MBs RAM - 2gig 17" G5 iMac, 24" 2.1gig iMac 3g RAM Mac OS X (10.4.11)
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Hi Ron,
Sorry your having problems - If you live near an Apple store or a friend that has latter hardware/software on their Mac try the HV30 at least you wold know if somethings wrong with the cameras FW port or not. Perhaps you can get the camera exchanged. I have head from quite a number of folks their HV30 work fine with Macs, iMovie an FCE.
I went ahead and purchased the HV30 it should arrive early this coming week -
One thing - As I mentioned before in other posts to this board I do have a Canon gl2 and it is very touchy about any other FW devices connected most times the computer will not even recognize the camera. Try the HV30 as the only device on the FW port. I'm using iMovie 6.0.4 and FCE 3.5 I'll post how things go - you have got me a little worried though.
My 2 cents - best wishes,
Steve
Message was edited by: Steve Anderson5

PSE7, PS CS4, Organizer, Bridge, Camera Raw, Canon DPP

I'm trying to develop a process for using the various tools available to easily browser through a shoot's photos, zoom as needed, choose favorites, make any changes, etc.
I have PSE7/Organizer, Bridge/PS CS4, Camera Raw for both PSE7 and PS CS4, and Canon DPP. I owned PSE7 first, and I like it's backup features as well as the keyword/album and browsing interface, but I'm finding it may not be good for fast processing of a shoot's photos when they are RAW.
I'm shooting in RAW and I'm finding that zooming RAW images in Organizer is not possible beyond whatever preview image is present. Instead, I must open the image, which causes Camera Raw to open. Once in Camera Raw, I can zoom with greater control.
But what I notice is that using Bridge may be better to use for browsing RAW images, especially if I desire to open them in Camera Raw for greater zoom control, touch ups or whatever. The reason is that it seems to take longer for PSE7's Organizer to open a photo in PSE7 and Camera Raw than it takes for Bridge to open the same in PS CS4 and Camera Raw.
Here are my findings:
First time open of RAW or DNG:
Organizer opening to PSE7/Camera Raw: 15 seconds.
Bridge opening to PS CS4/Camera Raw: 10 seconds.
Second time open of RAW or DNG:
Organizer opening to PSE7/Camera Raw: less than 10 seconds.
Bridge opening to PS CS4/Camera Raw: less than 5 seconds
"Second time open" means that I keep the relevant application open when I return to the organizer. For example, after PSE7 opens, I do not close it when returning to Organizer, and likewise, when returning to Bridge, I do not close PS CS4 when returning to Bridge. The above figures show Bridge can open a RAW or DNG photo into PS CS4 and Camera Raw faster in both the case of PS CS4 not already open, and when an instance of PS CS4 is already open.
In exploring all of this, I tried using DPP as my "Organizer" and it, of course, was the fastest at opening photos to its editor which has a few preset zoom positions. It does have a "Transfer to Photoshop" option but that takes 30 seconds and converts to a TIFF in a temp directory. So DPP seems like something to avoid unless there are RAW editing features which do not exist elsewhere.
Given the above, it seems the best process for me is to use PSE7's Organizer for the features I like (i.e., backup, keywords, albums), but use Bridge/PS CS4 when processing a shoot's photos for keepers. Then use Canon DPP only if it has something which I must use, or just like better.
Do my choices here make sense, where I'm not missing something? If there's a good link that discusses high-level process for dealing with a shoot's photos to find keepers, that would be great to know about.
I realize what's best for anyone really depends on each person's preferences/needs, so the questions I ask are seeking general answers given the limited information I've explained about what's important for me (i.e., going through photos quickly, having good zoom control for review, and being able to go to either PSE7 or PS relatively fast... my findings say that Bridge/PS CS4 seems best for this unless DPP has something I must utilize).
Thanks,
Tom

Barbara and George M, You both had answers, but only one can be selected as "Correct" ... I wish the forum allowed splitting that. I gave Barbara's answer the "correct" mark since it was first. George M, I clicked "Helpful Answer" on your response, but your info was much more than just "Helpful"... great tips on the import/download file/dir naming. I'll look into that.
I played around with Bridge/PS quite a bit more, and I'm sold on its way of doing things. I get it now. It stores all keywords with the files, so this removes the need for any organizer-proprietary/custom format databases for retaining such information. This is actually the way I prefer to work, with as much control and as close to the files as possible, or at least with enough info about the files so I can do the right backups, ensure I'm saving the information I add, and so forth. PSE7 has the benefit of allowing keywords without affecting the files, but that's not a big deal for me so long as the metadata-writing software in the products I use isn't buggy, destroying the file (I know, I know, have a backup!).
I really liked PSE7 because I was thinking in terms of an organizer maintaining non-photo data (i.e., keywords) as does PSE7, but since Bridge embeds the info as metadata in the photo file itself, it removes the need for that type of organizer. With that known, the issue of backups no longer needs to be organizer-centric. With Bridge, I know the files and folders themselves is effectively The database. That means I can use whatever I use for my normal backups, and things are actually much more manageable and understandable down that route. So the Bridge/PS route is not only more powerful and faster (in my experience on my laptop), but the Bridge-way of embedding the keywords in the file keeps me loosely coupled, actually completely decoupled from being reliant on an organizer-specific database and all that jazz.
Thanks for helping/clarifying with your feedback on this.
Tom

Camera question: Canon Optura 50

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