Thinking XL2 but need alternative recomendations

[darkcatt]

Hello all, I am counting down the days until I get my tax return as I will be getting my first camera. I was thinking XL2. The fact that it doesn't do HD and takes tape instead of SD cards has me concerned.

I dont have projects in mind just yet. This will be first used for learning and doing a few shorts.

What are some other cameras you might suggest? Panasonic HDX?

 

[brianluce]

Don't get an XL2. SD is obsolete and by now, any XL2 would have a tape drive in the condition something unearthed from an archeological dig.
Do you plan to use it for narrative filmmaking? Docs? events?

 

[darkcatt]

I want to do documentaries and film making.

 

[knightly]

What's your budget? There's also a search function here upper right of the page that you can search for "which camera should I buy" that will return a gazzilion threads for you. I'm just upgrading from my XL1s (so sad, I'll miss it) to a Canon T2i (even with all the problems I have with SD cards as a storage medium compared to tape: read long term fallback backup!)... I'll happily sell you my XL1s if you'd like Works like a trooper, plenty of footage around here that proves it