Please let us know what equipment you're using and a short review (and what you paid if possible)!
Video Cameras
HD
Canon 5D Mark II
Monica: Will let you know… anticipating camerasm.
$2699 from B&H—Backordered—Expect a long wait—it's the 'in thing' plus you're competing with photographers.
Monica 4.3.09: Well, it's all a girl could need ; ). A firmware hacker would be nice though… that would would be, um, a cigarette afterward shooting experience.
Canon EF Lenses
Monica: 70–200mm IS f2.8
~ $1700 new
WOW! If you're using a tripod, don't use IS. Otherwise this set-up makes you look good without having to try too hard.
Sony PD-170
Monica: Great quality with manual controls. Easy to use.
$65 cost of Access SF workshop plus ~10 hours Access SF workshop equals a great deal for 1-year of access, lesson on how to use it included.
Monica 4.3.09: Access SF might be changing policies soon—wait until final decisions have been made.
Sony TRV 900
Compact, cheap, rugged Mini DV Camera. Decent quality. Easy to use and learn to use.
It's Kieran's and he's nice so… He likes tea, I would buy him some and maybe he'll let you rent it—compliments never hurt either.
Canon Vixia 20/30/40
Monica: Never used it but I've seen some nice pieces made with them. There's a cool adapter called the TWONEIL which allows you to affix Canon SLR lenses to it for more depth of field and that's really good.
Audio Recording
Samsom UHF Wireless Micro 32
Monica: Wireless mics kick ass!
Marantz PMD620
Monica: I've only used the internal mic, which is impressive for ambient sounds. No XLR input—boo, sort of.
~$300 from some online warehouse store
Shure SM67
Monica: Good for punk rock but not so great for clean sounding interviews.
*Electro Voice RE50N/D-B
Monica: Really nice sound quality. It's omnidirectional, so it picks up more ambient than a directional would but I'm into that. Also it's a solid piece of equipment and nice to hold, if you're into that too.
Video Editing
Final Cut Express
Monica: Great program and easy to use, especially for the price (Final Cut Pro ~$1K, ouch!)
Sound Editing
Soundtrack Pro
Monica: Great!
Garage Band
?
Pro Tools
Monica: Free – not. The program is free but you have to buy their M-Box to use the free program. Great audio editing tool though. I used the old version so maybe things have changed.
Audacity
Monica: It's free, who doesn't like that?
Wavosaur
http://www.wavosaur.com/
Monica: Free. Window 98, Vista, XP
Miscellaneous
Lacie Rugged External Hard Drive
Monica 4.3.09: Great! Daisy chain power (power supplied by computer).
Litepanels LPMICRO Micro LED on Camera Light
Monica: Great for close range, nighttime situations. Compact! Cheap, plastic hot-shoe sucks. Plan to check into their accessories, which I'm sure they wanted me to do.
Monica: Use warming gels!!!
Online or Local Stores
"B&H":http//bhcamervideo.com
Monica: By far the most extensive stock and reasonably priced. Reliable service.
Ebay
Monica: I'm a gambler, so… Not as cheap as the old days but still has some of the best prices, especially new stuff (high risk).
Calumet
Monica: The store on Bryant is good in a pinch and hurts 'cause you have to pay full retail and 'the man' (which I always do if you're the man!)
