Hey guys. Im thinking of purchasing a used XL1s for ENG work and short films I plan to do later on. Though reading through this forum im a litle worried about taking the plundge. I keep hearing about how the image is REALLY soft, and almost unusable.Then I hear other that it is fine. I need some sample video or some pics or something. Im realling edging off my seat to get one of these puppies. I mean they look great to go and do feild work, and I hear lots of good about them. Sure I could easily go with the PD150(used)...but if im going to get news or whatnot, I would not be taken seriously with a camera that small. Ya know ? If someone coul please explain this whole thing about the image being too soft and stuff...it would be much appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Sincerly,
Cory Moorehead.

I don't think you should have to worry. The softness everyone is
referring to is usually in frame (emulated progressive) mode,
which I personally quite like for fictional work. For ENG work you
would probably want a "realistic" look, so you shoot in interlaced
which should have no problems for you in my opinion.

Ive heard stuff about it being a bit soft in the interlaced mode as well. That is my main thing holding me away from purchasing this camera. As well, the chips on the XL1 seem to be a lower resolution than the PD150/170. Is it really THAT big of a difference ? Is the Canon at least ant bit good for racking the focus on the fly ? Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

Go to http://www.ladyxfilms.com/ and check out some of their shorts. It is an interesting concept, but they main thing is that they list the type of camera they used in their production. You can compare betweem the xl1, xl2, dvx100a, etc.

Keep in mind though that those movies are all at webresolution
and progressive.

Cory: keep in mind that depth-of-field is a product of the imaging
size (the CCD chip size in this case) and your lens opening. I
never heard of ENG people worrying too much about that.

I have only frame mode (progressive) footage here, otherwise
I would've put some up for you in native DV. If I stumble across
some interlaced footage I'll let you know.

Any type of fotage would help Rob. Yeah, it depends on what we are shooting, to determine if I need to rack focus. For example we did a fundraiser on Friday and I was using the Hitachi Z2010 on my shoulder during entertainment. For example a shot I got was that I had the microphone in focus then I racked it so that the guitar platers hands on the strings were in focus. It was just beautiful.

Cory- I had the XL1s, and never noticed the image being soft... unless it was due to a filter, or being slightly out of focus. If you really want to experience an XL1, try renting one. From all I have heard from others, it seems Ontario might have a few pro rental houses.

Unfortunatly Keith..my area is a small town and doesnt have a place to rent such expensive stuff.

I feel your pain :(

Yeah. Plus even if I found a place to rent one, i need to save that money. Ive saved for about a year now..and im going to make a purchase..i just dont wanna choose the wrong thing..

I'm in a similar area, sort of, I guess. The closest place to rent one, is about 60 miles or so, and they run about $100 a day. Sounds like a nice day excursion, if you have something to use as a test subject... we have Disney ;)

I've been using the XL-1s for ENG for two years. I've never had an editor tell me my footage was "soft;" but I have a preset for ENG that sharpens the image to match Sony stuff. Also, and this is very important as far as I'm concerned, I use the manual servo lens and the FU/1000 EVF. I don't know how anyone can focus the manual servo lens without the B&W EVF.