Shoulder mount Canon HD cameras dissappearing from retailers
 

I must have been asleep at the switch, B & H and Newegg have both discontinued the XLH1S and A line of camcorders. What's up with that ? Funny thing the SD version XL2 always seems to be available, must have been a lot of leftovers from people waiting for HD cams.


xlh1s

xlh1a

Newegg.com - xlh1a

Hopefully this means they will release a shoulder mounted version of the XF305

It is hard to predict what Canon will do at times. They brought the XL-H1 out long before they did a fixed lens HDV camera, but in the case of the transition from HI-8 to mini-DV they dropped the L2 interchangeable lens camera several months before they brought out the XL-1. They did continue manufacturing a black body version, but I don't know for how long they did so. I can't recall the exact model--it was something like LX-2000.

I wrote to them stressing the importance of an interchangeable lens for the serious wildlife videographer, but of course they refused to say as to whether such a model was planned. Now it looks like we are in the same situation again, except it does seem almost certain that one or more interchangeable lens models will soon be announced, but I can't quite understand whey they discontinue the one model before the new one is available.

Yeah, I did notice the missing cameras on B&H's line-up. So, does this mean the end of HDV from Canon?

Sounds like it.

Whatever the next iteration of the XL series will be, it will most likely use their XF codec and be tapeless.

No doubt tapeless is the way of the future, but the XL cameras still show as current on the Canon web site.

I don't know why it shows as discontinued at B&H, although it has happened before (recently) that there was an erroneous "discontinued" entry on their web site (See: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...continued.html). I suppose it is possible, but I really doubt that the XL is being discontinued by Canon at this time.

There's ALWAYS something in the pipeline and Canon does not typically pre-announce more than a couple months. Even the XF 100/105 announcement was unusually long-lead for Canon.

We'll just have to wait and see.

The new 100 series announcement was definitely a long lead,
which is uncharacteristic for Canon USA. That happened only
because of the once-every-five-years Canon Expo. Without it,
the announcement would not have been made until November
or December at the earliest.

As long as the product pages for XL H series cameras appear
on the Canon USA web site -- which they do as of today -- then
they are most definitely *not* discontinued. Hope this helps,

...and the time has come.

All XL cameras have disappeared from the Canon Professional Camcorders page, including the XL2 while surprisingly the GL2 is still there. The 6X lens for the XL cameras is also still listed at $3k.

B & H de-listed them from there website a couple of days ago, I guessed something was up.

Well hopefully a shoulder-mount interchangeable lens HD camcorder is in the near future from Canon.

Still listed on the UK site Canon Professional Camcorders - Camcorders - Canon UK, but watch this space.

Seems like I timed it right...

I used 50% Canon XL camcorders and 50% Canon DSLRs for both of my latest two films in the GlobetrotterWorld series released during 2010, but have recently sold all the XL equipment and lenses, including my prized Canon AF 6X HD lens, and now gone 100% DSLR for 2011.

What is amazing about this whole thing is the lack of used units available. It seems plenty of XLH1 cameras are out there but a search of the southeast reveals no craigslist entries for the XLH1S. Even EBAY has only one listing for an XLH1S, that is amazing.

Don, Are you looking at buying one? I might have an XLH1A in like new condition for sale soon...

I am very satisfied with my XLH1S and don't plan to sell it. It could be that people are holding on to them...

I agree, as long as I am distributing my videos on DVD's and the web, I am in no hurry to ditch my beloved XL-2. I have taken her into some very hazardous situations (US EPA hazardous waste sites), and she continues to provide me with excellant audo/video. As long as Canon will continue to service the XL-2, I will keep shooting with it. Bob

Thanks Jean-Philippe, I am in the market but am watching closely, I have the money in hand but will be using a nano so it kind of knocks the A model out. So far I am hesitant to pull the trigger with NAB right around the corner. I am leaning toward an XLH1S with nano or an EX3 by itself. Still watching the economy and piecing together the business model along with matching the editing software. I am taking my time, maybe to much, but I am hoping the F3 and some other new cameras will push some used gear onto the market.

Admittedly I am probably over thinking everything.

Not quite sure why I can't warm up to the JVC cams. I guess for one they come with no battery. Everytime I try to piece together JVC it doesn't add up. The XLH1S used 9k with nano plus it has 20x lens. PMW EX3 can be used at 35mbps as is and is around 8400 new. I am trying to put my finger on why the JVC's are not appealing, maybe 1/3 CCD's, 14x lens ?

I decided to jump in and buy a refurbished xlh1s before they all disappeared. Decision really was made when a demo wide lens became available. All I need to add is a flash recorder to have all the versatility of both tape and flash. I also prefer the body style of the xlh1 series. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

I would love to see a side by XLH1S/nano vs PMW EX3. The XLH1S is a great design, I shot for many years on the XL1S. It just needs the SDHC or compact flash option.

I bought a 6x wide lens from Birns & Sawer recently, through their ebay lisings with no reserve price. It was brand new and had never been opened. $610! I couldn't believe it. It made me think that the XLH1 has come to the end of the road when shops start flogging off all the gear for prices like that. That lens coupled with the Nanoflash makes an amazing image (especially for documentary / eng work).

Anyway, time to start stocking up on DV tapes - the end is nigh.

$610!!!!

For the 6x Wide Angle? Do they have another one? I'd buy in a second for that price!

I use my XLH1S/Nanoflash combo a lot for my broadcast work. It really provides a fantastic picture!

DV Tapes disappearing too?
 

Now that got me a wee bit worried as my stock is getting rather low. When I started checking my usual sources, I had some difficulty in finding the everyday JVC M-DV60 tapes which I normally use. After a bit of searching online I think I have found a bulk source, and an order has been accepted.

Anyone else in the UK finding some brands of DV tapes a bit hard to source? There still seem to be plenty of places to get Sonys.

It looks like B & H discontinued the XL2 yesterday. It had a very long run for an SD.

XL-H1... does it worth now?
 

I'm interested in buying an XL-H1, i used an XL2 (without previously having used a pro or prosumer camera) and i always found it excellent... does it worth buying an Xl-h1 those days? used can be found for around 3000€
Honestly i tried a few times a canon 5d but i don't like it from the ergonomic side.

Michele,

The XL-H1 had a few issues from what I have read here. The XL-H1S is an improved version and apparently is easier to focus and has a better viewfinder. The XLH1S is getting hard to find in stores or for sale used.


Looks like the XL2 is now gone from Canon USA site.

Yes i know there are some improvements on the h1s, but i guess the image quality is the same? Plus is nearly impossible to find a used one.

Yes, I think people who have them like them and are holding onto them (I know I am).

I would think an XL successor will have to be announced before people begin letting their's go.

XLH1 series has disappeared from Canon Australia website also, leaving just the 300's and 100's.

I'm hoping that with NAB being imminent they have the file-based version with interchangeable lenses up their sleeve. It would be a shame if they didn't, and end of quite an era.

We'll certainly be hanging onto our two original XLH1's until they stop working!

Matthew P

I have a XLH1 unit with the stock lens for sale
 

Hi Michele,
I have a XLH1 unit with the stock lens.
with NTSC/PAL mod.
Only used for one Music Video project... still in brand new condition.
Let me know.
Cheers,
Alex