DR100, $450 is the sticker, usually if you click the purchase button on BH the price will drop, i Think I paid $325 for mine two months ago. I was not happy with the Zoom h4n and returned it. I like the Tascam a lot better.

Unless you are always going to be on a tripod, get the battery grip. The extra size and weight really help stabilize handheld shots. The added battery capacity is a bonus.

And a viewfinder. I love my Zacuto, but have not had the opportunity to test the LCDVF or Cinevate.

Without additional camera support of some sort - Zacuto, Red Rock, Cinevate, etc - all the lenses in the world won't get you acceptable footage.

Thanks Brian.

Having the camera automatically focusing to keep a moving subject in focus is something that the 5DII does poorly in video mode (unlike a 'proper' video camera). What does work well prior to shooting is confirmation of focus by hitting the focus button (which flips down the mirror & does proper AI focusing as it would for a still photo). This does however require a Canon AI lens.

If you have $1500 to spend, I think I'd go for a Canon 16-35mm L lens, a Zoom H4n recorder, and a Zacuto viewfinder. Both the lens and the recorder you should be able to find used.

-- peer