Since we are in the mood for measuring equipment, and Frank has posted on the MX300, I'll join in with my MX350:

* MX350
* 3 x 2.5hr batteries (1 Panasonic, 2 brandless)
* 43mm to 52mm adaptor ring
* 52mm to 55mm adaptor ring
* Azden 990 mic
* 55mm UV(0) filter
* Video light (brandless, lasts 15 mins)
* Home made stabilizer
* 64MB MMC (not used currently, photos from the MX350 craps)

Below shared with my Fuji S602zoom digital camera:
* 55mm CIR-PL filter
* 55mm Graduated grey filter
* 55mm ND+4 filter
* 55mm cross star filter
* 55mm Close-up +4 filter
* 55mm infra-red filter (yes, this works on the MX350)
* Hoya rubber hood for 55mm
* Fuji's 0.8x wide angle convertor (55mm mount)
* Fuji's 1.5x tele convertor (55mm mount)
* Slik U9000 tripod
* Velbon quick release for tripod
* Mini tripod (brandless)
* Lowepro Specialist 80AW waist pouch/sling bag
* Lowepro Sideline Shooter waist pouch
* Tatonka bag
* Ziploc bags (for rain)
* Digi-cabi 30L dry cabinet
* Blue/green screen fabrics

Editing on a Powerbook G3 400MHz 256MB RAM or an Athlon 800MHz 512MB RAM machine. On the Mac, iMovie and Final-Cut-Pro, on PC Premiere. All compression (e.g. to VCD, DVD, WMA) done on PC.

I make an extra few hundred bucks (US$) a month with this set up.

thanks for the advice guys, keep it coming. foreground is correctly exposed, backround hazy without color or detail. I have tried my polarizer but it's not solving it either. That might be my lack of skill with it - it's the circular type and i can't reall see any differences when i rotate it ....

i'll try both that and the zebras agan today ...

That's a lot of stuff, Yow. Did I mention I have 2 soft bags? They're the Lowepro Nova 5 and Lowepro Vidcam 2. I especially like the Nova 5, even my new mic fits inside!Look carefully as you slowly rotate the polarizer. Look for glare, and keep your eye on the glare while you slowly rotate the polarizer. Once the glare is gone, you'll know that you rotated to the correct position. Try to avoid shooting into a light source, instead, position yourself so that the source is behind you or off to a good rearward angle. A big Hoya lens hood will also help with blocking unwanted light from the sides. I found that the stock MX300 lens hood isn't so good---too short---so I got a Hoya for it. B+W hoods are great too (but pricey).

i also have a mx-500 with a JVC supercardoid shotgun mic and a no name 2x converter mentioned in another thread. I have taken some quite nice stuff with it. definately got its uses. don't have a tripod but have a monopod. however i use my dads 055 manfrotto. should get one of my own someday. i use fuji tapes. cheapest and best. i also have two batteries. one 850mah and one 2000mah. pretty happy with that set up for my first cam and also only being 20.(little secret though. i owe my folks 1000 for it though). until then i will have to let my dad film his birds with it. but that doesn't bother me as long as it is getting some use. Tip guys out there getting into video cameras. never leave home without a good mic. it is well worth it. oh yeh and another one never look back.
Justin

bugger me it looks like yow wins the contest here.

good on you mate. some of us could only envy.
i just have to say it though. hahahahahah
i have a mx-500.

lol
Justin
one day i hope to have enough money to buy what i need.

Yup. That Yow does a lot of shooting, so he needs his gear.

Allan seems to think Hoya hoods are the best. I can't argue with that. I've got a Hoya on every lens and cam I own, except for my DVLs.

Emmet,
Does your problem look like this?. Seems Frank uses Cokin filters, maybe he knows of a 1/2 blue that you could use for the upper part of your photos.

Actually, I didn't look far enough on the Cokin site. Would this work?

wow. if i could even get the results in the 'before' picture i'd be a happy clam.

thanks 4 the tip guy. i will spend some time on the cokin site now.

Well, the set was built over 3 years, with money gained from shoots. It helps that the still camera shares much of that fort eh video camera.

As for shoots, I am the guy people go to when they can't afford the big boys, but have a little money to spare. It's like I'm the pawn shop next to the goldsmith.

Please don't get the disease "equipment envy". Every piece that I have has it's use, not to be placed on a shelf. Here in Signapore, there are many rich people who buys cameras (expensive DSLRs) and shoot in Auto mode.

Just a note, it is very interesting to place the IR filter on the camera on a hot and sunny day, the scene changes dramatically!

Here are some Cokin filters to consider:

• Blue 82A
• Gradual Grey G1
• Gradual GreyG2
• Gradual Grey G2 light
• Gradual Blue B1
• Polarizer Blue
• Varicolor Blue/Yellow
• Gradual Fluo Blue 1
• Gradual Fluo Mauve 2
• Gradual Fluo Pink 1.