Re: A Centillion number of formats and standards

Well, this is certainly a depressing thread. I was going to ask a "which HD camera should I buy" question, but sounds like the answers are not very clear-cut, and that I'll have to do a LOT of homework.

I may land a contract that will require me to shoot HD in Africa, Congo River area for the next 3 years. I have been using a Sony BVP-550 camera (SD) w/BVV-5 on-board deck. It has been a great workhorse with no problems whatsoever (except planned obscurity by Sony). I dislike all of the small-type HD cameras out there because I want a nice big broadcast lens like I've been used to. (Though portability and compactness is certainly an issue when shooting in Africa).

Even though this project alone will pay for a good camera, I can't spend 80 grand on a high-end HD. Maybe 25-30 grand. Better yet, I'll just rent as needed. Obviously, whatever I buy will be obsolete that day I take delivery.

P. McLoad