The production team has been shooting in Fire Island since January 2007 for weeks at a time. Camera Equipment: Sony HVR Z1U Released Feb, 2005 Sony HVR-Z1U is the professional version of the Sony FX1 and offers many features not found on the FX1. For instance: The Z1 has an hour meter so customers know exactly hour many hours of operation the camera has endured. The Z1 formats are switchable. It can record and play in DVCAM, MiniDV, and the HDV format. The camera has both NTSC and PAL and 50i/60i systems. The Z1 has XLR inputs so no adaptor is needed for using professional mics. While the viewfinder can switch between color and black and white, it is somewhat small. 24p is really only an issue for those transferring video to film. In both cameras the true 24frame progressive mode is missing. Sony does what they call Cineframe 24, but this is a bit of a trick. This simulates the motion of true 24p so the result will look fine in video, but will not work when transferring to film. Focus is more critical when shooting HDV because the increased detail now reveals what in SD would have been acceptable errors in focusing. In other words you see the focus errors more easily. Canon XH-A1 3CCD HDV Camcorder Canon’s XH A1 is a compact 3-CCD HDV camcorder that offers an array of professional features and a genuine Canon 20x HD zoom lens. Canon’s advanced DIGIC DV II HD Image Processor ensures optimum image quality in 1080 HD resolution, with a choice of 60i, 30F and 24F frame rates. Canon XL-H1 3-CCD 1080i Camcorder The Canon XH A1 High Definition Camcorder is designed for the demanding commercial or documentary production professional or advanced amateur who needs 3 CCD, High Definition performance along with an array of advanced features - all in a compact design. The remarkable image quality of the XH A1 begins with the Genuine Canon 20x HD zoom lens, combined with Super-Range OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), and Canon's revolutionary Instant AF (Auto Focus). It captures a 1440 x 1080 widescreen HD image at 60i, 30F or 24F frame rates.