Final Thoughts And Conclusions On Canon FS100

Reading time: 8 – 14 minutes

Frankenstein was the last thing on my mind when I purchased the Canon FS100 a few months ago, but along the way this cute little camera has turned into a monster that is meant to be treated with caution. In this post I discuss certain challenges I faced with this camera and the solutions I found to those challenges.

I blogged about this camera in the past in the following posts. I recommend you follow me in my journey with this camera.

After using this camera for a few months below are a list of pros and cons that I personally found. Depending on your use bases this list of “pros” and “cons” may or maynot apply to you. After the

Pros:

  • Tapeless – Hours of recording time with flash media and easy access and transfer video files.
  • Portable – Small and light weight allows you to carry this everywhere.
  • LED Light — Great for when you have low light situations (but not all that helpfup)
  • Cheap — Purchased this camera for about $350. You can get is for less than that now.
  • Video Quality – Although the data has been compressed, you cannot really tell it apart from similar tape based cameras.
  • Modifiable To My Will! – You’ll see what I mean below.
 Cons:

  • Image Detail – In still photo mode the detail of images is not that great especially when there is movement.
  • Bad Low Light Sensitivity — If you don’t have adequate lighting in an area and you try to up the exposure in the camera, then you image becomes extremely “noisy.”
  • Plug Needed To Transfer Files – If you want to transfer files from the camera to the computer then you have to plug it into the wall or else it simply wont connect to the computer.
  • No Audio Levels Control — You can attach an external microphone to the camera, but it won’t do you any good because the audio peaks terribly.
  • No Hot Shoe – If you want to attach an external light or microphone to the camera, you really have no place to put it.
  • No Threading for Lens Attachment – If you have a wide-angle, fish-eye, or telephoto lens that you want to attach, you wont be able to since there is no threading in front of the existing lens.
  • Too Light for Steadicam Merlin – I had purchased the Merlin with this camera. When balancing a camera on that contraption you want it to be slightly bottom heavy. The weights on the Merlin are in .25 lb pieces. The camera is about .5 lbs. I can either be equally balanced or too heavy at the bottom, thus the images seems to have a pendulum effect.

What do I mean by “Modifiable to my will?” It means that I was able to modify the camera in ways that helped me get around the challenges have solutions to the cons I mentioned above.

Bad Image Detail In Still Mode

Understand that this is NOT a still image camera. Its a VIDEO camera, thus its strengths will be in its respective area. If you want to be able to take quality still images on cheap while still grow in your skill I would recommend purchasing one of Canon’s Powershot Digic II or Digic II cameras that have the ablity to get CHDK on them.

CHDK is an upgrade that gives a consumer Canon Powershot camera professional abilities. Couple of my friends, Usman and Basil applied this upgrade to their cameras and the results were awesome. I’ve blogged about that in the past here:

Amazing Timelaspe Using a Canon Powershot and More

If you want more info on the whole CHDK upgrade for Digic II and Digic III cameras, see CHDK Wiki

No Threading For Lens Attachment

Krazy Glue is my best friend! I purchased a step down ring where on one side is 37MM threading for the 37MM threaded lens that I have. Depending on the size of rings that you have you will need to get the appropriate step down ring and “Krazy Glue” it onto your FS100.

I purchased a step down ring from eBay for about $14.

Bad Low Light Sensitivity And No Hot Shoe For Attachments

This camera is a single CMOS chip camera, thus its light absorbing capabilities are limited. The on camera LED light isn’t all that helpful in practical situtaion. On top of that there is no hotshoe to attached an external light to the camera. I figured I’ll bring in my friend Krazy Glue and glue on a separate hot shoe.

I purchased a “Sima SL-20LX Ultra Bright Video Light” from Amazon for about $35. It came with a metal bracket and the light. I also purchased two hot shoes for about $11 each. The plan was to glue the hot shoe to the top of the camera. Since the top of the camera was a bit curved I needed something to straighten out the curvature.

The metal bracket that came with the light had some rubber on which I cut off with a knife and krazy glued that on to the top of the camera after which I krazy glued the hot shoe onto the rubber.

No Audio Levels Control, No Place To Place A Mic And Too Light For The Merlin

I still had the issue of the camera being too light for the Merlin and the audio levels control. I decided to purchase level’s control device called the BeachTek DXA-2S. It screws on to the bottom of the camera where the tripod would go.

The great thing about the DXA-2S is that it allows for a tripod slate or even the Merlin slate to be added on. It plugs into the Microphone input on the FS100 and then you simply control the levels using the knobs on the back.

The BeachTek DXA-2S comes for about $180 on Amazon.

Now that I can plug a mic into the camera with control over the audio levels, where to I place the microphone? This is where the metal bracket and the second hot shot comes in handy. I took the hot shoe and krazy glued the top part to the metal bracket that came with the light and then I Krazy Glued the metal bracket to the DXA-2S.

Only issue with this is that Krazy Glue isn’t strong enough to hold the metal bracket due to the strong leverage the extended part has on the Krazy Glued part. If you wrap tape around it and the DXA-2S then it will hold just fine.

In the end your rig will look like the first pictures in the post. A true Frankenstien of a camera. If any of you are wondering what sort of microphone that is, its the “Azden Sgm-2x Xlr 2 Barrel Shotgun Mic” — It comes for about $250 on Amazon and it’s a great microphone.

With the attachedk BeachTek DXA-2S, Azden Mic, and barrels of Krazy Glue, there is enough weight on the camera to be properly balanced on the Merlin.

If you don’t want to go the metal bracket glued on to the DXA-2S route, then another option is to simply purchase a pistol grip. It can easily give you more flexibility with your sound coverage and it looks down right cool! — Almost like a police baton or a real gun!

The pistol grip comes for about $7 on Amazon.

This setup can give you quite the freedom that you may need when recording on the go. Another option that can come in handy is that lets say the subject you are recording on camera isn’t comfortable with the bright lights in their face, you can use the pistol grip for the portable light.

These are my final thoughts about the Canon FS100. I believe this is a great camera even if you don’t want to go through what I did to get excellent capture of image and sound.

Understand that the camera isn’t the most imporant aspect of a recording setup. You need lights, microphones, lens, and be able to move the camera as well. Its not always about having the “best” camera.

For me and what I’m doing, this is the “best” camera for ME. It may or maynot be the “best” camera for you. Its up to you to decide.

To help you in that matter, I made a post over at MessageMastery.com on the question: What Camera Should I Get?

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I hope you benefitted from this post. Stumble it and share it with others! :)


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34 responses for this post

  1. Basil Mohamed Gohar Says: 05.10.08 at 1:42 am

    Maa shaa? Allaah! An outstanding piece and definitely a true Frankenstein. I think it’s great that you were able to modify the camera to your will. I love the tips. It makes me almost feel you got the right camera, instead of one of the HD ones. ;)

    So, are there any pieces you’re willing to share (preferably the full MOD files) of work that you’ve recorded after the modifications you’ve made? I’d be really interested to see the results that you can get with your modifications.

    Also, I am SO glad that CHDK is such a thrill for you! I haven’t stopped using it, but I haven’t done a lot of sharing lately, sadly. I need to get some more uploads happening.

  2. Saad Malik Says: 05.10.08 at 7:13 am

    Does the shotgun mic not come into view of the camera?
    Also, how would you say it compares to the Rode Videomic or the Canon Stereo Mic (DM50)?

  3. Ahmed Eid Says: 05.10.08 at 9:58 am

    Wow…that crazy…lol
    Good job

    So whats it record files as? .Mods?

  4. AlBaraa Says: 05.10.08 at 11:56 am

    Basil and Ahmad,

    Regarding the .MOD file samples. I uploaded some early samples from when I first got my hands on the FS100 here: http://www.leechon.com/canon-fs100-review-and-process-421.htm

    InshaAllah in the future I’ll include some files for you guys to play with in the future from the Frankenstein version of the camera.

    Basil, Don’t get me wrong. I’d love to get an HD camera. My current problem is that my computer system won’t be able to handle it at this point it time. It’s time for an upgrade (two years in the waiting). Once that upgrade happens, I’m going to do my best to get a Sony PMW-EX1 — THAT will be a LOT of fun!

    Saad, I don’t know how the camera compared to the Rode Videomic or the Canon Stereo Mic DM50. I don’t remember those cameras being mentioned in any of the reviews I had read (in the $250 price range). Its counter parts were Audio Technica and Sennheiser (who’s products I absolutely LOVE). — They only reason I didn’t get the Sennsheiser was because I needed to get an external power pack which would put me out of budget.

    The mic doesn’t show in the camera since the metal bracket is set a bit back, but then there is air leverage which makes the Krazy Glue not strong enough to hold it.

  5. MR Says: 05.10.08 at 12:00 pm

    Whoa! That’s some serious remixing there.

  6. hk Says: 06.10.08 at 12:18 am

    talk about leaving no room to improvise…. nicely done, mashaAllah :)

  7. Tyler R. Says: 07.12.08 at 4:22 pm

    Hi i have this cammer and the same fish eye so i was just wondering, whats the step down ring size you have on the side glued to the camera? or like whats the exact ring that you have?

  8. AlBaraa Says: 07.12.08 at 5:20 pm

    The step down ring that I’m using is a 52MM – 37MM

    You can use any kind of step down ring so long as it steps down to a 37MM thread.

  9. osman Says: 21.12.08 at 2:47 pm

    Great review. Much better than the others I read. The follow up in particular adds value. I ordered my FS100 today.

    A point about adding lighting to the FS100 (a must, according to various reviews if you intend to film indoors)

    The Sima SL-20LX kit includes a bracket with a screw for the tripod adapter. Thus, you can add LED lighting without custom mods. It’s unclear to me whether the bottom of the bracket will also have a tripod thread hole, but I’m hopeful it will so I can retain tripod capability. The Sima Sl-20LX also has easy interconnection so you can put two or three lights, side by side. Here’s the product page (order elsewhere):
    http://www.simaproducts.com/products/product_detail.php?product_id=614

    The price has apparently increased. I paid about $45 with free shipping on eBay (new, not used from a reputable seller). Amazon is currently $60.

    The good news is that the price on the FL100 has dropped to $300 with free shipping. Several sellers are at this price so I went with Crutchfield because of their superior customer service.

  10. steve Says: 01.02.09 at 4:09 am

    your the best i’ve been trying to fin out how to attach a fisheye but you just saved my life!!! thanks a lot!!!! please email me if you can and provide helpful tips about attaching the adapter ring thanks!!!

  11. AlBaraa Says: 01.02.09 at 4:18 am

    Steve, you’re welcome :-) — attaching the adapter ring was best done by the use of KrazyGlue

  12. Makinolo Says: 17.02.09 at 12:36 pm

    One question regarding the adapter ring. I understand the 37mm hole of the adapter is the one where the camera will be glued. Sorry If this question seems stupid but, is that the male or female thread of the adapter?.
    When buying one “blindly” on the internet the sizes are like “F37-M52mm”. Is that the size you used or is “F52-M37mm”

    Thanks!

  13. AlBaraa Says: 17.02.09 at 12:43 pm

    Makinolo, That’s actually a good question. I didn’t realize they classify the adapter rings in M/F. The “Step down” ring that I purchased is a “F37mm-M52mm”

    The reason why I purchased the female 37mm adapter is because I already had 37mm thread size lens at hand. If you have other size lens then make sure you get the appropriate size.

    I hope that helps.

  14. joshua mattison Says: 28.02.09 at 3:28 am

    hey dude i wana get a fisheye for my camra i got teh fs100 can you help me figure out what i need to put one on? i dont mind super glue n junk but i just wana get a fisheye hardcore!!!!! i bmx n fish would help alot lol ya man thanks for reading this :)
    msg my myspace at
    http://www.myspace.com/the_day_it_ended
    or like email me at
    flip23sk8er@yahoo.com

    id super appriciate the help!!!!!!

  15. AlBaraa Says: 28.02.09 at 8:36 am

    Hi Joshua,

    Thanks for your comment and kind words. – Re your fish eye lens. You don’t need to glue the actual lens on. You should get yourself a step down ring and glue that onto the camera with krazyglue.

    This ring is going for about $7 on amazon:
    http://www.amazon.com/Adorama-Step-Down-Adapter-Ring-Filter/dp/B0002HMRIY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1235824470&sr=8-2

    That should do the job.

  16. joshua mattison Says: 01.03.09 at 3:50 am

    yo bro you got a 52-37 does it make a difference? i want it to be big liek yours knda gives it some zazz lol or does it look eh in real life? i wana make it look professional as possiable but same time i just want it to work lol and oine more thing. do i krazy glue it right on or do u gotta shave the bigger end down at all? i hope ya know what i mean lol but yeha man, im super stoked ima do this thursday soon as i grab my paycheck!!!! lol

    lol thanks man! and f one more thing lol i wana get that light on top but i heard it sux on reviews. whats your opinion?

  17. AlBaraa Says: 02.03.09 at 8:29 am

    Hi Joshua,

    I don’t think 52-37 and 42-37 will be any different when gluing it to this camera. I didn’t shave it down at all. Just glued it on as is. It’s just a matter of it being glued.

    lol @ “zazz”. I just did it the way I did because that’s what worked. I had no concert for “zazz”.

    Re the light, it depends on what you want to use it for. Personally, the light comes in handy in one of two situtations. One if you’re in a situtation where its dark, this light is great. The FS100 is not very good in low light, so if you’re planning on filming during twilight or at night you’re gonna wanna have some sort of light, whether it be this light or a flash light of sort.

    The other situtation is works well in is if you use the pistol grip and you’re filming an interview of sort. You have have a second person hold the light to shine the light on from another angle so the talent/subject on screen isn’t squinting b/c of the light. This works especially great when you’re filming in the car. You can have someone from the back seat shine the light onto the driver and the camera image doesn’t get all grainy/noisy.

  18. joshua mattison Says: 02.03.09 at 11:01 am

    hahaha ya man i might get a light then im super huge into filming bmx. we got this thing going called flow ny its pretty dank! lol but yeha man i got this cam a while ago and fisheyes r super sick and this idea is more than perfect. saves me well.. TONNNNZZZ of cash on a new camra! lol the fs100 is a nice lowend camra but as said it has some cons haha but ur frankensien fixes the issues haha but yeah dude thanks alot ill try it out and such :) thanks alot man!!!! appriciate it!

  19. Melanie Says: 04.03.09 at 6:42 am

    Hey AlBaraa

    Thanks for this! really helpfull tips here. I’ve used your advice on some of the modification.
    Question:
    How do you monitor sound while you’re shooting? I kinda thought the BeachTek sound device would come with a headphone jack to monitor sound while you’re shooting. Alas no. What do you do? point, shoot and hope for the best?
    thanks!

  20. Zika Says: 04.03.09 at 4:59 pm

    Is there any chance on putting fisheye lens on this camera without using any glue or tape…..??

  21. AlBaraa Says: 04.03.09 at 9:42 pm

    Melanie,

    I’m glad I could help. Regarding monitoring sound, I just keep an eye on the levels bar on the LCD and make sure that its not maxing out. If the levels bar is flucutating then its getting sound. As for testing to see how the sound is, you can plug in the headphones into the AV-out jack and listen to it. You’ll get a bunch of other sounds and interference, but atleast you’ll know what the sound feed is like.

    Zika,

    Thanks for your question. You don’t have to glue the lens itself. Just the stepdown the ring. You can simply screw the lens onto the step down ring after the glue had dried. Hope that clarifies it.

  22. Zika Says: 07.03.09 at 8:24 pm

    I have 1 more question:
    If i have 37mm wide angle lens…..can i glue it on, without step down ring, or is the ring necessary if i want wide angle lens or …. fisheye……or…….any kind of lens ??

  23. AlBaraa Says: 08.03.09 at 12:42 pm

    Zika,

    You can glue the lens on directly, but you run into a few issues with that.

    :: 1 :: You risk getting the glue on the lens itself which would mess up the lens and make it useless

    :: 2 :: You won’t have the flexibility to add other lens onto the camera since the one lens has been glued on.

    This is why its important to glue the step-down ring instead.

  24. joshua mattison Says: 17.03.09 at 3:15 am

    i bought a 43/37 step down ring. some super glue and tada!
    i was super stoked teh 43 fit perfect!!! i would recomend the 43 for sure!!!!!
    super super tight fit and everything i was so stoked it fit so dang well lol so yeah AlBaraa
    i’d reallllly go with a 43/37 stepdown like you had me get i loved the tight fit.

    Zika:

    when u super glue the 43/37 onto your fs100 you dont see the ring at all in the view and if its black it looks like its suppose to be there. just DONT over do the super glue. i put some on teh ring, placed it on, then after that set i lightly went around it on the outer side of it to reinforce it. now i got a hugeee fisheye for it, its heavy as heck but it still stays on :) its a super nice 5$ investment!

    AlBaraa:

    thanks so much dude. me and my friends super enjoy the sweet ideas you had. i never would have thought about it. i would havejust duck taped it lol but thanks alot man!!! i appriciate it :) makes bmx filming so much more enjoiable :)

  25. AlBaraa Says: 17.03.09 at 10:01 am

    I’m glad I could help! – do share some of your BMX footage when you get the change :-)

  26. Zika Says: 24.03.09 at 8:02 pm

    Thx Joshua and albaraa :) (i used 40.5-37mm ring its perfect)
    But i have 1 problem with camcorder it self…..when i film things in motion…..like….when im running im leaving a trace behind ….aah i don’t know how to say it :P so watch :) http://www.mediafire.com/?zfykjheuytm PLS tell me is camera like that or i used wrong mods or smt…. :P (btw i didnt film anything with fisheye yet :D )

  27. AlBaraa Says: 26.03.09 at 1:06 pm

    Zika, I don’t think the trailing is b/c of the camera. It could be how you exported the file. Try encoding using h.264 codec or encoding it to a WMV file.

  28. Zika Says: 27.03.09 at 6:38 am

    Thx it worked :)

  29. stephen munley Says: 31.03.09 at 10:21 pm

    quite expensive but a very good.
    what lens do you use???

  30. ian Says: 19.04.09 at 7:21 pm

    what size is the step down ring? from a43-37??
    what size does it have to start at to fit on the cannonfs100?

  31. RadicalRay Says: 07.05.09 at 8:31 am

    Hi Sir.. wow your info is very helpful
    by the way what was that model of your filter place on that 37mm thread I wish to purchase one
    please provide a link sir.

  32. Zane Says: 08.09.09 at 3:19 pm

    I have this camera and like it so far, but I’m trying to run a mic on it and I’m having no luck. I purchased the ATR35s, which is a lapel mic. with its own battery, but when I’ve tried to use it with the video camera it only gets a very low noise level. In fact, the only way the camera registers noise is if I blow in the microphone. I contacted Audio-Technica about the mic but of course, they said its a problem with the camera. Any suggestions? Should this mic work, and if so, why isn’t it? Is there anything I can do to boost the audio level? Thanks…

  33. AlBaraa Says: 08.09.09 at 10:05 pm

    The only way I know of adjusting the levels on witht he ATR35 is with the levels control on the beachtek.

    My personal experience with that particular mic has been a disappointing one. I’ve purchased two and both have died on me with a 3 month period. I wouldn’t recommend for anyone to purchase that model.

  34. Transmitting Live DVD | Wild Wave Surf Shop Says: 08.12.09 at 11:43 am

    [...] Final Thoughts And Conclusions On Canon FS100 — Leechon Films [...]

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