Higher Quality Video Cameras: Canon GL2 Kit with Accessories
By Internet Video Gal in Video Camcorders, Video Equipment, Video Production Tips
Canon GL2-A perennial camera buff’s favorite. This is a camera for serious videographers who insist on great quality and enjoy being able to have complete manual control over all the functions for more and better artistic control. Of course, the GL-2 can also be set to automatic if you’re shooting in a run-and-gun documentary style.
A camera like the GL-2 can be a joy to use since it has so many great features and functions. I am thrilled to include the Canon Gl2 in my video equipment store inventory. Click here to go video camera camera shopping!
Right now we are bundling the GL2 camera as a kit with a full package of accessories, including a light and a fluid head tripod for under $2,600.
The GL-2 uses Mini DV tapes and records in dv (digital video) format. This is one of the best formats to shoot in if you want to edit the video that you take. This format has been around awhile and every video editing software program I know of accepts dv file format.
For a high quality image, the image sensing device for the gl2 includes 3 CCD chips. With a three chip camera, you have a separate CCD for each primary color (red, green, blue). Three chip cameras give a much better image in terms of color, clarity than a smaller one-chip camera. The chips are 1/4″ size, 410,000 Gross Pixels, 380,000 Effective Pixels, using Pixel Shift Technology.
Another benefit of the GL2 is the ability to record quality audio with an XLR input. Quality video means getting quality audio too and the best way to do that is with supplemental microphones, which require an input jack on your camera. the best microphones will have an XLR connector. You can also choose to attach the optional DM-50 Directional Stereo Microphone, which is a shotgun mic with high sensitivity and super directional pick-up.
The GL2 offers 2-channel manual audio adjustment (2 mechanical, dedicated controls). The audio level can also be monitored inside the viewfinder LCD screen or by an external illuminated VU meter. I love being able to see the audio level without having to remove my eye from the viewfinder. Now that is a videographer inspired feature if there ever was one!
Like most video cameras today, the GL2 features an image stabilization feature. (Not to be too bad a fuddy-duddy, but I still recommend a tripod.)
Still, image stabilization is a handy feature . Canon’s optical stabilization system says it eliminates image shake off many different magnitudes due to a wide range reasons. The camera corrects camera shake instantly.
Even the shakiest of shots, such as a hand-held at full telephoto, are fairly smooth and steady. Since it is an optical stabilization process, the results are much better than electronic image stabilizers.
Another handy feature of this camera is the VL-3 Video Light, which comes in this special kit bundle. This light can turn an impossible situation into a well-lit on and can either stay on continuously or turn on/off automatically, in response to changes in the brightness of the shooting situation. Now that’s pretty cool!
Some video assignments, such as official video documentation of legal proceedings or law enforcement activities, require identification of date, time and time code of each recording. The GL2 can accommodate this and can be set to permanently record this information directly over the video image.
EDITING ON THE GO, QUICKLY!
For instant editing, simply connect your TV, VCR, or analog camcorder to the camcorder, and send the analog signal directly to your computer’s IEEE-1394 terminal, without recording to tape, which could save a significant amount of capture time.
When you do this, I highly recommend you simultaneously record the analog signal to DV tape, which will create a high-quality master of your original. It’s dangerous to not have a tape copy.
Other manual control options on the Canon GL-2:
- Variable shutter, Shutter Speed range of 1/8 – 1/15,000.
- Focus
- Exposure
- White Balance
- Audio Level Control
Input/Output Interface
- Composite Video: RCA (x1 Input, x1 Output)
- S-Video: 4-Pin MINI DIN
- Analog Audio L/R: RCA (x1 Input, x1 Output)
- FireWire: IEEE-1394 4-Pin
- Headphones: Mini Stereo
- Microphone: Mini Stereo
If you purchase the Canon GL2 from Video Production Tips and B&H photo, it comes bundled with all the accessories you will need. The kit includes the cloth bag case pictured above, plus:
- Pearstone VT2500B Video Tripod System (pictured below)
- Bescor LED-35 LED On Camera Light (pictures above)
- Extra battery (2× Series 7 SL-50 Lithium Battery Pack – 7.2VDC)
- Series 7 BCL-1 Quick Charger
- Series 7 S7-CGL Battery Adapter Plate – for Canon GL-1/GL2
- Petrol PMCCB1 Compact Camcorder Bag (Pictured above)
- Petrol PMH-1 Mini Hood – for Small Camcorders with 2.5″ LCD Monitors
- Petrol PRC-MDV Rain Cover for the camera
The Pearstone VT2500B is a lightweight video tripod system featuring a two-way fluid head and quick release. This system was designed for camcorders weighing up to 15.4 lbs (6.9 kg). It features a 50mm leveling ball and a built-in spirit level for rapid setups.
• Leveling Ball
A 50mm leveling ball with built-in spirit level works well for rapid setups
• Fluid Head
The 2-Way fluid-effect head with quick-release offers smooth motion and transport capabilities
• Rubber Feet
This system comes with convenient retractable rubber feet for delicate floor surfaces
• Legs
The VT2500B’s three-sectioned legs break down to a very compact 30.0″ (76.2cm) for transport.
Click here to go camera shopping at the Video Production Tips Video Equipment Store!
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39 Comment(s)
By Richard Day on | Reply
I use one of these GL2 Canon video cameras. I have never been sorry for choosing this one.
The quality far exceeds what is necessary for website video, but I have always loved quality equipment.
I like the fact that you can override just about everything, if you want or need to, but you can also make it a no-brainer machine. It isn’t too large, nor is it too heavy.
Actually, my tripod weighs probably five times what the camcorder weighs, but the tripod is very important, in my opinion.
If you check out her offer at BHphotovideo.com, you will see that they also offer used GL2s. BHPhotovideo is one of the very few vendors that really know what they are talking about and more importantly, you can buy used equipment from them without fear.
Richard Days last blog post..Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-07-05
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Richard.
Right on, sir. I agree with you 110%. The GL2 is a gem and B&H Photo is THE place to buy video equipment. I would not hesitate to buy something used from them. I WOULD hesitate to buy used video equipment from most other sources.
Thanks for being a Video Production Tips reader.
Lorraine
By Kristana Banana on | Reply
I just bought a GL2 and am having trouble with the quality in editing. I have iMovie 6 and iMovie 9 and am contemplating FCE. I have been surprised at the lack of quality on my new 24′ iMac as I had heard such wonderful things about this camera. I know there is going to be a difference between SD and HD, but I did not realize it would be so dramatic. Am I missing something?
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Kristana.
I am so sorry to hear that you are disappointed in your GL2. From your comment, I am having a hard time understanding exactly what you do not like. Is it the camera or your editing software you do not like?
The difference between high def and standard def is pretty dramatic, but standard def is still high quality and that is what most of us are used to so a standard def picture should look perfectly acceptable to most folks.
How does the video look coming right out of the camera? Does it loose quality once you capture it into your mac? If so, maybe your capture settings are off.
Now, I have heard that sometimes canon codecs have some trouble being read well by editing software. This can lead to capture problems and file format compatibility problems.
I hope this helps.
Lorraine
By Richard TrafficBumper Day on | Reply
As an owner of a GL2, I can tell you that its quality is excellent. It comes out of the camera and into Sony Vegas Video in an AVI non compressed format.
I do all my editing and save it again in non-compressed AVI format. I do this because I may want to re edit something later, and I want the finest quality I can get.
Before I post it on the web, I put it in a compressed FLV format.
Have you tried taking a video from your former camera and looked at it on your 24″ monitor? If you do, make sure that you look at the uncompressed avi format so that you will get the best picture available.
Do some experimenting. I believe that you may be expecting too much from the large monitor. I don’t know for sure.
By g rod on | Reply
HI i was wondering if you can help me?
What light should i buy for my canon gl2? I just purchased it a week ago. Should I get the 10 and the 100w?
Thanks!
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi.
Congratulations on buying a Canon GL-2. You should be able to make fantastic video with that! Being a fan of video production equipment, I would say go ahead and buy both if you can afford it. There is a huge difference between the light output of a 100 watt and that of a 10 watt. So both would be handy.
Thanks for reading video production tips!
Lorraine
By Kristana Banana on | Reply
Lorraine,
Thanks for your posting. I think it’s the software that is creating problems for me. I am using iMovie ‘09, but with recent changes from past versions it’s not the best with standard definition anymore. I’m doing research on the best Mac software for standard definition. Does anyone have any preferences? FCE or Adobe Premiere?
Thanks,
Kristen
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Kristen.
From my experience, Final Cut Express would be a better choice than Adobe Premiere. Adobe Premiere is generally thought of as a difficult program to use and is not too many people’s favorite. Of course I know some people who love it so go figure, but my money would be with FCE.
You are probably 100% correct with your diagnosis of the software being part of the problem. That sounds logical. I have not made the move to HD yet, I use FCE with mini dv and really love it.
Good luck. Keep us posted! Thanks Kristen.
Lorraine
By Kristana Banana on | Reply
Thanks Lorraine. Can I ask what version of FCE you are using?
-Kristen
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
I bought my Mac Pro about a year and a half ago and got Final Cut Express 3.5.1.
The single biggest difference between Final Cut Express and Final Cut Pro are in the number and type of file formats it accepts. There are other differences of course, you have better color correction and graphics capabilities with pro, but I get by without that stuff just fine. If I were having to edit lots of different formats I’d feel the need to upgrade, but for the most part, I am satisfied with just having express. The only thing I truly miss about using final cut pro is the nesting capabilities. Express will not do nesting but I get around that by rendering and exporting a section as a quicktime movie and then putting the quick time movie in the time line.
If you are unfamiliar with nesting, that is where you take multiple lines of video and condense them all into one line so you can modify the multiple lines as though they were one. That is not something I do too often.
Hope that helps.
Lorraine
By Kristana Banana on | Reply
Lorraine,
Do you think FCE version 4 will be ok with standard definition? Does anyone have any opinions or experience?
Thanks
-Kristen
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
I do not have any direct experience with 4.0, sorry.
By Brandon Bassett on | Reply
Hey!
Can you edit the Cannon GL2 video camcorder in Sony Vegas 7.0? If so, how do you transfer the files? I have a firewall cable that plugs into my PC from the camera. I open the file using sony vegas, but it doesn’t show up in MY Computer. Can you help me?
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Brandon.
Yes, you should be able to. Double check the file format coming out of the camera and the formats accepted by Vegas 7. I do not have a GL2, but my buddy Richard, who commented above, says it outputs avi. AVI is so common, it is accepted by all programs, but the problem is that avi is what’s called a “container” format. Which means that avi is the exterior (container) so to speak and inside you can have a lot of variability. I was trying to edit some avi files from a friend the other day and had a lot of trouble with her avi files.
There might be some minor incompatibility that you could correct with the correct add-on. Or, it might not be a software incompatibility, it could be a burned out connector on either the camera or the pc. It could also be a bad cable. Maybe you should be using a usb2 instead of a firewire. I do not really know. There are several places where the problem might be found.
Having the computer “not recognize” the camera is the #1 difficulty in getting an edit program to work well. Honestly, it happens quite a bit. So often, that it is a royal pain in the tush!! But you can not assume the problem is simple file format incompatibility, although that’s what it is in 90% of cases. Corrupted files in the computer or some corruption within the program can also be the cause. You might try contacting customer support with Canon or Sony. They would be the best to contact and I would try them first. Just the other day I was capturing some video in my computer and all of a sudden it would not recognize the camera. It ended up being a loose cable. I shoved it back in and everything was fine.
Good luck. Let me know!
Thanks.
Lorraine
g
By Brandon on | Reply
okay. thanks Lorraine! I will try it and hopefully it will work!
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Good luck Brandon.
“Device not found” is hassle for sure. Let me know.
Thanks
Lorraine
By Brandon Bassett on | Reply
hey!…I am thinking about purchasing a Canon GL2…On the Cannon GL2 are you able to focus on a main object and blurr the background with this video camcorder? Please message me back a.s.a.p
thanks!
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Brandon.
You ask a great question. Simply put, yes. The Canon gl2 can blur the background while focusing on the main subject.
The ability to blur the background can be done with just about any camera and is more dependent on factors that affect the depth of field than specifically which camera you use. Having said that, more sophisticated cameras like the gl2 have several features that make it easy to achieve the out-of-focus background effect. One, the lens is nice and long. Plus you have internal neutral density filters that allow you to decrease the amount of light when shooting outside. Additionally, you have manual control of both the iris and the focus and an awesome macro lens. Now, the GL2 is in a certain class of cameras that would all have these same capabilities. The GL2 is not unique in these features but overall it is a great camera and I say you should buy it!
If you go lower in camera sophistication (and price), you do not get these features but could still manage a blurry background, it’s just a lot harder.
I have several posts on this blog about achieving blurry backgrounds and how it is influenced by depth of field, choices of lens, lighting, etc. if you want to get more info. You can even get the out of focus blurry background in editing although it is A LOT easier to do it while shooting if you know how.
Thanks. Enjoy your gl2. I say buy it honey.
Lorraine
By Brandon Bassett on | Reply
I just bought it! thank you so much for the tips and advice Lorraine!
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Awesome! Santa Claus must really like you! Merry Christmas.
Lorraine
By Eddie on | Reply
I bought the GL2 and had trouble with the jamming of the tape (common problem, just goggle it) howevr Canon sent me a new one via my retail where I purchased it.
Does anyone know if the GL2 will read and support a 8GB SDHC memorycard?
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Eddie.
Canon sent you a brand new one because you had tape jams? Geez, that would be what I can great customer service.
I do not know if it will support a memory card, I do not think so but they may have added that. Check the spec sheet or the owners manual.
Lorraine
By Brandon Bassett on | Reply
Hi!
My name is Brandon Bassett. I purchased 2 firewire cables for the Cannon GL2. 9 PIN to 4-PIN IEEE 1394 DV FIREWIRE CABLE FOR MAC PC. What and what website is the correct firewire cable to purchase. I am in need of desperate help. Can you help me please?
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Brandon.
A Canon GL2 has a firewire 4-pin output. So as long as one end of your fire wire is 4 pin for the camera, the other end needs to be whatever fits into your computer. Does the cable you have fit and not work or does it not fit? If it fits but still does not work, then there could be several things wrong. The firewire port on either the camera or the computer could be dead. There could be software issues. Or it is a bum cable. I hope this helps.
Thanks, Lorraine
By Brandon Bassett on | Reply
Hey Lorraine!…yes one end of my fire wire is 4pin. That plugs into the Cannon GL2 video camcorder. The other end of the firewire that plugs into the video camcorder is smaller than the firewire port in the back of my IMAC. I don’t think it’s anything wrong with my IMAC because I bought it brand new. I also bought final cut pro studio 7 brand new. I do have a firewire cable that plugs into the video camcorder and in the back of my IMAC, but the 4pin is very loose and forces me sometimes to capture the video when I’m taking the files off in final cut pro 7. What firewire do you use ? Please email me back a.s.a.p
thanks!
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Brandon.
Bless your heart, all that great stuff and a bum cable is messing up the entire operation! A firewire cable should fit snuggly. If the 4-pin firewire does not fit, maybe that is the issue right there. Maybe it is just not making the proper connection and so the data cannot flow. You say:
The other end of the firewire that plugs into the video camcorder is smaller than the firewire port in the back of my IMAC. Honestly, that sentence did not make a whole lot of sense and I wondered if you miswrote, but if not, you need to get a cable that fits at both ends. I do not know that brand matters. Hope this helps.
Lorraine
By Kristana Banana on | Reply
Brandon,
The new IMACs have a different firewire than the old ones. I had to buy a new cable when I got my new computer. It used to be 6pin firewire, now it is I believe 9pin. I found a 4pin to 9pin cable at a local store specializing in Macs.
-Kristen
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Kristen,
Thanks! The abundance of different sizes (and speeds) makes it confusing. No doubt a Mac store is one of the best places to go for firewire cables.
Lorraine
By Nick Patton on | Reply
Hi I just purchased the GL2 and I love it, but It seems that it is not connecting with my computer via FCE….whats wrong? PLEASE! I need a answer. I love to make vids.
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Nick.
Glad to hear you love making videos! Me too.
OK, let’s trouble shoot. Have you ever used FCE to capture from another camera? If you are familiar with the capture process you can compare how your new gl2 is doing compared to your old camera.
What version of FCE? First check your FCE manual and see what file formats it supports. Then check your gl2 to see if your format is supported. It should be. But you need to check to make sure in case you have the bizzarro old version or something. Or maybe your brand spanking new gl2 has some bit of advancement that tweaked the codec ever so slightly. Chances are small but you gotta start at the beginning whenever you trouble shoot.
Make sure you have capture settings within fce correct. The settings need to match as best as possible what you are importing and you have a lot of choices. Often, if they don’t fit precisely sometimes all you need to do is render the video but other times an incompatibility will make it simply not work. Check capture settings under user preferences in fce. Read about the entire capture process in the manual if you have not done so already.
If everything is ok, then that means the problem is either a bad cable, a bad connection, or a bad port on either the camera or the computer. If everything is compatible digitally, then something like that is busted. Does it read the camera at all? FCE should indicate at the bottom of the capture window whether it is even recognizing the camera. There are two settings, one where the program has remote control of your camera and the other where you “capture now” and manually control the camera. You can capture either way. Either way it shows that it recognizes the camera. Just can not control it.
Now this is gonna sound weird, but I swear it’s true. I have worked with edit computers long enough to see it quite a bit. Sometimes the damn thing just won’t work. Who the hell knows why? No one. So you just cross your fingers and try it again. Turn everything off. Unplug everything. Wait a few minutes while whistling Dixie and not swearing. Plug everything back in. Turn everything back on. Maybe it’s working now because the real problem is your office is haunted by poltergeists.
Computers can be strange. Just like people.
I hope this helps.
Lorraine
By Nick Patton on | Reply
thanks and yes I used my older camera to do some projects…so I know that the firewire is fine and no my mac isnt reading my camera at all
By Nick Patton on | Reply
My mac also has quicktime 7.6 so that may also be an issue
By Nick Patton on | Reply
sorry I forgot to mention that I am using FCE 4.01
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Did you check everything I suggested in the other comment? You probably have a slight incompatibility of some kind.
Lorraine
By Joe Maxwell on | Reply
We are purchasing a GL2 for our church. Our main goal is to project this in our lobby and overflow. Our camera will be approximately25′ to 30′ from our media room. What is the best way to be able to capture video, if needed, and project the image to the projectors?
By Internet Video Gal on | Reply
Hi Joe.
Thanks for stopping by VPT. I used to do the exact same thing at a large temple during their annual High Holy Days. It was easy to hook up but I needed some long cables. Without seeing all of your equipment, more than likely the best way to do what you need to do would be to take the video output of your GL2 and hook it straight into the monitor or projector. You will probably need to use the analogue outputs, the RCA color coded cables or the SVHS signal. Every projector or monitor I have ever seen accepts one or both of these signals.
I hope this helps.
Lorraine
By Steve on Jun 4, 2010 | Reply
Hi, my local high school football team has a Canon GL2 that they use to record each game. The coach wants to be able to capture highlights from the MiniDV recording and burn them to DVD for players that are potential college prospects. I am a novice. Can someone give me an economical (very small school) recommendation on how and what I would need to do this?
By Internet Video Gal on Jun 4, 2010 | Reply
Hi Steve.
MiniDV is a very common format and compatible with probably all video editing software. Mini DV is DV stream format and it has been around for a long time. So the footage shoot on your school’s GL2 will be easy to edit.
First, get organized. Look at the footage you have and decide what kind of final video you want to make out of it. What clips are the best clips to use? Identify them in the initial stages of your task and make a log of that information. You probably have hours and hours of footage to log.
Then choose some video editing software, capture the select clips you want into that software program, and then edit them together along with some music, narration, titles and so forth. When you are done editing, you will convert it to a sharing format and burn it on to a disc or upload it to the web. You will need to burn them in mpeg2 format to play in a standard dvd player. You could also burn them in other formats like quicktime or wmv and people could watch those discs on their computer.
There are free software programs that can accomplish this and I have a review of the top 8 here.
http://videoproductiontips.com/video-editing/video-editing-software-the-eight-best-free-programs/
I hope this helps you. Good luck!
Your coach is absolutely right. Having a highlight reel to send to college recruiters is a GREAT idea.
The task would be easier if after every game the highlight clips were captured into your edit program. Keep up with it as time goes on and then you do not have an overwhelming task at the end.
Lorraine