Hidden / spy camera & mic for documentary
 

Guys, I'll be going into an unfriendly part of the world to hopefully capture some great footage. I'll be bringing an HV30 for when I can pose as a tourist, but what can I use in places where no cameras are allowed? Is there a way to hide an HD camera in a hat, bag, etc? And how about sound - someone said I should use a wireless lav mic with a recorder in my bag?

Sounds risky.

If you do develop a rig, I'd recommend testing it by walking around inside Wal Mart or some other large store which prohibits filming.

If you can get past them then maybe you can get away with it in an unfriendly country.

If it doesn't work in Wal Mart, you'll just get banned from the store, rather than get "Locked Up Abroad".

To clarify: the HV30 is for when I can get away with walking around in beach shorts with a big smile and film stuff. For hidden filming, I need to use one of those spy cams. I need advice on this as well as the sound.

check Security Cameras & Security Camera Surveillance Equipment, CCTV, DVR you will find many cameras and similar for 'undercover' work.

For HD Work the Sony HVR-MX1 is a new 'pencil cam'. It's not huge, but not tiny either, but does record HD resolution, could be useful for some situations.

Where would you hope to ever show this doc without releases?

In most of the truly unfriendly areas of the world, arriving in country and appearing at customs carrying what appears to either be espionage equipment or journalist's gear (without journalist's credentials and minders) could be rather hazardous.