Reddit mentions of JuicedLink Riggy-Micro Dual-XLR Preamplifier with Phantom Power

The easiest solution would probably be the [$329 JuicedLink RM222] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YLRZFE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009YLRZFE&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) with a good mic. And yes, you can run the NTG-2 off phantom from the RM222.

If you want a backup track, though, you might want to consider the less expensive [$199.99 Tascam DR-60D II] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OOGLZ5A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00OOGLZ5A&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20&). It mounts under the camera, like the JuicedLink, and turns the camera into a single unit with 4K image capture, XLR jacks and high quality audio recording.

Here are a couple of pictures of my GH4 with the DR-60D and my old Audio Technica AT835b:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y7bqNyUEErI/VK_gSSlaEfI/AAAAAAAAJJ8/0r4vpbtDUqA/w963-h543-no/P1090337.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QputB5tpdyA/VK_gh3HNlRI/AAAAAAAAJKM/aL4cvxD0S4s/w963-h543-no/P1090335.JPG

With a smaller mic, this would be a compact little unit.

Hope this is helpful and safe travels!

Hi objectiveye - below $2000, if you stick with Canon, you're right. You have to choose between camcorders' ease of use and the large sensor, shallow depth of field "look" of the DSLR.

But there is one DSL brand below $2000 with most of the advantages of both camcorders and DLSRs.

If you get a [$900 Panasonic GH3] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009B0WREM/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009B0WREM&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) or the upcoming [$1700 GH4] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I9GYG8O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00I9GYG8O&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) (both prices body-only), you'll have:

• hours of continuous recording, not just 12, 20 or 30 minutes provided by DSLRs
  
• a headphone jack for 'monitoring audio on the fly ' (something no Canon DSLR has below $3000)
  
• a built-in electronic viewfinder, like a camcorder, so you can actually look through the viewfinder while you're shooting video - which is impossible with a DSLR
  
• fast, silent autofocus with system lenses (to be fair, the Canon 70D is faster than the GH3)
  
• power zoom lens options - there are none for Canon or Nikon DSLRs
  
• almost no moire - a big deal for run and gun, because you can't always choose your subjects' clothing (Canon DSLRs below $3000 have a very hard time with patterned clothing, brickwork and shingled roofs, as seen here: http://vimeo.com/73429088)
  
  Yes, if you get a Panasonic GH camera, you'll have to buy a [$16 adapter] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002IAJ2O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002IAJ2O&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) to use an XLR microphone or spend a few hundred dollars for an [external recorder] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CRY250U/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00CRY250U&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) or [preamp] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YLRZFE/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009YLRZFE&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) if you want to use two mics. But that's a small price to pay for a camera that combines the best of camcorders and DSLRs. And yes, you can separate the channels in post.
  
  And a preamp for the GH3 costs less than a [Letus shallow depth of field adapter] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003M65ZX6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003M65ZX6&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) for a camcorder.
  
  Here is what the GH3 can do:
  
  NARRATIVE
  
  http://vimeo.com/49420579
  
  http://vimeo.com/59543338
  
  http://vimeo.com/75748916
  
  DOC
  
  http://vimeo.com/66940018
  
  http://vimeo.com/54076272
  
  And you don't have to spend a lot of money. Here's my GH3 set up for run and gun with a [$24.50 pistol grip] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008Q4XV2Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008Q4XV2Q&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and a [$16 XLR to 3.5mm adapter/transformer] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002IAJ2O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0002IAJ2O&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20):
  
  https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-16bWy-a-wvU/UQoG3YIkrYI/AAAAAAAAGfY/TtIqxhaB-b4/w724-h543-no/P1110864.JPG
  
  Again, to be fair, there are a couple of large sensor interchangeable lens camcorders below $3000 from Sony that combine the best of camcorders and DSLRs (e.g. the [Sony VG30] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0097CXFJU/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0097CXFJU&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) and [EA50] (http://www.adorama.com/SONEXEA50UH.html?KBID=66297)) - but they are both above your $2000 budget range, so I left them out.
  
  Hope this is helpful!
  
  Bill

Hi /u/Mcturtle101 - With a $4000 budget, I would probably rent the URSA or a C300 and use the rest of the money to pay cast, crew and crafts.

But if you really want to buy a camera, a [$1498 GH4 bundle] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LXB9UME/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00LXB9UME&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) plus a [$599 Canon EF to MFT Speed Booster] (http://www.adorama.com/MBSPEFM43BM1.html?KBID=66297) would be a very good value for your money, would allow you to share lenses with your T3i and will leave you with almost $2000 for lenses and audio. Here are my lens and audio recommendations for your budget:

Lenses

• [Rokinon 14mm T3.1 for Canon mount - $284.25] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=291007484021&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg)
  
  
• [Bower 35mm T1.5 for Canon mount - $449.99] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AA6WJKS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00AA6WJKS&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• [Rokinon 85mm T1.5 for Canon mount - $261.75] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=351083257844&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg)
  
  With the Metabones plus these lenses you would have a nice collection of primes for your GH4 (and your T3i) for not a lot of money
  
  Audio
  
  
• [JuicedLink Riggy Micro RM222 Preamplifier - $329] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009YLRZFE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B009YLRZFE&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• [Rode NTG-2 Boom Kit - $319] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DIHUMD2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00DIHUMD2&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  
• [Shock Mount - $13] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006SRHLP6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B006SRHLP6&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20)
  
  If you can, find a skilled sound person to swing the boom. Avoid mounting the mic on the camera, if you can.
  
  Good luck with your grant application!