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Home: Video University Forums: Canon All Camcorders:
The GL-1 still a competitive choice?

Gateway40
Novice

Feb 1, 2006, 9:12 PM

Post #1 of 10 (4095 views)
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The GL-1 still a competitive choice?	Can't Post

Hi, I'm pretty new to the world of film. I'm currently a freshman in college and will soon have to submit a portfolio to be accepted into the university's film major.

I have some movies made, but I need a real cam that will get the job done. I've finally decided it's time to buy a new (to me) camera, because mine is a piece of crap. I've been looking for something high quality but portable, something that I won't have to update for awhile, something that is worth my money.

And when it comes to money, I don't have a lot. That's why I'm looking used. I've been browsing for a few days, and my primary interest is the GL-1. Sounds like a great cam, but I have a few concerns.

1) It seems, well....old. This doesn't really turn me off, because that's one of the reasons it's in my price range.

2) Size- My old camera could fit in my pocket. It's going to be a big change, but I think it will be worth it. I'm planning on a lot of action real-life stuff, extreme sports and whatnot. I was looking a the VX2000, but it's pricier and looks bigger too. I just don't know if this thing is too big. Should I go smaller and newer? Perhaps one of the Panasonic 3CC cams? They're relatively cheap and are definitely a lot smaller too.

3) Price- How much is a used GL-1 going to be worth? I've been e-baying for a good deal, and there's one that has a broken firewire port....I'm not reallly considering it, but I don't know if the other ones I'm looking at will go too high.

4) Compatability- I have no idea how to hook this thing up to my computer. My other camera had an SD card. POS. I really should have upgraded sooner....

So what do you guys think? This cam for me?

RatVega
Enthusiast

Feb 2, 2006, 3:42 PM

Post #2 of 10 (4082 views)
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Re: [Gateway40] The GL-1 still a competitive choice? [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you liked the GL-1, you'll love the GL-2!

Along with being the current model, The GL-2 fixes some "problems" such as improved audio. On a good day you can score a new on in the $2100 range, so a decent used one may be possible in your budget.

Trust me that you don't want a pocket-sized cam if you're developing a portfolio. All the convenience of a small cam goes out the window when you realize you can't even shoot full zoom well off a tripod. My sis-in-law (who shoots GL-2s for me) got a ZR100 and couldn't even get a steady full-zoom shot holding it down on a concrete pillar... You need the mass to help stabilize the shots.

I looked seriously at the little Pannys and concluded that while they use 3 chips, the chips are really small so the cam will be a bit better than most 1-chip cams, but will probably suffer in lower light a long time before a DVX or a GL-2. The we have the mass thing again... I want one for my wife's school, but I won't be buying one for us.

Compatibility is a non-issue - all DV is compatible via FireWire. As long as your computer has FW, you're set from a transfer standpoint.

If you are serious about becoming a film major, you shouldn't risk everything on a cheap old camera. Go for the Top Ramen instead of the pizza and invest the difference in your future. Some things are worth sacrificing for.

______________________________________________________________
Currently on a loaded 2.5GHz G5 dualie/5GB/1TB internal RAID/dual 19" monitors. Final Cut Studio, Adobe Suite, Boris RED. Shooting with Canon.

VU California Crew, Inland Empire Sub-Chapter (paragraph?)

Gateway40
Novice

Feb 2, 2006, 6:45 PM

Post #3 of 10 (4079 views)
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Re: [RatVega] The GL-1 still a competitive choice? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the advice, 'Vega. I think you have a good point about the smaller Panasonics, I'll stay away from them. I've pretty much narrowed it down to the GL-1, GL-2, DVC30, and maybe even the VX2100.

What concerns me is some of the reliability and quality issues of the GL-1. I've seen a few posts about the possibility of a GL-3HD coming out, so maybe when/if it does, there will be a rebate for the GL-2.

I've heard a few good things about the DVC30, so I'll have to check that out too. Price-wise, it seems to be around the GL-2. It also seems smaller, which is a good thing, and it has an optional top mounted handle, which is convenient. I've never dealt with a semi-pro/pro camera, so I don't know how much I'd like that big mic and handle there, but it's always nice to have the option. This cam's also a bit heavier, which could be good or bad. Plus it has infrared for at night...not exactly sure what that means, but it sounds like a bonus.

Anyways, I've definitely decided agains the broken GL-1. With the costs of getting it fixed it would be just as expensive as any other used GL-1 (I called Canon for pricing...are repairs with all brands this expensive?!).

Anyone else have some advice? Experience with these cams?

Oh yeah, I've heard the VX2100 is better than the GL-2, but it seems bigger and not as portable and more expensive...anyone wanna sway me?

RatVega
Enthusiast

Feb 2, 2006, 7:33 PM

Post #4 of 10 (4075 views)
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Re: [Gateway40] The GL-1 still a competitive choice? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think discarding the GL-1 as a choice is wise. Good news is that Canon has run a $250 rebate on the GL-2 a couple of times a year for the last 2 years, so you won't have to wait too long. And yes, most brands are expensive to repair, another arguement for buying a new cam with a warranty.

I don't know anything about the DVC30, but virtually all the "pro-sumer" grade cameras are good and have similar basic features. One thing you'll come to find is that audio is very important to a good production - and most of the pro-sumer cams allow for an add-on shotgun mic. Don't become obsessed with the weight/size thing - a heavy pro-sumer cam is only going to weigh 4-5 pounds. And as I mentioned, you'll want some mass to get good hand-held shots. Unless you're going to minor in Criminal Investigation, I doubt you'll have much use for infra-red capabilities. The thing you want in your cam are good glass, good audio, and good color. Color is a Canon trademark. Other brands are good, some are better in certain ways, but most Canon guys are shooting Canon for the color.

BTW, the VX2100 is a consumer cam. The pro version is the much-praised PD-170 which runs about $1K more. The PD-170 is perhaps the most popular event videographer's cam. If it had better color, I'd probably have one.
Smile

Good luck

______________________________________________________________
Currently on a loaded 2.5GHz G5 dualie/5GB/1TB internal RAID/dual 19" monitors. Final Cut Studio, Adobe Suite, Boris RED. Shooting with Canon.

VU California Crew, Inland Empire Sub-Chapter (paragraph?)

Dman
User

Feb 2, 2006, 8:47 PM

Post #5 of 10 (4071 views)
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Re: [Gateway40] The GL-1 still a competitive choice? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey gate,
Funny, it never fails that when someone ask for suggestions with cameras and also state that they are on a budget. The suggested camera's are always more exspensive. You asked about the GL1. I started out with 4 GL1's that I bought off of Ebay for $925-1150. I really enjoyed this camera for weddings as well as recitals where the lighting was very low. I since got rid of them over the past 5 months only because I found a GL2 for $1100, another for 1250, and a XL1s for $1575. I also have a Panny 120 (3chip) for my wife to carry around for video of our daughter(my next wedding I will use it as a distant camera angle). I still check out ebay just about everyday to see what those camera are going for. I wouldn't pay over $1000 for a used GL1 and I wouldn't pay over $1500 for a used GL2. These are current selling prices on ebay for these cameras. If you can afford the other camera's, go for it. But for a really good camera that you can use for some years (unless your going HD),I would suggest the GL1.

Goodluck
"D"
Canon XL1s,2xGL2 and Panasonic Gs120

Gateway40
Novice

Feb 3, 2006, 2:02 AM

Post #6 of 10 (4052 views)
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Re: [Dman] The GL-1 still a competitive choice? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow, you have both been a great help; I appreciate it. I'll keep you posted on what's I get. I'd like to get the GL2, but I found a GL1, brand new in box, for $800 on E-bay. I e-mailed the seller about the buy it now price, and here's the e-mail I recieved:

My item is brand new, unopened box
all accessories included and also an international warranty.
First I am going to tell you some things I think you should know before
ending this deal.
I travel a lot and now I am in Eastern Europe. The item is going to be
shipped from europe also.
Now, I can ship through UPS air next day delivery. I will pay for all
taxes. If you wish you can also send me your full shipping info so I can
make a reservation on your name .
The price of the item is $800/unit (as I said earlier with shipping and
insurance taxes included). I need some money as fast as possible so I am
offering a 10 % discount if we end the deal in 24 hours.
Here I am stuck to western union wire transfer.I can't use paypal
because it's not available yet. Just because of this I set up an insurance
with ebay which guaranties 100 % of this deal. If you wish I can contact
eBay right away and have them send you an invoice with my insurance.
If you agree on my terms I am sure we can close the deal right now.
Please reply after you think it over.
Best regards.

I just don't know. I'm not an experienced e-bayer. The user has 98 for positive feedback, and 3 neutral in the past 12 months. Also, I'm thinking about contacting ebay about the contract deal, even though I'm not sure what it is.

$800 for a new cam? Sounds like a good deal, but I still have a feeling I should hold off for the GL2, even though it's definitely out of my budget....

Gateway40
Novice

Feb 3, 2006, 9:50 AM

Post #7 of 10 (4046 views)
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Re: [Gateway40] The GL-1 still a competitive choice? [In reply to]	Can't Post

The last question was stupid. It's gotta be a fraud. I'm going to forget that auction and keep looking.

RatVega
Enthusiast

Feb 3, 2006, 2:40 PM

Post #8 of 10 (4029 views)
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Re: [Gateway40] The GL-1 still a competitive choice? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm not a big ebay guy either, but anything that doesn't use PayPal or some other secure money exchange is a scam, IMHO.

______________________________________________________________
Currently on a loaded 2.5GHz G5 dualie/5GB/1TB internal RAID/dual 19" monitors. Final Cut Studio, Adobe Suite, Boris RED. Shooting with Canon.

VU California Crew, Inland Empire Sub-Chapter (paragraph?)

Gateway40
Novice

Apr 5, 2006, 6:00 PM

Post #9 of 10 (3223 views)
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Re: [RatVega] The GL-1 still a competitive choice? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey, just wanted to drop in and let you guys know I picked up a GL1 for $875. It's got the usual wear-and-tear, but works great. Now I just need to learn how to use all the features and I'll be set.

One last question though. The screw that tightens the lens hood to the camera body is missing, and I have no idea where I can find one of these. I see on eBay I can get a whole new lens hood, but I don't feel like spending $20 if all I need is the screw. Some people suggested going to a local hardware shop and finding a screw that will fit, but I'm afraid the sharp tip of the screw will scratch or damage the plastic. I'm not sure what to do. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks again everyone.

CSDamian
User

Apr 13, 2006, 2:08 AM

Post #10 of 10 (3154 views)
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Re: [Gateway40] The GL-1 still a competitive choice? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey GL-1 nice pick up there. I've got 2 Gl-2's luv'em. I personally would'nt go w/any other camera than Canon they are great cameras for the price.
Good Luck
-Damian