XL1s lifespan at DVinfo.net

Christopher Leclair · March 8th, 2006, 03:06 PM

Any guesses how long an XL1s might live for? If it was fairly well cared for that is. How many hours does everyone think you might get out of one of these suckers? Also, what's the typical life expectancy for the technology in the camera. I'm talking based upon the class of camera i.e. prosumer class. Say the XL2 is out now, how long before the XL1s becomes completely obsolete?

Andrew Khalil · March 8th, 2006, 04:38 PM

The XL2 is out now and has been for a while and it offers many things the doesn't and has improved many things. If possible, I would recommend going with an XL2, but I don't really know how long an XL1s would last for, I'd say maybe a couple of years if you aren't shooting in widescreen or 24p.

Don Palomaki · March 9th, 2006, 05:57 AM

If not abused, the XL1 or XL1s should last long beyond availability of parts support for things that wear (e.g., heads, tape transport moving parts), which typically runs about 7 years past the manufcturing discontinue date.

So if the XL1s was discontinued in 2005, you can probably expect Canon support it to, say 2012 (but I ahve not verified this date with Canon). As we reach 2012 maintenance/repair support will be spotty and may be difficult to find.

As a point of reference, my Hi-8 Canon A1 Digital from 1991 still work the last time I tried it about 2 years ago.

As for technology, how long will the ability to shoot 4:3 SD TV be useful to you? When will you need to start shooting HD and/or native 9:16 exclusively?

Christopher Leclair · March 9th, 2006, 12:24 PM

Yeah, I guess the real issue is that eventually the technology is going to overpass the camera. For example, I have a decent EOS series still camera, film! I now use my much less valuable 6 mega pixel camera worth about $500. Oh well.

Nick Weeks · March 9th, 2006, 01:17 PM

I recently sold a 35mm Canon A-1 camera built in the 70s. A HUGE mistake...

That was by far my favorite 35mm film camera to date, and I have yet to find one to outperform it, nor can I find an older A-1 of the same quality. Oh well... you live and learn

March 8th, 2006, 03:06 PM	#1
Christopher Leclair Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas USA Posts: 53	XL1s lifespan Any guesses how long an XL1s might live for? If it was fairly well cared for that is. How many hours does everyone think you might get out of one of these suckers? Also, what's the typical life expectancy for the technology in the camera. I'm talking based upon the class of camera i.e. prosumer class. Say the XL2 is out now, how long before the XL1s becomes completely obsolete?

March 9th, 2006, 05:57 AM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	If not abused, the XL1 or XL1s should last long beyond availability of parts support for things that wear (e.g., heads, tape transport moving parts), which typically runs about 7 years past the manufcturing discontinue date. So if the XL1s was discontinued in 2005, you can probably expect Canon support it to, say 2012 (but I ahve not verified this date with Canon). As we reach 2012 maintenance/repair support will be spotty and may be difficult to find. As a point of reference, my Hi-8 Canon A1 Digital from 1991 still work the last time I tried it about 2 years ago. As for technology, how long will the ability to shoot 4:3 SD TV be useful to you? When will you need to start shooting HD and/or native 9:16 exclusively? __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

March 8th, 2006, 04:38 PM	#2
Andrew Khalil Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 424	The XL2 is out now and has been for a while and it offers many things the doesn't and has improved many things. If possible, I would recommend going with an XL2, but I don't really know how long an XL1s would last for, I'd say maybe a couple of years if you aren't shooting in widescreen or 24p.

March 9th, 2006, 12:24 PM	#4
Christopher Leclair Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas USA Posts: 53	Yeah, I guess the real issue is that eventually the technology is going to overpass the camera. For example, I have a decent EOS series still camera, film! I now use my much less valuable 6 mega pixel camera worth about $500. Oh well.

March 9th, 2006, 01:17 PM	#5
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	I recently sold a 35mm Canon A-1 camera built in the 70s. A HUGE mistake... That was by far my favorite 35mm film camera to date, and I have yet to find one to outperform it, nor can I find an older A-1 of the same quality. Oh well... you live and learn