Call me nuts. Selling XL1 to get DVX100a ?

[George Gerez]

Okay.. Hope this is not off topic. My video production partners are convinced to sell out Canon XL1s and get the DVX100a camera. We are planning to shoot a movie late summer.. wich will be released in DVD and VHS... Do you think we are doing the right thing? Your Honest comments please..

PS. We do own the XL1s with both the normal lens as well as the wide angle 3x lenz..

[Jesse Rosten]

I sold my xl1s and purchased a DVX100a . I've had no regrets. IMO it's just a better camera. And if you are planning on shooting a movie then it's a no brainer: DVX all the way.

[Peter Jefferson]

as above..

no need to think about it.. and theres no need to even worry about a wide angled lense as its already got one.. ;)

[Rob Lohman]

I find these statements a bit lacking. The most important thing is
the reason to switch. If you use it professionaly you usually have
invested into a lot of extra equipment for your camera that might
be useless with another camera.

Whether or not the DVX100 will be better for you depends,
ofcourse. Again, it mainly depends on the reason to switch
and the surrounding equipment.

Both are very good camera's. And whether one is better than
they other is in my opinion a personal matter. But then again,
I am on PAL 25 fps soil.

[George Gerez]

We have shot commercials, and small documentries with the XL1s. and we have invested money in batteries, wide angle lens, microphone adapter, but with the XL1s being discontinued. I think it's best for us to sell it and move on to a newer format. Our next big project will be out a movie. so we will keep most of the hardware (lights, mic, jibs. etc.) sell all our Canon rig and purchase 3 new Panasonics DVX100a

I have been reading the threads about all the cameras.. and for the price the DVX100a seems to be a good invesment.

Keep your suggestions coming..

[Luis Caffesse]

I've used both cameras, and they are both very good cameras.

While personally I prefer the DVX100a, I just want to point out
that we're really splitting hairs here.

No project is going to succeed or fail based on whether or not it
was shot on the DVX or the XL1s. The differences are minor, and
at that point what is going to make the difference is your story,
your direction, your performances, etc. Most people won't be
able to tell the difference between them (notice I said 'most'
people, not people on this forum).

So, if it's just a matter of personal preference, I doubt you'll
regret getting a DVX. But, don't expect that you're going to
get significantly better looking footage out of it.

-Luis

[Dave Croft]

Don't forget that the XL2 *might* be announced next month ;)

You might be able to re-use your XL1 lenses and batteries...

[John Hudson]

DVX100

What took you so long?

: )

[Charles Papert]

Heed Dave's words. It's not a great time to be buying a camera in that class because of the upcoming XL2 announcement.

My recommendation would be to sell the camera bodies now, keep your accessories and wait to buy until you can decide between the DVX and the XL2 rather than the DVX and the XL1s. If your show goes before the XL2 is actually released, then you can pick up your DVX's whenever you want.

Think of it this way: imagine having bought an XL1s just before the DVX came out. It may well be the same situation, just substitute the DVX for XL1s. Especially since you have so many Canon accessories.

As far as your movie is concerned; if the XL2 has 16:9 chips as we are hoping/thinking/assuming, , you will automatically see a significant improvement over the DVX (assuming you are delivering a widescreen product).