Big shock to find that it takes seven seconds to get my new XL2 to power up.

Even a senile raptor would be long gone by that time.

What am I missing ? Is there a way of delaying the power-save cut-off or of speeding up the re-power?

I'm not certain I understand what the problem is. I'm not aware of any digital divice (computer, digital camera, cell phone, ipod, television, receiver/amp., etc.) that powers up instantly.

It is what it is. You learn to deal with it.

Hello Jay,

It's the duration that slows down my response rate.

Digital Rebel can shoot within 3 seconds of switch-on.
Canon XM2 (GL2) " " " 4 seconds of switch-on from standby-lock.
Canon HV20 can shoot within 3 seconds of switch-on.

Why does it take XL2 a full 7 seconds to take orders from switch-on or from standby? Maybe I'm not making the best of it.

I'm talking about bird-flight shooting (rather than more predictable situations).

For that type of videography, I recommend changing the Power Save mode to VCR Stop for a faster response time (page 33 of the operator's manual).

I'm not certain I understand what the problem is. I'm not aware of any digital divice (computer, digital camera, cell phone, ipod, television, receiver/amp., etc.) that powers up instantly.

It is what it is. You learn to deal with it.

My Canon EOS 400D is up in less than 2 seconds. So is my Canon S5 IS.

I can't wait for it all just to go with flash memory.

For that type of videography, I recommend changing the Power Save mode to VCR Stop for a faster response time (page 33 of the operator's manual).

For me, this is a super answer.

I've tested it repeatedly this afternoon and it means that I can line up & zoom in on my expected target area, get a manual focus on it usually, use manual mode to get the light right and when the bird appears I have "instant" response using wireless controller. Hopefully I could also flick to autofocus without shaking the cam and follow the flight for a few seconds. Maybe it's less physical to press a preset (to autofocus) button than to flick a stiff switch. I'll have to try that out. Autofocus is quite smart on XL2 anyway.

Thank you, very much, Chris. I was feeling sick about missing the first few seconds of every flying thing. Of course it will save battery if I use it sparingly but with your help I now have the option to do so. P.31 of the current manual.

Brendan, that VCR stop feature is great at keeping you semi-ready to roll while saving the wear on the tape. That feature wasn't available on the early XL-1.

If you want to save settings while preserving battery, press the standby button. When you wake the camera up, it will remember where everything was set.

I still miss my XL2 cameras at times.

-gb-

Thank you Greg.

A link to another version of this clip should be added here in a few days. I can't imagine why, unless I'm just showing off. That's it alright.

Better still if some XL2 experts would please suggest how to make some basic technical improvements in this sort of shooting/framing/editing/presentation (never mind the UWOL aspects) for any general audience ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEHsyYRjx_Q


All comments welcome, negative and positive.

Brendan that's a completely different topic now. You should post that as a new thread.

You're right of course, Chris.

New thread is called "Your technical point of view".