There are currently seven camera manuals on this site...

I run a variety of courses teaching people how to use DV and HDV cameras, sound and lighting equipment. The workbooks on this site are a condensed version of the workbook I hand out on my training course. If you have attended one of my courses and lost your paper version - this site should be of help.

	CANON XF300 AND XF305 Canon's new HD camera. Approved by the BBC for HD production.
	SONY HVR-Z5 The Z5 is the direct replacement for the Sony Z1 camera. It started shipping at the start of 2009. This is a hybrid camera capable of recording on tape and compact flash.
	SONY PMW EX1 Sony's new HD camera in the CineAlta range. Unlike the ones below this is a tapeless camera - recording onto SxS memory cards.
	SONY HVR-Z1 Sony's HDV 16:9 camera. Sadly, Sony ceased production of the Z1 in December 2008 - it has now been replaced by the Sony HVR-Z5 (see above).
	SONY PD-150 and PD-170 The PD150 and its replacement the PD170 - still a good low budget workhorse camera.
	SONY DSR 500 Sony's professional DVCAM 16:9 camera. This camera is no longer manufactured - but there are a lot of them still around.
	SONY VX1000 From my sebsite stats, I know there are some of you out there still using it.
AnyCam	AnyCam OK not a manual as such. But, examples of the shots you can get from virtually any camera.

If you haven't attended one of my courses - please note:

These workbooks are NOT stand alone camera manuals - you will get one of those from the manufacturer when you buy the camera.

What you will find here is help for beginners - such as explanation on why you do something - not just how to do it - something the manufacturers camera manuals tend to leave out.

But, if you've lost your operators manual, I've listed below a few places to look. Virtually of all these involve .pdf downloads - so you'll need an Adobe Acrobat reader.

Equipment and technical manuals.

www.sony.ca/dvcam/manuals.htm

A whole host of Sony camera operating manuals (as pdf files). On my 56K modem some of the downloads were long - but worth the wait. (includes PD and DSR range)

 

www.henrys.com/manuals/

A great site for manuals. Includes SLR and digital cameras as well as consumer and prosumer camcorders. Hopefully you should find what you're looking for.

 

www.sonylfs.com/index/cameras.htm

Some Sony manuals and technical bulletins. Not extensive but some interesting bits and pieces.

www.canondv.com/

Dowload an instruction manual for you canon video camera (inc Canon XL1)

www.vinten.com

Vinten are now using frames. So, to download the operation and service manuals for your Vinten Tripod - go to the home page and click on DOWNLOADS (in the menu at the top of the browser screen) - then select ON-LINE LITERATURE - TECHNICAL.

 

www.bbc.co.uk/guidelines/

This page has the BBC's guidelines on widescreen. Their "Widescreen Book" is definitely worth a look.

 

www.brickhousevideo.com/downloads.htm

Brick House Video is a manufacturer of analogue and digital vision mixers/switchers, frame synchronisers, standards converters and time code logging equipment. They are based in the UK. All their products' manuals can be downloaded from their site

 

www.cinematography.net/cinefile.htm

They specialise in film camera kit . There are manuals from Aaton and Arri. There are also technical notes and info on Kodak and Ilford stock. It is also worth visiting their home page for links to other interesting snippets of info written by cameramen and women.

 

www.arri.com/entry/sitemap.htm

This is what a good manufacturer should be doing on their web site. Manuals and technical specs of all their kit for all to see.

 

www.aaton.com/downloads

The low down on Aaton equipment.

 

If you know of any other sites that have video camera manuals please contact me. I'd like to make the list as complete as possible.

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