Canon XL-1

[JesseJames]

Well, I have a Canon XL-1 camcorder. I've been thinking of selling it. Not certain though. I want to know if anyone might want one and make me an offer.
It's in mint condition. Has everything. I have a Lightwave Systems microphone cover on it. I also have a videohead cleaning cassette.

[MarksEvilTwin]

Removed

[LimeLite]

I'd be very interested, except that I found a place online that would sell a brand new XL-1S for only $2,749. And I doubt that you'd be looking to sell it for less than that. Do you happen to know if there is a difference between an XL-1 and an XL-1S? If so, what?

[DreaminDirector]

they redesigned the guts of the camera. Outside shell looks relatively the same. I had an XL-1 and it was the best camera I've ever used. Better than the Sony PD150 by far.

Oh yeah, the XL-1s has time lapse. That is a kick ass feature. I forget what else.....

[Kyle?]

I'd love your XL-1, Mr. Monster Garage Host. I love that camera. Unfortunately, money is an issue for me.

*XL-1, want, want, want, want*

[ibookin']

I know a guy who got an XL1 for $1200 used. It was in very good condition, too. Not that you'd be selling it for that little...

It's a great camera, and if I needed it and/or could justify it I would buy it. I am doing a video project in early '04, but we already have some Sony 3-chip cameras for that.

Sorry I can't take it, though I'd love to.

[LimeLite]

So what's the deal? What price range were you thinking of selling it for?

[JesseJames]

I'm not positive that I want to sell it. I don't really want to sell it but if someone offered say, 2500 to 3000 for it. I will give it serious consideration.
A friend and I were going to do a documentary and work on making some short films but he got married and all that...blah, blah, blah. No time anymore. Would like the cash more than the camera, you know?
The camera has been just sitting there for a while now not earning its keep. So that's the reasoning for selling.

[City of Glass]

Just curious. .. why are Mac fans so interested in an "almost professional quality" digital camcorder? I used to run a small video productions firm in NorCal, and we used the 3CCD Sony equivalent (2000P) for high-end shoots.

What are average Mac joes interested in this camera for? Are you all aspiring film makers? Is that just a given aspect of the new Macintosh personality? That everyone owning a Mac must be deeply ingrained in the film industry, or emerging there with "good connections" and producing "the best" movies in his junior college's digital film class?

Or is it more along the lines of a Soviet vs. America style pissing contest -- who can gather up the most, and the best, gear, so as to be completely prepared for anything . . . and nothing . . .

Anyway, just a passing observation. If anyone would like to inculcate me, please feel free.

(No hostility intended here -- genuinely curious on this issue).

Sincerely Yours,


City of Glass

[LimeLite]

I have been a mac user for many many years, but not that I'm in college I'm a film major. I have a lot of projects I'm working on, and that is my interest.

[City of Glass]

Thanks for clearing that up.

Now, for the rest of you . . .


-C.o.G.

[GigaWire]

Just curious. .. why are Mac fans so interested in an "almost professional quality" digital camcorder? I used to run a small video productions firm in NorCal, and we used the 3CCD Sony equivalent (2000P) for high-end shoots.

What are average Mac joes interested in this camera for? Are you all aspiring film makers? Is that just a given aspect of the new Macintosh personality? That everyone owning a Mac must be deeply ingrained in the film industry, or emerging there with "good connections" and producing "the best" movies in his junior college's digital film class?

Or is it more along the lines of a Soviet vs. America style pissing contest -- who can gather up the most, and the best, gear, so as to be completely prepared for anything . . . and nothing . . .

Anyway, just a passing observation. If anyone would like to inculcate me, please feel free.

(No hostility intended here -- genuinely curious on this issue).

Sincerely Yours,


City of Glass



I must say, this ****ty attitude annoys me everytime I see it. If they want an XL-1, what's the problem? It's no different than your collection of Macs, except that an XL-1 might actually be put to good use by some of the people here. I just don't get people like you. You sound like a used up, aging, never was nor ever will be. sad.

[jethroted]

Originally posted by City of Glass
Thanks for clearing that up.

Now, for the rest of you . . .


-C.o.G.

I think where you are getting a little mixed up is that people who like macs aren't looking for camera gear they will never use. Rather film/video makers are drawn to the mac world, as graphic designers are. I am a member of the local film group, and anyone who is serious about doing film/video works with mac equipment, and FCP.

[h'biki]

Originally posted by City of Glass Or is it more along the lines of a Soviet vs. America style pissing contest -- who can gather up the most, and the best, gear, so as to be completely prepared for anything . . . and nothing . . .


Well, the XL1 has always been accused of appealing to that mentality amongst (wannabe) filmmakers. It is a very stylish camera afterall. Its not my preferred miniDV camera because I don't like its standard lens or its bad weight balance, I'd go for the JVC DV500e, but thats twice the price of an XL1.

For the unitiated comparing prices of XL1s (not the XL1S) keep in mind that most XL1s sold are body's only - no lens, or XLR balance box, or secondary charger. You need to take the lens into account. (I think that's US $700 offhand).

As for the XL1 vs the XL1S. The XL1S has some nicer features over the XL1, including the ability to disable standby, to have multiple white balance presets, and greater gain controls, but its not a revolution of the XL1. The XL2 due at the end of the year uses Panasonic's 24P CCDs from the DVX100 and will (hopefully) have a redesigned body to address the biggest problem of the XL1 - its weight mis-distribution - and its lens problems (hopefully they follow the DVX100 route of a semi-pro lens).

My advice. If you're interested in the XL1 and its a reasonable price to you and you don't need the features of the XL2 and you have a need for it now... get it.

Otherwise get the XL2.

The XL1S is a bit of a dropped-ball imnsho. Useful if you're a pro cameraman making corporates who can pay for such a camera over the course of a year... not useful is you're a prosumer wanting to make a few shorts and wedding videos and so on.