Camcorder for wildlife filming

[Mercedes-Ben]

Happy New Year all

My first post, so go easy!

I want to film wildlife for personal use primarily, but would be nice if quality was good enough to show friends or for TV.

I know nothing of filming, but a lot on wildlife !

I have a budget of about £1,200, for a good second hand Canon XL1S or Canon DM-XM2E

Would you agree this is a good choice?

Any advice appreciated

Thanks

[senu]

Absolutely.
Id be more inclined to go for the XM2 although in absolute terms the XL1 is better for quality but it may also be trickier to get the best out of
given your aspirations of "home use"
I think the balance of size, user friendliness and cost would wiegh heavily in favour of the XM2
otherwise you cant go wrong with either for quality, certainly more than any of todays high end consumer models ( although they are Standard def and tape: not necessarily a bad thing)
There is of course the XH A1..
BTW welcome here

[A n d r e w]

Or a second-hand Panasonic DVX-100B. Smokes those Canons (excepting the XH-A1) in a heartbeat.

[Mercedes-Ben]

Many thanks for replying.

I think I shall go for the XM2, but will consider the Panasonic DVX-100B also

Having thought more about it maybe I should should go for a more modern one like Canon XH A1

I want something to last about 5 years.The XL1 looks kind of old


cheers

MB

[Mercedes-Ben]

In the end I got a CANON XM2. Brand new at half price!

What tripod would you recommend, and what accessories might I need for filming outdoors?

Thanks for help and advice

[Argentofan]

Originally Posted by Mercedes-Ben

In the end I got a CANON XM2. Brand new at half price!

What tripod would you recommend, and what accessories might I need for filming outdoors?

Thanks for help and advice

Can I ask where you got your XM2 from... and are you pleased with it? Cheers!

[Mercedes-Ben]

I got it on e bay for £800. Brand new, still sealed in box. The seller damaged his XM1 which could not be repaired. The insurance co. gave him an XM2 (new for old) It was on ebay for 2 mins, and I bought it straight away
I am very pleased with it. I have been practicing in the garden on the bird feeders which I filled up this morning.
I got a Manfrotto tripod with 3 way head which I could not have done without.I need to get another mic. to get a more exact pro sound, but I have to say the sound quality is excellent on the XM2. I have rendered a few avi. files with Sony Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 9.0 and the results are excellent (PAL DV Widescreen (720x576, 25.000 fps) I cant wait till the weather improves to get on the grouse moor to capture Black cock in the Lek

ps

£750 is the going rate for one year old XM2 on ebay with extras