Long time readers will know that I do this once every year, right around this time. It serves several purposes, but, for me, your responses are very useful because I'm not I'm not one of those filmmakers who salivates at the thought of shooting with the newest, latest, greatest piece of video camera equipment. I know very little about what's current, and I'm perfectly OK with that.

So I rely on those of you who are gear-heads to keep me abreast of what the latest and the greatest are, especially as I embark on my own return to filmmaking for the first time in over 3 years. I'd like to know what's currently out there, because it seems every time I look up this stuff, there's something new coming out that filmmakers are excited about.

Suffice it to say that the technical aspects of filmmaking aren't my forte. When I need to shoot a film, I hire an experienced cinematographer, convey my wishes to them, and thus begins the conversation that continues throughout the production process.

Even though I've sung the praises of digital technology with regards to the production and consumption of film, I was trained with film cameras; thus, I'm much more comfortable with a wind-up Bolex in my hand than some prosumer Panasonic HDCam – even though I bought one last year (a Panasonic AG-HMC150), and have been toying with in my spare time, getting familiar with it.

There was some ambivalence on my part in purchasing it because of just how crowded the market appears to be! Tons of friggin' cameras to choose from that'll make a novice like myself's head spin. So, I'm curious to know what all you gear-heads out there are fiddling with these days – if it's changed year-over-year, or if you're still running with something you've been using for years. Are there any current, or upcoming cameras that really excite you, and that you can't wait to get your hands on, that the rest of us should be aware of.

Whether you're a dirtector, or a DP… school me! If you've already got a kit, tell me what's in your arsenal? Whether it costs $2,000 or $50,000 or more… or less. Maybe you're toting a RED around; Or you're rich, and you have one of those Arri Alexa digital cameras; Or maybe you're content shooting with the camera on your iPhone? Why not?