XL 2 qualities user evaluation at DVinfo.net

Ron German · February 20th, 2005, 05:52 PM

Hi

I`ll need to buy a camcorder soon and, for my main use (feature lengths projects for transfer to film or digital projection) it should have true 16X9 CCDs and real 24p.

I know and admire DVX 100a, but it doesn`t have 16X9 chips and it`s a litle noisy.

I`ve been thinking and reading about Canon XL2 and would thank any precise and frank user evaluation on the main qualities and limitations on: latitude (dynamic range), stock 20X zoom lens efficiency, noise, artifacts, sensitivity, color reproduction, operationality.

Feel free to compare it with the DVX 100a.

Thank you
Ron

Richard Alvarez · February 20th, 2005, 06:45 PM

Ron,
If you can, get a hold of the March issue of DV Magazine. Adam Wilt reviews the XL2 along side the new Sony HDV, as well as referencing the DVX100.

Good honest review. Perhpas its online.

Mark Sasahara · February 20th, 2005, 09:05 PM

I really like my XL2, it handles pretty well and gives a really great picture. It's a bit front heavy, but with an Anton Bauer Brick on the back, it balances nicely, but it's that much heavier.

I have a lot of hours with the DVX, but chose the XL2 because it has slightly better resolution, native 16x9, interchangeable lenses, a manual lens, very tweakable picture and can run on larger batteries. If you can get your hands on one, try it out.

I rented an XL2 for a weekend to make sure that that's what I wanted. There are a lot of things to like about it. It all comes down to what feels good and works for you.

Rob Lohman · February 21st, 2005, 04:09 AM

Ron: please do a search here, enter: XL2 DVX100. You should get
plenty of threads that discuss the differences and strenght of
each camera.

The best thing you can do is to make a list of the must haves of
a camera. You claim you need 24p & 16:9. So I'm not sure why
you are even considering the DVX if this is what you need/want.
The only way the DVX is getting 16:9 is with an anamorphic
attachment which is expensive and can introduce some problems
(still cheaper than the XL2 probably). Together with this list and
my points below it should be easy to pick the camera that fits you.

Two extra points: make sure you include a budget as well. The
XL2 might be out of your league money wise, or may not be etc.
Which camera to choose also depends on what you are going to
use it for, what kind of shooting. Since you are looking for 16:9
and 24p you probably want to make fictional "films" like the ones
you see in the theater.

Keep in mind that you may need much more gear than just the
camera (think filters, camera support (tripod, dolly etc.), audio
gear, batteries, monitors etc. etc.). Make sure you are not only
budgetting for a camera if you need any support gear etc.

Bruce S. Yarock · February 21st, 2005, 06:57 AM

Mark,
How does the Anton bauer brick connect to the xl2? Does it attach to the same place that the Canon battery or ac adaptor uses? If so can it be quickly removed if you wanted to go back to the canon battery?
Thanks
Bruce yarock

Mark Sasahara · February 21st, 2005, 09:53 AM

Yes, the A/B adapter hooks up to the XL2 via the battery connection. There is no other way, that I know of, to apply power to the camera. The hot shoe gives power.

It's kind of tricky because the cable is so short that I have a hard time connecting. I may lengthen the cable a few inches, so it's easier.

The great thing about the adapter is that you then have a Power Tap connection for a light, or monitor, or both if you get the Power Tap Multi.

Ron German · February 21st, 2005, 11:23 AM

Thank you very much all of you.
Ron

Ron German · February 21st, 2005, 11:29 AM

But Rob
Where is "XL2 DVX100"?
I coudn't find it.
Best
Ron

Bruce S. Yarock · February 21st, 2005, 03:10 PM

Mark,
thanks for the info. What is the "power tap multi'? Sounds like something I'd also want. I'm planning on getting a frezzi mini fill light, and would really like to power it from the anton bauer ratrher than wearing my belt. ( We're floowing a politician around, and the light is usually horrible).
Bruce Yarock

Rob Lohman · February 23rd, 2005, 03:46 AM

Ron: did you click on the search button in the upper right corner
here? Did you enter:

XL2 DVX100

as the search query? Then this hit is on the first page:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=39105

It links to an article that also discusses the differences between
Sony HDV FX1 vs. DVX100a vs. Canon XL2. Now that wasn't so
hard now was it? *smile*

Greg Boston · February 23rd, 2005, 08:05 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Mark Sasahara : Yes, the A/B adapter hooks up to the XL2 via the battery connection. There is no other way, that I know of, to apply power to the camera. The hot shoe gives power.

It's kind of tricky because the cable is so short that I have a hard time connecting. I may lengthen the cable a few inches, so it's easier.

The great thing about the adapter is that you then have a Power Tap connection for a light, or monitor, or both if you get the Power Tap Multi. -->>>

Mark,

I think I remember this issue coming up before. Might want to check with A/B as I believe they are offering a longer cable for the XL-2. I don't think they advertise it, you have to call them.

Just a suggestion.

-gb-

Mark Sasahara · February 23rd, 2005, 09:51 PM

The guy I spoke with said that it should work. I assured him it was too short, he said try again. At that point I hadn't actually mounted it yet, so I took his word for it. It's too damn short. I'll press him, when I call again. I had thought about fixing it myself, but screw it.

The Power Tap Multi allows up to four accessories to be powered from the power Tap on the battery mount, like the other A/B Gold Mounts.

Power Tap for the XL1/2
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=364143&is=REG

Power Tap Multi
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=204182&is=REG

Matthew Cherry · February 24th, 2005, 01:00 AM

I also have the Anton Bauer rig and love it. I use the Dionic 90s and can shoot all day on one battery. And Mark is right, the brick does balance the camera nicely.

Matt

Dan Mumford · February 24th, 2005, 03:32 PM

Hope you don't mind if I chime in here, but I just got my new XL2 and I personally don't think you can get a better camera in the price range. Way too many features to list here, but I think it'll cover just about everyone's needs. I've heard (or read) people talking about it being front heavy, and it is to a degree. But, I found if I hold it (for low shots, holding the handle) if I put my index finger in front of the front verticle post, it balances perfectly.

I also bought the Anton Bauer package (included with the camera for $5,099.99 at B&H) It consists of the Hytron 50 battery, Titan 70 charger/camera power supply, and the QR-XL1-C adapter. I wish I could go as long as this battery. It is a tad heavy, but it's a lot of camera and it's beautiful too! (Looking down on it from above, it looks like it could be a spaceship from the movie "2010 A Space Odyssey"

Just my two (well, maybe four) cents worth.

Dan

February 20th, 2005, 05:52 PM	#1
Ron German Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro - Brasil Posts: 304	XL 2 qualities user evaluation Hi I`ll need to buy a camcorder soon and, for my main use (feature lengths projects for transfer to film or digital projection) it should have true 16X9 CCDs and real 24p. I know and admire DVX 100a, but it doesn`t have 16X9 chips and it`s a litle noisy. I`ve been thinking and reading about Canon XL2 and would thank any precise and frank user evaluation on the main qualities and limitations on: latitude (dynamic range), stock 20X zoom lens efficiency, noise, artifacts, sensitivity, color reproduction, operationality. Feel free to compare it with the DVX 100a. Thank you Ron

February 20th, 2005, 09:05 PM	#3
Mark Sasahara Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 649	I really like my XL2, it handles pretty well and gives a really great picture. It's a bit front heavy, but with an Anton Bauer Brick on the back, it balances nicely, but it's that much heavier. I have a lot of hours with the DVX, but chose the XL2 because it has slightly better resolution, native 16x9, interchangeable lenses, a manual lens, very tweakable picture and can run on larger batteries. If you can get your hands on one, try it out. I rented an XL2 for a weekend to make sure that that's what I wanted. There are a lot of things to like about it. It all comes down to what feels good and works for you. __________________ Mark Sasahara Director of Photography

February 21st, 2005, 04:09 AM	#4
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Ron: please do a search here, enter: XL2 DVX100. You should get plenty of threads that discuss the differences and strenght of each camera. The best thing you can do is to make a list of the must haves of a camera. You claim you need 24p & 16:9. So I'm not sure why you are even considering the DVX if this is what you need/want. The only way the DVX is getting 16:9 is with an anamorphic attachment which is expensive and can introduce some problems (still cheaper than the XL2 probably). Together with this list and my points below it should be easy to pick the camera that fits you. Two extra points: make sure you include a budget as well. The XL2 might be out of your league money wise, or may not be etc. Which camera to choose also depends on what you are going to use it for, what kind of shooting. Since you are looking for 16:9 and 24p you probably want to make fictional "films" like the ones you see in the theater. Keep in mind that you may need much more gear than just the camera (think filters, camera support (tripod, dolly etc.), audio gear, batteries, monitors etc. etc.). Make sure you are not only budgetting for a camera if you need any support gear etc. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 21st, 2005, 09:53 AM	#6
Mark Sasahara Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 649	Yes, the A/B adapter hooks up to the XL2 via the battery connection. There is no other way, that I know of, to apply power to the camera. The hot shoe gives power. It's kind of tricky because the cable is so short that I have a hard time connecting. I may lengthen the cable a few inches, so it's easier. The great thing about the adapter is that you then have a Power Tap connection for a light, or monitor, or both if you get the Power Tap Multi. __________________ Mark Sasahara Director of Photography

February 23rd, 2005, 03:46 AM	#10
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Ron: did you click on the search button in the upper right corner here? Did you enter: XL2 DVX100 as the search query? Then this hit is on the first page: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=39105 It links to an article that also discusses the differences between Sony HDV FX1 vs. DVX100a vs. Canon XL2. Now that wasn't so hard now was it? smile __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

February 20th, 2005, 06:45 PM	#2
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Ron, If you can, get a hold of the March issue of DV Magazine. Adam Wilt reviews the XL2 along side the new Sony HDV, as well as referencing the DVX100. Good honest review. Perhpas its online.

February 21st, 2005, 06:57 AM	#5
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Mark, How does the Anton bauer brick connect to the xl2? Does it attach to the same place that the Canon battery or ac adaptor uses? If so can it be quickly removed if you wanted to go back to the canon battery? Thanks Bruce yarock

February 21st, 2005, 11:23 AM	#7
Ron German Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro - Brasil Posts: 304	Thank you very much all of you. Ron

February 21st, 2005, 11:29 AM	#8
Ron German Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rio de Janeiro - Brasil Posts: 304	But Rob Where is "XL2 DVX100"? I coudn't find it. Best Ron

February 21st, 2005, 03:10 PM	#9
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	Mark, thanks for the info. What is the "power tap multi'? Sounds like something I'd also want. I'm planning on getting a frezzi mini fill light, and would really like to power it from the anton bauer ratrher than wearing my belt. ( We're floowing a politician around, and the light is usually horrible). Bruce Yarock

February 23rd, 2005, 08:05 AM	#11
Greg Boston Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: DFW area, TX Posts: 6,117 Images: 1	<<<-- Originally posted by Mark Sasahara : Yes, the A/B adapter hooks up to the XL2 via the battery connection. There is no other way, that I know of, to apply power to the camera. The hot shoe gives power. It's kind of tricky because the cable is so short that I have a hard time connecting. I may lengthen the cable a few inches, so it's easier. The great thing about the adapter is that you then have a Power Tap connection for a light, or monitor, or both if you get the Power Tap Multi. -->>> Mark, I think I remember this issue coming up before. Might want to check with A/B as I believe they are offering a longer cable for the XL-2. I don't think they advertise it, you have to call them. Just a suggestion. -gb-

February 23rd, 2005, 09:51 PM	#12
Mark Sasahara Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 649	The guy I spoke with said that it should work. I assured him it was too short, he said try again. At that point I hadn't actually mounted it yet, so I took his word for it. It's too damn short. I'll press him, when I call again. I had thought about fixing it myself, but screw it. The Power Tap Multi allows up to four accessories to be powered from the power Tap on the battery mount, like the other A/B Gold Mounts. Power Tap for the XL1/2 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=364143&is=REG Power Tap Multi http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=204182&is=REG __________________ Mark Sasahara Director of Photography

February 24th, 2005, 01:00 AM	#13
Matthew Cherry Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Stamford, CT United States Posts: 212	I also have the Anton Bauer rig and love it. I use the Dionic 90s and can shoot all day on one battery. And Mark is right, the brick does balance the camera nicely. Matt

February 24th, 2005, 03:32 PM	#14
Dan Mumford Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Daytona Beach, Florida Posts: 99	Hope you don't mind if I chime in here, but I just got my new XL2 and I personally don't think you can get a better camera in the price range. Way too many features to list here, but I think it'll cover just about everyone's needs. I've heard (or read) people talking about it being front heavy, and it is to a degree. But, I found if I hold it (for low shots, holding the handle) if I put my index finger in front of the front verticle post, it balances perfectly. I also bought the Anton Bauer package (included with the camera for $5,099.99 at B&H) It consists of the Hytron 50 battery, Titan 70 charger/camera power supply, and the QR-XL1-C adapter. I wish I could go as long as this battery. It is a tad heavy, but it's a lot of camera and it's beautiful too! (Looking down on it from above, it looks like it could be a spaceship from the movie "2010 A Space Odyssey" Just my two (well, maybe four) cents worth. Dan __________________ Wow! That thing must have cost an arm and a leg! - - - It did! I used to have three of each.