So I've been doing tons of short films since I was young, and recently decided to purchase a quality camera. I had access to the "old" XL1, and played around with it for a few months, and ultimately decided that the only reason I'd ever purchase such a camera would be to expand on it ... i.e. lenses, etc. And um, the budget is pretty much non-existant for such luxuries. So instead, I purchased the GL2/XM2, and I absolutely love it.

Now I'd like to get a little more serious and adept at using the camera, and i was wondering if people could guide me to some relevant posts or websites for newbies. I was playing around with some DoF stuff, but ultimately decided that before I try to understand a debate no one seems to agree on, I'd better get the basics down first. I'm not looking in general for achieving a "film look" - I imagine that can only come through full understanding of the camera, which I want to achieve. And the XL1S posts all seem to be relevent for the GL2 (short of using a non-standard 16x lens), so please - direct me! even the most basic, such as extensive definitions of camera terms in relation to the XL/GL cameras - helps.

BTW - I hope this topic hasnt been posted before, but I'm betting it has. probably thousands of times. I realize that a ton of posts on these boards seem to be people redirecting new users to previous posts, which clutters up the board a great deal. I am sure i am guilty of this, but I couldnt seem to find a good place to begin - and this is the best mb i could find.

thanks in advance. feel free to say i suck for reposting the oft-posted.

nick
www.3rdrate.com

Do some reading here:

www.geocities.com/hollywood/location/5272/

For tips on the "film look" for DV cams.

Hello Nick,
Well I -think- what you're asking is how to learn more about your new GL2 and about videography in general. Our main DVInfo site (http://www.dvinfo.net/) is an excellent place to start. It features a section specifically devoted to the GL1/GL2/XMx.

Re: DoF, Jeff Donald posted an excellent technical treatise on the subject just this week at: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3926

The best thing for me personally has been reading the articles
on this site (don't forget to visit Articles directly under dvinfo.net),
read articles on these forums and most importantly JUST GO OUT
AND SHOOT. My time is very limited due to all sort of stuff (I have
bills to pay to name one thing) but whenever I can I just try to
take out my camera and play with it. I find this the best way to
learn all these different things and such. Your DoF example was
much clearer to me after I tried like 5 different scenes and just
fiddle with it than it ever was on paper or on my screen reading
it! There is no substitute for hands on experience and just doing
it.

Just my two cents.... and ofcourse we will never ever put
someone down for just asking a question. At the most we will
redirect a person to relevant posts or sites etc. If you ask
polite there will not be a problem here! Welcome aboard.

The information at: www.geocities.com/hollywood/location/5272/ makes for very good reading about shooting in general. A lot of its stuff, though, is about getting that film look with DV. Boy, I hate that term "the film look," but this term, at least, is easy to understand. (There are also a number of other good links found there well worth checking out.)

When I first started shooting, I tried to get familar with the cam, and if I could, I'd study it's manual. But just spending time shooting is probably the best way. Posting questions, reading and above all, experimenting, will help you develop more skills.

I agree. This is a good place to get advice and your questions answered. Before I ever posted here, I read numerous posts, and found good information. If any of my cam friends are looking for advice (sure I give them some if I can), I send them here first!