On Mon, 16 Jul 2001 09:41:45 -0400, "Marck Savoie Voyer" wrote:

>Hi again!
>Thanks for the nice advices! First, I live in Montreal (Canada)... which I
>think makes it more difficult to have access to those fancy cameras
>easily.... BTW, if anyone out there knows of a good store in Montreal filled
>with pro tv gear, feel free to provide an adress!
>
>I admit that I am still interested in the XL1 (with the MA-100 for the xlr
>audio) but considering the dv500 from JVC... This camera pretty much has
>what makes me hesitate for the XL1 (BW viewfinder, mechanical lens,
>XLR-audio, true shoulder mounted)... I think that if I'm willing to wait
>another 4-5 months I will be able to afford the 1200$ that it cost over the
>XL1... But then I will have to buy pro accessories (NP1 batteries, etc!).
>But hey! We are not here to produce some low quality videos! ;-)

I would still look at the Sony PD150...
Better picture and low-light ability than the XL-1
(similar, perhaps, to the JVC, but with MUCH lower
price/size/weight), and with excellent finder(s), XLRs,
and power solution (it's nice to use cheap, light,
durable batteries that last "forever" on a charge,
and with many recharging cycles...). No mechanical
lens or true shoulder-mount, and the set-ups favor
auto-control use. If these bug you, it's back to the
JVC...;-) BTW, to properly "deck out" an XL-1 isn't
cheap either - the B&W VF, big battery packs, and
manual lens are not cheap...