GL2 good for Events

[Rob Grauert]

I used to have a GL2. It was my first camera. It works great in well lit situations; not the best in low light though. The only thing I disliked about my GL2 was that it doesn’t have XLR inputs. So after a few years of having my GL2, I recently upgraded to a Sony PD170, which does have XLR inputs and works better in low light situations.

A new PD170 may be a bit more than the GL2, so want to save some money, a good option is to get the GL2 and purchase a BeachTek XLR adapter.

I would say a GL2 with the BeachTek device will be pretty good for starting in the wedding business. The only time you may have trouble is during the reception, although I was able to pull it off just fine at a wedding I shot for a family friend. It all depends how dark it is during the reception.

So hopefully that helps you come to an educated decision. Good Luck.

Robert J. Grauert, Jr.

[Daniel Fessak]

Yeah, I tried to test the camera the other day to see how it would go, and I shot something outside in a lot shade and it looked almost like it was with an everyday consumer level cancorder, but stuff in full sunlight was pretty good. Didn’t know if it was the camera or my tv.

Do you think you might be able to suggest another camera, one that is not as expensive as the Sony, that I would not have to worry about low lighting?

[Rob Grauert]

Yes. The Sony VX2100 is like the Sony PD170, except it doesn’t have XLR inputs, so it should be a bit cheaper. I’m not sure how it compares to the PD170 as far as image adjustments. Of course the VX2100 still allows you to adjust the aperture, gain, shutter speed, etc, but I’m not sure it you can create custom presets. You might not need that feature either though.

I’d say the VX2100 is like, the competition to the GL2 but is very similar to the PD170.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/303956-REG/Sony_DCRVX2100_DCR_VX2100_3_CCD_Mini.html

Robert J. Grauert, Jr.

[Rob Grauert]

here’s a couple more links so you can compare what the cameras look like on paper:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/255811-REG/Canon_7920A001_GL2_Mini_DV_3CCD.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/308853-REG/Sony_DSRPD170THPAC_DSR_PD170_3_CCD_Mini_DVCAM.html

as you can see, the VX2100 is only a few hundred more than the GL2 and the VX2100 is at least $500 less than the PD170 (the PD170 has a few kits varying in price).

Robert J. Grauert, Jr.

[Miodrag Ristic]

Daniel,

I second Rob’s assessment on GL2 to the last bit.
It is a very good camera for what you want to do with it.

There is a little Canon light (V10 if I’m correct) to attach to
accessory shoe for reception, but you have to be close to the action.
It lifts it up just about enough.
Another option (apart from beachteck) is to have a good mike
during the ceremony (MKE300 or Rode).

See some samples here, all GL2

https://www.digitalvideovault.com.au/galleryMovie.aspx?page=Movie%20Gallery

Mio

[Daniel Fessak]

See, that looks pretty good, but when I have been doing some test shooting it looks grainy and not that great. Maybe I am just stupid and don’t know how the gain works?

[Don Greening]

Daniel,

Just put the GL2 into manual recording mode and keep the gain at zero. Some of the other shooting modes will allow the camera to adjust the gain automatically, which is what you don’t want.

– Don

[Ralph Hajik]

HI Don,

When you have it in manual mode, what shutter speed and aperture do you usually start at for capturing motion on stage?

Ralph