how big is the canon xl2?

[Dylan Johns]

i was just wondering how big is the canon xl2, it looks great and seems the perfect camera but would it be to big/heavy for a 15 year old to carry around? do u need to carry it on ur shoulder or can it be handheld? thanxs

[Jonathan Jones]

Well, if you mean by handheld the way you might hold a palm type camera like a smaller Optura or other consumer models, or even the GL2, than that would probably be a pretty amazing feat. (Maybe possible, for only a few moments - but not recommended) The XL2 is pretty hefty. There are lots bigger and lots smaller. With a camera in this class with this many features, the XL2 might even be on the small side, but unless you are using something like a tripod or monopod support system, the mobile option means using shoulder support. The XL2 come stock with the shoulder pad for this purpose.

Last week I was on a four hour shoot - probably 75% of which was shoulder mount. It got pretty heavy after a couple of hours and I started using a monopod where I was able for fear of my arm not providing enough stability for decent shots even with the elbows tucked in. I had shoulder surgery this past year and my shoulder is not 100% at all. I still have some healing to do, and will eventually do better with XL2 shoulder management, but it will always be hefty on lengthy shoots if you try to compare it to smaller comsumer cameras.

On a tripod, this thing really shines, but for some shoots, the tripod won't be an option. Is it possible to carry it around for shooting? Absolutely, just watch your step, watch the doorways and don't plan on jumping fences while shooting.
-Jon

[Advil Dremali]

I'm 16 and I had an Xl2 that I just sold.

It's not THAT big.. but pretty big.

The thing isn't size, it's weight actually.

heres a link to a picture of me holding it...

http://advil.ching0.com/pics/xl2inhand.jpg

[Peter Schmitz]

I can advice the DV rig XL form dvtec (http://www.dvtec.tv) : the famous DVRigPro especially adapted for the Canon xl1-2.

I recently filmed with it one hour and a half at a row. And yes, u get a bit tired, but not as much as without it.
Not so steady as a tripod, but certainly steadier than most shoulders ;-)

For me a very good accessoire to my XL2.

[Charlie Wilkinson]

<<<-- Originally posted by Dylan Johns : i was just wondering how big is the canon xl2, it looks great and seems the perfect camera but would it be to big/heavy for a 15 year old to carry around? do u need to carry it on ur shoulder or can it be handheld? thanxs -->>>

I've held the beast over my head by the forward (zoom) grip and shot that way for five or ten minutes at a pop, and I'm not exactly known for my upper body strength. (Try that with 15 pound pro cam...)

You'll get varying reports on how practical the XL2 is in shoulder mode. Anything from "I love it!" to "Never again!" and everywhere in between.

Definitely you want to use a tripod as much as practical, which is good advice no matter what camera you're using.

If you're worried about your right arm falling off and there's no room for a tripod, you might want to ponder a monopod.

-cw-