Panasonic AG-455 S-VHS Analog Camcorder

Pros: High quality equipment
Cons: Heavy

The AG-455 is as close to a professional video camera that one can get without breaking the bank - I bought mine at B&H Video for under $500.00.

The one thing that I feel is a necessary add-on is a PL filter as analog video tends to be a little more washed out than digital. A PL filter can correct that.

One also needs to find a sturdy tripod as the AG-455 weighs in at about 10 pounds regardless of what you read. I use a Sunpack 7575 tripod and I find even that is a little light weight.

Having said that, I found that the AG-455 gives me the chance to do completely manual, and when I'm in a hurry I can go automatic.