capture Station Setup - Advice Needed

Hello-

I am currently researching methods for setting up a station for the digital capture of 2D or stop motion work for an expanding art department in a midwest university. The lab is a macinttosh lab so software would be restricted to mac-compatible means. I've used Frame Thief and like its features and would like to use a digital still camera to get higher resolution images than a miniDV cam.

Has anyone had experience in this area who can lend some advice or comments?

I was thinking about setting up something similar to a traditional animation stand, but with digital components. A copy stand with either a digital still camera and/or 3-chip miniDV cam and running the signal into the hard drive while running Frame Thief.

Any suggestions on:

Type of copy stand?
Type of miniDV camera?
Type of digital still camera?
Software or additional components?

Thanks!
Cable
http://www.killingtimepictures.com