I started filming two years ago and can give you my 2 cents.
I'm glad to see you are looking for video quality and not going the gun/bow mounted route.
Definately get yourself an HD videocamera. I don't know how much you are looking to spend, but if your like me, i didn't have alot to shell out. I went with a Canon HV20. It is still a miniDV camera but i like the fact i can archive my tapes and it is just as good a quality if not butter than a harddrive based videocamera. I got mine refurbished fom Newegg for around $300 with no regrets. I have seen them as low as $199 refurbed. The HV20 is getting older and they have since replaced them with the HV30 and HV40. Those will be more in the range of $400 to $600. I mounted mine with a Rode Videomic. Works great for sound. The HV cameras would need a preamp to use wireless mics. It can be done, but more expensive videocameras would already have this.
The HV20 video quality is great for the money. I read many reviews saying it was better than most videocameras in the next higher priced range. The only drawback is the low light video isn't as good as the expensive ones, along with the lack of alot of video control.
All in all for the money i think it's a nice little setup. After buying the mic, wide angle lens, camera arm (definately invest in one of these), good fluid head, and the misc batteries and stuff i probably have about $1000 wrapped up in mine. I do want to upgrade someday, but still don't have the money to do so yet. So i will happily keep using my setup until i do.
If you have more money to invest, by all means get something better. I just thought i would pass on my experience with the HV20.
Good luck whichever route you take.
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Last edited by Iowabucks44; 02-23-2011 at 09:25 AM.
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