I am planning on buying an XL1S within the month. I have seen many "package" deals on the web that include cases, tripods, etc. What comes in the "standard box" for an XL1S?? I am particularly interested in the battery and charger. Will these be accessories once I get the camera? Do I have to be specific when I order about what I want with it? Please help.

Hi Kelly,

The standard "classic configuration' for the XL1S includes the XL1S body with lens opening cap, 16X IS II (new version) lens with soft vinyl case, dust cap and lens hood and front lens cap, color EVF (viewfinder), stereo mic with foam windscreen, SP100 stock shoulder mount, CA910 AC to DC Compact Power Adaptor/ battery charger, DC900 DC Coupler "battery eliminator", BP930 "2 hour battery", WL-D3000 Wireless Remote Control with two "AA" batteries, a short length S-150 S-video cable, a short length STV-100 Stereo Audio/ composite video cable, SS-1000 "Canon" shoulder strap,and a neat little Lithium button battery that goes inside the XL1S. Don't forget the manual and registration/ service & warranty cards.

- don

Hi Kelly,

Please consider making your purchase from one of our Community Sponsors, listed at www.dvinfo.net/sponsors. They are authorized Canon dealers and you will be assured of getting everything in the basic kit which Don kindly listed above, no questions asked.

Beware especially of unscrupulous "lowball" scams which lure you in with an unbelievably low price, only to charge you an enormous extra amount for the package components which should have been included in the first place. See the "where to buy" thread at http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22 for more info about this. Hope this helps,

Sounds like Chris is talking about Broadway Photo with their "bait'n'switch" tactics.

<<<-- Originally posted by Don Berube : Hi Kelly,

...16X IS II (new version) lens...-->>>


Do you mean a newer version of the original 16X IS II? Or is it the original 16X IS II and "new" means not the 16X IS I?

I was referring to the IS II lens over the older lens.

Personally, I prefer to use the manual lens, I use manual everything.

I just traded a few e-mails with a guy that gave me some great advice. He said that coosing a manual lense over the new 16x II is really where it's at. I can understand his reasoning. Although I would loose the stabilizer option, the focus ring and iris control would be much like the professional cameras I have been using in the ENG world. Anybody got any opinions on the subject?

Hi Kelly,

I would recommend going manual as well. I prefer using the manual lens and like you, that is the type of lens I am used to using.

The key then is to buy what you need from the get go, and I am not sure if any reseller will sell you just the body, manual/ servo lens, color or B&W EVF, shoulder mount of your choice, etc. What I mean is some resellers will sell just the "classic configuration" and perhaps order you the manual/ servo lens on top of that.

I do know that ZGC will sell you what you need from the get go, Mizell at ZGC is very responsive and helpful in this regard. www.zgc.com

Thanks Don,
You are the second person that has told me about ZGC. That's exactly what I will be doing. Body only, manual 16x, extra battery (BP-945), UV filter, raincover-and I think I'll be ready to go. Hopefully I can do it for around $3500 or am I misleading myself? Thanks again.

ZGC actually advertises packages with manual lens and body-only kits, you have to call them for a price. They also carried PAL versions and most likely will again when a PAL version of the XL1S comes out.

B&H (my usual camera store) sells the body alone for $2749 and a 14:1 manual lens for $949 or a 16:1 FOR $1349. You still need a viewfinder, and can choose a B/W tube or color LCD.

If your local camera shops are anything like what's around me, you will walk in knowing more than they do, and you'll leave in frustration and call one of the above.

Hey, I would have liked to get the manual lens on mine too, but I bought the XL used on eBay and took what I could find. But I do like the stabilizer for run-n-gun work, so it's not all bad.

I love the quality of the older Canon 14X Full Manual lens and the fact that it had a real aperture ring on the lens, completely analog style. However, it does not have the built-in two stages of Neutral Density that the newer 16X Manual/ Servo lens does. You will most likely prefer the newer 16X M/S lens because of the ND and the fact that you also get switchable on/ off servo control. This and the fact that this lens is free of any focus issues found on the IS II lens overrides the lack of IS which is found on the IS II lens.

- don

<<<-- Originally posted by the graphics guy :
If your local camera shops are anything like what's around me, you will walk in knowing more than they do, and you'll leave in frustration and call one of the above.
-->>>

Ain't that the truth. Just drones, all empoyees are drones. :)

:Ain't that the truth. Just drones, all empoyees are drones. :)

drones???

Do you think that is what George Lucas calls his employees?

hehehe

I looked on the ZGC website and found body, manual lense(16X), color EVF for $4240. Man was I hoping for a lower price. I know I know, you get what you pay for--someone please talk me out of going to e-bay and rolling the dice (although I have had decent success with e-bay). If anyone knows how to get this setup for around 3500 please let me know. Is it too obvious that I'm cheap?!?
ZGC did offer me a small discount when I contacted them with my wish list. Seems like a fair bunch of folks.

Hi Kelly,

Be very careful with Ebay... especially with regard to buying cameras there, you'll find a lot of rip-off artists who like to prey on innocent folks. We have a couple of good threads about buying on Ebay, including Dylan Couper's excellent topic "How to Not Get Scammed on Ebay"

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2954
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2724

With the XL1S body and 16x manual lens, you must expect to pay a higher price and the quote provided by our sponsor ZGC is not only realistic but very fair. Frankly, I don't think you can get this package for under that unless you're willing to buy used.

Thanks Chris,
I am extremely skiddish of e-bay, especially when it comes to dropping a couple or three grand. ZGC keeps looking better by the minute...especially for my piece of mind. Anyone reading this remember 1. don't be cheap 2. Reputable sellers are EVERYTHING. 3. Good, solid equipment will eventually pay for itself 4. Go to the Watchdog for honest straightforward information!!!!!

<<<-- Originally posted by Chris Hurd : Hi Kelly,

Be very careful with Ebay... especially with regard to buying cameras there, you'll find a lot of rip-off artists who like to prey on innocent folks. .... -->>>

To say nothing of the fact that you have to pick from whatever people are selling at the time, which is very likely not to include your particular special set of specifications, since you are looking for something special. I went the eBay route and found a used XL1 to avoid taking the depreciation hit on new equipment, and I really didn't know at the time how much usage I'd be getting out of it, this being a new service I was offering through my department and there was no history. Now I know that it keeps me pretty busy and has caused me to travel quite a bit for the company. Which means I could have bought a more expensive (as in brand new) cam, but that's 20/20 hindsight.