Canon GL1 Instruction Manual

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Six-second auto date
The six-second auto date appears for six seconds to mark the changeover of a day if the tape was being
recorded at 12:00 midnight. It also appears for six seconds when you start playback and have the data
code turned off. The six-second auto date will adjust for any time zone changes you have indicated.
You can turn the six-second auto date on:
1. Turn the POWER switch to VCR.
2. Open the menu and select 6SEC.DATE.
3. Select ON and close the menu.
Note:
¥ When 6SEC.DATE is turned on and DISPLAYS (p. 95) is turned off, the six-second auto date appears
for six seconds.
6SEC.DATE¥¥¥OFF(see p. 34)
Date and time display
You can choose to display or hide the date and time display during recording. When the date and time
display is set to ON, the date and time show in the display but the time zone disappears in about four
seconds. It is not recorded onto your tape.
D/T DISPLAY¥OFF(see p. 34)
1. Put the camera in record pause mode.
2. Open the menu and select D/T DISPLAY.
3. Select ON and close the menu. 1. Turn the POWER switch to VCR.
2. Open the menu and select D/TIME SEL.
3. Choose between DATE, TIME and DATE & TIME.
4. Press the MENU button to close the menu.
Setting the display style
Select whether you want the date, the time, or both to show up on your data code display (p. 66).
D/TIME SEL.¥DATE & TIME(see p. 34) 
						

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Using the ND Filter
ND
FILTER
On bright days or when recording very bright scenes, despite the iris being at its smallest aperture,
blurring of the image may occur. If this happens, using the ND filter should remove this problem. 
Turn the ND filter on by pressing the ND FILTER button.
¥ ND is shown continuously in the display while the ND filter is turned on.
Ð ND ON flashes in the display to advise you to switch the ND filter on. (However it doesnÕt appear in
the Manual mode or during exposure lock.)
Ð ND OFF with the ÒOFFÓ flashing warns you that the ND filter is no longer suitable for the current
conditions. If this warning appears, turn the ND filter off by pressing the ND FILTER button again.
Notes:
¥ You cannot turn the ND filter on/off during exposure lock or while the PHOTO button is pressed
halfway down.
¥ The camcorder remembers your selection if you turn the standby lever to LOCK. However, it resets to
the off setting if you slide the POWER switch to OFF. 
						

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Taking Still Pictures (Photo Mode)
PHOTO
PHOTO
PHOTO
Take still photos to download into your PC for image enhancement and printout. Also, starting your
shooting with a still photo makes it easy to find the beginning again later with the Photo Search function
(p. 67).
You can record still pictures like a photograph. The camera records the picture and sound to tape for
approximately 6 seconds. The exposure is automatically adjusted.
There are two PHOTO buttons, to let you take still images from both gripping positions, or, you can take
still pictures from the wireless controller.
You can take a still picture at any time during regular video recording, or you can put the camcorder into
record pause mode first, then take a still picture. 
1. Set the camera to record or record pause mode.
2. Press the photo button halfway or all the way. 
¥ If you are now in regular video recording mode, press the button all the way down, and the still
picture will be taken immediately.
¥ If you press the button halfway down:
Ð ÒPHOTOÓ flashes at the bottom right of the display.
Ð Exposure is locked the instant the photo button is pressed halfway down.
Ð During autofocus 
Fflashes white in the display as the camcorder adjusts the focus and it is
displayed continuously as a green mark when the camera is ready to take the still picture.
Ð To change the still picture before recording: release the button, select a new picture and then press
down the PHOTO button lightly once more.
Ð If the subject is unsuitable for autofocus (p. 93), the camera may not be able to focus, and 
Fmay
continue to flash white in the display. Press the PHOTO button down halfway and adjust the focus
manually with the focus ring.
Ð If you are using manual focus (p. 58), the 
Fmark starts as a continuous as a white mark. Focus
with the focus ring.
3. Press the PHOTO button fully down to take the still picture.
¥ The camera takes the image almost immediately, and then records the ÒphotoÓ to the tape for
approximately 6 seconds. During this time the camera also records the sound, and the display also
shows the still picture.
¥ A counter display is shown, that counts up to 6 secs as the camcorder records the picture. 
Fdisappears from the display. 
						

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Notes:
¥ While the camera records the still, you cannot use the camera functions (POWER switch/STANDBY
lever do not respond until recording is complete). This applies even when you havenÕt loaded a cassette.
¥ The wireless controllerÕs PHOTO button has no half-way setting, press the button fully and the camera
immediately takes the ÒphotoÓ.
¥ For even greater versatility attach a Canon Speedlite for flash photography (available as optional
accessories, see page 45), when taking still pictures directly from record pause mode.
¥ Only take ÒphotosÓ where it is bright enough to see the image in the display.
¥ If you want to use an effect, make sure you set it before you take your picture (you cannot use the fade
trigger while taking a still picture).
¥ Depending on the subject (fast moving subject, for example), the picture may be blurred. 
						

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Using a Canon Speedlite for Flash Photography (optional)
For SLR-style flash photography, attach a Canon
Speedlite 220EX, 380EX or 550EX to the
camcorderÕs accessory shoe. Attach the Speedlite
380EX and 550EX with their locking collars as in
the illustration. Attach the Speedlite 220EX with its
hot shoe lock release.
Set the camera to record pause mode. Turn on the
Speedlite using its main switch, and wait for it to
charge. When you press the PHOTO button
halfway down, the camera sets the autofocus and
the zoom is locked. Pressing the PHOTO button
fully down releases a pre-exposure flash that sets
the flash intensity, exposure and white balance. The
main flash is then sent out.
¥ In dark recording situations, during autofocus, a supplementary light beam is sent out by the Speedlite
for approx. eight seconds to illuminate the subject while you hold the cameraÕs PHOTO button halfway
down.
Flash Charging 
While the Speedlite is charging, a white Sflashes in the display.
When the Speedlite is fully charged a green 
Slights up constantly in the display.
¥ Although it is possible to record a still image while the Speedlite is still charging, the flash will not go
off. In addition, the Speedlite cannot charge while you are holding the PHOTO button halfway down.
¥
Sdisappears from the display while the camera records the still picture.
¥ If the 
Smark does not appear in the display when you turn the Speedlite on, make sure that the
Speedlite unit is slid fully onto the accessory shoe.
Notes:
¥ For full details of how to use the Speedlite, refer to its instruction manual.
¥ If you use the Speedlite in the shutter-priority (Tv) mode, you can choose any shutter speed between
1/60 and 1/1000.
¥ In the aperture-priority (Av), you can choose any F number, but an F number of less than f/5.6 gives the
best results.
¥ You cannot use the Speedlite with the:
Ð Manual recording program.
Ð Exposure Lock. (
Sgoes out if you press the EXPOSURE dial in. It reappears when you turn the lock
off, by pressing the EXPOSURE dial in again.)
¥ Turn the Speedlite unit off when you do not require a flash.
¥ You are unable to use the bounce flash on the 380EX and 550EX Speedlites with the GL1.
¥ You cannot use the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 for the 550EX.
¥ You cannot use the 550EXÕs multiple Speedlite control. 
						

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Choosing the Movie Mode (Normal/Frame)
The Frame mode can be used when you want to look at a video, scene by scene, free from field slippage
(the ÒflickerÓ that normally occurs when you pause a video). The vertical resolution of the image is
improved by 1.5
´. During playback, pause the video any time you like to view a crystal clear still image
in the display or on a connected TV screen. It is also possible to transfer your favorite still pictures to a
PC for image enhancement and print out.
If you are going to play back movie normally, we recommend recording in normal movie mode.
1. Set the camera to record pause mode.
2. Slide the MOVIE MODE switch to FRAME.
¥ FRAME appears in the display.
Notes:
¥ Frame mode cannot be used with the Easy Recording program.
¥ Frame video may not appear completely smooth during normal playback.
¥ Some subjects may not be suitable for Frame mode. You will often get better results when shooting
everyday subjects using normal mode.
1
POWER
OFF
VCRCAMERA2NORMAL MOVIE MODE
FRAME 
						

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Searching and Reviewing While Recording
Record search
REC SEARCH
When the camera is in record pause mode, you can
use record search to play the tape forwards or
backwards to find the point where you want to
start or restart recording. This is useful when you
want to add a new scene to a previously used
cassette. By using record search, you can ensure a
smooth, noise-free join between the new scene and
the old one.
1. Make sure the camera is in record pause
mode.
2. Press and hold the REC SEARCH + or
Ð button while you check the picture in
the display.
When the camera is in record pause mode, you can use record review to play back the last few seconds of
your recording and then return automatically to record pause mode. You can quickly make sure that a
scene has recorded properly and then go on to shoot the next scene, without producing any noise in the
picture.
1. Make sure the camera is in record pause mode.
2. Press and release the 
c(record review) button while you check the picture in the
display.
¥ The camera rewinds the tape, plays back the last few seconds, and returns to record pause mode.
Note:
¥ Noise may appear on the screen during record search and record review.
Record review
¥ The + button plays the recording forwards and the Ð button plays it backwards.
3. Release the button when you find the point where you want to start recording.
¥ The camera returns to record pause mode. 
						

							Easy Recording Auto Tv  Av  Manual Sand & Snow Spotlight(shutter priority) (aperature priority)Shutter speed A M A M AIris A A M M AGain A A A M A
Exposure lock/
´M´MadjustmentAE Shift´M´´White balance A MFocus A MImage stabilizer ON MDigital effects´M
Camera sharpness 
´Mand color phase
16:9´M
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Using the Various Recording Programs
Easy Recording
The camera provides you with a choice of seven recording programs. They use different combinations of
camera settings in order to adjust the exposure and other functions to match the recording situation.
The name of your selected recording program appears constantly on the left of the display, with the
exception of the AUTO Recording program whose 
nmark is displayed and then disappears after 
4 seconds.
Notes:
¥ Avoid changing programs during recording as the brightness of the image may change suddenly.
¥ The specialized AE programs are not suitable for all kinds of lighting. The image may flicker, or a
bright line may appear on the screen if you use them in the wrong lighting conditions.
The simplest way to use the camera is with the
program selector set to the 
[position. The camera
will take care of focus, exposure and other
adjustments, leaving you free to point and shoot.[
Availability of functions in each recording program
A=Automatic M=Manual´=Not available 
						

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Auto
In normal recording conditions, set the program
selector to 
n(Auto). This is the same as the Easy
Recording program, except that you now have the
option of using any of the cameraÕs manual functions.
A
AUTO
Giving priority to shutter speed (shutter-priority: Tv)
Use this program to select the shutter speed.
The camera automatically sets all other values
necessary to give the correct exposure. 
When you turn the program selector to Tv, the current
shutter speed is shown in the display. Select your
desired shutter speed by turning the EXPOSURE dial
toward + for a slower shutter or Ð for a faster shutter.
Tv
Tv 2000
You can choose 9 shutter speeds between 1/60 and 1/15000 of a second.
When shooting outside on clear, bright days, the camera will often set a large F number to adjust the
amount of light entering the camera, throwing the focus off. Setting a fast shutter speed or decreasing the
amount of light with the ND filter can help correct this. 
¥ If you try to set a shutter speed that is either too high or too low for the shooting conditions, the
indicator flashes in the display. In this case, increase or decrease the setting until the flashing stops, or
turn the ND FILTER ON/OFF as appropriate before changing the setting.
Notes:
¥ When recording in extreme low-light conditions, we recommend the use of a Canon Speedlite (p. 45) or
Video Light (available as optional accessories, see page 14). 
¥ The Tv values are reset if you turn the power off or change the recording program. If you use the
STANDBY lever, however, the camera remembers your chosen values. 
						

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Giving priority to the aperture (aperture-priority: Av)
Use this program to select the aperture (iris diameter)
to give you maximum control over the depth of field. 
A large F number (a small aperture) gives a greater
depth of field.
You can choose 12 F numbers between f/1.6 and f/11.
If you try to set an F number that is too high or too
low for the shooting conditions, the indicator flashes in
the display. In this case, increase or decrease the
setting until the flashing stops.
Av
Av F1.6
The camera sets all the other values necessary to give the correct exposure.
When you turn the program selector to Av, the current shutter speed is shown in the display. Select your
desired F number by turning the EXPOSURE dial.
¥ Under very bright conditions when you have set the F number to f/11, blurring of the image may occur.
Check the image in the display while setting the aperture.
Notes:
¥ The f/1.6Ðf/2.4 Av values are not available when you zoom in near the telephoto end.
¥ The Av values are reset if you turn the power off or change the recording program. If you use the
STANDBY lever, however, the camera remembers your chosen values.
Manual (See also p. 55)
Select this program for total creative freedom when
operating the camcorder. You can set aperture and
shutter speeds completely independently to give you
exactly the exposure you require.
There are 27 shutter speed settings, between 1/60 and
1/15000 of a second; 23 aperture values, between f/1.6
and f/11 (you can also close the iris); and 5 gain
values, between 0dB and +12dB.
Spotlight
This program is designed for recording spotlit scenes,
such as on a stage. The exposure is automatically
adjusted for glare-free recordings of subjects lit by a
concentrated light source. Use this program in places where the background is so
bright that the subject appears underexposed in the
display Ñ a sunny beach or ski resort, for example.
You may notice some shudder when recording moving
subjects.
Sand & Snow
SAND&SNOW
M
SPOTLIGHT