Converting to XL2? at DVinfo.net

Victor Guzman · November 27th, 2008, 10:45 PM

Hello all, currently I have a XL1. I understand its pretty old and many elements come together to produce quality work. I currently do media for my church and want to start doing weddings and eventualy get paid. In my 7 months of working on my XL1 I have come to a decision in upgrading because the quality just doesnt impress me! the quality of video doesnt look as good as the camera itself. Now before I put down big money, is there a possibility of a newer one coming out? "XL3" cuz I would be mad as heck if in a couple of years something that blows the xl2 out the water comes along. Bare with me guys, I'm a newbie and dont fully grasp every aspect of the Video biz. Any and all "good" and "bad" experience you have had would be great!

Martin Catt · November 28th, 2008, 02:51 AM

Well, the good news is that all your XL1 accessories (like batteries and lenses) will fit the XL2. As for an XL3 in the works, I doubt it. Most manufacturers seem to be abandoning SD in favor of HD.

Depending on what lenses you've got, you might be able to get the XL2 body alone and use what glass you already own.

Regards;
Martin

Victor Guzman · November 28th, 2008, 06:47 AM

that is true, I guess I''ll look for the body alone to save some cash

Martin Catt · November 28th, 2008, 01:43 PM

Victor:
Before plunking down your cash for an XL2, you might want to download the XL2 manual and see if there's enough of a difference between the XL1 and XL2 to justify the cost. You can get the manual here:

Professional Camcorders - High Definition Camcorders and Lenses - Standard Definition Camcorders - Software - Digital Camcorder - XL2 - Canon USA Consumer Products

Scroll down to the Guides and Manuals section. The XL2 manual PDF is at the bottom of that section. I've seen a lot of beautiful work done with the XL1. It may just be that you need to accessorize your XL1 properly to do what you want.

Yes, the XL2 manual is scary at first. Like any other complicated gadget, you learn the features one at a time.

Martin

Victor Guzman · November 30th, 2008, 09:33 PM

very good recourse tip, thanks

Chris Hurd · December 1st, 2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victor Guzman

...is there a possibility of a newer one coming out? "XL3" cuz I would be mad as heck if in a couple of years something that blows the xl2 out the water comes along.

Keep in mind that it's already been more than a couple of years. The XL2 has been around since 2004. Canon USA said back then that the XL2 would be their last three-chip standard definition camcorder. If it wasn't, it would have been replaced by now.

I think you should consider the Canon XH A1S instead of the XL2. It's the same amount of money, but the XH A1S is in many ways a better camera than the XL2.

Marco Leavitt · December 1st, 2008, 10:23 AM

As Chris says, technology has moved right along since the XL2 came out. When we made the decision to buy an XL2 it was because of the form factor. We shoot documentaries, and as far I'm concerned you have to be shoulder mounted for that. There is simply no way to mount a camera light, battery for said light, and dual channel wireless receiver on a handheld camera and be able to hold it steady for a reasonable amount of time, let alone do walking shots which are just impossible with a handheld. Also, having all the major functions of the camera available as actual dials and knobs so you can shift back and forth according to conditions is a major advantage of the XL2. It's really good for run and gun stuff.

If what you do is essentially tripod mounted, Chris is probably right. The world of HD is upon us. I figure our XL2 is good for another couple of years, as showing your footage on HD and delivering it in HD to people is still problematic. I also think you really need to have the 20x and 3x lenses for the XL2 to make it worth owning. In fact, the 3x lens is by far the most useful of the two. We use it about 70 percent of the time. The FU-1000 eyepiece is necessary (for me anyway) as well.

I notice that you are interested in doing weddings. I think that's one area where the form factor of the XL2 is very useful. You might consider getting one and start investing in the accessories like the hi-rez eyepiece, camera light and rechargeable battery system (a surprisingly big investment), wireless, lenses (including wide angle and manual lenses), etc. That way in a couple of years you can upgrade to the H1 series and take all of your accessories with you. That's our plan.

Victor Guzman · December 1st, 2008, 02:07 PM

good points Marco, as why im looking at the XH a1. is this a reasonable price?

scammer link removed by admin

it seems to low on price! all their equipment looks fairly cheap, please let me know as I dont mind pAYIng 2000 for a HDV camera. thanks

Chris Hurd · December 1st, 2008, 02:28 PM

See the box at the bottom of this page, where it says "DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers..."

Victor Guzman · December 1st, 2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

See the box at the bottom of this page, where it says "DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers..."

oh my bad, didnt see that

Norman Woo · December 1st, 2008, 02:47 PM

Hi Victor

Like you I come from the XL1 (since 2001) and "upgraded" to the XL H1 a few years ago. The learning curve in moving to the XL H* family from the XL1 is very smooth since almost all the controls that were on the XL1 is also similarly placed on the XL H* cameras. In terms of "reuse", I can use the XL1 batteries (I have loads of them), the XL extender, etc on the XL H1 camera. I also do weddings and the XL H1 is great for that.

It does both SD and HDV. I understand that the SD quality is even better than that of the XL2.

Plus the black color of the camera body adds a "cool" factor in there.

Good luck in your purchase.

Victor Guzman · December 1st, 2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman Woo

Hi Victor

Like you I come from the XL1 (since 2001) and "upgraded" to the XL H1 a few years ago. The learning curve in moving to the XL H* family from the XL1 is very smooth since almost all the controls that were on the XL1 is also similarly placed on the XL H* cameras. In terms of "reuse", I can use the XL1 batteries (I have loads of them), the XL extender, etc on the XL H1 camera. I also do weddings and the XL H1 is great for that.

It does both SD and HDV. I understand that the SD quality is even better than that of the XL2.

Plus the black color of the camera body adds a "cool" factor in there.

Good luck in your purchase.

thanks norman, I will be researching very closely the xl h series. Your right, the black color gives it that proffesional look

November 27th, 2008, 10:45 PM	#1
Victor Guzman Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 113	Converting to XL2? Hello all, currently I have a XL1. I understand its pretty old and many elements come together to produce quality work. I currently do media for my church and want to start doing weddings and eventualy get paid. In my 7 months of working on my XL1 I have come to a decision in upgrading because the quality just doesnt impress me! the quality of video doesnt look as good as the camera itself. Now before I put down big money, is there a possibility of a newer one coming out? "XL3" cuz I would be mad as heck if in a couple of years something that blows the xl2 out the water comes along. Bare with me guys, I'm a newbie and dont fully grasp every aspect of the Video biz. Any and all "good" and "bad" experience you have had would be great!

November 28th, 2008, 02:51 AM	#2
Martin Catt Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Colony TX Posts: 327	Well, the good news is that all your XL1 accessories (like batteries and lenses) will fit the XL2. As for an XL3 in the works, I doubt it. Most manufacturers seem to be abandoning SD in favor of HD. Depending on what lenses you've got, you might be able to get the XL2 body alone and use what glass you already own. Regards; Martin __________________ Canon XF300, Canon 5DMkII, Canon XL2, Rolls MX422 mixer, Zoom H4N, AT899 lavs, AT2020's, Azden SGM 1X shotgun, Manfrotto 501 head on 351 tripod

November 28th, 2008, 01:43 PM	#4
Martin Catt Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Colony TX Posts: 327	Victor: Before plunking down your cash for an XL2, you might want to download the XL2 manual and see if there's enough of a difference between the XL1 and XL2 to justify the cost. You can get the manual here: Professional Camcorders - High Definition Camcorders and Lenses - Standard Definition Camcorders - Software - Digital Camcorder - XL2 - Canon USA Consumer Products Scroll down to the Guides and Manuals section. The XL2 manual PDF is at the bottom of that section. I've seen a lot of beautiful work done with the XL1. It may just be that you need to accessorize your XL1 properly to do what you want. Yes, the XL2 manual is scary at first. Like any other complicated gadget, you learn the features one at a time. Martin __________________ Canon XF300, Canon 5DMkII, Canon XL2, Rolls MX422 mixer, Zoom H4N, AT899 lavs, AT2020's, Azden SGM 1X shotgun, Manfrotto 501 head on 351 tripod

December 1st, 2008, 02:28 PM	#9
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	See the box at the bottom of this page, where it says "DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers..." __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

November 28th, 2008, 06:47 AM	#3
Victor Guzman Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 113	that is true, I guess I''ll look for the body alone to save some cash

November 30th, 2008, 09:33 PM	#5
Victor Guzman Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 113	very good recourse tip, thanks

December 1st, 2008, 10:23 AM	#7
Marco Leavitt Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Albany, NY 12210 Posts: 2,652	As Chris says, technology has moved right along since the XL2 came out. When we made the decision to buy an XL2 it was because of the form factor. We shoot documentaries, and as far I'm concerned you have to be shoulder mounted for that. There is simply no way to mount a camera light, battery for said light, and dual channel wireless receiver on a handheld camera and be able to hold it steady for a reasonable amount of time, let alone do walking shots which are just impossible with a handheld. Also, having all the major functions of the camera available as actual dials and knobs so you can shift back and forth according to conditions is a major advantage of the XL2. It's really good for run and gun stuff. If what you do is essentially tripod mounted, Chris is probably right. The world of HD is upon us. I figure our XL2 is good for another couple of years, as showing your footage on HD and delivering it in HD to people is still problematic. I also think you really need to have the 20x and 3x lenses for the XL2 to make it worth owning. In fact, the 3x lens is by far the most useful of the two. We use it about 70 percent of the time. The FU-1000 eyepiece is necessary (for me anyway) as well. I notice that you are interested in doing weddings. I think that's one area where the form factor of the XL2 is very useful. You might consider getting one and start investing in the accessories like the hi-rez eyepiece, camera light and rechargeable battery system (a surprisingly big investment), wireless, lenses (including wide angle and manual lenses), etc. That way in a couple of years you can upgrade to the H1 series and take all of your accessories with you. That's our plan.

December 1st, 2008, 02:07 PM	#8
Victor Guzman Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 113	good points Marco, as why im looking at the XH a1. is this a reasonable price? scammer link removed by admin it seems to low on price! all their equipment looks fairly cheap, please let me know as I dont mind pAYIng 2000 for a HDV camera. thanks

December 1st, 2008, 02:47 PM	#11
Norman Woo Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Brossard, Quebec, Canada Posts: 147	Hi Victor Like you I come from the XL1 (since 2001) and "upgraded" to the XL H1 a few years ago. The learning curve in moving to the XL H* family from the XL1 is very smooth since almost all the controls that were on the XL1 is also similarly placed on the XL H* cameras. In terms of "reuse", I can use the XL1 batteries (I have loads of them), the XL extender, etc on the XL H1 camera. I also do weddings and the XL H1 is great for that. It does both SD and HDV. I understand that the SD quality is even better than that of the XL2. Plus the black color of the camera body adds a "cool" factor in there. Good luck in your purchase.