Jack Barker

That was the longest, most complete, and best reply I have ever received on any question I have ever asked. Thank you!

David, do you know how and why the convention of adding blue gels got started to represent moonlight? I am used to it like everyone else in the world, but sometimes it looks a bit cartoonish, since we have all seen real moonlight, and it is white (reflected sunlight), not blue.

Here is one model, but I am sure there are others: http://www.transvideointl.com/pages/englis...ducts/titan.htm

Do you have any idea how much 100 M of cable weighs? Or how much drag it will create as you walk around that room? I don't think that will allow you to "walk freely without any limitation." You haven't even mentioned what else is in the room - people, furniture, etc. - that you would have to drag cable around. Have you considered using a wireless monitor? I can't give you any specifics, but I know they are out there.

This is a typical one of many answers from a Google search: "There is no published maximum lengths for composite or other analog video cables because there are so many factors to take into account. If the driving source is a properly balanced output and the receiver has a properly terminated input and good quality, low loss co-ax cable is used, then the maximum distance can comfortably exceed 100 metres (300ft). However, many domestic video components do not have the best drivers and receivers and therefore, the maximum length will be reduced significantly. With analog signals (composite, S-video, component, RGB) the picture will start to become softer as the cable length increases. Eventually, the image will become unacceptable but it is up to the user to decide what is good enough. In all cases where a long video run is needed, use good quality 75 ohm co-ax cable and within a domestic environment, you should see very few problems." http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_Maxi...te_video_cables Others are more skeptical about 100 M without degradation of signal, but they all seem to agree on the 75 Ohm coax having no discernible limitations. I can't imagine you are truly in a situation where you need to be tethered to a monitor for 100 M or more, but you did not state your actual needs, other than to say, "..a very large room." I would think a composite would do the trick for you.

No, it doesn't, but once we came close - sorta. A while back, there was this guy who was re-engineering folks Panasonic DVX100's to output RAW (4:4:4), and there was even a place on the site where he was going to turn his attention next to the XL2. But it never happened. It never happened, because he sold the company (Reel | Stream Andromeda), and nobody knows to whom (a condition of sale?). I don't think it's too much of a stretch to assume it was bought by Panasonic, or Sony, or Canon, or RED, not just for the technology, but to keep the prices nicely up in the stratosphere for their high-end offerings. Pity. The site is still up and running, but only the Forums are relatively current. This is the site: http://www.reel-stream.com/andromeda.php Here are some pretty good motion samples: http://www.reel-stream.com/gallery_thumbs....p;start_point=0

I can't speak for the others, but November was shot on a DVX100, which I would argue is not "a much better camera than the XL2".

Have you had a look at Instant HD from Red Giant? http://www.redgiantsoftware.com/products/a...let-instant-hd/

Did the guy post in your location of Craigslist? And what is you geographical location? Or did you do a Google search, and got a hit on his ad?

Go read at their website about the services they offer.https://www.paypal.com/ Also, for $500, are you sure he's selling the lens also, or just the body? He may want to keep the lens to use on a PAL replacement.

Rick - For starters, you didn't tell us which camera it is. But I wouldn't do it unless I had someone - a friend - on the ground to look it over for me, or if the seller would be willing to use some escrow service, so you could look it over on arrival, then release the funds to him.

You and your friend should know that the word is "lapse," not laps, or lapes. The info on interval recording starts on page 79 of the Manual, and on Menus and Settings, starts on page 26. I use the PDF version of the Manual mostly, since it is searchable on my computer - saves time. You can download it here: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controll...wnloadDetailAct Scroll down to XL2 Instruction Manual.

Personally, I agree with you. In my case, the item was still under warranty, with another warranty to kick in later, and I did check both with Canon and with B&H, who sold the MAC warranty. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have done it. I only mentioned it my post above to underscore the value of patience. I waited 10 months for this deal to come along.

Well, yes and no. What I mean is that there are people who want to steal your money and send you nothing in return, and there are those who want to sell you lots of extras you don't want or need, to make up for what they lost by selling you the camera cheap in the first place - Abe's of Maine comes to mind. But if you can just tolerate the sales pitches and stick with the goal of getting the XL2, there are some good deals to be had. That said, when you are Googling for the best price, you will get a lot of hits, so always remember to check the ratings of the seller at Reseller Ratings, and read the reviews: http://www.resellerratings.com/ Also, I have found over and over again, that Amazon is a great place to buy almost anything at a good price, even the second hand stuff that gets sold there is worth pursuing, because Amazon actually care about their reputation. http://www.amazon.com/Canon-XL2-MiniDV-Cam...3991&sr=1-1 I bought my XL2 from a guy via CraisgsList a few years back and got an amazing deal - XL2 in original warranty & with an additional 3-year MAC warranty, Portabrace case, extra batteries, Bogen/Manfrotto 525MVB sticks w/503 head and a padded case, a JVC deck, and some other bits and pieces - all for $3,000. The key for me was that I was prepared to be patient, and only pursue offers within driving distance (the seller came to me!), where I could examine the stuff first. Good luck.

I meant to mention this in my previous post, but you might like to visit the rather large and knowledgeable XL2 Forum at DVInfo - the "XL2 Watchdog". I'm sure you can search for matte box threads there. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/forumdisplay.php?f=73