Ron Watson: "Where did you get the CA-100, Mark? Japan? What did you pay for it?"
Actually the US designation is the CA9 (same camcorder as the CA-100) but they are difficult to find now-a-days, I have learned. I think we paid something like $299 at WalMart (yeah, go figure) late last year sometime. It's a trick little camcorder and operates flawlessly underwater; methinks, to a depth of about five feet (although we never take it below a foot or so). One alternative unit you may wish to consider for dock diving shoots is the Sanyo Xacti VPC-WH1, available now through B&H for $282.90 (plus S&H). This is a box camcorder, not a pistol grip, but is waterproof to just under 1/3 atmosphere (about 10 feet) according to Sanyo... Neither the CA9 (CA-100) nor WH1 have external mic jacks, but there is a cost-effective workaround to that (requires dubbing in post). A suggestion for shooting fast-moving dogs at any angle (with mic plugs, etc.), although slightly higher priced than what you indicated, would be the Canon HV30/40. (Not waterproof, however.) We use them too for cover/B-roll and shooting primary when hiking to places I won't take the XH A1s (it's a dirt & dust thing with me). Although a tape-based camcorder I know of a Wedding Videograpgher who uses multi HV40s for reception gigs, and I can't tell the difference in image quality from my 3-CCD XH A1s (after color corrections and such). You can fetch a new HV40 presently from B&H for $649.00, with free shipping and no tax if outside New York (great deal from a reputable dealer, BTW). If price is an issue search Ebay for a "refurbished" HV30, which might be had for around $500. Be sure to purchase from a Canon authorized dealer, as only they are likely to have REAL factory refurbished units. Happy Trails, Mark Villaseñor, http://www.TailTrex.tv Canine Adventures For Charity - sm http://www.SOAR508.org
