XL1S or XL2?

[Muhammad Atif Yaqub]

Hi,

I am interested in buying a new XL1S but i have heard there may be a new model coming out soon. Does anyone have any more info. I would rather wait, its alot of money to re-invest so soon.

Thanks
Atif

[Jean-Philippe Archibald]

This question is asked here almost once a week. Do a search and you will find plenty of infos on this subject. In any case, if Canon release a new prosumer camcorder this year, it will not be until NAB at the end of april and real availability a few months later.

All that is only speculations, only time will tell.

[Chris Hurd]

If you have something to shoot, then *now* is always the best time to buy. When the new gear does come out, sell what you've got and move up. It's that simple. Hope this helps,

[Muhammad Atif Yaqub]

Thanks guys.. also can someone point me the rite way to buy accessiores in the UK for XL1/XM2... a good store who i can trust. and what should i be getting? i short list of must buys would be great people. budget would be around £3200 including camera. im filming speeches and documentry footage. Thanks.

[Rob Lohman]

Muhammed,

Please take your time, for everything. From reading your posts
it sounds to me like you want someone to tell you what to get
(not only the camera, but everything) and then you go out and
buy it and start shooting? You'll probably end up quite
dissapointed.

Also take your time to check the threads on this board and the
articles on this site. Hundreds of people stood in the same place
were you are now and asked the same questions. So your
answers are already available here on the boards and the site.

No-one can decide for you what to get. Why would a short list
of must buys help you? What is a must buy for a large group of
people might be totally wrong for you. It all depends on what
you are doing with your camera, your experience level etc.
A manual lens might be a real must for any serious movie maker,
but if you don't know how to use it, then it isn't of much use,
now is it? A lot of people get hung on what equipment to get
to make that "perfect" movie. But almost no-one has a script,
storyboards and all other pre-production work done. Don't focus
too much on the equipment! Sure, you need equipment and it's
important to get the "best" (which also depends on what you
want) you can afford.

With all that being said we have an article on the site here for
the top 5 accessories for the XL1(S).

If you did a Search on XL2 on this board you would
have gotten multiple threads:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=18764
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=16746
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=14579
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=13184
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=12580
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=2796
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=9704

As for the "must buy" (which I'd rather call "nice to have") my top 10 list:

1) a good story / script / storyboard
2) a good knowledge of your camera ('s manual controls)
3) a good knowledge of framing

as you see the first three points are all about knowledge and
experience (which you can only get by working with the camera)

4) actors
5) good support system(s) - fluidhead tripod and perhaps steadicam or dolly
6) good audio equipment + knowledge how to use it
7) good editing system
8) filter set (ND, UV)
9) good monitor system on set
10) lighting gear

Now I took the time to write this all down for you and did the
searching already for you. Please take the time to read it all
thoroughly, thank you.

And have fun with shooting movies!

[Aaron Koolen]

As Rob has already stated, must haves vary from person to person. My first two must have's for documentary and speeches would be a tripod and a decent microphone and boom/stand, but what if you're wanting a more action - run and gun - style? Then you might be able to just forget about the tripod and maybe don't want to boom your mic (your audio will probably suffer of course). If I were you I'd look at it like this...

Work out what you'll be shooting first...Then buy what you need. Make a list of things you'll be shooting, the level of quality you want and you'll find you'll get a list that is going to tell you what you need better than most of us can. People will say things like, 'Get a 3 hour battery', or 'Get a fluid head tripod' or 'Get a boom with a short shotgun mic'. But if you don't need them, then what's the point? Sounds simplistic? It sort of is once you get into it. If you're not sure how you might tackle a specific situation then ask away and people can more practically help you with real problem solving solutions.

It's hard getting to grips with all the technology and information for shooting things, but if I've learned something and that's not to just throw away money for the sake of it cause DV costs a shitload of $$ if you get seriously into it and want good quality gear. I've been longing for many things like miniDV deck, production monitor, audio monitors etc but yet haven't really *needed* any of them (IMO) for what I've done. The moment I do, I'll buy it. And by waiting you'll also be able to get the latest and greatest..

I know it gets frustrating, having so much information on a board that sometimes it feels easier to just ask a question again rather than wade through a million threads. But after a while the people who have already answered that same question a million times won't put in the effort that they did initially and you'll lose out in the long run.

Also, I can't recommend any UK stores, but I am in New Zealand and have bought from the U.S. board sponsors ZotzDigital and B&H photo and have had no problems. Good, fast service - good prices and quick delivery.


Good luck!
Aaron

[Kevin Scarlett]

Well right now Canon has a rebate going where you get $500 back when you buy an XL-1S and $250 back when you buy a GL-2 so this makes me think that the XL-2 may be on it's way, and perhaps even an update to the GL.

[Ed Smith]

Muhammad

If you want a decent retailer for the Canon XL1s in the UK try Optix, they seem to come highly recommended although I have not purchased from them. https://secure.xl1s.com/cgi-bin/shop/commerce.cgi.

The will be exhibiting at the video forum this year, maybe you should pop down there to have a look. www.videoforum.co.uk

As mentioned before you can also try the DV-info.net sponsors and help support this board.


Hope this helps,

Ed