You really don't need HD just mini DV camcorders. For the price of rental, you might as well buy one. Samsung cams are quite cheap for under 1K, go to Sim Lim Sq ground floor shops and they use Sony Memory stick to take still photos too. MiniDv tapes are cheaply available all over NZ in the supermarts, pharmacies, shops (very popular medium in NZ and Aust), so you can get more supplies if need be. A 512 MS will give you about 400+ photos.