Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Should I buy a Gl2

profile picture
dakesteeze
Posts: 214 - Karma: 137
Brand new for $350. I would be using this camera primarily to learn with, so that in couple years when I can afford something like an HX A1 I have an idea what I'm doing. Yes, I realize that its "standard definition" and that it takes tapes.

is this a horrible investment? Should i learn on something else like a DVX?
Aug 1 2010 11:06PM
0 0
profile picture
goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
I must say....for 350 bucks that sounds like a pretty good deal. Yes it is SD, however, you get closer to the size and weight of a nicer camera to work with. Also, the GL2 has a lot of manual settings to work with, so yes it would be a good camera to learn on. I had one for a few years, loved it. If you can afford to get a DVX or even an XH-A1 right now, I would and just learn on that. If you are strapped for cash and have this opprotunity...I think it's a good deal. Just don't expect much out of it when you try and sell it and the fact you are already ok with it being SD takes that out of the equation.

just my opinion....
Aug 1 2010 11:17PM
0 0
profile picture
Bill.
Posts: 254 - Karma: 36
Is this from a store or an individual?
If you decide to pass on it I'm interested
Aug 1 2010 11:21PM
0 0
profile picture
dakesteeze
Posts: 214 - Karma: 137
gohe's a buudy of mine. But he really needs to sell this thing so if i pass, I'm sure he'll go to whatever means to sell it to you.
Aug 1 2010 11:24PM
0 0
profile picture
[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Simply put, the DVX is the only SD/tape camera that is worth buying. Everything else is a piece of shit.

Also know what you're getting yourself into by getting a SD cam. The new "standard" for hosting and distrobution is "HD," meaning web hosting and most televisions are grounded on HD. But it is only a standard, not an aesthetic crutch. I still shoot my DVX even though I have a 1080p camera, just because I think it makes beautiful images.
Aug 2 2010 1:03AM
0 0
profile picture
miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
DVX > GL2, in both camera image and cost. Unfortunately even for a used DVX in decent condition you'll be looking at paying one thousand more than that. $350 is a pretty sweet deal though...
Aug 2 2010 1:25AM
0 0
profile picture
Satan666
Posts: 139 - Karma: 21
For that price, yes.
Aug 2 2010 1:57AM
0 0
profile picture
K_FRANK
Posts: 513 - Karma: 277
ive got a dvx and love it if you can drop the extra cash for one deffinetly go for that over the gl2
Aug 2 2010 2:52PM
0 0
profile picture
dakesteeze
Posts: 214 - Karma: 137
Thanks for the replys everyone. I'm definately going to check craiglist,kijiji,etc for a cheap DVX100a. If anyone has any experience with the Gl2, any input would be greatly appreciated.
Aug 2 2010 4:48PM
0 0
profile picture
goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
these were both shot with my GL2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-C4vjMhsNo&feature=related

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmlY2YiaUUQ
Aug 2 2010 7:20PM
0 0
profile picture
gabfreeski
Posts: 1459 - Karma: 23
I would say no
but for that price yes go for it
Aug 2 2010 8:03PM
0 0
profile picture
goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
agreed. the only reason why I would really consider the option of buying that GL2 right now is because of that $350 price tag
Aug 2 2010 8:20PM
0 0
profile picture
Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
Jump on it, you can't go wrong with that price.

You really learn a lot about how to properly care for a camera with your first one. You can afford to beat it up a bit while learning these things.

Don't expect great quality, but you will learn a lot about how to use video cameras with all the manual controls. Normally it would be a definite no to the gl2 but you really can't say no to that price.
Aug 2 2010 8:52PM
0 0
profile picture
dakesteeze
Posts: 214 - Karma: 137
Wow, nice filming/editing. Ive decided I can't pass this offer up cuz i know I will be kicking myself later if i dont. Thanks everyone.
Aug 3 2010 12:17AM
0 0
profile picture
MichSteeze
Posts: 536 - Karma: 12
on average, how much is a dvx, on criagslist there is a dvx-100b ( could be a 100a ) with a really nice tripod, case, ect for 1500....not too sure if i want to drop that much cash if i can get it cheaper.
Aug 3 2010 4:04PM
0 0
profile picture
miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
Used ones go about that price. You need to know how many hours are on the reader, though - that helps determine how much the camera has been used.
Aug 3 2010 4:22PM
0 0
profile picture
MichSteeze
Posts: 536 - Karma: 12
okay. i think it was used as a back up camera so it was low. how much for just the camera?
Aug 3 2010 4:27PM
0 0
profile picture
K_FRANK
Posts: 513 - Karma: 277
i payed 1200 for my dvx with 66 hours on the heads and a wide angle so you could probably find a dvx for around that price range
Aug 3 2010 4:32PM
0 0
profile picture
miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
I bought mine used, with 70 some hours, for about 1400. For just one DVX100b, the price range is about 1250 - 1500, so I'd estimate. Some are more, some are less, but that's the general balance right now.

If you don't have tripod/all that other stuff, get on that deal. Packages are nice, so you might as well cop it. Check on the hours - have the seller take a picture of the screen so you can see the hour meter. If they're high (above, say, 300) ask him if he's ever used the camera for playback/capture, experienced dropped frames, or had the camera professionally serviced (the heads cleaned).
Aug 3 2010 4:35PM
0 0
profile picture
MichSteeze
Posts: 536 - Karma: 12
okay. i have been looking on ebay and criagslist, do you know of anyother sites that would have them used? the guy i have been talking to has a dvx for 1500 with a tripod and case, for a dvx, is a tripod nessary? i will be filming mostly skiing and skateboarding.
Aug 3 2010 4:36PM
0 0
profile picture
MichSteeze
Posts: 536 - Karma: 12
i did message him about the hours. i am thinking its a 100a but i could be wrong. also, like the gl2, does the dvx-100a or dvx-100b take tapes? and is this camera confusing to learn how to film? i have filmed with a gl2 for refrence....
Aug 3 2010 4:50PM
0 0
profile picture
K_FRANK
Posts: 513 - Karma: 277
yes the dvx runs on tapes and if you have some camera expirience you shouldent have to much of a problem figuring it out but if you need help look around on this site http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/ it helped me out alot
Aug 3 2010 5:09PM
0 0
profile picture
MichSteeze
Posts: 536 - Karma: 12
okay.. thanks a lot. i am looking for the dvx in like the $800 price range, but i dont think that is going to happen so i might jump on this deal.
Aug 3 2010 5:24PM
0 0
profile picture
MichSteeze
Posts: 536 - Karma: 12
The camera was used to shoot 2 student films and one wedding. In total I would say about 12-15 hours worth of filming and another 2-4 hours of importing the footage onto the computer. So 14-19 hours of total power time.
The camera comes with
1. After makret lithium 12 hour battery
2. Batterey charger
5. Manfrito tripod $450



is what the dude said in the email.
Aug 3 2010 5:58PM
0 0
profile picture
MichSteeze
Posts: 536 - Karma: 12
the camera is a dvx100b. he wants everything for 1400.
Aug 3 2010 8:38PM
0 0
profile picture
miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
^Dayum. Good deal from what I can see, although I guess I don't know the details. Get a picture of that hour meter, though, because events can take longer than you'd think. Once you've got that confirmed, maybe borrow some money from your parents to make that happen, b/c that's a deal and a half.

The DVX has the wonderful ability to adjust your image, in many ways. You get a bunch of framerates (it was the first digital camera to do "24p") and massive control over lighting and coloring. It is a bit overwhelming at first, but one can get by without getting too deep into the controls. I used the camera for about a year without doing anything but white balance, iris, and a few other things.

This, however, is severely limiting the DVX's potential. Find Barry Green's DVX book; it is the gospel of that camera and will tell you everything you need to know. I swear by it.
Aug 3 2010 10:14PM
0 0
profile picture
MichSteeze
Posts: 536 - Karma: 12
okay. cool, yeah i was thinking it was a pretty good deal. the thing is i have to convince my parents to loan me like 600 dollars to buy this.
Aug 3 2010 10:23PM
0 0
profile picture
miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
Just open a tab with your parents. As long as you keep good credit with them, they'll be willing to loan you money and let you pay it back as you go.

I guess its a little late to note that we've seriously digressed from the original thread discussion. If you need anything else, PM me.
Aug 3 2010 10:54PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)