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Home: Video University Forums: Canon All Camcorders:
XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me?

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Bryan G
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Jun 7, 2008, 6:20 PM

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XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me?	Can't Post

I am a newbie. I want to start doing interviews to promote our small business that have a high quality look, but don't want to go overboard on cost and I don't think HD is ncessary (yet anyway). I have an opportunity to buy a used Canon XM2 in excellent condition (this may be called a GL2 in the US?) for $1,400US. Can anyone tellme whether on the basis of this rather superficial information provided, it would be a good buy and do a profesional looking job? Many thanks.
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

DanLewis
Veteran

Jun 14, 2008, 12:53 PM

Post #2 of 53 (6952 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm about to sell two GL2's on eBay. It seems they are going for anywhere from US $900 - $1400 depending on what is packaged with them and who the seller is. They have both been great event cameras so if you're doing mostly interview I think you'll like them.
Dan Lewis

"The greatest calamity which could befall us would be submission to a government of unlimited powers." Thomas Jefferson

Bryan G
User

Jun 15, 2008, 3:08 PM

Post #3 of 53 (6899 views)
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Re: [DanLewis] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks so much Dan for your advice. To prove that I am an utter newbie, can I ask you the question: - in an interview situation with a good lighting set-up, would one describe the difference in image quality of the GL2 over say a 3-chip Panasonic NV-GS180 (small handheld consumer cam) as "startling", "superior" or "a bit better"?
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

fr0gm@n
Veteran

Jun 16, 2008, 12:06 PM

Post #4 of 53 (6866 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I would say superior but not startling. With sufficient lighting the GL2s take great images. When the lights go down they can get a little orange looking and grainy. The GL2 has bigger image sensors than the Panny you are talking about. Outside the Panny does pretty good. Under controlled lighting it will do OK but the GL2 will do as good or a little better under controlled lighting and also give you flexibility for those times where you may be put into service without your controlled lighting. If the GL2 is $1400 US with just the stock stuff it is a little over priced. If it includes extra batteries, wide angle and a case it may be ok...not a great deal but they aren't screwing you. You can get VX2100s from Sony for about the same price or less and in my opinion they are a better camera. Their image sensors are even bigger than the GL2 so if you ever had a situation without great light the Sony option will be even more robust and capable for you.

The Panny is a nice consumer cam but if you ever get away from controlled lighting (for personal use maybe) you will be disappointed. PLus if you are doing interviews you need to have Microphone inputs and I am not sure if the Panny has those. The GL2 or Sony will give you improved ability to plug in a mic, monitor the audio and control the input manually.

Shouldn't TV's Discovery Channel be on a different station every day?

frog blog

Bryan G
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Jun 16, 2008, 1:01 PM

Post #5 of 53 (6861 views)
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Re: [fr0gm@n] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Philip - that's very helpful advice.
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

fr0gm@n
Veteran

Jun 16, 2008, 1:09 PM

Post #6 of 53 (6857 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

You're welcome. I started with GL2s a few years back, moved to Sony VX/PD series and then sold them to get Canon A1 HDV. My wife still loves the old GL2. That is the cam she is most comfortable with. They are very light weight because of the plastic case but work well and hold up well.

Still...if the opportunity came along for a Sony VX2100 or PD170 in that price range it would be even better. The PD170 has pro audio so that is a big plus. Our corp company was recently robbed and with the insurance money we replaced our hodgepodge of different cams with all PD170s. We were able to get 2 PD170s in good shape with medium hours on them with a bag, wide angle and 4 extra batteries each for $2600. That's for both so each one was only $1300. That is a great deal. Those deals are around if you be patient and look. Everyone is selling SD gear now while they can still get something for it so there are plenty on the market.

Shouldn't TV's Discovery Channel be on a different station every day?

frog blog

(This post was edited by fr0gm@n on Jun 16, 2008, 1:10 PM)

Bryan G
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Jun 16, 2008, 1:22 PM

Post #7 of 53 (6853 views)
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Re: [fr0gm@n] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hmm... "pro audio" - that's a thought. I'd better go back to the drawing board then. Just when I thought I was becoming pseudo-knowledgable! Thanks Philip.
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

fr0gm@n
Veteran

Jun 16, 2008, 1:32 PM

Post #8 of 53 (6850 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you had a GL2 or VX2100 and wanted pro audio (XLR Inputs) you can get a Beachtek type of device that mounts on the bottom of the camera with XLR inputs and plugs into your mic jack. This way you can get the quality of pro audio without the extra stuff on the cam. The problem is with used cams the price difference between a VX2100 and PD170 is not enough to cover the cost of the Beachtek type device. With used cams you can get a PD170 for almost the same as a VX2100.

Trust me, if you had a PD170 you would be in love. The access to all the manual exposure settings (iris, shutter, gain, white balance) are all easily accessible and easy to work with. The GL2 has all those manual controls but they are a pain to get access to on the run. There are buttons for all thos manual settings right on the back of the camera. A PD170 will probably be a few more dollars than a GL2 but is so much more camera it is a great deal. If you found a Panny DVX100 in the same price range it would be a great cam. They say the image on the DVX100 is spectacular and lets you shoot 24p as well. For interviews 24p would probably be really usable and produce nice footage.

Just a few random thoughts....it's always fun spending other people's money. Sly

Shouldn't TV's Discovery Channel be on a different station every day?

frog blog

Bryan G
User

Jun 17, 2008, 2:30 PM

Post #9 of 53 (6795 views)
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Re: [fr0gm@n] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Many thanks Philip - I will ascertain if it is (or was) sold in Australia.

I would dearly love to buy the Sony HVR Z1 (so I can pretend to be a real videographer) but alas, funds won't allow. sigh..
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

Bryan G
User

Jun 17, 2008, 2:42 PM

Post #10 of 53 (6791 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Actually Philip, re-reading your enthiasm for the Panasonic, I have done some research on it and it does seem to be very highly regarded (as is the PD170) but also does 24p as you state. Thanks for the tip.
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

Bryan G
User

Jun 17, 2008, 6:56 PM

Post #11 of 53 (6778 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Philip - I have located a DVX100 in the US which I can hopefully get for around $1700. My question is - as you use NTSC in the US and we use PAL here in Australia, does this matter? ie are cameras either made for NTSC or PAL or do they handle both? I think the answer is the latter (you simply set your video editing software to capture the footage in whichever one) but it would be a costly mistake if I was wrong. The other potential problem is that you use a different power supply there too I think. We have 240 volts. the latter question is probably something I need to put to Panasonic itself. I hope you don't mind mothering me!! Thanks so much.
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

Timothy Harry
Veteran

Jun 18, 2008, 6:57 AM

Post #12 of 53 (6749 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

has to do with the number of scan lines etc. you would need a PAL camera, not NTSC for Australia. You would be running into a big problem if you were trying to deliver NTSC in a PAL country an a regular basis. there are converter programs on the market, but it is much better (and less time consuming) to shoot in the format you are going to edit in. The power thing could be an issue as well. in the US we are on a 120V system, and its a real toss up whether you will get a power supply capable of both voltages.....

for more info on the DVX check out DVXUSER.com lots of great info over there on the camera.

Tim Harry

Dallas, TX

fr0gm@n
Veteran

Jun 18, 2008, 3:10 PM

Post #13 of 53 (6727 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think Timothy covered it pretty well.

I know somewhere in the US someone is going to purchase a DVX100 pretty cheap. It is missing the handle and mic piece because it was broke off. If you use pro audio it is fine. Anyway, there is one somewhere in the US for sale cheap. I know this cause our corp company was robbed recently and it was stolen. Oh well...we replaced it with a PD170 still in one piece.

If you see a DVX matching that description let me know. Wink

Shouldn't TV's Discovery Channel be on a different station every day?

frog blog

Bryan G
User

Jun 18, 2008, 6:28 PM

Post #14 of 53 (6717 views)
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Re: [Timothy Harry] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanx Tim for the heads up on this - I will try to source one from Australia!
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

Bryan G
User

Jun 18, 2008, 6:32 PM

Post #15 of 53 (6714 views)
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Re: [fr0gm@n] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

The DVX100 I found was the only one on E Bay "Mint" condition - don't know if that means mint condition for a handleless camera!!

Unsure

--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

Bryan G
User

Jun 18, 2008, 6:36 PM

Post #16 of 53 (6710 views)
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Re: [Timothy Harry] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Also Tim, thanks for the heads up on DVXUSER.COM
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

fr0gm@n
Veteran

Jun 18, 2008, 6:38 PM

Post #17 of 53 (6710 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I doubt this one will end up on ebay. I don't even know if they could get much from a Pawn Shop for it. Wink

Funny thing is they also stole a GL2 of mine that had a burned out FW Port so you couldn't upload footage. They also stole our JVC DV500 shoulder cam that we just got. The more we used the cam the more we realized we didn't like shoulder mount. It shot great footage but was a beast. So basically they stole 3 cams that were broke or we didn't like and we replaced them with 2 PD170s so now we have 3 PD170s (our PD170 was being rented so it was safe). All our cams match up image wise and we like them. Guess we came out OK if you take out the inconvenience of it all. We aren't getting rich on insurance money but we are getting set back up better than we were.

Shouldn't TV's Discovery Channel be on a different station every day?

frog blog

Bryan G
User

Jun 18, 2008, 6:48 PM

Post #18 of 53 (6708 views)
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Re: [fr0gm@n] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I increasingly take the view Philip that what seem like set-backs are merely opportunities about to be crystallised!! It certainly worked in your case.

A chap was complaining that he had lost a lot of stock the night before. His friend asked: "fire was it?". "No" came the response - "Water, the fire's next week!" Wink

fr0gm@n
Veteran

Jun 18, 2008, 7:01 PM

Post #19 of 53 (6706 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

What we couldn't figure out was where the insurance company got the numbers for compensation. The found the value of the GL2 and DVX100A new today and then depreciated based on the age. That sounds fair and logical but what was whacky was they listed the GL2 at $3K (US) and it is about $2250 in actuality. They priced the DVX100 new below the GL2 (puhleeaaaase....it is way more camera) so the depreciated amount we got where all whacked out. In the end they were about right between the 2 but they messed up the new values.

We still smile and chuckle when we think they got 2 broken cams and one beast.

They did use the credit card they stole from a desk and we did some research and found a restaurant with surveillance footage of them paying so now they need to identify the jerks. We also got the cell phone bill this week and sure enough they made one phone call that night about 3am from the cell phone. Can you say really stupid! We did a reverse lookup on the phone number and got a name and address that they called and turned the info over to the police. Unfortunately we have to do all the leg work and the police will follow up. At least we have given them something to go on. Most people would just sit there, take the insurance money and forget about everything else. My partner wants to nail their lousy butts.

He even went back to the office late one night and parked around back. Brought his big german shepherd dog so he could appear to be walking the dog and just did a little citizen's patrol. He is standing near the street and a car pulls in, looks at him, and continues in the lots and parks. Another car comes in and does the same thing. Someone gets out of the second car and into the first car for a few minutes, gets back in his car and drives away. While this is going on my biz partner calls the police and gives them a license plate number. They get there just after the cars leave. One of the cars plates is registered to a known drug dealer. He almost got them busted.

If you saw the office you would never think it is in a bad part of town. It is fairly modern, upscale part of town that has seen a rash of robberies lately. When you see it in the day you would never dream it was a hot bed for crime. We certainly didn't know about it when we moved in a year ago. Now we learn there have been 4 burglaries in 2 years. One other while we were there and they missed us cause we were in the basement and they never found our office. We are currently exploring our options regarding breaking the lease as we have good reason to.

Shouldn't TV's Discovery Channel be on a different station every day?

frog blog

Bryan G
User

Jun 18, 2008, 7:10 PM

Post #20 of 53 (6704 views)
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Re: [fr0gm@n] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have heard, Philp, especially if you don't need a "face" to the public, of businesses having a plate on their door announcing that they are in the Criminal Surveillance business or similar!! This seems to convey a sense of unease - but as always, it assumes a certian level of IQ which is sometimes questionable.
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

Bryan G
User

Jun 18, 2008, 7:25 PM

Post #21 of 53 (6701 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Philip, I now have the drum on DVX100 prices down-under. As low as $AUD3799. No second hand units are available - a little surprising even though we only have a poulation of 20 million!!

?? I suppose you have been asked this a million times but do you feel it is worth going to HDV - in a unit such as the Sony HVRZ1? Even though I would find it hard to justify the outlay at about $AUD 6,500, what may turn out to be worse is realising the whole world isn't interested in your material because it has gone HD - whether for practical reasons or affectatious ones - in which case you have to put your DVD on the 2nd market for peanuts. Obviously considering the intended applications will be important. In my case, I am really only interested (for now) in interview and conference-type (3 people dilaogue scenarios) situations. Yes, high quality so that people take me seriously (for example if they are silly enough to buy my product or view clips on the web) but so called "broadcast" quality - whatever that means, is not necessary. Crazy

Bryan G
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Jun 18, 2008, 7:25 PM

Post #22 of 53 (6701 views)
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fr0gm@n
Veteran

Jun 18, 2008, 7:25 PM

Post #23 of 53 (6701 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

It would not have slowed these jerks down. Our whole building was burglarized that night including the security firm on the second floor, where get this, they got out with 2 handguns being stored in unlocked drawers and 100+ rounds off ammunition. It's pretty sad when the perps enter without weapons and leave with them and obtain them from a security firm. Try explaining that to your insurance company. Wink

Shouldn't TV's Discovery Channel be on a different station every day?

frog blog

Bryan G
User

Jun 18, 2008, 7:40 PM

Post #24 of 53 (6699 views)
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Re: [fr0gm@n] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, the irony of that is interesting!!
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

Bryan G
User

Jun 22, 2008, 2:15 PM

Post #25 of 53 (6517 views)
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Re: [Bryan G] XM2/GL2 - is it good enuf for me? [In reply to]	Can't Post

I now have the drum on DVX100 prices down-under. As low as $AUD3799. No second hand units are available - a little surprising even though we only have a poulation of 20 million!!

I suppose you have been asked this a million times but do you feel it is worth going to HDV - in a unit such as the Sony HVRZ1? Even though I would find it hard to justify the outlay at about $AUD 6,500, what may turn out to be worse is realising the whole world isn't interested in your material because it has gone HD - whether for practical reasons or affectatious ones - in which case you have to put your DVD on the 2nd market for peanuts. Obviously considering the intended applications will be important. In my case, I am really only interested (for now) in interview and conference-type (3 people dilaogue scenarios) situations. Yes, high quality so that people take me seriously (for example if they are silly enough to buy my product or view clips on the web) but so called "broadcast" quality - whatever that means, is not necessary
--------------------------------------
Many thanks for your help.....

BRYAN FROM DOWN-UNDER

There are precious few Einsteins
among us. Most brilliance arises
from ordinary people working
together in extraordinary ways
- Roger von Oech

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