Dvx With Xl2

Rick Meyer

Rick Meyer

Veteran
Hey gang!

Do many of you have any experience with using both of these cameras at the same time for a multiple camera shoot? I was wondering how their footage would hold up, side by side in an edit? 1 DVX, 1 XL2 filming a wedding for example, or movie short. Or, would I be best with 2 DVX cameras?

Thanks for the input!
Rick
 
coffee said:
It would be best with either 2 XL2's or 2 DVX's......
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Yeah. that's what I'm thinking too. I have 2 DVX cameras, and was wondering if I should pony up one of them for an XL2. Thanks for the input coffee...
 
Hey
I teamed up with an XL1 user for a wedding and I think he was just a bad shooter but the difference was night and day between the two. The footage from the XL1 was orangeish and out of focus during the whole thing. The DVX won hands down in that situation.
Brian
 
DVX with an XL1 will give horrible results, the cameras are just too different, however, I have shot with both an XL2 and DVX during an event, and with proper setup these cameras can be matched quite well. Some compromises on both ends have to be made with color and latititude but you can get very similar results.
 
scharky said:
DVX with an XL1 will give horrible results, the cameras are just too different, however, I have shot with both an XL2 and DVX during an event, and with proper setup these cameras can be matched quite well. Some compromises on both ends have to be made with color and latititude but you can get very similar results.
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Thanks Scharky-

In your opinion, do you think I would benefit from ponying up a DVX to get an XL2 to have varied gear, and different lens options?

Rick

PS Do you have any footage examples you could upload? I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one interested in seeing a single comp with multiple cameras.
 
I shot a music video with my DVX and second camera was a XL2, why the director did that I don't know.

The result was the final product was over 90% from my camera because the XL2 looked so bad. I happen the think it was the cameraman, not the camera. But both the director and the other cameraman were blown away during shoot by how much better my image looked over the XL2.

I'm not, and have never been impressed with the canon products, unless they're using the 35 adaptors and primes and go through professional post - there I've seen some great stuff.
 
Thanks Icarus.

It's all hard to say. If you go to the XL2 screen grabs forum, there is a video using shots from both cameras and its nearly impossible to tell the two cameras apart.

I'm very confused.

Rick
 
Just editing a film on the upcoming Olympics. Segments were shot on different continents and we ended up working with the XL2 and the DVX.

It's like anything creative...lot's of opinions, but it really depends on how it's going to be viewed and who's doing the shooting and post work. Well setup and shot and with good CC where necessary, most humans could never tell the difference between the two cameras in a well lit and composed shots.

I mean humans as in, the people who we actually produce our work for, not the handful of techno yackers who actually know what a DVX or XL2 are and would do what most humans don't - ingnore the story while they wonder what camera they used <g>.

Even with relateively crappy setup, if you letter box the DVX footage and tweak them in post a bit, again, most humans will never know the difference. I certainly hope not, this film mixes the two quite a bit.
 
Icarus,

That's the camera operator not knowing what they're doing with the camera. I can certainly see someone producing an indie film and seeing footage from the XL2 and thinking it looks too video for their taste, but it should look like GORGEOUS video...

Know what I mean? If the footage looks plain BAD, I can guarantee you, it's not the camera.
 
MattC-

If you don't mind me asking, as a moderator of a DVX forum but a proud owner of an XL2, what do you think? Would you rather have 2 XL2 cameras that perfectly match each other or one XL2 and one DVX?

For me, this is a tough decision-
Thanks in advance!
Rick
 
Well, just for havin', I'd rather have one of each, it gives me two different looks and two different toys to play with!

Ok, seriously, hang on while I go check what you initially wanted to do....

....ok, back. I think each camera has it's strengths and weaknesses. So first I would select the platform I wanted to use and then, if I felt I really needed to cams to make it work, I would use two of the same cameras (but I'd might rent the second). So, if I were making an indie horror film for distribution on the net or DVD, I'd probably get two DVXs. If I were making an instructional video on how to create paper mache saxophones, I'd probably get two XL2s. Ok those are silly examples, but you get the idea. I do believe you could shoot either, with either, but that would be my preference for those topics.

Having said all that, are you sure you need more than one camera? Unless you're doing a live feed type show or are filming a once in a lifetime event (or a shot that's two expensive for you to get another crack at) you may not need to cameras.
 
MattC said:
Having said all that, are you sure you need more than one camera? Unless you're doing a live feed type show or are filming a once in a lifetime event (or a shot that's two expensive for you to get another crack at) you may not need to cameras.
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Thanks for the quick response. Actually, I already have two cameras. I have two DVX100As. My issue has to deal with getting rid of one of 'em to get an XL2. Sure, another toy. I am not going to lie about the thrill of that. But there might be instances where that XL2 will shine where the DVX can't, especially with it's longer lens. But ultimately, if ever in the future I will be utilizing TWO cameras at once, I don't want to be kicking myself for breaking up the set if matching the two different cameras are a nightmare.

Thanks again.
Rick
 
Well from what I've seen the two cameras CAN be matched, but it won't be the classic DVX look - nor will it be the "standard" (for whatever that means) XL2 look. but if you shoot both with a flat set up where you can get them very close and time in post, you should match them quite well, although the XL2 will be sharper perhaps.

With what's on the horizon, I would be waiting to make any purchases.
 
MattC said:
With what's on the horizon, I would be waiting to make any purchases.
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If you are talking about the HVX200, I know what you mean. It looks like it's going to be a gorgeous camera. I am really looking forward to hearing all about it. My plan is to wait several months until any of it's kinks are worked out before making a plunge.

As for getting the XL2...thanks for the advice. I will deliberate some more on it. It's just a very tempting decision.

Rick
 
cant you just get the century optics 1.6 telephoto converter? Doesnt that make your 10x lens a 16x? I may be wrong on how much you get in telephoto extension, if someone could jump in and clarify.That may help out if you are concerned about reaching something the stock dvx lens cant.And a lot cheaper than an xl2
 
I recently shot a wedding with a DVX and a GL2, and with simple white balancing, color corrceting slightly, and tweaking the HLS in Vegas, the two were similar enough to pull it off.

Actually, to address this for interlaced and 30p, I have been giving some consideration to getting a couple of DVC 30's. For 1,700 a pop, and basically the same guts as the DVX, color matching would be even easier, and the difference in quality would be less. Especially since most of work is done at 60i (weddings, cheerleading competitions) anyhow.
 
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