Also, it's possible to do too much hand wringing over all this. At a certain price, they're all pretty good cams these days. After that it's just preference. I happen to really like the controls and other bells and whistles of the XL series. Different strokes ...

AGGHHHH! So confused!
 

You are right... all of you. I like the Canon's... know how they work and don't have to look up these days to change a setting.

I didn't want this to be a "what's the best camera" thread... there's too many of them already - and I am wringing my hands too much I think.

This is what I think I will do - buy the HV20 AND the HV A1. The HV20 will be great for the fam, and a secondary camera - and the A1 will give me the controls I want (sort of).

So, here's another thought... do the Nikon adapters (endless array of them it seems) work better with a lens that comes off XLH1, or one you have to shoot through HV A1? That would probably be the final deciding factor.

Sorry if this thread was running on too much.

TMS

Most adapters that fit straight onto the camera, such as the XL1/1s/2/H1 will produce a X7 magnification. Therefore your 50mm Nikkor will be equivalent to a 350mm lens - try handholding that or even a 200mm Nikkor which will be a 1400mm lens.

I haven't used a lens system that attaches a lens to the front of a fixed lens (DOF), but be aware that the image in the viewfinder will be upside down and it’s a cumbersome rig.

Good luck with your choice.

Most adapters will only go in front of the camera's primary lens. There are systems that use a relay lens instead of the XL camera lens to reduce bulk and complexity. I don't think they necessarily work any better, but they do make the system smaller.

The lens I was referring to is similar to a teleconverter, you place it on the camera instead of the XL lens and then you can fit your NIkon, or Canon 35mm lenses onto the camera, but as mentioned these produce a X7 magnification.