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If you're going to stick with HDV, you could do worse than pick the XH-A1S. And you will want the A1S over the A1. The ability to zoom and focus simultaneously will be important.
The 20X zoom of the A1S should give you good reach, but unless you're going to be close to your subjects, lighting can be dodgy.
If you shoot 60i, you can get some good slomo with Adobe Premier's time remapping but getting razor-sharp super slomo of a hummingbird's wings will likely be out of reach. Shooting with a fast shutter speed will help. 1/500 to 1/1000 will be optimal.
Good sticks will be key. I have, and like, my Cartoni Focus. A Vinten Vision would be better. If you're hiking into the bush, carbon fiber legs will be a bit lighter. Their added stiffness is also a boon. Get something with mid spreaders. A floor spreader will just make you crazy shooting in the wild.
As to the LANC focus issue, I find it annoying but not a deal breaker. I generally shoot with one hand on the LANC and the other on the focus ring and it works OK. As I mentioned before, the A1S's ability to simultaneously zoom and focus is something you'll want. It's something I want!
Finally, you might want to trundle down to LA and rent something for a day to get a feel for a specific kit you're interested in to see how you like it before you plunk down the big bucks.
You didn't state your intended delivery media. If you intend to make docos to sell to networks I don't think this approach will work. As good as HDV can be, it'll never look like Discovery HD Theater. The limits of the HDV format are the major impediment. If you go BD or Web for delivery, this will probably work.
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Tripp Woelfel
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