Miking an Orchestra

I'm recording with an orchestra again in a few months. The last time I did this I relied on the hall's recording system - 2 stereo mikes hanging about 15 feet above and 10 feet forward of the stage. This did not go very well.

I'd like to record with multiple mike placements so I can do at least some elementary mixing... Anyone have advice on how many mikes I should use, which types of mikes, where I should place them? Budget is a bit of a factor, I'd like not to go over 200-300$.

The orchestra is 2.2.2.2/4.3.3/strings.

$200 - 300?? For buying mics? (Won't happen) Renting? (might do)

...

I figure one, maybe two mics per section...

for strings, small diaphragm condensors, cardioid, get them close (maybe 4-6 feet) above and slightly in front.

For brass/woodwinds, large diaphragm cardiod condensors, 2-3 feet in front, slightly above.

Use these in conjunction with a stereo pair, or even a couple omnis for room ambiance and such...

Though, I'm surely no expert....

Buy a textbook on recording techniques...

If I had a budget of $200-$300 to record an orchestra and wanted it to sound good, I'd offer the money to a sound engineering student to make this for me. They probably will have mics (and preamps/converters/etc.) available to them -and- the knowledge how to use them.

The problem is the following: When you record a solo instrument or a small ensemble, you can experiment and when something goes wrong, it's not that tragic to do another take. But with an orchestra you don't have spare time to play around with things. You pretty much have to know what works in which room, with which instrument placement, with which equipment and then just record directly.

I really learned to value the expertise of people who do such things professionally (or semi professionally), if I want a good result. Of course, I'm also in the comfortable position to know quite a few good ones personally, who might do it for as much as a dinner invitation :P