Looking at a new camera (sticky)

Hey NS,

I will be doing roughly 75% video work  and 25% photog.

1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future?

My budget is currently $1500 max. I will most likely be able to invest some more money in the next month or so. (dependent on my work/ selling old gear)


2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own?

Originally had a nikon d3100 and have worked extensively with my friends 60d. I also had an hv30 which I enjoyed filming with but I absolutely loathe miniDv workflow.

2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc)

-Manfrotto 055xb with 701 head
-nikkor 50mm f1.4 and a rokinon 8mm f3.5 for nikon (left over lenses that I'm having difficulty selling)
-DIY fig rig

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc)

At the moment I will only be using this for skating/skiing, there is a possibility I will be doing other things with it in the future.

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?

I will probably want my friends to shoot with it. That said, most of my friends have some experience with photography/ videography.

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc)

When I film skating, I like to shoot 50% panning/stationary and 50% followcam. Haven't really done any quality filming for skiing yet.

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great.
My gaming laptop:
-Intel core i7 2ghz
-6gb Ram
-64 bit
-800 gb internal, 2tb external
I use sony vegas 10 for editing and photoshop cs 5 for photos

7) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout)

Sony vegas^ and I'm probably an 8.5/10


---------------------------Optional Section, for those seeking a more intensive upgrade/purchase------------------------
1) Do you think you might consider using a DSLR?
Ya
2) Do you have any knowledge about the HDSLRS?
yes
3) Do you know the limitations to using HDSLRS?
I know their setbacks, I'm just unsure whether these limitations are more apparent on certain brands. (between Canon and Panasonic)
4) Are you willing to take the time to learn about a DSLR, and how to shoot with manual lenses?
yes.

5) Again, do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming?
same shit.