Should I sell my GL2 at DVinfo.net

Jason Simpkins · February 9th, 2008, 06:24 PM

I bought it about 3 years ago and paid about $2,800 for it. I used it to do a lot of video work but now I am thinking of selling it and here is why. Please tell me if I am wrong but here is what I seem to have noticed.

Everything to me is going to be HD soon making this camera not useful for any promo videos that I do etc. Also it seem the camcorders have really come down in price and have more features. I just bought a small panasonic camcorder GS320 I think it was and it is 3 ccd etc and it was just 500 bucks vs the almost 3 grand that I paid for the GL2.

To me the GL2 is like a big screen projection TV and now everything has gone to plasma and LCD and if you didn't get rid of your projection TV early enough it's hard to even give it away.

So, should I sell my GL2 and use that money towards an HD camera in the future?

Philippe Messier · February 9th, 2008, 08:37 PM

in few words : Yes, i did it and i am glad i did.

That said, a GS320 is nowhere as good as a GL2 IMO.

I sold my GL2 and replace it by a HC1 a few months after and i never looked back.

Good luck

Philippe

Don Palomaki · February 9th, 2008, 08:45 PM

If you need a HD camcorder now, go for it. If you do not need it now, historically speaking, the prices will drop and/or you will find more features or quality in the future for the same money if you wait. But then used camcorder prices fall too.

As to selling the GL2 - go for it if it makes sense to do so, either you have a good business reason to do so (i.e., your clients want HD and will pay for it), or you just want to because it is burning a hole in your camcorder case and you just gotta have a newer camcorder.

By the way, if your clients are home users (e.g., wedding business) how many have HD playback capability? Do you have HD editing and authoring capability? Blu-Ray is still rather pricey for most homes.

Either way we cannot tell you what you should do.

Jason Simpkins · February 9th, 2008, 08:54 PM

Yeah the GS320 I would say has the same quality but it is only 10x zoom does not have near the features but really I don't need all those features. I am not doing any mic stuff etc. I like the GS320 because it is 3ccd and very easy to move around. I bought a wide angle lense for it.

It was so great to use at the Sema show rather then having to haul around my GL2. Also I like being able to record and shoot a photo at the same time.

I am thinking of selling the GL2 for about 1,000? Anyone know what it might go for or what they are going for used. Mine has been serviced 2 times and in good shape. One of those services was for that eject tape thing.

Don Palomaki · February 10th, 2008, 07:14 AM

Check E-Bay and other auction/used gear forums for the going prices used in a private sale prices. Some retailers, e.g.; B&H, might take it in on a trade.

Consider the HV20 or just announced HV30 if looking for something small and HDV at a modest price point. Visit the HC10/HV30/HC30 forum to see what users think.

Jason Simpkins · February 10th, 2008, 09:23 AM

Thanks for the info.

David Ruhland · February 16th, 2008, 09:04 PM

Jason,

I hope im not to new to jump here, but i just recently purchased a new GL2, I am very new to filmmaking so i have lots of questions. I paid around 1700 bucks for it.

I did a lot of research before i purchased the GL2, I too was thinking about the HD thing vs Standard defination.

The deciding factor for me was the fact that I was only making videos for viewing primarely on PCs, then I was told that even if i capture in HD the only way someone can view in HD is via Blu Ray or if the camera was hooked directly to the HDTV.

That being said, I travel from the Midwest USA to China and the GL2 is a little bulky to be transporting in my carry on so i have my sights set on the HV20 right now, plus i like the look of more then one camera angle when im shooting a video.

So I try to buy for what i need today, not what I MIGHT need down the road.. I am one that is seduced by technology so the latest and greatest is always cool too! (thats why i need to research the HV30 now)

Hope this helps...

Jack Cook · February 23rd, 2008, 10:26 PM

I also purchased my GL2 for PC viewing (short films) where HD isn't an issue. I'd say if you do broadcast style work you may want (need) an HD camera. You may also want to get a really good HD camera rather than a cheap one, it may be wise to wait until prices get down to what a GL2 would have been a few years back.

Dotun Adesida · March 26th, 2008, 11:03 AM

Been at my wits end on this issue. My reasons are two-fold:
1. The very clear and present domination by HD
2. My error in purchasing an NTSC GL2 instead of PAL

Though I have learnt to bring out the best in my GL2. The overheads especially in render time is massive trying to get conversion to PAL. Maybe I would have been a strong advocate for the GL2 if I had a PAL version.
But I've run through a whole lot of research (not hands-on) on the XH A1 and I think it's the replacement in the contemporary for the GL2.
But how to go about selling the GL2 and purchasing the XH A1 isnt that straight-forward for me. There is no Canon presence in my country (Nigeria) known to me. I actually took advantage of a friend's visit to Canada to purchase the GL2 early last year (that explains the NTSC format) and the nearest source for a new cam will be the UK (I know PAL cams are available there).
Sony is the in-thing in my country but I'm a Canon person. So I want to stick to Canon no matter what.
Is there any ray of hope out there for me? Or I'm gonna be saddled with my predicament as it is for some longer time?

Philip Gioja · March 26th, 2008, 12:33 PM

If you have an XH-A1, even if you got an NTSC version, you can upgrade/crossgrade to PAL, and use both. I did it on my camera. It's expensive, but if you want the flexibility or get a really good deal on an NTSC camera, the option is there. I don't know if Canon offers the same service on the GL2.

Don Palomaki · March 26th, 2008, 12:57 PM

Sponsor B&H Photo Video might be an option for a trade-in. They handle both PAL and NTSC systems.

Jurgen Geevels · March 26th, 2008, 05:45 PM

I bought my XM2 also pretty recently and I am glad I did not buy a smaller HD camera, wouldn't have used it anyway.. (at least now)

Shahryar Rizvi · April 18th, 2008, 04:52 PM

Now that there are many web sites out there that allow you to show HD footage in addition to SD, that might be more reason to get an HD cam right? I see some of the reasons here not to switch is because of primarily PC viewing.

Joe Hanna · April 19th, 2008, 07:23 AM

Don't forget the PC, plus software upgrades for HD it's pricey.
If you have the budget go for it if not the gl-2 is a great camera way better than any camera for 500.00

Tom Hardwick · April 19th, 2008, 07:54 AM

Yes, sell the Canon, and ASAP. Every day that goes by means more, better, cheaper, wide-screen, sharper HDV camcorders come on the market. Just look at Canon's MV20 - outshines the GL2 in almost every department and in most of them trounces the older cam.

So sell it before the general public notice this. And know that this time next year the camera will be almost impossible to sell (except to a Bulgarian).

tom.

February 9th, 2008, 06:24 PM	#1
Jason Simpkins Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 64	Should I sell my GL2 I bought it about 3 years ago and paid about $2,800 for it. I used it to do a lot of video work but now I am thinking of selling it and here is why. Please tell me if I am wrong but here is what I seem to have noticed. Everything to me is going to be HD soon making this camera not useful for any promo videos that I do etc. Also it seem the camcorders have really come down in price and have more features. I just bought a small panasonic camcorder GS320 I think it was and it is 3 ccd etc and it was just 500 bucks vs the almost 3 grand that I paid for the GL2. To me the GL2 is like a big screen projection TV and now everything has gone to plasma and LCD and if you didn't get rid of your projection TV early enough it's hard to even give it away. So, should I sell my GL2 and use that money towards an HD camera in the future?

February 9th, 2008, 08:45 PM	#3
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	If you need a HD camcorder now, go for it. If you do not need it now, historically speaking, the prices will drop and/or you will find more features or quality in the future for the same money if you wait. But then used camcorder prices fall too. As to selling the GL2 - go for it if it makes sense to do so, either you have a good business reason to do so (i.e., your clients want HD and will pay for it), or you just want to because it is burning a hole in your camcorder case and you just gotta have a newer camcorder. By the way, if your clients are home users (e.g., wedding business) how many have HD playback capability? Do you have HD editing and authoring capability? Blu-Ray is still rather pricey for most homes. Either way we cannot tell you what you should do. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

February 10th, 2008, 07:14 AM	#5
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Check E-Bay and other auction/used gear forums for the going prices used in a private sale prices. Some retailers, e.g.; B&H, might take it in on a trade. Consider the HV20 or just announced HV30 if looking for something small and HDV at a modest price point. Visit the HC10/HV30/HC30 forum to see what users think. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

March 26th, 2008, 12:57 PM	#11
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,487	Sponsor B&H Photo Video might be an option for a trade-in. They handle both PAL and NTSC systems. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

March 26th, 2008, 05:45 PM	#12
Jurgen Geevels Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Belgium Posts: 57	I bought my XM2 also pretty recently and I am glad I did not buy a smaller HD camera, wouldn't have used it anyway.. (at least now) __________________ XM2, Manfrotto 055XDB 128Lp _Student Film_

February 9th, 2008, 08:37 PM	#2
Philippe Messier Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 89	in few words : Yes, i did it and i am glad i did. That said, a GS320 is nowhere as good as a GL2 IMO. I sold my GL2 and replace it by a HC1 a few months after and i never looked back. Good luck Philippe

February 9th, 2008, 08:54 PM	#4
Jason Simpkins Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 64	Yeah the GS320 I would say has the same quality but it is only 10x zoom does not have near the features but really I don't need all those features. I am not doing any mic stuff etc. I like the GS320 because it is 3ccd and very easy to move around. I bought a wide angle lense for it. It was so great to use at the Sema show rather then having to haul around my GL2. Also I like being able to record and shoot a photo at the same time. I am thinking of selling the GL2 for about 1,000? Anyone know what it might go for or what they are going for used. Mine has been serviced 2 times and in good shape. One of those services was for that eject tape thing.

February 10th, 2008, 09:23 AM	#6
Jason Simpkins Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 64	Thanks for the info.

February 16th, 2008, 09:04 PM	#7
David Ruhland Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Madison WI Posts: 340	Jason, I hope im not to new to jump here, but i just recently purchased a new GL2, I am very new to filmmaking so i have lots of questions. I paid around 1700 bucks for it. I did a lot of research before i purchased the GL2, I too was thinking about the HD thing vs Standard defination. The deciding factor for me was the fact that I was only making videos for viewing primarely on PCs, then I was told that even if i capture in HD the only way someone can view in HD is via Blu Ray or if the camera was hooked directly to the HDTV. That being said, I travel from the Midwest USA to China and the GL2 is a little bulky to be transporting in my carry on so i have my sights set on the HV20 right now, plus i like the look of more then one camera angle when im shooting a video. So I try to buy for what i need today, not what I MIGHT need down the road.. I am one that is seduced by technology so the latest and greatest is always cool too! (thats why i need to research the HV30 now) Hope this helps...

February 23rd, 2008, 10:26 PM	#8
Jack Cook New Boot Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 10	I also purchased my GL2 for PC viewing (short films) where HD isn't an issue. I'd say if you do broadcast style work you may want (need) an HD camera. You may also want to get a really good HD camera rather than a cheap one, it may be wise to wait until prices get down to what a GL2 would have been a few years back.

March 26th, 2008, 11:03 AM	#9
Dotun Adesida New Boot Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lagos (Nigeria) Posts: 6	Been at my wits end on this issue. My reasons are two-fold: 1. The very clear and present domination by HD 2. My error in purchasing an NTSC GL2 instead of PAL Though I have learnt to bring out the best in my GL2. The overheads especially in render time is massive trying to get conversion to PAL. Maybe I would have been a strong advocate for the GL2 if I had a PAL version. But I've run through a whole lot of research (not hands-on) on the XH A1 and I think it's the replacement in the contemporary for the GL2. But how to go about selling the GL2 and purchasing the XH A1 isnt that straight-forward for me. There is no Canon presence in my country (Nigeria) known to me. I actually took advantage of a friend's visit to Canada to purchase the GL2 early last year (that explains the NTSC format) and the nearest source for a new cam will be the UK (I know PAL cams are available there). Sony is the in-thing in my country but I'm a Canon person. So I want to stick to Canon no matter what. Is there any ray of hope out there for me? Or I'm gonna be saddled with my predicament as it is for some longer time?

March 26th, 2008, 12:33 PM	#10
Philip Gioja Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Piper City, IL Posts: 350	If you have an XH-A1, even if you got an NTSC version, you can upgrade/crossgrade to PAL, and use both. I did it on my camera. It's expensive, but if you want the flexibility or get a really good deal on an NTSC camera, the option is there. I don't know if Canon offers the same service on the GL2.

April 18th, 2008, 04:52 PM	#13
Shahryar Rizvi Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 134	Now that there are many web sites out there that allow you to show HD footage in addition to SD, that might be more reason to get an HD cam right? I see some of the reasons here not to switch is because of primarily PC viewing. __________________ Current Audio Equipment: two AT822 mics, Sony MZ-RH1, and KE-110CCR. What else should I get for short films and recording stand-up comedy? http://is.gd/kePy

April 19th, 2008, 07:23 AM	#14
Joe Hanna Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Martinsville, West Virginia Posts: 66	Don't forget the PC, plus software upgrades for HD it's pricey. If you have the budget go for it if not the gl-2 is a great camera way better than any camera for 500.00

April 19th, 2008, 07:54 AM	#15
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Yes, sell the Canon, and ASAP. Every day that goes by means more, better, cheaper, wide-screen, sharper HDV camcorders come on the market. Just look at Canon's MV20 - outshines the GL2 in almost every department and in most of them trounces the older cam. So sell it before the general public notice this. And know that this time next year the camera will be almost impossible to sell (except to a Bulgarian). tom.