What to do with my XL-2?

[Felix K.]

Hey everybody! I need a little input from you.

I own a Canon XL-2. I bought it for my first short, March 2006. I shot about 20 tapes on it. It is still in perfect condition. Prize back then was about 3900 Euros (that is about 5700$!) I know it's way cheaper in the U.S., but on ebay they are offered (used) now for about 2500 Euros, 3600$.

I'm just not sure if I should keep it. I definitly want a Fixed-Scarlet at some stage, I'm just not sure when I will be able to afford it. I just know that I definitly want to own a camera, not rent it when I need it.

What do I need a camera for?

- litte web projects.
- small video productions
- definitly a short again someday


This is a short clip I shot for a friend. She's an author and won an award here in Germany but couldn't accept it personally because she lives at NY at the moment, so we shot this video quick n dirty (we had 4 hours).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8w_n9x5dWJA

I am still an amateur although I might earn a buck or two every now and then.

So, what do you think I should do? Sell the XL-2 as quick as possible before it has no value at all anymore and buy, say, a 7d?

Keep it and save for Scarlet?

What would you do?
Thanks for your input! I appreciate that!

 

[Neil Larson]

That's a tough one man. I sold my Sony V1U while it was still worth something and actually picked up a 7D today to hold me off. I got the 7D mainly for stills, but it's not going to hurt having around on productions as a B camera.

I've been playing with the video settings and it looks pretty awesome for what I paid. It's totally up to you, but I think you'd be better off selling your XL-2 and getting a 7D while you wait. But that's just me.

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Flog it, save up, get a Scarlet or two, join the rebellion. :devil:

 

[Felix K.]

Thanks for the input guys

I love your material, Neil!
And Pawel, if I ever make it to Australia, will you show me how to snorkel?

Poor little XL2
It'll be hard to let it go. I went to study in Ireland for a year and, being free to choose which ever courses I want, I dipped into media production (which I loved; we shot with ENG cameras there). I came back to Germany and dreamt about owning a XL-2 and shoting a short. I worked part-time (while still studying) to afford this camera and when I finally had it... well you probably know the feeling
I will have a flightcase and a second (bigger) battery to sell with it. That should be useful.
I liked the sound-recording capabilities of it though! Two XLR inputs! As an audio engineer (yes I did that too ) you kind of get used to then

 

[albert rudnicki]

My guess is that owning a camera is not something that is practical anymore, since it's changing every 12 months; unless you have your own project going then bung it and own it.
it's all in =
xl2 is great, if you need more because you are asked for more, and you are paid for it, then get more.

 

[Erwin Vanderhoydonks]

Well, the same here. I've a Canon XL1 and I have to keep it because I'm still shooting (small) projects with it. If I sell it now I've to buy another camera. But I can wait. Waiting for Scarlet.

 

[Mick Jones]

I would sell the XL2 if you think you can still get a reasonable return on it. If you get a paid gig just rent, beg borrow or steal until you can get your fixed scarlet. I just sold my HVX and actually got a good price for it. With the new wave of DSLR's with video being nice quality and waaaaaay cheaper than HVX/Z1 etc I thought I'd try to sell it while I still could. I have a feeling that within about 3 months the 2nd hand camera market will have the arse fall out of it with the new lot of cheaper/better (arguably in some ways) cameras.

 

[Craig W. Bickerstaff]

I think you should keep the XL 2, shoot shoot and more shooting.
I wish I had an XL 2 instead of an... NV-GS230

 

[Andrew clemson]

Ive been sitting on the fence aswell. Got a Z1/Letus extreme setup thats been on the shelf gathering dust for ages. Still get a bit of rental return on the Z1 now and then, and havent been able to bring myself to bite the bullet.

As someone mentioned before, with all the DSLRs coming out at a fraction of what the old prosumer HD/HDV cams cost, it may be time to get out whilst they still have any resale value at all.

Is there still a market for 2nd hand Z1s?

 

[dansh]

Poor little XL2
It'll be hard to let it go

I can feel your pain... I donated my VX2000E and its widescreen lense adapter when HDV cams became available.

Now it feels I cannot settle for anything less than anything that produces RAW and high DR. I am still amazed by the huge advances we are going through.

Thank You RED.