Confused about camera lights and monitors

[Steven Radzikowski]

hi everyone, i recently purchased a canon xl h1a.
i'm enjoying it however it seems i need to get an external monitor.
i tried to figure out a decent one to buy something not top of the line.
for indoor use.
and also a lighting solution. i couldnt figure out what light to get. is there one that would help with a subjects that are 8--20 feet away from the camera?
i wondered if there was some kind of light that attaches to the flash shoe i see on top of the camera.
and how do these things get powered and connected?

i have been trying to research this and i'm getting confused.
i'm new to the use of video.

i would really appreciate it if anyone could give me some pointers on all this.

[Dave Gosley]

Find a video kit rental outlet in your vicinity and go there, talk to them and ask before you spend any money buying. Evene try renting based on their advice to see the results of the advice and ensure you are getting the results you like.
When you've done this - you can try different models from the same centre or find another centre and see if they have alternative models.
You may also find they have ex-rental kit available to purchase - they do change their kit on rotation.
I have spent hours guessing and estimating then buying from eBay - only last week I bought an FS 4HD for a second cam of ours and I got it wrong - we needed the FS Pro 4HD - so I sold it again the same week - I lost £48 overall - because I bought the wrong kit.

Hope it helps....