XL2 with an XM2

Steven Salmon · June 6th, 2005, 08:28 AM

Hello

I am really looking for some strong advice on using both the XL2 as a primary camera and the XM2 as a secondary camera within my wedding videography business. I currently use 2 XM2's and in the main I am happy with the output although now i'm 2 years in with one of the XM2's and 3 years in with the another. I am now moving towards the big upgrade and I am looking to purchase a new XL2 to run as the primary camera. I would love to stretch towards purchasing two but it's a massive expense this year.

Can I ask if anyone currently uses an XL2 and a XM2 together during filming? I know the XL2 does true 16:9 so I am not too worried about adopting this ratio until I can fully run two XL2's. My assistant mainly uses her XM2 for alternative angles during the service and speeches. She also uses it for some general captures of guests and other little bits which get dropped into the production. I dont really fancy purchasing another XM2 because i want to move onwards and upwards.

Any helpful advice would really be appreciated.

Many thanks

Steven

Greg Boston · June 6th, 2005, 08:37 AM

Steven,

One of the strong aspects of the XL-2 is its picture adjustment capabilites. You should have no problem adjusting the XL-2 to closely match the XM-2 in picture quality. Any final tweaks could be made in post. Then, when you can get a second XL-2, you will be able to use the true 16:9, 24P and other unique features of the XL-2. PLUS, with a second XL-2, you can use a 4pin to 4pin firewire cable and hook the two cameras together for transferring the setup from one camera to the other. That will assure you that both camera's picture adjustments are indentical.

My advice is that it's a good step for you since you also would have the compatibility of battery packs and some other accesories between the old and new cameras.

Good luck,

=gb=

Steven Salmon · June 6th, 2005, 09:08 AM

Greg

Thankyou for your instant response, it was a great help. Am I right in thinking, as I am yet to get a demonstration, that the XL2 picture quality in the main is much better than the XM2?

Many thanks in advance

Steven

Pete Bauer · June 6th, 2005, 10:42 AM

To my eye the XL2 has a slightly better picture in 4:3, and a definitely better picture in 16:9. Matching the two cameras in 4:3 would be easy, but in 16:9 you'd be forced to deliberately soften the XL2 to get a match.

It isn't much, but a did a quick side-by-side comparison not too long after I got my XL2:

http://www.geosynchrony.com/scratchpad.htm (near the bottom of the web page).

Steven Salmon · June 7th, 2005, 04:53 AM

Pete

Thank you for the link to your website. It's a reasonable comparison on the still captures as you can quite clearly see the XL2 is by far more pinsharp. The actual video footage was also a good comparison. Again a more pinsharp image on the XL2 where as the GL2 showed a more blur image.

I was originally stuck between purchasing a PD170 from Sony but the more I look at the XL2 the more I feel I can take control of the camera on shoot to perfect the results.

So, although presently not too many have replied to my post, the general feeling for event videography is that the XL2 is quite a beast? And obviously when two XL2 are let loose, 16:9 is the way to go!

Thank you in advance.

Steven

June 6th, 2005, 08:28 AM	#1
Steven Salmon Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southampton, UK Posts: 47	XL2 with an XM2 - Advice please! Hello I am really looking for some strong advice on using both the XL2 as a primary camera and the XM2 as a secondary camera within my wedding videography business. I currently use 2 XM2's and in the main I am happy with the output although now i'm 2 years in with one of the XM2's and 3 years in with the another. I am now moving towards the big upgrade and I am looking to purchase a new XL2 to run as the primary camera. I would love to stretch towards purchasing two but it's a massive expense this year. Can I ask if anyone currently uses an XL2 and a XM2 together during filming? I know the XL2 does true 16:9 so I am not too worried about adopting this ratio until I can fully run two XL2's. My assistant mainly uses her XM2 for alternative angles during the service and speeches. She also uses it for some general captures of guests and other little bits which get dropped into the production. I dont really fancy purchasing another XM2 because i want to move onwards and upwards. Any helpful advice would really be appreciated. Many thanks Steven

June 6th, 2005, 10:42 AM	#4
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	To my eye the XL2 has a slightly better picture in 4:3, and a definitely better picture in 16:9. Matching the two cameras in 4:3 would be easy, but in 16:9 you'd be forced to deliberately soften the XL2 to get a match. It isn't much, but a did a quick side-by-side comparison not too long after I got my XL2: http://www.geosynchrony.com/scratchpad.htm (near the bottom of the web page). __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

June 6th, 2005, 08:37 AM	#2
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	Steven, One of the strong aspects of the XL-2 is its picture adjustment capabilites. You should have no problem adjusting the XL-2 to closely match the XM-2 in picture quality. Any final tweaks could be made in post. Then, when you can get a second XL-2, you will be able to use the true 16:9, 24P and other unique features of the XL-2. PLUS, with a second XL-2, you can use a 4pin to 4pin firewire cable and hook the two cameras together for transferring the setup from one camera to the other. That will assure you that both camera's picture adjustments are indentical. My advice is that it's a good step for you since you also would have the compatibility of battery packs and some other accesories between the old and new cameras. Good luck, =gb=

June 6th, 2005, 09:08 AM	#3
Steven Salmon Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southampton, UK Posts: 47	Greg Thankyou for your instant response, it was a great help. Am I right in thinking, as I am yet to get a demonstration, that the XL2 picture quality in the main is much better than the XM2? Many thanks in advance Steven

June 7th, 2005, 04:53 AM	#5
Steven Salmon Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Southampton, UK Posts: 47	Pete Thank you for the link to your website. It's a reasonable comparison on the still captures as you can quite clearly see the XL2 is by far more pinsharp. The actual video footage was also a good comparison. Again a more pinsharp image on the XL2 where as the GL2 showed a more blur image. I was originally stuck between purchasing a PD170 from Sony but the more I look at the XL2 the more I feel I can take control of the camera on shoot to perfect the results. So, although presently not too many have replied to my post, the general feeling for event videography is that the XL2 is quite a beast? And obviously when two XL2 are let loose, 16:9 is the way to go! Thank you in advance. Steven