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Home: Video University Forums: Canon All Camcorders:
XL1S Life Expectancy

wilky1974
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Nov 15, 2004, 10:47 AM

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XL1S Life Expectancy	Can't Post

I have a XL1S & a GL2. They are both a little over 1-year old. I have shot about 20-25 weddings with them, so that boils down to roughly 80 hours on each camera.

Does anyone know how long these cameras usually last before things start to go wrong, or problems occur? I realize things may happen tomorrow, as you can't ever know for sure....but on average....how long would you say I can depend on these cameras before having to invest in a new one?

any help would be appreciated. I'm just trying to see if I will ever be able to make a good profit in this business. If I have to buy a new camera every 2-3 years, it will be tough, as I'm only doing this on the side.

Bob Hudson
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Nov 15, 2004, 12:38 PM

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Re: [wilky1974] XL1S Life Expectancy [In reply to]	Can't Post

No one can say: the XL1 will probably last longer than the GL2 based on reports I've seen from GL2 owners, but you could get lucky and have it go on forever. I have a first-generation Sony DV camcorder that came out in 1995 (a $3,000 one-chip camcorder). Nine years later I still use it. I have a couple of Hi-8 camcorders from the early 90's that still work and they went through really rugged use.

The good news is that if you do have to replace yours in the next couple of years you will get something better and cheaper. For instance, check out the Panasonic DVC30 and DVC60: http://www.avvideo.com/...ticle.jsp?id=27846-1.

In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed and hope that if anything does happen, a few hundred dollars in repairs will fix it.

Waldemar
Enthusiast

Nov 15, 2004, 6:12 PM

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Re: [wilky1974] XL1S Life Expectancy [In reply to]	Can't Post

In most cases, if one takes care of gear it will last a long time. I've got a Panasonic Ag-1950 VHS deck I bought in 1987. Had the heads replaced in 1997. It continues to deliver a better picture than a VHS player I bought two years ago. I've had my GL1 since (I think) 1999 or early 2000. Bought it the same time a friend bought a SONY PD 150. Both machines are in regular use (probably have well over 200 hours on each one) and they function flawlessly.
G5 1.8. Final Cut/QT Pro/iMovie/Still Life. GL1. XL1-s

DonP
Novice

Nov 15, 2004, 9:13 PM

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Re: [wilky1974] XL1S Life Expectancy [In reply to]	Can't Post

Life will depend on conditions of use and abuse, not the least of which is hours of running with tape on the heads (record/playback and pause). My XL1 is now over 6 years old, and still going stront, with only routine maintenance service (at Canon) every other year or so. So you can expect it to be obsolete before it wears out, other than head replacement every so ofte (perhaps 1000-2000 hours) unelss you are running it for many hours per week.

The economics of equipment - do a business case. A oversimplified example: 25 weddings per year, 4 years estimated life, $1000 residual value, that is 100 weddings. At a street price of $3500 it amounts to $25 per wedding to cover the camcorder purchase price. For the GL2, with its lower price point figure, say $15 per wedding. Of course you have to cover the other gear (deit suite, duplication gear, lights, tripod, etc.), consumables, insurance, travel, and your time, but you get the idea

wilky1974
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Nov 16, 2004, 12:03 PM

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Re: [DonP] XL1S Life Expectancy [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks, everyone for your input. I hope mine last a long time! I'm really wanting a PD-170, but I would like to know the feeling of having no debt for once. Hopefully by the end of next year.