Don't wait. Making movies is something you're going to do for a long time, right? Cameras change and get better all the time. Get that GL and start making movies right away rather than waiting.

After you have finished 10 shorts and are ready to make a feature then you can jump up to a better camera.

Frankly the picture quality depends on the lighting MUCH more than on the camera. Learn great lighting while making movies with you GL.

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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

I agree with certified. The longer you wait the more oppurtinties you are giving up to learn. Plus, as Certified said, once you have a camera you can start to focus on the other important and crucial parts of filmmaking. Like lighting (will effect you picture the most), sound, and editing.

"Anyone who has ever been privileged to direct a film also knows that, although it can be like trying to write 'War and Peace' in a bumper car in an amusement park, when you finally get it right, there are not many joys in life that can equal the feeling." - Stanley Kubrick

I disagree. I don't know too much about the GL2, but the GL1 was barely prosumer. If I'm not mistaken the DVX100A has 24p capabilities and the difference in image quality is extensive. I'm not sure why, but we have shot several projects, even using it next to Super 16mm film and it's unnoticeable to a non-professional eye. If it's one or the other, 24p for sure. Unless the GL2 has that technology. Don't make that mistake. Plus it has built in XLR.

From a money stand point, equal investment, DVX100A for sure. We have found that it looks better then the XL2 footage, using both for a music video shoot needing 2 cameras. The DVX footage was superior.

In one respect, I agree. Don't blow all of your money on your first project. It will probably suck, and in a year you will find it unwatchable. Practice your story telling. Develop your cast and crew. You will know when you are ready to max out the credit and sell the comic book collection. Lighting is key, pardon the pun. Work on it, keep your projects short and cheap.

Realistically, you should jump to the HDV format. You will be sorry in a year, when you can't jump to distribution quality. I read an article on dv.com, saying that they got acceptable results from a HDV to film transfer. It's the next level, and it's here now. And affordable for lo-no budgets. And you can shoot on Mini-Dv tapes. If you don't have the money, get the DVX.

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here is a question you need to ask yourself: how long will it take for me to get the money to buy a DVX100a or b?

I don't own a DVX but i am buying one and I have made some films with them. They are worth the money. I would use one everyday of the week and twice on sunday. But, with that being said, don't stop making movies while you are saving or buying a DVX. Do not wait for the dvx to come to make your movies. YOu can save your favorite script or idea for the DVX but in the mean time make some movies as a learning experience.

If you don't have ANY cameras available to you then the answer to this question is different. If you can get your hands on a DVX fairly soon then i would say wait and maybe write more movies or keep working on preproduction of other movies. But if you wont be able to get the DVX for a long time (like a year) then buy a decent consumer camera or something to get you by until you can get your hands on a DVX. What you dont want to do is spend a good chunk of change on a camera then a year later have to trash it cause you bought a better camera.

Either way dont stop involving yourself with your films. If you cant get any camera soon then focus on teh script and pre production. But dont stop all production just because you dont have a camera. Good luck

"Anyone who has ever been privileged to direct a film also knows that, although it can be like trying to write 'War and Peace' in a bumper car in an amusement park, when you finally get it right, there are not many joys in life that can equal the feeling." - Stanley Kubrick

I have an XL2, and love it... it has capability for 25p (UK so PAL) but it isn't worth it... with video always shoot on 50 interlaced (or US equivalent)and then deinterlace in post using something like magic bullet that merges frames.
Just get the GL2. Use it... at the bottom line, a film is viewed for story and acting etc. NOT for technical quality.
Go, make films, learn from your mistakes.
Then win the lottery and buy a 35mm camera and the works ?;)?

To make a film you need a camera... after all, you need a first film to ever make a second!

I know of at least one direct-to-DVD feature shot on a GL2 which got distribution, so it's certainly possible. DVX100 footage looks pretty nice for a DV camera though.

From what I've seen the movie sucked, but that wasn't due to the camera choice :).