Panaflex Millennium XL2 Camera - XL2

The release of the XL2 is the latest step in Panavision’s pursuit of excellence in 35mm film camera design.  Thanks to the suggestions of camera crews and directors, the Millennium® XL2 has been improved with faster speeds, better video, improved ergonomics and new mechanics.  It is a lightweight, sync sound camera that can be converted from studio mode to hand held or Steadicam® mode very quickly. As with all Panavision® 35mm cameras it uses all Panavision 35mm lenses, spherical and anamorphic as well as all standard accessories.  It also accepts the Millennium 400 foot and 1000 foot lightweight composite magazines which may be top or rear mounted for studio or handheld configurations.  
           
Like the Millennium, the optical viewfinder of the XL2 is completely detachable for quick conversion to Steadicam mode or remote crane operation. It features the standard Panaglow illuminated frame lines found on all Panavision cameras and also contains an adjustment for Panaglow brightness. The camera includes a short viewfinder for handheld and a telescoping viewfinder if using the camera in studio mode. Image size, focus and brightness remain the same throughout the entire range of the telescoping viewfinder. The telescoping viewfinder contains the standard image magnifier found on other Panavision medium and long eyepieces.

A wide variety of ground glasses are available for filming in virtually every format, anamorphic or spherical, including Super 35 and the camera is available in 2, 3, or 4-perf configurations providing the opportunity for significant savings in the cost of film without compromising image quality.

The Millennium® XL2 has a crystal controlled speed range of 3-50 fps forward in 1/10 fps increments.   The camera does not run in reverse. There are also two preset speed positions on the preset dial. One at 24 fps with a 172.8 degree shutter for convenience when shooting in 50Hz regions, and one at 50 fps with a 180 degree shutter. New to the XL2 are dual drive motors for shutter and movement, which can easily be re-timed for effects shots.

The camera is able to perform in-shot speed ramping from 3-50 fps in 4 seconds.  A newly designed motor with improved cold weather performance, a variable in-shot adjustable shutter range of 11.2-180 degrees, dual registration pins and dual pull down claws make this one of the quietest and most versatile film cameras available.

The standard XLV Video Tap allows for flicker free filming at all available speeds and is much brighter than previous video taps, allowing for better performance in low light situations.  It also contains easy user adjustments, auto and manual gain control, ND 0.6 filter, manual iris, 2 sets of frame lines & character generator, status display, film camera speed, footage and shutter angle display, input for Panatape with on-screen display of distance information, two video outputs (one clean and one with frame lines and text) and electronic de-anamorphoser.  It is available in both PAL and NTSC versions.

A pivoting double-sided display shows camera speed, film footage and shutter angle on one side with additional status indicator showing speed and footage on operator side.  The display is removable for Steadicam and hand held use.  Other camera features include a 3-position de-anamorphoser switch (spherical, anamorphic and closed), two contrast-viewing filters (0.6 and 0.9 neutral density), a behind the lens filter slot, and built in camera body and eyepiece heaters.

As with all Panavision cameras, the XL2 comes with a standard complement of accessories dependent on whether you are using it for Steadicam only, hand held or studio configuration.  In Steadicam mode the accessories include 24 volt batteries, power cables, clip on matte box, gel filter holders, battery handle, lightweight camera mount, Steadicam adapter plate, Steadicam spacer mount and Steadicam low mode adapter plate.   For hand held/Steadicam mode the accessories include all of the previous items plus sunshade extension, hand grip zoom control, hand held viewfinder system, modular follow focus gear box and single speed focus knob, on-board monitor, left hand grip, hand held right grip, short iris rod bracket, lightweight magazine extension wedge, offset handle, local area on/off shutter/speed control and focus whip.  For studio configuration the camera includes all of the previous accessories plus extension eyepiece, eyepiece leveling rod, 2-stage matte box, modular monitor bracket, long iris rod bracket with 24 and 14 volt outlets and lens light.  A wide variety of additional accessories are available based on the needs of the production.