XL2 first real life impression
 

I don't want to throw flames, but it's kinda amazing that these guys
got a hold of a new XL2, but didn't have a tripod and had never
used the XL1 or XL1s. Statements from inexperienced reviewers
who can't even scrounge a tripod for a test don't exactly fill me with trust.
(Moving along now. . . next review please!)

My complaint is NOT against those guys as it was cool of them to try
and let people know about the new XL2. My bitch is that
Canon should get the camera into the hands of
someone like Charles Papert or Bill, or Don, or Ken, (I could go on here)
who's opinion I (and I believe many others) would actually value.

If this happens guys don't forget a tripod ;0

I'm working on that -- it seems the PAL reviews units were "loose" and it didn't matter who they went to.

Hi Jacques and chris
 

Hi Jacques
I am Johnnie the cameraman who shot with the XL2 without a tripod.
Nobody meant doing a review of the camera,just to give first impression "how does it feel" with the new XL2.
When you get a new camera for 2 hours you don't really care about a tripod,you run out and start shooting,and yes i did take some close ups with full tele shots just to let the others that don't know the camera yet to see how well the stabiliser work.
When I found out I can have it for the all weekend I did more shooting this time with a tripod.
In an hour I will go out again and do some night shots (with a tripod). Hope you saw some of the other footage I took (dvxuser.com).
It is a great camera and I will submit a short written impression later today.
I never used before any of the XL family cameras (like others that might be first time XL buyers) but since when using a video camera for the first was a real problem?
Chris,Just to help you with the investigation.this PAL review unit "ran" out of the Canon desk strait to AVISYS the Canon distributer in Austria. hope this is helping you "working on that",
if you need more information pls let me know I will be more then happy to help.

Thanks and I will definitely buy this great camera!

Johnnie

That XL2 footage is amazing, expecially the train and church scenes. I was all set to put my money on a DVX100 but after looking at your clips, the XL2's gonna put me in debt.

Hi Johnnie,

Congratulations on being one of the first to get some clips with the camera in real-world situations. I guess you could say that we are all a little envious of you!

What I meant by my comment above about the PAL units being "loose" is simply that they seem easier to get than NTSC units right now. That was not intended to be negative toward you -- only negative toward Canon USA! Right now in the U.S. only magazine editors can get the camera. So it is a nice surprise for all of us that you could get a PAL camera and "take it outside." I thought you did a great job, those are some beautiful shots you have there.

My comment about "working on it" is that I plan on talking to Canon USA again to see if one of our long-time experienced members here can borrow an NTSC unit for the same type of tests you did so that we can run our own clips here. It was easier for you in PAL land, here in the U.S. it is much harder to make this happen! Wish me luck on that...

Again, many thanks for a most interesting look through the PAL XL2.

Re: Hi Jacques and chris
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Johnnie Behiri : Hi Jacques
I am Johnnie the cameraman who shot with the XL2 without a tripod.
In an hour I will go out again and do some night shots (with a tripod). Hope you saw some of the other footage I took (dvxuser.com).>>>

I tried using IE 5 on my mac. but nothing happening even after downloading. I don't know what went wrong. This is strange as it didn't show up
in download manager. Sigh.

<<<It is a great camera and I will submit a short written impression later today. I never used before any of the XL family cameras (like others that might be first time XL buyers) but since when using a video camera for the first was a real problem? >>>

I said in my post that *my complaint was not with you*.
I think that guys who post their experiences are what this list serve
is all about. You certainly should be commended for posting imo!

My beef is with Canon USA
for keeping the camera out of the hands of known professionals, who
if they were to review the camera, would lend far more weight/credibility
to potential buyers (like me). I am not trying to condemn you personally,
but it *appeared* as if someone was making excuses for not having
camera support, though I understand wanting to dash out and
start shooting, but I always bring along something.

That plus the confession of inexperience with previous
XL1 models, means to me as an XL1 owner, that the reviewer is certainly unable to make comparisons between new and older models, tell about improved functions, lens, etc.
You might think the new XL2 is wonderful, but (for a crummy example)
if you had previously only owned
vhs cameras, I wouldn't necessarily gain anything from your experience.
Again, no slight to you, but them's the facts.


<<<Thanks and I will definitely buy this great camera!

Johnnie -->>>

Now this comment coming from a DVX100a owner bares some weight ;)

Anyway, thanks Johnnie, I look forward to reading your next posts.

Even though Johnnie had no previous XL experience, at least he was able to get his hands on one and do some shooting. That is the most important thing and we're all fortunate in that regard. I know what you're saying Jacques and I agree; I'll have to hammer on CUSA a bit to see if they'll consider sending an NTSC loaner to one of our guys. Keep your fingers crossed,

The sharpness in the image details is incredible! Check out the last few seconds of the the first clip with the ruffled duck feathers and the blowing sand. And this is even after being compressed into a windows media file!! ...and, Johnnie, if you weren't using a tripod, then either you've got real steady hands or the XL2's got one heck of a stablization system.

Hi Kenny,
Thanks for the worm words!
The "duck clip" was shot indeed with a tripod...

Any way,wait until you see the night shots.
Jarred from dvxuser.com is kind enough giving the space for the clips,without him it was not possible.

Tnx!

Johnnie

Well actually it was possible, as we host a lot of clips here too.

But right now it's better that his server takes the hit than mine, so it's all good. We'll have our own XL2 clips shortly (and here's an open invitation host for any other PAL or NTSC folks lucky enough to have their hands on one).

ha ha oh boy... Thanks for letting me "take the hit"... just happy to be first to the gate :)

Any buyers for a mint condition XL1s!
 

Man I gotta sell my Xl1s those night shot's are amazing I am lusting for one of these now. That first clip looked amazing for being hand held the stabilization must work great or the operator has hands of a surgeon some of those shots look to be pretty zoomed in and you hardly noticed it.

The only thing I still want to know is the Autofocus if it still drifts like the old Xl1s my GL2 never gave me the focusing problems like the bigger brother does so I hope they have ironed out that issue. I can't wait till Chris can get one or a similar XL1 user to compare them. I am really blown away by those shots I would say it is a serious quality improvement over it's predecessor, where’s my credit card gotta keep it handy when this one hits the market. If I can sell my Xl1s that is, the old lady will never approve 5k by it's self!

Yes.. that nightime stuff is incredible.

I gots me a question for yer: any chance for you to test it with one of the manual lenses, preferably the 16x, and see how sweet/not sweet it is? The manual lenses are wider than the new 20x lens, no?

I love this nighttime stuff too. Its very great. I can not avait to put my 8 year old XL-1 down and buy the XL-2.


@Josh Bass:

No the 16x lens is not wider (16x lens 43.1mm and new 20x lens 42.3mm in 16:9 Modus).


regards
Daniel

Hi Josh.
Sorry the XL2 is back at Canon

Johnnie

@Johnnie:

Was it hard for you to send it back? ;)


regards
Daniel

Very nice footage! That make's me even more excited about the XL2. Thanks for posting that, Johnnie!

By the way, where was that shot? What a beautiful city!!!

Jay

Thanks Jay!

Vienna/Austria by night...

Johnnie

Beautiful, I thought it was very film like, I am usually the pessimist, but that was awesome. In fact I kept waiting for dialougue!!

I have to commend Johnnie Behri for the excellent impromptu footage he has outputted so efficiently during his very brief encounter with the new XL2. ESPECIALLY all of the *handheld* footage Johnnie acquired which looks like he did indeed use a tripod. Johnnie, you did a wonderful job at capturing the essence of your surroundings in Vienna. Watching your images makes me want to drop what I am doing and take a long hiatus in Austria (something I have been longing to do for quite some time). Now, how about some images from St. Anton am Arlberg? That I would like to see.

I think that some people may be missing the point here as to what has proven to be a truly tangible example of many of the strengths of the new XL2. People should give more kudos to Johnnie's committed, experimentive attitude in actually going out there (rather than sitting back at home in front of the comp) and actually coming back with something worthwhile - all in a very short time without any pre-production planning or crew. Johnnie's footage just goes to show everyone that you do not always need a $25,000 budget and a crew of five people just to shoot some outstanding b-roll. It certainly does help to shoot with an XL2 though! I think it speaks more and very highly of the XL2 that this footage was produced as it was, rather than by some elite DV producer with a plethora of equipment at his/ her disposal. Just a very good example of what *everyone* should expect when they do get the chance to shoot with the new XL2.

Bravo and thank you to Johnnie and Jarred for the open-minded comparison between the DVX and XL2.

P.S.: Looks like I may be going to IBC this year, will you be going? If so, please do send me a note to let me know. Should be a guaranteed good time for all.

- don

@Johnnie:

Which gain-position you use to shoot the night-stuff?


regards
Daniel

he used +3

Don,
Thank you for your kind words!
I always follow the rule "if you love what you do it shows".
Unfortunately (fortunately) to much work ahead,so I can not visit IBC.

And a little secret (just between us) tomorrow I shot in Southampton-England with my DVX100E,and as much as I love the camera I wish I could have the XL2 for a day more...

As you wrote,without the help of Jarred I could have not made it.
And if you drop what you doing and come over,I am here.

Daniel,
All night shots 3200k preset
1/50 o db
From 2:11 1/25 +3 db
Last shot Just for fun,18 db

Thank you all

Johnnie

Thanx Don... I know alot of people expected me to rip the XL2 apart, God How dare I allow XL2 footage on DVXUser.com??? hehe heh... thank god Im not that kinda guy and its not that kinda forum.

Fact is, Johnnie was so incredible during this whole process and his footage was framed and shot so well, that after the night stuff I was very impressed with what came out of the XL2. Not to say Im gonna sell all of my DVX's, Im just glad that there is now finally some competition to the DVX.. and DVXa... I am sure Panasonic will step up to the plate.

I am very thankful Johnnie has taken the time to do this for all of us, I am sure it answered alot of questions for alot of people. Specially since all the other XL2 footage has been such garbage.

Excellent info!

anybody have towels to clean up my drool?

<<<-- Originally posted by Yi Fong Yu : anybody have towels to clean up my drool? -->>>

No, I just ran out. If I watch that clip again, I'm going to need a mop.

I don't know if the xl2 rig I was looking at on DVX user (that's something I thought I'd bnever say)was in fact the same one johnnie was using or not but I think he made mention of having a brick on the back of it and the one in the photo looked like an anton bauer brick, I was wondering if that was in fact the same adapter as the xl1 used to use or if it was something different entirely?

Wow, the footages look lovely. I'm gladed I sold my XL1s.

The footage seems to be gone now?

Yeah all but the first one was gone when I checked this afternoon.

Aaron

Incredible footage on both day and night.

I like the music on the night footage, very smooth

Johnnie,
A couple of lens-related question for you: was the autofocus "solid"? In other words, did it do a lot of hunting or was it able to lock onto a subject in low light and hold focus? Also, were there any back focus issues that you noticed? Any focus drifting?

Hi Bill,
Sorry,coming from the ENG world I never use the auto focus and did not bother with it with the XL2.
No back focus issues that I noticed in the short time the camera was with me.

Regards
Johnnie

<<<-- Originally posted by Johnnie Behiri : Hi Bill,
Sorry,coming from the ENG world I never use the auto focus and did not bother with it with the XL2.
No back focus issues that I noticed in the short time the camera was with me.

Regards
Johnnie -->>>
I understand. My vision is getting poor and I really need autofocus for some situations, alas.

Battery brick
 

Does anyone happen to know what battery brick and holder was used on the test camera in the picture?

Johnnie,

Did you use the noise reduction option on the night shoots?...it is impossible to tell if there is noise the compressed clips

on the preproduction model i tested the noise reduction worked well, even if it did soften the image a bit...

http://emptyloft.com/xl2/noisereduction.bmp

Robert,

I did not use the noise reduction option on the night shoots.
Noise levels on the original footage is incredibly low.

Johnnie