On Wed, 27 Nov 2002 18:43:39 GMT, "news.attbi.com" wrote:

>I had pretty much decided on getting a Sony PD150 but would at least like to
>see it in action before I spend the $3000 or so for it. No one in the
>Chicago area seems to carry them. I tried Wolf, Ritz, Helix etc.

Have you checked with Sony (or the web page, hard as it
is to find anything on it...;-) for local dealers?
Alternatively, buy it from a dealer that will accept
returns gracefully (www.bhphotovideo.com is one...)
if you find it not suitable...

>I will be using it for mostly for instructional type videos, in doors and
>some wilderness instruction videos outside.
>
>I am wondering if this camera will do a good job in this price range. If I
>have to move up in camera, I can do it, but it will take a little more time.

It should be fine - it is among the best of its type
(some consider it the best of its type, requiring
moving to good shoulder-mount cameras to *slightly*
improve performance in this medium...).

>I have tried to find Personal Velocity and Tadpole on video to see what the
>camera can do but they are not out yet it seems.
>Anyone know of some clips taken with this camera?
>I did find one at
>http://www.ohiojoe.com/movies/cookie-cutter.rm

No clips here (too large), but it is reviewed at
www.David-Ruether-Photography.com/sony_dcr-vx2000.htm, with
some comparative frame-grabs...

>What other equipment should I be looking at for my studio, I understand that
>the camera cost will only be about half of what I have to spend.

Mics, *good* fluid-head tripod, lights(?), batteries,
charger, WA lens converters, filters, case, etc.

>Any advice on renting my camera out, maybe through one of the local dealers.

I would never do this - if you must depend on only one
camera (consider two VX2000s instead...), it must be
dependable! Also, it is a good idea to stick with only
one brand of tape, hard to enforce with rentals...
Certainly add a 58mm single-coated Hoya UV filter to
the camera, firmly screwed on, if rented...;-)