Re: I'm fishing for tips to shoot feature, appreciate suggestions

Generally speaking, the more expensive video formats will give you better technical results for a transfer to 35mm for widescreen projection. True 16:9 CCD's are better than using 4:3 CCD's and cheating 16:9 in some way, better lenses help, better menu controls over the image help, less compression is better, more resolution doesn't hurt, etc.

Your budget will determine a lot of what equipment you can afford to work with.

Often the dividing line for the low-low budget filmmaker seems to be the "under $5000 DV" camcorders (often purchased) versus the low-end profeesional video camcorders (often rented). Often high-end Digital Betacam gear or even Hi-Def isn't much of an option -- although you never know what deals you can find so don't write them off completely.

I shot a three-week HD feature using a Sony HDCAM camera package (camera, lens, monitors, etc.) rented for $10,000 flat. Of course, there are other financial factors that come into play, like making downconversions to standard def video (DVCAM for that particular feature) for offline editing...

The Sony DSR-500WS has been a popular choice for many people who want to take the next step beyond the under-$5000 camcorder level. It's true 16:9, DVCAM, and is a basic professional Sony ENG betacam design with interchangeable lenses, etc. The PAL version was used for "Anniversary Party." It's more like a $17,000 camcorder w/ lens, so you'd probably be looking to rent, not buy.

As for the whole rent versus debate, sometimes I'm surprised by how so many indie filmmakers never even consider the option of renting. It all depends on the nature of the shoot -- is it short-term and contained, or long-term and open-ended -- and if you want a camera for multiple productions. And if you plan on shooting the project yourself and need to own a camera so you can spend time learning to use it. But having to own limits you to what level of equipment you can afford to buy, which is often less than what you can afford to rent.