DVX100B user just got his first XL2

[Evro]

Hi guys,

I've had my DVX100B for about 8 months now & I love it. After weeks of research and many considerations including buying another DVX and even the JVC HD101, I opted to go with the XL2.

I got it today and other than how damn sexy it looks I'm really put off by how uncomfortable it is to hold and balance - it just won't stay on my shoulder. I already knew about the crappy 2" viefinder so I won't moan about that (especially after being so used to the DVX LCD.)

I'm finding the XL2 so uncomfortable to hold (not to mention the terrible zoom & focus rings on the stock 20X lens) that I now really appreciate what a good camera the DVX is!!!

I shoot all my Weddings in 16:9 at 25P and everyone raves about the XL2's image quality at these settings, however, as I prefer to shoot off-tripod getting into the action (something the DVX is great for) my question is how do you guys balance this thing without ending up at the physio clinic the next day for wrist massage??

Is the 16X Manual lens lighter?
I'm dreading that I'll have to hold this cam throughout a whole wedding I have coming up next weekend. Any ideas?

Cheers,

Beziermask

Damn that XL2 is a sexy cam, I can't stop looking at it - I'm in love!!!

[henry cho]

i like the shoulder mount design of the xl cams. i agree, tho, that holding the camera for an extended period of time can get tiring.

the 16x manual won't really help for the front-heaviness of the cam. i believe the 3x wide angle is the lightest lens you can put on the camera (either that or the 16x auto).

a couple of things that might help...

if you're on a budget, an inexpensive shoulder mount like the spiderbrace will definitely help. if you have a little more cash, dvrig pro, xl version, is the way to go. they're worth the money, and your arms will love you for it.

or you could get yourself the dual battery charger, or something else with a little weight to it, and mount it on the accessory plate of the xl2. the dual charger with a couple of bp945 batteries should distribute the weight a little bit better, and put a little less stress on your arms.

[epicedium]

Back weight helps a huge amount- I screw the back bracket on and have some things fastened to it-- a small/cheap AV transmitter (for external monitoring), a 2000mah lithium pack to charge it, and a sennheiser g2 receiver. This lot is fairly compact but heavy enough to balance out the camera far better.

Also (I don't think I've seen it mentioned before), make sure you tighten the hand strap. Like, really very tight. I find that this helps me a lot, and stops the front-left drop a bit .. as the cam is "fixed" to your hand and not 'hanging' off it.

[Kyle Stebbins]

the spider brace is a great product, i use it all the time.
http://www.spiderbrace.com

-kyle

[KingVidiot]

Unfortunately, in order to keep the overall weight and size down, they made the body that way which makes the big lens pull it down and to the left a bit.

You get used to it over time, but the suggestions here are good, and you may need those types of accessories for your work anyway.

As with anything else involving weight, repetetive stress is rough, so I bought a SteadyStick for long shoots or just to have a rest without putting the camera down. This helps a whole lot (I had a 7 hour boat trip shooting footage of Humpback Whales that made the whole purchase worthwhile), and you develop strength over time. And hey, it helps if you go to the gym once in a while too... it does for me.

[Andrew Brinkhaus]

Yes, as an XL2 user myself, I will echo what has been said here completely. I did find the XL2 a little uncomfortable at first, but I came up with a few solutions to aiding in it. First, I just started shooting with the camera as much as possible, followed up by providing some counter balance to the camera such as dual battery charger and mount. I have since added a mattebox and am getting ready to add on the M2, at which point I will have to buy a spiderbrace. If you think the stock XL2 is sexy, check out this M2'd XL2 from the redrockmicro forum. Enjoy the cam!

http://ts3ddesigns.com/images/M2_MB.jpg

[Zim]

I had the Xl1s and used it for a couple wedding, it hurt my back and my arms. If I was going to do wedding again it would not be with that camera. It is probably good for some people.

But I bet it is going to be good for films etc.

[Evro]

Thanks all, some good suggestions here.

I've decided to order the 910 dual charger with two 6000mah batteries and I'll velcro my Audio Technica wireless receiver to the back of it.

Cheers!!!

PS: I've come to really like the manual zoom ring on the 20X lens because it works so much smoother especially for creep zooms.

[epicedium]

Yeah, when you get used to the Zoom ring it definitely does have it's plus points ! Slow creeping zooms, etc. are very possible.

Ultimately it's a tool, and there are plenty of ways to make it more suited to the way that you shoot. Holding a camera out like a handycam for 7 hours isn't pleasant either. My XL2 (with it's wireless transmitters and lithium pack) on the back is actually well balanced- it feels quite a lot like a sony shoulder mount when on my shoulder- it has a heft, but it's nicely balanced.

I think people who own (and customise in this way) like them a whole lot more than people who haven't owned an XL series who try a "straight from the box" setup on the shoulder for 10 minutes. It's true that it's not very comfortable from the box.

[KyleProhaska]

Tiffen Steadystick, 100bucks, takes the weight off, works great. Get one, lol.

-Kyle