I hope you're getting it super cheap. MiniDV is basically an obsolete technology. Unless you're getting this camera for a few hundred dollars, it is a huge waste of money. Not a good investment.
I don't mean to jump CF here, but for a quick answer: it's standard definition.
Yeah its is kinda old, but it offers many other good options. But seriously, can you elaborate on that (have you shot with it)?
Yeah, Im aware of that. But does definition REALLY matter so much? I mean, dont get me wrong, I would love to have a Canon 5d Mark II (who wouldnt), but is it really a must? I know a few people who made good features with it, so im asking. How important is HD?
And what would you recommend, I have 1400 $ to spend on a camera! And im ordering it via ebay, though im from Slovenia so I need someone who ships worldwide.
Thanks in advance
No, I've never shot with it. I learned how to shoot video on the Canon GL1, which is the lower-priced less-fancy sibling of the XL-series. This camera is very good, but considering what else is out there, why in the world would you want it, unless you're getting a REALLY good deal?
The question isn't why shouldn't you get this camera. The question is why should you? You mention that it has "many good options". Name them.
I mean no disrespect, but I have to assume that your research is either insufficient or out-dated. Unless there's something you're not telling me, I see no reason to buy this camera.
Are you a first-time filmmaker? If so, you shouldn't spend so much. Spend a couple hundred bucks on a cheap used miniDV camcorder. Make a bunch of shorts. By the time you've honed your skills and are ready to step up to a better camera, the technology will have completely changed.
Xl2 is a very good camera, and very usable to make shorts or even a feature. I just wouldn't pay more than $500 for one at this stage of the game. Most sellers have them WAY overpriced.
"Dude, I don't give a shit how much you paid for that in 2004, in 2011, it's one step above a doorstop. I paid $3000 for my computer in 2001 as well, that doesn't stop it from being worth about $15 today"
I dont which which sentence is of your liking from the two above but, do you have any good recommendations? What do you think of Canon 7D? Does it have everything manual which is what I need (iso, shutter, iris, wb etc.)?
7D is a good camera, you're going to have to hang another $1500 to $2000 worth of gear off of it to make it really usable for filmmmaking though.
You are dealing with a tiny screen you can't move (except on the 60D). It makes it very difficult to shoot with the camera in odd positions (shoved in a corner, in the floorboard of a car, etc...) where the screen isn't visible.
Shallow DOF is great, BUT unless you light the bejeesus out of stuff and stop the camera WAY down the DOF tends to be so razor thin that it's virtually impossible to shoot masters. People a foot from each other may not both be in focus, and any movement of the talent around in the shot requires almost constant focus pulls.
You are dealing with the infamous 4 stops of usable exposure. A sunlit window in the room can result in having to throw 2000W of light at the talent so you can stop down far enough to prevent the window from being totally blown out.