My name is Steve and I am a doing video strictly as a hobby. I got involved 4 years ago as my kids entered high school and wanted highlight videos of their team & band. To date, I currently do videos for the swimming team, football team, girls & boys basketball, girls volleyball, and my favorite...the band (my college degree is music education).

I own a XL1 as my primary camera and a GL2 as a backup camera. I edit using Canopus DV Raptor and Ulead Medea Studio 6.0. I have recently won two national "levels of distinction" awards from "The Communicator Awards" for my Band & Girls Baskball videos.

My full time occupation is the owner of an Insurance Agency. I enjoy video because it is the only time I receive a "thank you for a job well done" from the public. It also promotes name recognition in my community for my business and that "not all insurance agents are slick, sleezy people trying to sell you something you don't want"!

Welcome aboard Steve! Seems like you are using your cameras
seriously and having a good time while doing so, all the better!
Congratulations on winning the awards and good luck. See you
around.

I found your post doing a search. I'm new to the GL2. My previous was an Elura. I purchased the GL2 about a month ago to tape sporting events. My daughter is a junior in high school and a cheerleader and majorette. Hence, my interest, solely noncommercial.

I was wondering if you would give me any pointers.

My first few games went pretty well. All 16:9 internal. Otherwise, all auto except I set exposure -1.25 to make a little more saturated.

This past ballgame, Friday, I had problems with the auto focus, going in and out. Previously, I was very pleased with what seemed like a very stable outfocus.

Part could be that there was less ambient light. Guess I should add that our football games are all at night, starting at 7:15 DST.

I'm usually so nervous for my daughter, I've never tried manual focus with any of my cams.

Do you use aperature mode to gain more depth of field?

I would appreciate any advise you would give.

Barry L. Smith
Jackson, Ohio