What do you use for a second camera? at DVinfo.net

Paul Gallagher · September 3rd, 2005, 03:30 AM

I was thinking of buying a Canon XM2 as my second camera as it as very high reviews and its more compact for going into smaller areas to film like at a Brides house before her wedding etc.

I wanted to know what you use for a second camera and why?

My main camera is at the moment a Canon XL1s, but I also hope to upgrade this too very soon to the new XL2.

Thanks

Mathieu Ghekiere · September 3rd, 2005, 02:52 PM

Yes, I think for a second camera the XM2 would be your best choice, unless you have the money for another XL1s.
But many people use the XM2 and the XL1s, they seem to give a very similar picture quality (so I've heard).

Lorinda Norton · September 3rd, 2005, 09:09 PM

My 1st and 2nd cameras are XL1s, simply because back then I thought the footage would match better, plus I hoped I wouldn't have to do weddings. If buying now, I'd either do exactly what you're thinking with the XM2 or look at a couple of PD170s (because of the low light performance). I feel too conspicuous at weddings with my cameras, especially since someone always comments on how big they are. :)

Dean Sensui · September 3rd, 2005, 10:27 PM

I have an XL1s and an XL1 but am about to use a PDX10 for a second camera partly because I need an underwater camera.

Paul Gallagher · September 4th, 2005, 02:16 AM

Many thanks for all your feedback, and yes Lorinda, I always get told how big my XL1s is as well. They are a superb camera but just very big and in your face for things like at a brides house.

But outside a chapel they are the best as everyone knows to stay out of your way as you are the main videographer there on the day. I don't think you would get as well noticed with the smaller Canon XM2 as people might just think your a guest.

I haven't seen the picture quality on an XM2 but the reviews are very high on them and I'm more than happy with my own Canon's performance so if any of you own one are you happy with the picture quality on one?

And thanks again for your feeb back, it means a lot coming from proffessionals like yourselves in the business.

Lorinda Norton · September 4th, 2005, 10:21 AM

Have you read comments from GL2/XM2 owners in the other forum? You might get your answers there. But until someone else comes along I will give you my one experience with a GL2. (Besides, it gives me a chance to qualify your kind inclusion of me as a pro. I have miles to go compared to most folks here. :)

We shot a graduation ceremony with a guy from another company using a GL2. One XL1s was in back on full zoom, the GL2 was front and center, and the other XL1s was off to one side in front. We agreed on camera and exposure settings so I can only figure that the differences I saw were attributed to placement and light sources. The GL2 footage seemed more luminous with that unmistakable look of video, but it was clean. For my taste, the best-looking footage came from the camera in back. It was beautiful.

In defense of the GL2, the operator wasn't happy that we were there horning in on what he had decided was his territory, so it's possible his settings didn't match ours after all.

The only other footage I've seen from a GL2 was outdoor, and it looked good.

Check it out, but I think I've read somewhere around here that the XL1s and GL2/XM2 are basically the same camera, so you should be fine. (?)

Best wishes to you on your decision!

Zack Birlew · September 4th, 2005, 10:25 AM

Yes, Lorinda, the GL/XM-line are the same camera as the XL-line but the XL's have the big form factor with interchangeable lenses. GL1/XM1 or GL2/XM2 footage should look the same as the XL1/XL1S footage. The GL2 looks sharper to some, probably is because it's a newer camera with higher resolution CCD's. Still, the smaller GL/XM cameras should be perfect for B camera work and you can use perfectly matched Frame modes on both cameras if you want.

Stephen Finton · September 4th, 2005, 04:57 PM

I'd use the XL1s as your second camera once you buy a newer model camera. Don't buy something inferior to it. You'll be wasting your money.

Darko Flajpan · September 5th, 2005, 04:25 AM

IMHO GL2 as a B camera to your XL1s setup seems pretty fine, especially if you don't wanna put extra cash for another XL1(2). I'm working with big BetaSP kit and always have my XM2 in bag which served many times as B camera without any problems.

Paul Gallagher · September 7th, 2005, 03:13 AM

Again, thak you to you all for your help and I will check out the GL2 forum.

I always read about the GL2 on these forums but never knew they were the same sort of camera as the XM2.

Thank you all.

Paul

Andrew Paul · September 20th, 2005, 03:30 PM

I use a XL1s and XM2 and sometimes find the quality of video pretty much the same. The XM2 is great for shots where you need to get around easily and quickly, ie receptions at weddings, skate board meets etc. Sometimes its also nice to be able to blend in with the crowd and get some if those "natural" looking shots. A lot of people hate a big camera stuck in their faces and just shy away, I found the XM2 was great for a more natural response from people at weddings etc.

So, for my pennys worth, I`d go for an XM2 as a 2nd camera any day, especially as you pick up a cheap one if you look around.

September 3rd, 2005, 03:30 AM	#1
Paul Gallagher Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Omagh Posts: 306	What do you use for a second camera? I was thinking of buying a Canon XM2 as my second camera as it as very high reviews and its more compact for going into smaller areas to film like at a Brides house before her wedding etc. I wanted to know what you use for a second camera and why? My main camera is at the moment a Canon XL1s, but I also hope to upgrade this too very soon to the new XL2. Thanks

September 3rd, 2005, 09:09 PM	#3
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	My 1st and 2nd cameras are XL1s, simply because back then I thought the footage would match better, plus I hoped I wouldn't have to do weddings. If buying now, I'd either do exactly what you're thinking with the XM2 or look at a couple of PD170s (because of the low light performance). I feel too conspicuous at weddings with my cameras, especially since someone always comments on how big they are. :) __________________ Lorinda

September 3rd, 2005, 10:27 PM	#4
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	I have an XL1s and an XL1 but am about to use a PDX10 for a second camera partly because I need an underwater camera. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

September 4th, 2005, 10:21 AM	#6
Lorinda Norton Wrangler Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Southwest Idaho, USA Posts: 3,066	Have you read comments from GL2/XM2 owners in the other forum? You might get your answers there. But until someone else comes along I will give you my one experience with a GL2. (Besides, it gives me a chance to qualify your kind inclusion of me as a pro. I have miles to go compared to most folks here. :) We shot a graduation ceremony with a guy from another company using a GL2. One XL1s was in back on full zoom, the GL2 was front and center, and the other XL1s was off to one side in front. We agreed on camera and exposure settings so I can only figure that the differences I saw were attributed to placement and light sources. The GL2 footage seemed more luminous with that unmistakable look of video, but it was clean. For my taste, the best-looking footage came from the camera in back. It was beautiful. In defense of the GL2, the operator wasn't happy that we were there horning in on what he had decided was his territory, so it's possible his settings didn't match ours after all. The only other footage I've seen from a GL2 was outdoor, and it looked good. Check it out, but I think I've read somewhere around here that the XL1s and GL2/XM2 are basically the same camera, so you should be fine. (?) Best wishes to you on your decision! __________________ Lorinda

September 4th, 2005, 10:25 AM	#7
Zack Birlew Major Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 613	Yes, Lorinda, the GL/XM-line are the same camera as the XL-line but the XL's have the big form factor with interchangeable lenses. GL1/XM1 or GL2/XM2 footage should look the same as the XL1/XL1S footage. The GL2 looks sharper to some, probably is because it's a newer camera with higher resolution CCD's. Still, the smaller GL/XM cameras should be perfect for B camera work and you can use perfectly matched Frame modes on both cameras if you want. __________________ "Babs Do or Babs Do not, there is no try." - Zack Birlew www.BabsDoProductions.com

September 3rd, 2005, 02:52 PM	#2
Mathieu Ghekiere Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,195	Yes, I think for a second camera the XM2 would be your best choice, unless you have the money for another XL1s. But many people use the XM2 and the XL1s, they seem to give a very similar picture quality (so I've heard).

September 4th, 2005, 02:16 AM	#5
Paul Gallagher Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Omagh Posts: 306	Many thanks for all your feedback, and yes Lorinda, I always get told how big my XL1s is as well. They are a superb camera but just very big and in your face for things like at a brides house. But outside a chapel they are the best as everyone knows to stay out of your way as you are the main videographer there on the day. I don't think you would get as well noticed with the smaller Canon XM2 as people might just think your a guest. I haven't seen the picture quality on an XM2 but the reviews are very high on them and I'm more than happy with my own Canon's performance so if any of you own one are you happy with the picture quality on one? And thanks again for your feeb back, it means a lot coming from proffessionals like yourselves in the business.

September 4th, 2005, 04:57 PM	#8
Stephen Finton Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 344	I'd use the XL1s as your second camera once you buy a newer model camera. Don't buy something inferior to it. You'll be wasting your money.

September 5th, 2005, 04:25 AM	#9
Darko Flajpan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bjelovar, Croatia Posts: 153	IMHO GL2 as a B camera to your XL1s setup seems pretty fine, especially if you don't wanna put extra cash for another XL1(2). I'm working with big BetaSP kit and always have my XM2 in bag which served many times as B camera without any problems. __________________ XM2 Sony DXC637P BetaSP

September 7th, 2005, 03:13 AM	#10
Paul Gallagher Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Omagh Posts: 306	Again, thak you to you all for your help and I will check out the GL2 forum. I always read about the GL2 on these forums but never knew they were the same sort of camera as the XM2. Thank you all. Paul

September 20th, 2005, 03:30 PM	#11
Andrew Paul Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 130	I use a XL1s and XM2 and sometimes find the quality of video pretty much the same. The XM2 is great for shots where you need to get around easily and quickly, ie receptions at weddings, skate board meets etc. Sometimes its also nice to be able to blend in with the crowd and get some if those "natural" looking shots. A lot of people hate a big camera stuck in their faces and just shy away, I found the XM2 was great for a more natural response from people at weddings etc. So, for my pennys worth, I`d go for an XM2 as a 2nd camera any day, especially as you pick up a cheap one if you look around. __________________ Dont blame the weather....improvise !