How do you know what you are shooting?
 

This question probably wins the award for "dumbest of the year", but, without an LCD on the xl1/1s, how do you have any idea what results you are getting?
In other words, with all the manual settings that are available, how do you judge if image is too dark, too light, out of focus, etc?

Based on what you see in the color viewfinder (CVF), zebra bar indication, the exposure control indicator that can be displayed on the CVF, and a bit of experience. Judging precise focus may be the most difficult.

theres a viewfinder

The best advice I can give is to take it out and shoot with it in all the different modes. Slate your shots before each take with the camera settings and roll some tape on each one. Then play it back on a monitor or capture it with your editing system and check the results there. Either way your going to get the answers you're looking for. Shoot outdoors, light some objects indoors, then shoot in low light, all in the same setting on the camera, then switch the settings and repeat, just remeber to slate the tape with the settings for each particular setting. You'll find out what your camera is capable of in no time. Good Luck.

Mark Bournes
Shark Video Productions

... i might have misread the question sorry if i did.. if not... then: there's a viewfinder

Thanks for the replies. I don't have a pro camera now. I am just studying and getting some ideas.
I see that the xl's are highly thought of. The "missing" LCD just got me wondering!
thanks,
mike

mike.. i went from the gl1 to the xl1s and i dont miss the lcd at all... i might end up getting a monitor for it but the viewfinder does a great job