I'm curious about shooting independant shorts with an XL1, specifically:

-Provided the right lens is used, does it have a "professional" look, not necessarily film, but good enough so it doesn't look like you were using a little handycam?

-Are there better cameras for around the same price?

Probably the best camera for the price... very professional looking but harder to use than most cameras in the class. The DVX100a provides a similar image and has 24P and is much easier to use. The XL2 is the best of the SD lot but also is the most expensive.



ash =o)

Scott, FWIW, there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of indie features that have been shot with the XL1/S/2 and DVX100/A class of camcorders. It's good enough for them. :)

Thanks to the both of you, when the summer is over and I have the money, it looks like an XL is going to be bought.

I'd look for a used DVX100. It has a more filmy look (if you believe in that) than the XL1. Plus it's the camera to have for film nerds.

I think if you plan on using an adaptor, a DVX is the way to go, but if not the canon lenses are just so much better. But then there is that whole 24p issue.