Upgrading Camera, Canon XL2 or DVX100B?

Hey 4 eyed monsters.
I am a proud owner of a XL2, and have used the DVX100B and PD170 several times

-Firstly, I would like to say you went the right way, its either DVX100b or XL2.

-And you also mention that if you could 'post' the XL2 footages to make it filmlook, it'll look better than the DVX - I say, its very true.

-I just want to add... if you are doing corporate events, weddings and public events coverage... go XL2 no doubt. Its a sniper rifle(cos of its zoom) AND it will and definately gets potential clients(I swear)

-If you are just going to do alittle bit of events and do more film, go DVX BUT... you already have a DVX... no point getting a B.

All in all, my shoulder-cannon has served me quite well.. I'm doing documentary stuff for Singapore's army... shooting events, staged shows, weddings... and afew shortfilms

Thats all I have to share, but imho...
I wouldnt get any.. I would go for Canon XH-A1. Almost the same price as the XL2... 20x zoom, HD, weights inbetween XL2 and DVX, bigger screen compared to XL2 and has a new super-fast auto focus function.
 
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it will and definately gets potential clients(I swear)
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Thats quite true. Mortals will think you look 'professional' with it and want you to shoot stuff for them.
 
I just looked it up and I have billed over $60K so far this year JUST on my XL2 rig so you can make plenty of money with this camera. I have an XL2, 20X OIS, 16X manual, 3X Wide, CPO Fisheye, EF Adapter with 5 EOS lenses, and a Letus35Xl v2 with 6 FD lenses. That gives me a mountain of flexibility that no other camera in the class offers. I am doing more an more HD yes... BUT... nearly all those gigs are higher dollar Varicam gigs...



ash =o)
 
ehhhhh

ehhhhh

After reading several of these posts, I wanted to share my opinion.
I was a loyal Canon customer for some years , when deciding to buy either a 100A or an XL2, about a year and a half ago, i decided on the 100A. Why? Because i know my style of shooting, i couldnt get what i know i'd want with a CONSTANT shoulder cam. That's important. I can't stand when some people comment on the sheer athetics and materialistic points of view just because of how "big" and "professoinal" a camera will look to clients/others. It's not what you have, it's what you do with it. It also seems this way with matteboxes, and people buying them to look more "professional." screw that. Panasonic has won me over from the day i brought my baby home, and hey, it got me on MTV2 as well!

-NS
 
There are not many shots you can get with a DVX that you cant get with an XL2. We arent talking a Varicam to handicam comparison here =o) I too think it is lame when people comment on aesthetics as if they mean something, if you show up to a gig and the client isnt impressed with your gear, you have mismanaged the clients expectations. If you budget for a Varicam and show up with a 1CCD camcorder.... that is another thing.



ash =o)
 
You are not the onlyone. As soon as I can I will jump the fence, to the XL2, I have the 100A and only the 20X optical zoom vs. 10 on the DVX, the interchangable lens system, the 16x9 native resolution (which the squeeze mode will not emulate with the same quality) the bottom line is that even the xl2 has more effective lines of res.
So if you can put your hands on the xl2 JUST DO IT!! You can't go wrong. I hope I could sell mine soon so I could join you.
 
Before the HVX we shot with an XL2.
thanks to Ash and DVinfo I think we could deliver good looking pictures.
I don´t think after postpro someone could say, this is from the DVX or this is from the XL2.
Both are the best in the DV world IMO. (Can both be "the best"...;o) )
Still I´m glad we moved from DV to DV50 and DV100. No looking back here(well HD rendertimes are longer of course).
So, if you still follow this thread: why do you want to trade a great DV camera for ANOTHER equally great DV camera?
Is the lens and the native 16x9 worth it?
Just curious about that...
 
You're considering upgrading from a dVX100 to, a DVX100 ?

Stick with what you have and get some other gear (Dolly, Lighting, Sound ....)

What would you use an XL2 for ? if doing

if you are doing corporate events, weddings and public events coverage
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I'd consider it, but anything else (narrative, music videos, commercials) I'd stick with the DVX100. Who am I kidding, I'd stick with the DVX100 for all of the above
 
guerrerocelestial said:
You are not the onlyone. As soon as I can I will jump the fence, to the XL2, I have the 100A and only the 20X optical zoom vs. 10 on the DVX, the interchangable lens system, the 16x9 native resolution (which the squeeze mode will not emulate with the same quality) the bottom line is that even the xl2 has more effective lines of res.
So if you can put your hands on the xl2 JUST DO IT!! You can't go wrong. I hope I could sell mine soon so I could join you.
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Are you serious? LOL... I just don't like people saying "The XL-2's better because it has a longer zoom and native 16:9" Who cares, if the image from the DVX can match it and have a more filmic tone... Which it does!:thumbup: :)
 
Well having a longer zoom is quite handy especially if you're doing a 3 camera concert shoot. Both are great cameras and can get the job done. As far as aesthetics most people I shoot for don't know the difference between a DVX or a XL2 and they don't really care. All they ask is if it's 3 chip or 3 CCD and they don't even know what that means. The biggest problem is the fact that he's trading in his camera for another camera of equal value which is just silly. I would never sell my DVX100a to buy another DVX. I wouldn't sell it for another SD camera unless it was something really high end like a SDX900 or something.
 
Brandon Rice said:
Are you serious? LOL... I just don't like people saying "The XL-2's better because it has a longer zoom and native 16:9" Who cares, if the image from the DVX can match it and have a more filmic tone... Which it does!:thumbup: :)
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Better is always subjective, you are always pretty defensive about the DVX versus the XL2. If you need a long lens and sharp 16:9 the XL2 is the better choice. "Filmic" is also subjective, I suspect you refer to the panny color matrix and gamma which is indeed the industry best.

Many people wish the DVX had real 16:9 but I have news for you, the MAIN reason the DVX got so popular in broadcast was NOT that it did 24P but the fact that it was 4:3, was EASY to use and quick to set-up for run and gun. Not very many reality shows have upgraded to the HVX, the DVX still reigns in that sector... because of the 4:3 CCDs...




ash =o)
 
To follow up what AshG said. One of the reasons I prefer the DVX is because I can get it out and setup so fast. That's very important when you shoot a lot of run and gun interviews
 
Agreed, and yes, I refer to the color matrix and gamma of the panasonic... and I agree, it's all subjective... but my strong subjective opinion is for the panasonic, and I am stickin' with that :)
 
I have both the 100b and XL2.

I hate the front heavy XL2
I love the XL2's 16x9
I love the out of the box look of 100b
I love the customization capability of XL2
4 x 3 is primitive
I never used the interchangeable lens feature on XL2. Lenses are too $$$$$
The stock XL2 "out of box" look is horrible
I look amateur with the stock 100b camcorder to potential clients
20 X zoom is very useful for DOF and getting subject from farther away
I love dvx manual lens control
I hate XL2 puny viewfinder
I cant use XL2 on merlin steadicam or any other smallist stabilizer
Dvx100b makes a more lighter compact rig for traveling, tight spaces and backcountry use

At the end, I sold both of the Cams and preorded the XH-A1 , the lightweight, compact, $3800 16X9, 24f, 20X Zoom HIGH DEF with on lens manual iris control.
 
Hey,

Well after all these replies and a bunch of my film buddies saying it, i have decided to keep my DVX and use my money on items for the camera! Do any of you reccomend anything?

Mike
 
Four Eyed Monsters said:
Hey,

Well after all these replies and a bunch of my film buddies saying it, i have decided to keep my DVX and use my money on items for the camera! Do any of you reccomend anything?

Mike
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List what items you already have that way we can see what you might be needing. Also why type of shooting do you do ? Event , Movies, Wedding ,Etc..
 
I have an LCD shade, a Manfrotto Tripod, A Chamois Eyepiece. I do Experimental/Art shorts and Football Videography
 
buy a good lighting kit.

arri's.... 1 x 1k; 2x 650w; 2x 300w. and get scrims diffusers and one britek 1200w soft box and practice lighting. all that should run you about three grand. best 3 grand you will ever spend.

if you have money leftover a M2 or the new SGPro. and lenses.
 
I also do Football videography.
I would get an extra 5600 battery if you don't already have two. I would also get a zoom controller and a rain cover.
 
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