[Jamiewalshe]

Hi, ive been looking at buying a new camcorder pretty much solely for film making, originally i was looking at the fx1, but have since changed my mind (to a variety of cameras including pd170 and xl1s due to limitations of the fx1') but ive finally settled on trying to source an xl2 second hand. i come from a stills background, but in my youth have made several short films and know my way around the canon xl and xm series and sony vx2000/2100 models.

my basic requirements are that i will be shooting exclusively in 16:9 (which is why out of all the sd camcorders i can only really choose the xl2 or the panny ae100) and im a fan of the look of 24/25p and 30p (of what ive seen) i know a look can be achieved in post, but it appeals to me to shoot in it in the first place.

i have a very good hdtv set up, although a lot of the material would be distributed on dvd, masters being on hdd.

my question is, is it pointless me buying an sd xl2 in todays age? it feels to me, although the xl2 does everything id want it to, and on paper is perfect for my needs, but im looking to keep and use it long term, is it worth it?

thanks a lot

Jamie

[senu]

Originally Posted by Jamiewalshe

.......my question is, is it pointless me buying an sd xl2 in todays age? it feels to me, although the xl2 does everything id want it to, and on paper is perfect for my needs, but im looking to keep and use it long term, is it worth it?

thanks a lot

Jamie

Yes, definitely a gem of a camcorder, it is not perfect but . for what you want it is near enough
.
Saying that, in which way does the FX1 pale beside it apart from the possibility of lens interchangeability , some settings being menu based and true 16:9 in SD?
There is also the Z1

The XL2 has the look ( to be sure ) but at that range most of the camcorders are broadly well sorted..
I would give it a long hard think before you go SD (knowing that downconverted HDV is just as good). I dont know if they are still being made and if your second hand model gives up, what might you think of replacing it with?
Of course you could always get an HV20 as a "little" backup

[Jamiewalshe]

to be honest i would much prefer a smaller camcorder, i didnt find the xl1s comfortable to use (although i never tried it with the shoulder pad - which i imagine would make it more comfortable) however the xl2 seems to have a button for everything that i would use regularly, and it would annoy me having to go through menus on the fx1 to set colour bars/zebra pattern/audio bars etc. interchangable lenses doesnt bother me too much, however if i got an xl2 i would certainly buy the manual lens.

i need xlr inputs as well, and although that can be solved with a beachbox, its an added expense and i like the idea of it not being in a box underneath the camera.

i would imagine the xl2 is still being made, i believe its a current model, obviously wont be for much longer i shant imagine but i agree, thats a problem.

if i went hd i would probably downconvert, i dont reckon my pc could hack it (though looking at vegas specs for hdv it really should do) and im hoping that a decent sd model would be a bit cheaper. fx1's on ebay seem to still go for quite a lot, in some cases only a couple of hundred off their new price. the thing is, im going to guess that the xl2 (with its 24p and far more customisable picture) is going to look better than the fx1 in sd.

[senu]

Downconverting to SD can be done in-camera from an HDV model,
xl2s performance is not miles ahead (if that) of the SD performance from similarly rated HDV models IMHO
and
The "Pros" seem to use all these cameras , including the xl2

Have you tried hiring them for use for comparison?

I'm a bit more of the opinion that you might find your technique and creativity as well as PP skills just as ( sometimes even more) important than the camcorder you use. But I guess you've probably also seen stills from a Nikon D80 or Even D50 not looking out of place next to those from the D2x

I was at the Video Forum in Earls Court early in the year and chatted with a few Videographers . The FX1 for all its "prosumer" moniker is well regarded in that group alongside the likes of the (older) VX2100 , DV cam models and even "baby" HDV models like the FX7
Something smaller may have a few bits and bobs less but youll still be able to get great quality video, It is only you who can determine if you can live without those "bits and bobs"

Good luck whatever you eventually get