Hi PantherMan – If you want to stay with Canon, and a new $1075 Canon HF G20 from buy.com via eBay is too expensive, you may want to look at a factory refurbished HF G10 with warranty from Amazon between $815 and $940.
Even though it is a few years old, the HF G10 is still a great camera, both outdoors and in low light.
That said, if you are willing to look at Panasonic, you can get a brand new, top of the line X920 for $898. IIt is arguably a better camcorder than the Canons, for a lot less money. I have a 900 series Panasonic camcorder, and if I can learn the menus, anyone can 😉
Here is a side-by-side of 2013's top camcorders from Canon, Panasonic and Sony (please watch at 1080p):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeBxIY4JIes
At a little more than half the cost of the $1700 Canon HF G30 or $1600 Sony PJ790V, the XA920 seems to me to be a pretty good value.
With regard to camera support – I recommend the $140 Ravelli AVTP Professional fluid head tripod. It has a very smooth fluid head, a standard professional 75mm bowl and crutch style metal legs. This is the tripod I use, and in my view, it is the best you can get for the money.
The same tripod is available without the Ravelli brand for $125 from Fancier.
Hope this is helpful and good luck with your decision!
Bill
Hybrid Camera Revolution
