We are currently using the Canon XL1s (NTSC), but when purchased it was with Canon's 20X lens that was removed from a new XL2. It's been an excellent camera / lens combination, Canon builds a solid camera in my opinion.

Now I'm ready to purchase the XL2 to add to our camera set. But, since we already own the lens typically equipped on the XL2, I feel I should buy our new camera with one of Canon's Wide angle lenses. Why limit myself with another 20X lens? Any thoughts on this? How many wide angle lens options do I have from Canon? Please keep in mind that we shoot a lot of fast paced race footage, these are NOT choreographed shoots. A lot of run and gun 75% of the time, so good OIS and fast auto focus are important to us.

My real reason for this post is to ask if anyone knows if I can buy my XL2 as a kit this way, and what I should expect to pay as "fair market value" for camera and said lens. I noticed that the price on the XL2 continues to drop (maybe due to the HD push), and I see it lower all the time, so I'm looking at new more so than used. As for the "kit", I only need the camera and lens, I have my accessories, sticks, etc..


Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

This is a great site Chris, thanks for the use of it.

The wide angle lens is awesome. I've been able to get great videos using both lenses within the same scene.

Canon doesn't offer a wide angle lens with OIS. The theory is that the wide angle itself significantly reduces visible jitter and shakiness in the shots, similar to the way a very long lens accentuates it. I have no personal experience with the 3x wide-angle lens canon offers, but I've heard many good things about it. Check out this article (http://www.dvinfo.net/canon/articles/article38.php) here at dvinfo.net about the lens. It is quite informative. Canon makes several other wide angle lenses as well, but they could only be used on the XL2 with the EF Adapter.

Not too sure about buying an XL2 body with the 3x wide angle in a kit. I can't say I've ever seen a package like that, but you may be able to get a good deal by purchasing just the camera body and then the wide angle lens separately.

Buy the full kit and sell the 20X on eBay and use the money from that to buy a 3X... you will only pay an extra $700 - $800 to get the lens and you can sell it for that or more...


ash =o)

Brian at ZOTZ digital, one of the sponsors here... sold me my 'kit' back in November. I bought it with the 16xmanual, and FU-1000 viefinder. Basically, they will put together a deal on a body only kit, along with the lens of your choice. I'm sure other sponsors will do the same, I'm just saying Brian and the folks at ZOTZ were good to work with.