im a broke college student but the $250 rebate is making the GL2 that much more appealing to me.

this would be my first prosumer cam.

is there any reason you wouldn't purchase the cam $1750 after rebate.
(lack of options.. outdated.. better cams for the buck.. etc etc)

any help appreciated!!

deaN

We could help you better if we know for what you want to use it.

It's a good cam, and yes, it's a bit older, still SD, not that much resolution, but it still puts out a great image and can be very filmic.
So for narrative work it's good plus. For wildlife photography too, with it's 20x zoom lens. But for events and weddings where you need good low light, it's better to go for a Sony camera.

My opinion of the GL2 is close to Mathieu's, except I'd say that it is a good low light cam, and I do believe it's the best bang for the buck cam out there in its category. But if you needed the best low light performance available in the prosumer category, I'd agree that it's the Sony VX2100, but the price is $600-700 higher.

One more comment. As good as the GL2 is, you will be limited in what you can do with it without a good tripod and good audio accessories. As with all cams, you will quickly find that the great video makes the poor on-board audio sound pathetic in many situations.

For most projects I'd easily take a $250 used Sony TRV22 with $1500 worth of tripod and audio equipment over a $1750 GL2 by itself. If you think you can scrape together some more money later, (a $120 Sony VCT-870RM tripod or a $150 Rode VideoMic would be good first goals), then springing for something like the GL2 makes sense. If you can't spend at least another $500 or so over the next year to expand your capabilities, then it doesn't make sense, IMHO.

I purchased 3 GL2's a couple of years ago and I've been really happy with them. I don't plan on upgrading anytime in the next 2 years or so, so I don't see why it wouldn't work well for you.

However, like Mathieu said, it would be nice to know what kind of work you were planning on doing. Depending on the projects you have in mind, you might require a different assortment of accessories (and quality) that could influence your decision.

I've just broken into using the 16:9 option. OK it isn't a 16:9 chip and I've read resolution isn't the same as the full 4:3 and 4:3 filming, but what I've seen so far and viewed on my TV appear more than satisfactory. Meaning, I'm still much in love with this camera and am still learning and experiencing more and more of my creativity with the XM2.

No doubt the video continental plates are shifting. Will HD come to our end of the Canon market? I can't wait. Neither will my clients. However in the meantime my clients WILL see the difference between 4:3 and 16:9. Even using 16:9 option until something BETTER comes along allows me to carry on with this camera.

So for me my XM2s will continue to allow me to pay the bills AND give me plenty of creative opportunities to capture, edit and proudly present my end products.

Don't get any better than that!

Grazie

Much Mahalos for the response.. ive been busy with school..

main functions of use would be surfing skating and other outdoor and action sports..

looking for versatility.. and just all around great camera that you cant beat for the price. thanks all i can thiink of for now.

please gimme all the insight from experience u guys got =)