All prices estimates are used prices on ebay from experience. YMMV.
Panasonic Lumix GH1 Camera Body
For details on this camera take a look at the page on cameras but in short it’s IMHO the perfect starting point if saving 200$ means something to you. If you know its limitations, it is a perfect starter camera.
300$
Old Canon FD Lenses with Adapter
Adapter Canon FD to Micro 4/3 (the Standard the GH1 needs) like this one
50$
Lense Canon FD 28mm/f 2.8
40$
Lense Canon FD 50mm/f 1.4 (even the f 1.8 is good enough and a little cheaper)
40$
Rode Videomic Shotgun Microphone
60$
Sandisk Extreme SDHC Memory Card
20$ (new)
Total: 510$
This will require you to improvise with things like light and you have to write or adjust a screenplay so that this equipment can handle it but IMHO this is the bare minimum for a good-looking movie.
Self-Made Stabilizer
This is IMHO very important! To understand why, read the page on rigs.
Of course, you don’t have any software yet but that’s another story.
lowbudgetactionfilms 