It figures! I was thinking about using someone's old 18" satelite dish before I saw yours. It's worth a try.

Dan

Parabolics need to be made right to work to their potential. I have used several and really like the Dan Gibson Parabolic for the money. It'll run you about $900 but it works very well. The audio quality when recorded is not something you would use to capture dialog in a narrative work, but for surveillance or nature work it does deliver some very impressive results.

Matt

I liked this idea when I originally read it way back before I even had a Canon XL2. So now that I've got a XL2 and some equipment attached to go along with it, here's my XL2 -

http://www.thisis24p.com/firestore-pic1.html
http://www.thisis24p.com/firestore-pic2.html
http://www.thisis24p.com/firestore-pic3.html

XL2
Cartoni Focus (tripod & fluid head)
Sennheiser G2 Evolution Wireless mic
TransVideo Cinemonitor IIIA
FireStore FS-4

in the mail -
Manfrotto 522C LANC

on the way -
Redrock M2 Adaptor & Mounting Brackets

Originally, I took the photos over the weekend to show how I mounted my FireStore FS-4 thanks to Michael Padilla's idea in another thread. While some of you may not have a FireStore, the velcro adhered to the "adaptor holder" that your XL2 shipped with may be useful way for you to attach other stuff.

Steadicam Anyone?
 

So here it is, the first time i've posted my gear.

http://visualmasterpiece.com/user_ph...stedicamOP.jpg
http://visualmasterpiece.com/user_photos/xl2setup2.jpg
http://visualmasterpiece.com/user_photos/xl2setup3.jpg
http://visualmasterpiece.com/user_photos/xl2setup4.jpg

Hey Derek, Im glad you like my FireStore idea but I've discovered one more thing that you and everyone may be interested in...
Check it out (i'll also post details on the firestore page for everyone else)

http://visualmasterpiece.com/user_ph...store_xlm4.JPG

and the Gear is
 

opps forgot the detials on the gear:

2 XL2's, 3x lens, 1.6 tele converter (canon), Firestore FS-4Pro 80GB, CH-10 Dual Batt Holder/Charger, FU-1000 Monochrome viewfinder (one lucky ebay purchase here), Manfrotto/Bogen tripod/501head, Eartec headsets, Steadicam by Hollywood lite (Varizoom ProLite), 2 Varizoom rockers.

Sorry about the stedicam pic its poor res and I don't have many others...

That looks good. The screw may be a great alternative to the Velcro if anyone was not sure about how well it fastened. I'm going to stick with the Velcro for now, no pun intended!