XL2 Really Front Heavy? at DVinfo.net

Ed Szarleta · December 19th, 2004, 07:02 PM

Will be pulling the trigger on an XL2 next month and was just wondering if the XL2 is obnoxiously front heavy? I will using only standard Canon batteries because I don't want to add any more weight to it then it already is. I will be using it mainly handheld, run and gun stlye. I originally stayed clear of it because of it's size, but recently tried out an XL1 and it wasn't as big as I thought is would be. XL2 is only a pound more and a little longer, so I should be fine, but I wanted some users to chime in on it's handling.

James Millne · December 19th, 2004, 07:28 PM

Ok I'll try and be as detailed as possible about my handling experiences.

Firstly in a shoulder mount arrangement yes the camera is front heavy but not unbearably so. I find myself using my left hand to support the lens a lot because of this. Obvious problems are you have to make a conscious effort not to catch the focus or zoom rings ( I hold the lens between thumb and index finger at the base of the lens hood when using the standard 20x lens). When shoulder mounted the camera will also want to lean off to the left but provided you have your eye against the viewfinder cup and the strap tightened firmly this seems to correct.

When you move away from shoulder mount to holding by the handle the camera will again want to point to the floor and to level the camera you have to flex your wrist by pushing with the heel of your palm (hope that makes sense) which does tend to put a little strain on the wrist but then again i'm no Mr Universe.

Kevin Wild · December 19th, 2004, 08:40 PM

It is still very front-heavy. To me, it's kind of obnoxious, but I hope I'll get used to it. The mounted batteries (or AB brick) helps balance it a lot. Part of it, to me, is also the shoulder mount. It is nearly flat, so it doesn't have a shoulder-like contour to it at all. So, it always feels like it might slide off my shoulder if I'm bumped or something.

I tend to have to keep the right hand strap very tight on my hand, so I can support the camera with one hand. Let's hope that never snaps...

I hope someone builds a nice clip on shoulder mount that is padded and more contoured. It'd be a great thing.

By the way, give credit to Canon for adding the ability to move your eyepiece forward or backward. This does help with getting the weight more on your shoulder, but it's not nearly enough for me.

Ed Szarleta · December 19th, 2004, 09:13 PM

Appreciate it guys.

Kevin Wild · December 19th, 2004, 09:21 PM

By the way, Ed, these are things to know going in, but do know that it is one great camera. Balance problems aside, this camera is going to be great for live event shooting.

Mark Sasahara · December 20th, 2004, 11:13 PM

I've shot hand held with the DVX and the XL2. The XL2 is inherently front heavy and even more so with a Matte box. The DVX with a Matte Box is front heavy, without is fine.

Hand holding the XL2 is okay, but if you can get an Anton Bauer Hytron 50 battery, at only a pound, that will help even things out. It's not as heavy as a Betacam, but if I was going to hand hold all day, I'd rather shoot with a DVX, plus the 4.5- 45 zoom is really great for close in work.

If you are shooting events native 16x9 will probably not matter unless you can use it as a selling point.

Pete Bauer · December 21st, 2004, 06:30 AM

Ditto everyone's comments with the 20x and a BP945 battery onboard. My take is: a bit front heavy, but actually works better for me than holding a GL2 out in front of my face. With the 3x lens, it is noticeably less front-heavy. Very nice.

Ed Szarleta · December 23rd, 2004, 02:21 PM

Thanks for the info guys. Maybe I will try out the 3x setup. Don't need the extreme zoom anyway.

December 19th, 2004, 07:02 PM	#1
Ed Szarleta Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 156	XL2 Really Front Heavy? Will be pulling the trigger on an XL2 next month and was just wondering if the XL2 is obnoxiously front heavy? I will using only standard Canon batteries because I don't want to add any more weight to it then it already is. I will be using it mainly handheld, run and gun stlye. I originally stayed clear of it because of it's size, but recently tried out an XL1 and it wasn't as big as I thought is would be. XL2 is only a pound more and a little longer, so I should be fine, but I wanted some users to chime in on it's handling.

December 19th, 2004, 09:13 PM	#4
Ed Szarleta Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 156	Thanks for the info Appreciate it guys.

December 20th, 2004, 11:13 PM	#6
Mark Sasahara Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 649	I've shot hand held with the DVX and the XL2. The XL2 is inherently front heavy and even more so with a Matte box. The DVX with a Matte Box is front heavy, without is fine. Hand holding the XL2 is okay, but if you can get an Anton Bauer Hytron 50 battery, at only a pound, that will help even things out. It's not as heavy as a Betacam, but if I was going to hand hold all day, I'd rather shoot with a DVX, plus the 4.5- 45 zoom is really great for close in work. If you are shooting events native 16x9 will probably not matter unless you can use it as a selling point. __________________ Mark Sasahara Director of Photography

December 21st, 2004, 06:30 AM	#7
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Ditto everyone's comments with the 20x and a BP945 battery onboard. My take is: a bit front heavy, but actually works better for me than holding a GL2 out in front of my face. With the 3x lens, it is noticeably less front-heavy. Very nice. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

December 19th, 2004, 07:28 PM	#2
James Millne Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Newcastle, England Posts: 37	Ok I'll try and be as detailed as possible about my handling experiences. Firstly in a shoulder mount arrangement yes the camera is front heavy but not unbearably so. I find myself using my left hand to support the lens a lot because of this. Obvious problems are you have to make a conscious effort not to catch the focus or zoom rings ( I hold the lens between thumb and index finger at the base of the lens hood when using the standard 20x lens). When shoulder mounted the camera will also want to lean off to the left but provided you have your eye against the viewfinder cup and the strap tightened firmly this seems to correct. When you move away from shoulder mount to holding by the handle the camera will again want to point to the floor and to level the camera you have to flex your wrist by pushing with the heel of your palm (hope that makes sense) which does tend to put a little strain on the wrist but then again i'm no Mr Universe.

December 19th, 2004, 08:40 PM	#3
Kevin Wild Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 540	It is still very front-heavy. To me, it's kind of obnoxious, but I hope I'll get used to it. The mounted batteries (or AB brick) helps balance it a lot. Part of it, to me, is also the shoulder mount. It is nearly flat, so it doesn't have a shoulder-like contour to it at all. So, it always feels like it might slide off my shoulder if I'm bumped or something. I tend to have to keep the right hand strap very tight on my hand, so I can support the camera with one hand. Let's hope that never snaps... I hope someone builds a nice clip on shoulder mount that is padded and more contoured. It'd be a great thing. By the way, give credit to Canon for adding the ability to move your eyepiece forward or backward. This does help with getting the weight more on your shoulder, but it's not nearly enough for me.

December 19th, 2004, 09:21 PM	#5
Kevin Wild Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 540	By the way, Ed, these are things to know going in, but do know that it is one great camera. Balance problems aside, this camera is going to be great for live event shooting.

December 23rd, 2004, 02:21 PM	#8
Ed Szarleta Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 156	Thanks for the info guys. Maybe I will try out the 3x setup. Don't need the extreme zoom anyway.