Thinking of buy XL1s. Does this sound like a good deal?
 

I have found an XL1s that seems to be going for a good price. I have an XHA1 and ;love it. But I do mostly SD now and am intrigued by the interchangeable lens. Mostly this is on a lark and am curious how it handles. I also thought the lenses and acessories might come in handy down the line.

This is the package:
Canon XL1s 3ccd digital camcorder with video viewfinder and shotgun mike
(1) normal zoom lens 16x 5.5- 88mm w/ shade and leather pouch.
(1) wide zoom lens 3x 3.4 - 10.2mm w/ shade and leather pouch
Canon MA200 microphone adaptor /shoulder pad w/ (4) XLR connectors
Canon SP 100 shoulder support
Batteries (2) BP-945
(1) BP 930
Battery charger with AC adapter
Canon wireless controller WL D3000
Sennheiser HD 485 headphones
Sennheiser EW100 wireless microphone transmitter / receiver w/ lavalier mic
(1st genration but in good working order)
download cable / asst. cables
(3) JVC 60 min mini DV tapes
(1) JVC cleaner tape
(4) Panasonic 63 min. mini DV tapes
Kata Backpack

Price is $850 for all

Thanks for any advice

Clay

Clay,

1) with the XL1s you basically go back to 4:3
(16:9 is possible, in theory, but you lose a lot of quality)
2) you're used to the A1, who has a fairly good WA
w/out the need to switch lenses or add an adapter;
with the XL1s, you'll soon find out how often
you'll have to change lens just because
of the very limited WA capability of its standard 16x
(and changing lens is no fun)
3) the MA200 mic adapter is not an accessory but a must:
no gain here (after all, your A1 came with 2 XLR...)
4) check the Sennheiser's band: if it's C band
(anywhere between 698 and 806 MHz), it's now "illegal"

All in all, I'd suggest you keep your A1, shoot HDV
(one day, in the not-so-distant future,
you'll love to have HDV "archive" footage)
and downconvert either at capture (if your NLE is sort of semi-obsolete")
or after editing. And invest those $850 in something else...

BTW: I owned an XL1s & loved it,
then switched to the A1
& love it even more.

Best

Vasco

You wouldn't be asking the question if your XHA1 was providing all you want. The XL1s package is a good deal and you'll love the lens options available. And the image quality is superb in 4:3. If you must have 16:9, then look for an XL2 package which is an even better camera in my opinion.

When was the XL1s factory discontinued? That drives the amount of time left for assured factory maintenance/repair support. Only you can assess the importance of that factor. If it is a heavily used machine, factory support may be important at some time.

If you are considering the XL1s for the fun of owning one, and you feel confident it is a good price, go for it.

However, if this is for a business, be sure it meets your business plan needs and that you can recover the cost based on your expected improved billings compared to the the alternatives. As noted the XL2 can provide a better image.

Interchangeable lenses are nice - if your shooting demands for that capability.

This is for fun, not business. I love the A1 and am not looking to replace it. I am comfortable with the l1s specs. The camera only has 10 hours on it. I just wanted to see if the price sounded right. I did not want to pay too much.

Clay

This is a STEAL if you have ANY use for it whatsoever.

Then enjoy.

Note that the wireless mic frequency issue can be location specific. Depends on what else is on the air where you are.