Im planning on purchasing a camera soon and I was wondering what the differences are between the two. Is there a HUGE difference?

Is it worth spending about an extra grand for the gl2?

thanks

depends how serious u'r gonna get

If you don't look I'll force you to _=_

the 2 is more updated, has alot more features, as you can read on Canon's site... But its basically just like the XL-1s, ecxept smaller chips, and minor differences. If you want the added features, obviously go for the 2. but if you find that you probably wint need those features, save yourself some $$ and find the GL-1 somewhere for sale, (should be a great deal, cause its outdated) Dont buy used though, unless in great condition.

"This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time"

really? you don't recommend buying used? why? any bad experiences? Are DV cameras less resistant? do you know any models which are tougher than others?

I've had my heart set on the XL-1s for a while. I've been saving up, and I am getting pretty close. But people keep saying "go for the GL-2, it's the same, or even better". I don't understand. Can someone provide some insight? Because if the XL-1s is at the top of Canon's list right now, then why are people praising the GL-2 so much? I have nothing against it, but I just have some questions.

Maybe I'm just not ready for the XL-1s....well...any information would help me out a lot...I don't want to buy a camera that I don't know how to use or something...

I AM NOT a registered trademark of Disney.

If you're strapped for cash in any way, I'd say go for the GL1. I have a GL1 and I love it. You can get them very cheap on Ebay and in used circles if you look hard enough. (Try mis-spellings such as gl-1 on Ebay).

The major difference is in sound quality. But you can get a very, very nice microphone and a quality XLR adapter from Studio 1 for MUCH less than the price difference between the GL1 and GL2. I don't even have the studio 1, I just have the $18.00 simple XLR adapter from equipment emporium and I think my sound quality is excellent, especially compared to most student films I've seen.

If there is a professional photography/video store within an hour's drive of your home I would do what I could to get to it and try them out. THat's the best way to figure it out.

As for buying used, I'd say it's the only way for student film-makers. Just make sure you have some kind of guarentee that it will work as well as all the info about the person selling it (physical address, phone number, name). If someone tries to screw you on a used camcorder like a GL1, that's a pretty serious federal offense of grand post fraud.

quote:

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Originally posted by pgPyro:
I've had my heart set on the XL-1s for a while. I've been saving up, and I am getting pretty close. But people keep saying "go for the GL-2, it's the same, or even better". I don't understand. Can someone provide some insight? Because if the XL-1s is at the top of Canon's list right now, then why are people praising the GL-2 so much? I have nothing against it, but I just have some questions.

Maybe I'm just not ready for the XL-1s....well...any information would help me out a lot...I don't want to buy a camera that I don't know how to use or something...

I AM NOT a registered trademark of Disney.

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The thing is, the GL2 has very, very comparable image quality and good sound controls. The great thing about the XL1 is the manual controls are truely manual, no menu driven commands, and there are built-in XLR ports and (fanfare!) it actually uses lenses. The kind you can switch out and stuff.

Now, if you're rich as Hell, then you should certainly go for the Xl1.

But if you're more concerned with value, like most of us starving artists, you can get an XLR adapter with manual controls plus a good mic for a FRACTION of a FRACTION of the cost of the price difference between a GL1/2 and an XL1. Plus, (again, unless you're rich) you'll never be able to afford any alternate lenses for the XL1 anyway. So unless you have tons of cash to blow, I'd recommend personally investing that money into things like computer equipment, microphone stuff, maybe a Glidecam or Steadycam Jr. (I recommend the Glidecam), good, quality tripods and the like. Just extra stuff that most student film makers consider luxuries.

The XL1 is definitely the superior camera, but I just don't see a very good bang-for-buck ratio for a student film maker.

And besides, when it all comes down to the bitter end, I have a friend who makes way, way, way better films than I do with his little $200 Sony Handicam and a $20 tripod than I will EVER be able to make with all my expensive equipment. So if you're really good, like him, you might want to just go for a cheap-ass 1 CCD digital camera from wal-mart and spend the rest on trampolines or Play Station 2 games or a new guitar or something.

Xl1s is better then the GL2 if your going to put money into it. It has interchangable lenses that can make it a machine of destruction.. but will also destroy your budget. Gl2 is great cuz it has the same quality of image, lcd screen , a cool handle to do ride along shots and its much chear then the xl1.

If you don't look I'll force you to _=_

So the GL-2 has the same quality images as the XL-1s? And I thought the XL-1s has a handle too.

Pointgravity Productions

With out lenses I believe the XL1s has the same
quality as the XL1s. XL1s is much bigger and bulkier as well, that is why the handle on the GL2 rocks so much. From this picture GCID=C10678x089XL1s I do not see a handle.

If you don't look I'll force you to _=_

Irony,

Which part of the country are you from?

(sorry for being off-subject)

Oh, here's a question. Is there a good place on the net to see comparative videos of different DV camcorders? Or faithful stills? I think I remember seeing a few canon vs sony stills, and maybe a sony vs pana video, but can't remember where.

Handle. Right there.

Pointgravity Productions

hahhaha.. the gl2 handle kicks its ass though.
Sorry I am a diehard fan of the GL2 over the XL1. Because I am a student filmmaker, I believe unless your going to have the money for lenses then don't bother with the xl1s. Save your cash and keep upgrading your editing system (the better the system doesn't mean better film.. just better convience!) and lighting systems, and build a blue screen or something. Because once u want to move up in the digital world your not gonna go from Gl2 to XL1s, hopefully you'll start renting HD or Beta cams or something higher up there!!

If you don't look I'll force you to _=_

Pope.. From Ontario.. what about you? Age etc?

If you don't look I'll force you to _=_

I'm a 21 year old full grown male, ready to stomp ground, right next to the nation's capital!

Oh, and I completely agree : GL over XL anytime.

We're student's, for chrissake! If we invest in professional equipment, better save it for something which'll look good on the big screen!

For now, keep the budget under control...

I read in an article that the new Panasonic MiniDV cam beats the canon xl1-s...tests were done and panasonic cam did win.

just FYI

You tell us a juicy tidbit like that and don't give us any details? What article, which model etc would be nice!


Pope u go to school ? U got any videos made ?

I am in the Muskoka region... far from Ottawa.

If you don't look I'll force you to _=_

getting back to the subject ...

then in terms of image quality, is there a HUGE difference between the GL1 and the GL2?

btw, anyone recomend the beachtek XLR adapter over the Studio 1? or vice versa..

I would say there isn't that large of a difference between the image quality of the 1 vs 2. As stated already, the audio has vast improvements, which is why you should buy a gl2. Don't buy used unless you know the seller personally. Consumer camcorders are essentially disposable these days and you don't know how much time is already on the heads/camera.

As for the xlr adapter (which you'll need regardless of your camera decision), I like the Beachtek DXA-6. It's got one channel of 48v phantom power, adjustable electronic grounding and a very short high impedance, unbalanced cord because it mounts to the bottom of the camcorder (which minimizes s/n ratio). The studio one is nice, but lacks in these areas compared to the Beachtek, IMHO.

joren