OK, this is very important. My highschool film teacher has given me a 2,000 budget to go out and buy a Camera which will be used in the program. This camera MUST have a mic out put for a boom mic. What is the premier format? I use Mini DV with my camera but is the best quality harddrive these days?? im currently looking on panasonics web site at the HDC-SD1 and the HDC-DX1.. any suggestions?

I would definitely recommend MiniDV.

And, you want a mic INput, not output.

Does this $2000 mean the purchase of just the camera, or is it for the whole package meaning batteries, cases, etc?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: laudy32,

This is for mainly the camera. no batteries will not be included

yeah ah crap my bad no output, in put

First off you definitly don't need a hard drive. I'm assuming you are making shorts so I doubt anyone would need to capture for more than 20 minutes.

bhphoto is a great site for cameras.

I'm not sure on what you're budgeting for, but I have some good suggestions for under $2000.

These are the best and cheapest from:

Canon
Panasonic
JVC

Also you should get a tripod, spare battery, lens cleaning kit, a few tapes, and a cleaning tape. Be sure to tell everyone that uses the camera to use one brand of tapes.

THANK YOU! that's awesome... we alraedy have like 3 tripods here. Im tihnking of going with the Panasonic, I own one so i know the most aobut them.. umm just a question... do you only use one brand of tape because it makes the camera last longer? like the recording function? thanks for that info buddy,

James

I use Fuji film. It's pretty good. Both LP and SP mode work good with little artifacts. The only time I experienced artifacts was when I made the mistake of using a panasonic tape (not to say that panasonic is bad).

Some say Sony isn't a good brand but it is just manufactured differently than most brands.

I've used, Fugifilm, Sony and Panasonic tapes in my PV-GS 19. (2005 Model) What kind of damage could occur. I mosty use Fugi film because it seems to be the cheapest and I can buy them in larger quantities. What is the best brand of tapes that you guys recomend?