For a camera I would recommend a Sony DCR-VX2100, it is a good starting camera, but costs about $2000. Another camera (smaller, cheaper) would be some sort of panasonic palmcorder, I've used them for filming skiing before, and they are durable. And for software, I would recommend Final Cut Studio, or just Final Cut Pro, but if that's to spendy then maybe Adobe premiere elements, or Final cut express.

There are three things that are VERY important when getting a camera:

Three CCD?s or CMOS
Manual controls for the iris, shutter, focus and white balance.
A microphone input.

The JVC GZ-HD7, the first of the JVC HDD cameras is now a little over a year old, I?ve seen these on line for as little
as $800. A really nice Fujinon lens makes a huge difference and full manual controls is important. Three 1/5? 16:9
progressive scan CCD?s are pretty impressive for a camera in this price range. It has manual controls, a mic input
and an excellent focus ring which is surprisingly rare on small cameras. It records directly to a built in 60GB hard
drive. The issue here is the MPEG-2 compression. It?s not compatable with many NLE?s.

The GZ-HD6 can record 1080/60p through HDMI - pretty impressive.

The GZ-HD40 is a bit of a disapointment. I like that it records using AVCHD compression which makes it compatable
with most NLE?s but it loses the important focus ring and it?s so small.

The Panasonic HDC-SD100 uses a 3-CMOS array and records 1920 x 1080 video in the AVCHD format to SD and
SDHC memory cards. I like the ring on the lens that controls zoom, focus, white balance, shutter speed, and iris
and it actually has a viewfinder in addition to the LCD screen. Very important it has both a mic and headphone jack.
I found it difficult to handle with all the cables attached (mic, headphones and monitor) but it?s a camera with all
the basics.

Close is the Canon HV20. It records in HDV (1080i) and 24p (60i), has a mic input and manual controls of white
balance and focus but it uses one 1/2.7? CMOS sensor rather than 3 CCD?s. And it?s so small the handling is difficult.

The HV30 adds a 30f (Canon?s ?frame mode?) in addition to 24p.

The Sony HDR-SR12 has a mic input and a good sized 120GB HDD. It uses a 1/3? CMOS chip and like the Canon
is really small. Because of the input placement, the mic cable kept getting in my way. The HR9 (which records to
tape) is also a nice, very small, camera with the essentials. Again the mic input is just below the lens which is rather
poor placement, in my opinion.

iMovie is excellent, free software that is designed for the novice.

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

Hi LaurieD

I would suggest the Canon XM2. (google search "Canon XM2") It works OK in Auto mode BUT it really stands out from the rest when you learn to use it in manual. A new one will cost ??1500 BUT you can get one for half that on ebay!!

Buy a Rode Video Mic (??60), some headphones (??30), a wide lense adapter (??60), a Manfrotto Tripo and semi fluid Head (??200) and a decent bag/box (??40 to ??400) and you have got something very special for not a lot of money.

You could buy all this in stages to help spread the cost.

It's nice to have good equipment BUT content is all ways KING!!

I've seen some great film shot on nothing more than a Mobile 'Phone which have been loads better than stuff shot on a Sony Z1.

Good Luck and I hope this helps.

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Nearly FORGOT!!

Final Cut is ROCK SOLID - the BBC use it.

And Get a MAC!! from ebay.

Check the Hardware Specs for FINAL CUT and buy a secondhand Mac to use as an Editing Suite

Cheers,

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