GL2 - Do I risk and buy one? Problems still? at DVinfo.net

Jack Wheeler · January 22nd, 2005, 05:27 PM

I was all ready to order a GL2 next week, until I found this forum along with a few others. I was confident that it filled my needs, although had the VX2100 been offered with the $250 rebate, that most likely would have been my choice.

Now, it seems like the Canon $250 is a "future maintainance gift certificate" - at least after reading about the Eject and Tape issues.

I am really tossing and turning on this one. What is the latest advice? I have loaded my "shopping cart" with the Sony gear and it is c.$425 more....but I don't feel worried about the product. (But I would miss the GL2's 20x zoom and more compact size....)

Help, please.

JW

Ken Tanaka · January 22nd, 2005, 08:00 PM

You may notice that people come to places like this to ask for help, not to report their lack of trouble. The GL2 is a good camera and a good value.

You've not stated anything about what you need to buy a camera to shoot or what you intend to use it for. The nature of your need should be a primary factor in your decision.

Aaron Ferguson · January 22nd, 2005, 09:44 PM

Every piece of electronic equipment has the potential to have something go wrong with it! I'm a happy owner of a GL2, even though I have only had it for a few months I have had no problems and have no complaints. It is a great camera.

Graham Bernard · January 23rd, 2005, 05:34 AM

It was the 20x zoom that got me - fab framing options from a distance on a tripod. PLUS the extras are a tad cheaper than the SOny Equivs.

In the past 2 years I've paid for my equipment;, bought other stuff; bought and paid for a second XM2 - yes 2ND XM2! - and have a had my Sony-Centric Boss get very excited about the output from this cammie.

Apart from the zoom going flaky and other issues that ARE there, no point in denying this, this camera has made me money, allowed me to really get going in this craft - and without the pricing of the kit I think I still may NOT have got started. Oh, the audio is fab too! Many audio controls and ways to monitor - in eyepiece AND on the LCD.

Oh did I say I got a 2nd XM2? Well, that should tell you something!

Grazie

David Ennis · January 23rd, 2005, 01:30 PM

I'm a GL2 owner and fan. A post I wrote recommending the GL2 became a sticky at the top of the GL2 forum at camcorderinfo.com and is approaching 3500 views.

I wouldn't rescind the recommendation at this point (not that I matter that much), but I'm increasingly uncomfortable with Canon's handling of this issue. I just wrote a rant about it at the other site which I won't reproduce here.

Bottom line: All sophisticated equipment has unexpected failure modes. But if they occur with any frequency within the warranty period, the company has a strong implied responsibility for occurrences outside the warranty period, and must treat its customers right.

I call upon Canon to review its policy.

Aaron Koolen · January 23rd, 2005, 06:05 PM

I've had mine for over 2 years. Never a problem of any real sort at all. Still going well.

Aaron

Graham Bernard · January 24th, 2005, 03:31 AM

Yo! Kools! Howzit? .. . Well? . . .G-Man

Darko Flajpan · January 24th, 2005, 06:40 AM

I know some folks had problems with their GL2's (XM2's here), but overall lots of them still hapily use that camera. I have XM2 one year now, and made lots of recordings, and only issued few dropouts since, but I'm blaming poor quality tapes, not the camera.

Steve Anderson · January 24th, 2005, 10:36 AM

I read the same repair reports problems about the GL2 so to be fair I checked what users had to say about other brands and model cameras - they all had some kind of brag or nag it's all part of doing business I guess.
I just purchased my GL2 a few weeks ago for seveal reasons. The most important the lens allows me to get in close for candid shoots from a distance adding to the emotional impact of the event. So as you can imagine this comes in handy for weddings, anniversaries etc. most folks are not even aware of my presents and act naturally. The OIS works well enough for me to hand hold the camera in most cases. The custom preset feature and manual controls are excellent.
All the best,
Steve

David Swalm · January 29th, 2005, 03:45 AM

GL1 and GL2 still going strong after 4 years with the GL1 and 2 with the 2. The GL1 is a workhorse. Only complaint is a small hairline crack in the plastic casing around the viewfinder, not sure how it got there other than perhaps age since I baby the thing always. But it's not the first or only camera I've ever had that develops these sorts of cracks in the plastic housings. Not really an issue however, does'nt affect performance.
I have always been a bit concerned about the supposed and many times reported bad pixel problem in the GL1's CCD, but so far, none found. If it does crop up I'll gladly send the cam back in and gladly pay for it to be fixed after all this time.

January 22nd, 2005, 05:27 PM	#1
Jack Wheeler New Boot Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 16	GL2 - Do I risk and buy one? Problems still? I was all ready to order a GL2 next week, until I found this forum along with a few others. I was confident that it filled my needs, although had the VX2100 been offered with the $250 rebate, that most likely would have been my choice. Now, it seems like the Canon $250 is a "future maintainance gift certificate" - at least after reading about the Eject and Tape issues. I am really tossing and turning on this one. What is the latest advice? I have loaded my "shopping cart" with the Sony gear and it is c.$425 more....but I don't feel worried about the product. (But I would miss the GL2's 20x zoom and more compact size....) Help, please. JW

January 22nd, 2005, 08:00 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	You may notice that people come to places like this to ask for help, not to report their lack of trouble. The GL2 is a good camera and a good value. You've not stated anything about what you need to buy a camera to shoot or what you intend to use it for. The nature of your need should be a primary factor in your decision. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 23rd, 2005, 01:30 PM	#5
David Ennis Fred Retread Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hartford, CT Posts: 1,227	Canon is not handling this well... I'm a GL2 owner and fan. A post I wrote recommending the GL2 became a sticky at the top of the GL2 forum at camcorderinfo.com and is approaching 3500 views. I wouldn't rescind the recommendation at this point (not that I matter that much), but I'm increasingly uncomfortable with Canon's handling of this issue. I just wrote a rant about it at the other site which I won't reproduce here. Bottom line: All sophisticated equipment has unexpected failure modes. But if they occur with any frequency within the warranty period, the company has a strong implied responsibility for occurrences outside the warranty period, and must treat its customers right. I call upon Canon to review its policy. __________________ "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence..." - Calvin Coolidge "My brain is wired to want to know how other things are wired." - Me

January 23rd, 2005, 06:05 PM	#6
Aaron Koolen Trustee Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,727	I've had mine for over 2 years. Never a problem of any real sort at all. Still going well. Aaron __________________ My Website Meat Free Media

January 24th, 2005, 06:40 AM	#8
Darko Flajpan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Bjelovar, Croatia Posts: 153	I know some folks had problems with their GL2's (XM2's here), but overall lots of them still hapily use that camera. I have XM2 one year now, and made lots of recordings, and only issued few dropouts since, but I'm blaming poor quality tapes, not the camera. __________________ XM2 Sony DXC637P BetaSP

January 22nd, 2005, 09:44 PM	#3
Aaron Ferguson Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lima, OH Posts: 55	Every piece of electronic equipment has the potential to have something go wrong with it! I'm a happy owner of a GL2, even though I have only had it for a few months I have had no problems and have no complaints. It is a great camera.

January 23rd, 2005, 05:34 AM	#4
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	It was the 20x zoom that got me - fab framing options from a distance on a tripod. PLUS the extras are a tad cheaper than the SOny Equivs. In the past 2 years I've paid for my equipment;, bought other stuff; bought and paid for a second XM2 - yes 2ND XM2! - and have a had my Sony-Centric Boss get very excited about the output from this cammie. Apart from the zoom going flaky and other issues that ARE there, no point in denying this, this camera has made me money, allowed me to really get going in this craft - and without the pricing of the kit I think I still may NOT have got started. Oh, the audio is fab too! Many audio controls and ways to monitor - in eyepiece AND on the LCD. Oh did I say I got a 2nd XM2? Well, that should tell you something! Grazie

January 24th, 2005, 03:31 AM	#7
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Yo! Kools! Howzit? .. . Well? . . .G-Man

January 24th, 2005, 10:36 AM	#9
Steve Anderson Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Redmond, USA Posts: 29	I read the same repair reports problems about the GL2 so to be fair I checked what users had to say about other brands and model cameras - they all had some kind of brag or nag it's all part of doing business I guess. I just purchased my GL2 a few weeks ago for seveal reasons. The most important the lens allows me to get in close for candid shoots from a distance adding to the emotional impact of the event. So as you can imagine this comes in handy for weddings, anniversaries etc. most folks are not even aware of my presents and act naturally. The OIS works well enough for me to hand hold the camera in most cases. The custom preset feature and manual controls are excellent. All the best, Steve __________________ 2.5gig iMac 12GB RAM - Canon GL2, HV30 & XA20 - fcp 10.1 Steve

January 29th, 2005, 03:45 AM	#10
David Swalm Tourist Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 2	GL1 and GL2 still going strong after 4 years with the GL1 and 2 with the 2. The GL1 is a workhorse. Only complaint is a small hairline crack in the plastic casing around the viewfinder, not sure how it got there other than perhaps age since I baby the thing always. But it's not the first or only camera I've ever had that develops these sorts of cracks in the plastic housings. Not really an issue however, does'nt affect performance. I have always been a bit concerned about the supposed and many times reported bad pixel problem in the GL1's CCD, but so far, none found. If it does crop up I'll gladly send the cam back in and gladly pay for it to be fixed after all this time. __________________ DS