Sharing TX1 informatioin

[Setter Dog]

Like DigGuy says in another thread,....it looks like the TX1 blog is stalled out. I check it from time to time but there's nothing new. I also wish there was a central source for TX1 information. With that in mind, I suggest that those of us interested just post on this Canon forum from time to time.

To me, the TX1 is a special camera. The image quality is really good, both video and still. The 10X zoom makes is special. If you downgrade the MP a little, the 1.5X and 1.9X teleconverter mode makes the zoom really amazing.

I had hoped the TX1 would be capable of easy one handed operation but after trying it, I'm afraid it's not. I can do okay sitting in the living room under controlled conditions but when I'm actually doing video of a live subject I find I need two hands and some concentration for steady shots. I have a little Sanyo CG65 that has better form factor and handles simply with one hand. I will continue to use either the CG65 or the Canon A710 for my quail hunting trips where I need to use only one hand. The Tx1 will pay it's way at grandchildren events, trips to Yellowstone Park etc. In my case, for these uses, I was torn between the S5 and the TX1. I'm glad I chose the TX1. Although I had hopes that it would also work out for my special needs,......neither would the S5 have worked. It would have been at home on the shelf.

Personally, I am very happy with the TX1. Compared to the Sanyo or even the Canon A710, there's no comparison. Longer zoom, better IS, better video (with zoom) and stills and much better sound on video. The negatives about handling characteristics are pretty much true, but only if you have to work with one hand. I find it no more difficult to handle generally than any other camera or camcorder.

Biggest advantage to me, when compared to other cameras of roughly equal price and quality,.......the TX1 is a camera that you will pick up and enjoy using when your DSLR, camcorder, and even your S5 or S3,.....are at home on the shelf.

I'm a happy user.

 

[DigGuy]

why dont we just use this thread for any and all tx1 info, tips, problems, etc. since the tx1 blog is all blogged out. it would be interesting to know how many tx1's were actually sold. i wonder if anything can be surmised from serial numbers. also, is there any way to determine build date? i went from a casio z750 -- a truly great little camera -- to the tx1. in between for a couple of weeks i had the panasonic lumix that has a 28 to 540 zoom lens, but i knew i wouldn't carry it around because its not a pocket camera though i loved the wide angle and extreme zoom, BUT i like to shoot video and with that camera you cant zoom shooting video. insane? so back it went to circuit city. i was then thinking of the canon s5 is, which allows great video with zooming, but its like hauling around a brick, too. then i ran into the tx1 going through the canon camera data base here -- this is less than a month ago, and i was in love. i think i'm going to shell out $49 for the mack warranty that covers user damage, just in case, since it's possible that this little guy could be dropped, or get sand kicked in its face. the warranty covers all of that and kicks in after the canon warranty expires, so three years of coverage. i bought three spare batteries and a perfect case off of ebay, and a 8 gb transcend sdhc card from newegg. i'll probably get a 16 gb a-data soon -- great price on those. btw, check out this vlog review, and make sure you watch her additional video -- an orgy and a burlesque show. really funny. http://blip.tv/file/225068

 

[rickthestick]

"since it's possible that this little guy could be dropped"

I did this just the other day as I was shuffling across the parking lot late for a class. I heard something hit the ground and decided to glance back in case it was something of mine. My heart sank as I viewed my TX1 lying on the asphalt. I picked it up and slowly inspected it for an assessment of the damage incurred. It apparently hit on the top corner, on the right side of the flash, facing the lens. I powered it up and it did turn on and reveal a picture on the display. I put it back in the pouch on my belt and proceeded to class. Later I ran it through a full test and amazingly I can find nothing wrong with it. I took a fine file and smoothed the slight nicks on the corner it hit on. I am happy to report it has survived better than I had hoped. The belt case I had it in is about a year old and the Velcro barely works anymore. I will be replacing it tomorrow.

This is a testiment to the durability of this fine piece of craftsmanship Canon has produced. It's built like a tank and can take the hard knocks unlike some of the thinner or plastic cameras out there.

Thank you Canon for a beautiful, well thought out product! The TX1 is pretty much ignored on this forum, why I'm not sure. Maybe because it is so outside the norm but that's what attracted me to it. This thing just doesn't get the respect it deserves.

 

[Cyril Catt]

rickthestick confirms Tom Hoots’ comment “it's like a tough little turtle” posted in the thread “Has the TX1 lived up to your expectations?” But that’s when its closed. I feel nervous about its vulnerability in situations where I want to have it at the ready - on and open, with LCD up and lens protruding - particularly in crowds. The alternative, of waiting for the opportunity, and THEN flipping out the screen and turning on, as Setter Dog has pointed out, takes time to do with 2 hands and even longer with one hand.

Nevertheless, I am entranced by the TX1’s wide range of capabilities in so small a package, and am happy to rely on it alone when I must cut my baggage to the minimum. But for any serious outings I like to have a backup. Any device might fail. The most likely failure is that the battery or data card will run out just when I’m faced with an interesting subject. Then its quicker to pull out and start using another camera than stopping to replace the TX1’s battery or card.

Partly by the chance of an opportune discount, and partly by choice, my usual backup is a Kodak Z885 - the same size, shape and weight as the TX1. Like Setter Dog’s A710, it uses universally available AA batteries, and has a 2.5” 115 kpixel LCD. But it doesn’t have a viewfinder, nor match up to the A710’s zoom range. However, its 36-180 mm equivalent range is quite useful, and its ISO 80 - 8000 capabilities, with a specially sensitive 1/1.8” sensor (although overly ambitious!) do give it some low light capabilities that can be useful in extreme circumstances. So it is a good complement to the TX1.

Most importantly, however, its more conventional format allows me to operate it single handed. So I can carry it in my hand and switch on and operate within seconds.
--
Cyril

 

[SHAKY]

DigGuy l've been looking at ebay case with canon logo is this the one you purchased hows the fit and quality. l would recommend the A-Data 16gb been doing fair amount ( hd sp video ) now with mine had no problems at all .

 

[Setter Dog]

Well, Rick did some more field testing on the TX1 and it seems to have passed with flying colors!

Personally, I use a lanyard on my TX1, and all other cameras I use. Sometimes in the field, I drop them intentionally to take advantage a flushing covey of quail that the dogs have found. Last year my granddaughter dropped her digicam on a Washington DC field trip and it broke totally. She is now in the lanyard camp along with grandpa.

Wondering if Canon will try to compete with the just announced Panasonic TZ5. It has HD video, 10X zoom during video, a very high resolution 3" screen and some other interesting features. My guess is that any new Canon will be iof this more conventional type instead of a TX2,......but that's just a guess. The knock on the Pany TZ5 is the lack of stereo sound. Seems like we consumers want it all,....and why not.

One discovery I've made re: the ergonomics of the TX1 that is an improvement over my A710. Sometimes with the A710, I accidentally change video modes with the heel of my hand. The TX1 wisely separates the selector system from the zoom and other controls. It would be hard to accidentally change modes.

Do any of you use the 640x480 format instead of the HD? If you do, can you share the reasons with us. I can see that you might do that to always take advantage of the teleconverter zoom boosting features, or possibly the 4:3 still format is preferred to the wide stills.

 

[DigGuy]

DigGuy l've been looking at ebay case with canon logo is this the one
you purchased hows the fit and quality.
l would recommend the A-Data 16gb been doing fair amount ( hd sp
video ) now with mine had no problems at all .

shaky -- no, i looked at that one, but it comes directly from hong kong as i recall and i didnt want to get involved in that hassle and wait. the one i bought stupidly has 'camera case' written on the front. but it is one hell of a case. the camera fits perfectly. it has zippers on both sides, a carrying strap and a virtually a hard shell coating. i got mine in blue but i think they come in various colors. you'll find it easily. i think it shipped from pennsylvania. its a great case, and it was something like $4 or $5 plus shipping. cant go wrong!

 

[in_saner]

Last summer I've been to France - Paris and Dijon. Never been to France before and never used my TX1 as a travel camera so intensive. Both I've enjoyed so much! I'd like to share some of the photos I've made there. All been done with TX1 and had some post processing, hope you enjoy the photos!



















--
a'.

 

[Setter Dog]

In_Saner,

Thanks for sharing those great photos of the France trip. Were you satisfied with the videos as well?

I've shot only test footage and a few stills so far but my TX1 will get a good workout when my grandson's baseball season kicks off in a few weeks.

 

[Keith Schmidt]

thanks for sharing them.

I just ordered the TX1 myself to give it a try - looking forward to getting it next week.

--
Keith
http://www.pbase.com/themitty/
http://www.picasaweb.google.com/themitty

 

[Cyril Catt]

Many thanks, in_saner, for displaying the versatility of the TX1 with such an excellent array of diverse examples!
--
Cyril

 

[in_saner]

You're always welcome! %)

Yes I've made about 18 Giga of videos in France and I must say it has a great quality! Unfortunately I'm not skilled enough in video shooting %).

Regarding the video I can say that it's very useful to have focus and exposure lock as well as exposure compensation. Well it's not quite comfort to use (you need to use both hands and push three bottoms simultaneously), but after all it has it, and it's always a matter of skills.

It is also afraid a bright spots and producing an ugly pink stripes across the screen. But in France I've been lucky cause the weather was not sunny %).

But after all - it's worth using it!!!

Wishing your grandson good luck with his sports career! %)

In_Saner,

Thanks for sharing those great photos of the France trip. Were you
satisfied with the videos as well?

I've shot only test footage and a few stills so far but my TX1 will
get a good workout when my grandson's baseball season kicks off in a
few weeks.

--
a'.

 

[in_saner]

Guys, thank you all for your response to my photos! I'll be happy if it helped someone to use his XT1, and realize that almost every camera is suitable to produce great photos, but some of them just more handy %).

Regarding using my XT1 for a while I can give some tips:

1) I've bought mine in Pattaya, Thailand last year when they just started to sell it. So I've found it in the shop and they only had two XT1. When I came to hotel and made some videos, I've found a small but very annoying red spot right in the middle of screen. Luckily, I had a chance to come back to the shop and they replaced it with the second one (they didn't want it but finally they did). The other camera was ok, and I'm still using it, so - you better check the camera you're buying, do it as soon as you get it.

2) Several months late when I came to France, I've surprisingly found that almost all (!!!) screws on camera been slightly unmounted and one of them - almost completely!!! So I'v just used a screwdriver and mounted them very tightly - not a problem with that by now - so check this out, especially if you travel a lot.

3) If you're shooting all day long, or you're in the trip and you use the video - you need to have at least one extra battery (I have two extra - that's even better) - cause one battery definitely not enough due to stabilization works. For me it is something like one battery for three hours. An also additional SDHC cards would not be out of place %)

4) I've found TX1 very useful to make panoramas cause it stitching fast with the Photoshop, and it also useful to make two shots images - just as original shot but you double the resolution of the image as well as the angle of view. It is stitching well and I had no problem with automatic exposure.

What I've really liked while using XT1 in France:
1) 90% of photos were in focus and sharp
2) newer used tripod for it

3) light and handy camera was always with me so I could shoot anytime I needed - so nothing been missed %)

p.s. please forgive my English cause I'm not a native speaker %)

--
a'.

 

[Barry Carter]

Regarding why the TX1 has been slow to catch on. Well, it's truly different, and sometimes odd looks can confuse consumers. Is it a video or still camera? And there is the cost; a step above the typical P&S'er. Next, is the small size (one of the factors I truly like); making it awkward to handle by those with big hands or larger fingers. Me, I can do most operations with one hand. I like the consistantly good shots, the articulating LCD screen, the fast operation, easy panorama shooting, and the video of course. Here are a few of my shots posted before:

Bug on a Leaf:



Pugsy from The Terminator:



Sunrise over Carribean (1/2000 sec, ISO 80):



Pre-eclipse moon:



Ciao....Barry

 

[DigGuy]

Setter Dog wrote:
.

Wondering if Canon will try to compete with the just announced
Panasonic TZ5. It has HD video, 10X zoom during video, a very high
resolution 3" screen and some other interesting features.

for a few weeks before i discovered and bought the tx1, i had the panasonic dmc-fz18, which is waay too big, but i really was impressed with the leica lens, the incredible super zoom, and the great 28mm wide angle. and it shoots fantastic video, but without zooming. that, along with the size, made it a return. then i found the tx1. however yesterday i noticed the tz5, which has virtually all of the capabilities of the much larger fz18. but does have zoom in video and tons of other goodies like a very bright 3" lcd, but no stereo as setter dog noted (i saw him posting there, lol). my only problem -- only --with the tx1 is the time it takes to get it out of the case and up and running, and my fear of it dropping even though i use a hand strap and have a great case, but i think a neck lanyard is a good idea. i had no trouble getting used to the form factor of the tx1. that said i have a feeling i'm going to get the panasonic, too, which has a nornal form factor. if the tx1 didnt exist, i think the panny would be a primary for me. but my wife can use it, since she's tired of lugging her nikon 8800.

 

[DigGuy]

Personally, I use a lanyard on my TX1

what do you recommend?

 

[DigGuy]

Barry Carter wrote:
Here are

a few of my shots...

the moon shot is fantastic!!!!!! i shot the lunar eclipse the other night, but got nothing like that. please explain. tnx

 

[Barry Carter]

the moon shot is fantastic!!!!!! i shot the lunar eclipse the other
night, but got nothing like that. please explain. tnx

Well, I took that at the 28 Aug 07 eclipse. It came out good because it was warm and shutter speed with faster. The specs are 1/60 sec, ISO 80, f/5.6, EC= -2.0, using the TX1 on a tripod.

The recent 20 Feb 2008 eclipse was not so great with me either. My TX1 was tripod mounted again, but it was very cold. I fooled around until my hands got cold, and that was not long. I waited until the moon was in the umbra where the colors are deeper. This was done with a 1 sec exposure, EC= +1.25. Zoom out an it doesn't look too bad.



Ciao...Barry

 

[Photofreak7]

Where did you order your's from? I have considered trying it many times. I saw this deal on eBay and the seller has good feedback (it's tempting): http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270213660374&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017

 

[Setter Dog]

Personally, I use a lanyard on my TX1

what do you recommend?

DigGuy,.....I have a little two piece lanyard that came on a Sandisk thumb drive. It works fine but may be a little bit too short. My Sanyo CG65 came with a lanyard of it's own. I wish they all did.