newbie needs XL2 video advice at DVinfo.net

Michael Conn · October 2nd, 2006, 10:49 PM

I have just joined the forum and need some direction. I am filming auto racing events for DVDs and have 2 Canon XL2s. I need some more cameras that will blend into XL2 footage but are less expensive. Will GL2 video look close to XL2 ?
I am shooting in TV 500 shutter with a polarizing filter and let the XL2 take care of the rest.
Should I stop buying any SD equipment, and just rent cameras until I can afford HD ?
Will the GL2s get cheap after the HD stuff is on the shelf ?
Could anyone recommend a camera for 'in car' video ? Is the Sony super HAD bullet cam good enough ?
There's some video at http://visceralvideo.com/gallery.html

Wes Coughlin · October 3rd, 2006, 09:39 AM

First off, I would bring your shutter back down to 1/60. This will give your images a smoother look (unless your going for the strobe look).To answer your question about blending the gl2 and xl2--yes. As long as you set the xl2 to 4x3, and do some manual adjustments; usually the gl2's are more saturated. Also, make sure you white balance all cameras on the same thing. If your thinking about going HD, I would say wait a little longer; because right now you have no convenient means of distrubuting HD to anyone. I would keep buying SD stuff, because the prices are much cheaper then before, and if you had HD now or anytime soon, you most likley be downconverting it to SD anyways for DVD.

Michael Conn · October 3rd, 2006, 10:48 AM

Thanks for the info Wes, because I'm about to buy 2 GL2s.
I tried 1/60 but the cars were blurry, 250 was pretty good. I'm shooting at 30p and extracting stills, too. The interlaced is smoother, but I like the idea of complete frames. Good advice on HD, I just wanted to check since my cinema buddy is drooling for a new Canon.

Tony Davies-Patrick · October 3rd, 2006, 12:55 PM

If you are only filming in 4:3 with the XL2s then a GL2 is OK, but if most of your footage is in 16:9 then I'd advise on looking for another 16:9 camera.

At the moment I'm blending some Sony Z1/FX1 16:9 footage with XL2 16:9 footage.

October 2nd, 2006, 10:49 PM	#1
Michael Conn New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cowpens, South Carolina Posts: 8	newbie needs XL2 video advice I have just joined the forum and need some direction. I am filming auto racing events for DVDs and have 2 Canon XL2s. I need some more cameras that will blend into XL2 footage but are less expensive. Will GL2 video look close to XL2 ? I am shooting in TV 500 shutter with a polarizing filter and let the XL2 take care of the rest. Should I stop buying any SD equipment, and just rent cameras until I can afford HD ? Will the GL2s get cheap after the HD stuff is on the shelf ? Could anyone recommend a camera for 'in car' video ? Is the Sony super HAD bullet cam good enough ? There's some video at http://visceralvideo.com/gallery.html

October 3rd, 2006, 09:39 AM	#2
Wes Coughlin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 206	shutter at 1/500?? geezz First off, I would bring your shutter back down to 1/60. This will give your images a smoother look (unless your going for the strobe look).To answer your question about blending the gl2 and xl2--yes. As long as you set the xl2 to 4x3, and do some manual adjustments; usually the gl2's are more saturated. Also, make sure you white balance all cameras on the same thing. If your thinking about going HD, I would say wait a little longer; because right now you have no convenient means of distrubuting HD to anyone. I would keep buying SD stuff, because the prices are much cheaper then before, and if you had HD now or anytime soon, you most likley be downconverting it to SD anyways for DVD. __________________ http://wildlookout.com

October 3rd, 2006, 12:55 PM	#4
Tony Davies-Patrick Trustee Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Worldwide Posts: 1,589	If you are only filming in 4:3 with the XL2s then a GL2 is OK, but if most of your footage is in 16:9 then I'd advise on looking for another 16:9 camera. At the moment I'm blending some Sony Z1/FX1 16:9 footage with XL2 16:9 footage. __________________ www.WILDCARP.com www.NIKON.me.uk

October 3rd, 2006, 10:48 AM	#3
Michael Conn New Boot Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cowpens, South Carolina Posts: 8	Thanks for the info Wes, because I'm about to buy 2 GL2s. I tried 1/60 but the cars were blurry, 250 was pretty good. I'm shooting at 30p and extracting stills, too. The interlaced is smoother, but I like the idea of complete frames. Good advice on HD, I just wanted to check since my cinema buddy is drooling for a new Canon.