OK…..where do I start?

For around $500, it will be hard to find much more than a consumer-grade camcorder. I would have suggested, perhaps, a Panasonic G6, but it looks like it has been discontinued on B&H’s website, although you can probably still find one for sale somewhere. Otherwise, you might look for a used Panasonic GH2 on eBay. Either of these cameras will have a little bit of a learning curve, due to the fact that they are interchangeable-lens cameras instead of easy-to-use camcorders. But the image they provide is superb.

Hi Jerry – if you can stretch your budget by $15, you might want to consider a brand new $515 Panasonic G6 with the 14-42mm kit lens: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=321613840675&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg

This is the best value-for-money camera in this price class.

Here are a few examples of the image quality this camera can produce:

Narrative

Music Video

Documentary

Slow Motion/Sport

Wedding

Travel Video

Timelapse

It is a capable still camera too: https://www.flickr.com/groups/lumix-g6/pool/

As you get started, you may also want to read a basic how-to book. I recommend “How to Shoot Video that Doesn’t Suck” – which you can download on Kindle for $7.69: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051NHJFU/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0051NHJFU&linkCode=as2&tag=videomaker22forum-20

This book was written by Hollywood writer/director Steve Stockman: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1870021/

Steve directed Sally Field in “Two Weeks”: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TV1ST2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000TV1ST2&linkCode=as2&tag=videomaker22forum-20

His book is a great introduction to visual storytelling.

Here is the trailer: http://vimeo.com/24147165

Reading Steve’s book will save you a lot of time and money – and make your movies better right out of the gate.

Hope this is helpful and good luck!

Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution
http://www.hybridcamerarevolution.com

The Canon EOS M came recommended and so far I have not been disappointed. Has a mic jack for external too.

Jerry, you sound a lot like me!

I started out writing short stories and making music with my computer, but also started tinkering out with video as soon as a friend of mine got a camcorder and we figured out we could use two VCRs to edit.

Play, Pause, Record, Play, Stop… man I can’t believe I ever edited like that!

Anyway, a couple of years ago I had the same question as you, with a similarly restricted budget and went for a Canon 650D. Yeah, it was cool at the time!

I’m still using it now, and with the right lighting and careful camera setup, I can get fairly professional results.

Over the past few years, I’ve learned the full Adobe suite, from Premiere and After Effects to Audition and Illustrator.

It takes a lot of time and can be frustrating, but it can be very rewarding for a creative storyteller like yourself, as it gives you new ways to express yourself.

Don’t fear the consumer-grade stuff, it’s how you use it that counts, especially when you’re just starting out.

The learning curve is pretty much the same (basically limitless), regardless of equipment.