Gear Guide for Videographers
Beginner, Intermediate, + Advanced
DISCLAIMER:
Links in this Gear Guide are affiliate links, meaning I earn a small percentage from purchases you make using these links. Some of the links might not work in your location.
Easily, the question Johnny and I get most often is what is our gear set-up, and what do we recommend for those just starting out in videography so we decided to create a Gear Guide for Videographers: Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced and we are super excited to share it with you. Most of what I include, I will have already used, or am familiar with the brand enough that I feel that I can endorse it. If I haven’t used the product or don’t know the brand well but feel strongly about the product after research and perspective from fellow filmmakers, I will make sure to indicate that so you’re aware before investing. Whenever possible, we will try to include a cheaper alternative to our suggestion incase you aren’t quite ready for the larger ticket item!
Beginner Set Up
If you’re starting out in video, first of all, welcome, fellow videographer!! Filmmaking is something we hold dear to our hearts, and we really think that you’re going to love it (if you don’t already) once you get over the first intimidating hump of learning! Here are a few things we think would serve you well in your journey:
C A M E R A
Sony ZV1
We recommend starting out with the Sony ZV1. It’s small, shoots amazing quality video/photo, it has a lens that zooms super far, AND it has a flip out screen so it is easy to snap a selfie or do a little vlog excerpt! The color and image quality are also super impressive for such a little camera.
$846.00
D R O N E
DJI Mavic Mini
WE LOVE DRONES! You probably already know that though if you’re here. We’re also huge fans of DJI, so we went with the DJI Mavic Mini as a starter drone. It is incredibly cheap for a drone that shoots HD footage, and it is super compact, so it’s the perfect option for you to learn the ropes of flying and get pretty good quality footage too!
$399.95
S T R A P
Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap
This strap is incredibly lightweight and so effective for when you’re out and about filming. It allows you to easily wear your camera, and pull it up to shoot whenever needed. It’s also compatible with the entire peak design system for quick and easy use.
$49.75
C A M E R A
Sony Alpha a6000
This is a great first camera. It’s compact and simple but also very flexible. You can change the lens which will give you the ability to start to experiment with different lenses but at an affordable price point.
$698.00
T R I P O D
JOBY GorillaPod
The JOBY GorillaPod is a great first tripod, it is super compact, lightweight, and it has flexible legs so you can attach it to almost anything to get a steady shot. It works for point and shoots, all the way up to DSLRs, and even works with a cell phone.
$46.71
M O N E Y S A V E R
DJI Osmo Pocket 2
The DJI Osmo Pocket 2 is a dream come true for us, and seriously cuts costs if you’re looking to have something you can shoot smooth footage with, vlog with, but don’t need the full quality a DLSR promises. We’ve taken our Osmo with us all around the world, and are constantly impressed by the quality and steadiness of the footage.
$488.00
C E L L P H O N E M O U N T
Cell Phone Mount
I am not sure how I went so long without one of these but cannot recommend it enough. This little tool makes it so much more likely that I capture moments, and has made creating social content, or content for videos so much easier.
$15.98
Intermediate Set Up
C A M E R A
Sony A6400
Perhaps the question we get most often about gear is “what camera should I get if I’m getting serious about video/photo but am not ready to dive into a full pro camera. The answer is Sony A640. This camera gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It takes really great photos and shoots excellent video. You can purchase the body only, or the body with a kit lens, both are great options.
$998.00
L E N S
Sony 85mm F1.4 GM
This lens is a great alternative to the Zeiss we recommend in the advanced category - an 85mm with a low f-stop is something I recommend to everyone as it allows you to get those shots that really capture the texture and detail of your surroundings. I regularly use my 85mm lens in both studio shooting and on the ground travel shooting. I love the photos and video it captures, and think it is an underrated tool that everyone should have in their arsenal!
$548.00
D R O N E
DJI Mavic Air 2
$988.00
S T R A P
Black Rapid Breathe Cross
We really love our black rapid strap! It is a cross body strap that is really secure so that you can wear the camera as a side bag. You can just slide it up towards the front of you and snap a shot or some video and then drop it back down to your hip without fear of dropping the camera mid shot or losing it out on the go. It is scary at first but it is SUCH a secure system, and allows you to have your camera out at all times without it banging against your chest to get those shots you just can’t miss. We use this with our DSLR, so as you invest more in your gear, you can keep using the same strap.
$66.95
U N D E R W A T E R
GoPro Hero 9
Underwater shots add so much to a film. We used to use GoPro for all of our underwater videos.
$449.00
L E N S
Samyang 14mm F2.8
This is an incredibly affordable lens that comes in various compatibilities depending on the camera you’re using. A wide lens is essential for vlogging, travel shooting, and this guy couldn’t come at a better price.
$499.00
A U D I O
Rode VidMic Go
This Rode Lightweight Microphone connects through a 1/8 inch input on all DSLRs, it provides protection from wind and a really decent audio signal. What makes it a really great option is that you can take it on and off as needed to make your rig neater, but it is also super portable and minimal which we love since we like our gear set up to be as lean as possible for travel.
$96.39
S T R A P
Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap
This strap is incredibly lightweight and so effective for when you’re out and about filming. It allows you to easily wear your camera, and pull it up to shoot whenever needed. It’s also compatible with the entire peak design system for quick and easy use.
$49.75
M O N E Y S A V E R
DJI Osmo Pocket 2
The DJI Osmo Pocket 2 is a dream come true for us, and seriously cuts costs if you’re looking to have something you can shoot smooth footage with, vlog with, but don’t need the full quality a DLSR promises. We’ve taken our Osmo with us all around the world, and are constantly impressed by the quality and steadiness of the footage.
$488.00
L E N S
Sony Zeiss Vario-Tessar 16-35mm F4
This lens allows us to get the wide angle shots we love. We didn’t go with the F 2.8 because we are usually doing wide shots outside when there’s plenty of light, and it was a better price point, but the F 2.8 would guarantee better low-light capability–if that is a concern for you, and you’ve got some extra budget, I’d go with the 2.8 but for us, the F4 has worked great.
$1248.00
T R I P O D
Peak Design Travel Tripod
I’ll say it now, and I’ll say it again: there is no better tripod than this tripod. This tripod is sleek, lightweight, easy to use, extremely compact, and stable. It has the ability to become a mobile tripod and is quick to break down or set up. I’m in love, and you need this.
$349.95
C E L L P H O N E M O U N T
Cell Phone Mount
I am not sure how I went so long without one of these but cannot recommend it enough. This little tool makes it so much more likely that I capture moments, and has made creating social content, or content for videos so much easier.
$15.98
Advanced Set Up
C A M E R A
Sony A7III
The camera we have been using is the Sony A7iii. We switched from Canon to Sony at the beginning of 2016 when we decided to take our filmmaking to the next level. Sony is getting better quicker than Canon so we made the jump. These cameras are small and yet so powerful. They take great photos and video and the low light capabilities are INCREDIBLE. They have good autofocus which helps for vlogging.
$998.00
L E N S
ZEISS Batis 85mm F1.8
love this lens more than any other in my kit. It is my baby, and it was a gift to myself that I waited a long time for and I am so glad I saved up and got it! It captures the most INCREDIBLE texture and detail, shoots beautifully for both photo and video, and the zeiss glass captures just the most crisp and clear imagery you can imagine. I will never part with this lens.
$1199
D R O N E
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
We’re huge fans of the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, it is what we use for all of our drone footage and photos, and has been super reliable and a total game-changer for our films. This drone folds into a small compact carrying case so it is super easy to bring with you on the go, it has GREAT image quality, and is relatively easy to learn to use.
$1559.00
T R I P O D
Peak Design Travel Tripod
I’ll say it now, and I’ll say it again: there is no better tripod than this tripod. This tripod is sleek, lightweight, easy to use, extremely compact, and stable. It has the ability to become a mobile tripod and is quick to break down or set up. I’m in love, and you need this.
$349.95
A U D I O
Sennheiser SK AVX
These Lav mics have changed our lives. They are an investment but have been totally worth it. They use some sort of cellular signal technology that allows the signal between the mic and receiver to be crystal clean (none of that weird static you usually get with wireless lavs) and the rechargeable batteries last forever.
$899.oo
S T A B I L I Z E R
DJI Ronin S
Our go-to gimbal, and I will never go back to any other. The ronin is made for on the go shooting and creates the dreamiest shots for when you really need a smooth glide. If you’re looking to professionalize your shooting and going handheld isn’t doing it for you - this is a must-buy.
$549.00
U N D E R W A T E R
GoPro Hero 9
Underwater shots add so much to a film. We used to use GoPro for all of our underwater videos.
$449.00
L E N S
Sony 16–35 mm F2.8 GM
This might be our most frequently used lens. It is incredibly versatile, wide enough for vlogging, and perfect at 35 for portraits and more detailed filming. The perfect lens to cover just about any need, all in one.
$2098.00
T R I P O D
Manfrotto Aluminum Legs
So, when it comes to tripods, it is important to understand that they come in two pieces. You get the legs, and the head. For video, it helps to have a fluid head that you can move around smoothly for optimal motion. We LOVE Manfrotto, and a great intermediate option is the Manfrotto Aluminum Legs with the 502 Video Head. This combo is going to be lightweight, but super sturdy and dependable. We’ve had ours the entire time we’ve been doing video and it has held up beautifully.
$200.00
S T R A P
Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap
This strap is incredibly lightweight and so effective for when you’re out and about filming. It allows you to easily wear your camera, and pull it up to shoot whenever needed. It’s also compatible with the entire peak design system for quick and easy use.
$49.75
A U D I O
Zoom H4N Pro
This is easily the most versatile field recorder you can get for this price. You can use it to record multiple mics. We use this to get back up audio sometimes. Or to get natural sounds effects in places we travel. It can also be used to get VO or to record interviews/podcasts. Zoom is the tried and true brand for field audio and we’ve used them for years.
$96.39
L E N S
Sony 24-70mm F2.8 GM
This is the best overall lens. It’s what we have on the camera 90% of the time. The autofocus for both video and photo is fast and accurate. It has an extremely solid build quality. This is the must-have for us.
$2098.00
L E N S
Sony 70-200 mm F2.8 GM OSS
If you’re looking to up your game with detail shots, and you have your basics covered, I cannot encourage a 70-200 enough - it is such a lovely option for STUNNING detail, capturing from a far distance, and at F2.8 allows for a really milky shallow depth of field that we can’t get enough of.
$2398.00
T R I P O D
Manfrotto 502 Video Head
$179.88
S T R A P
Black Rapid Breathe Cross
We really love our black rapid strap! It is a cross body strap that is really secure so that you can wear the camera as a side bag. You can just slide it up towards the front of you and snap a shot or some video and then drop it back down to your hip without fear of dropping the camera mid shot or losing it out on the go. It is scary at first but it is SUCH a secure system, and allows you to have your camera out at all times without it banging against your chest to get those shots you just can’t miss. We use this with our DSLR, so as you invest more in your gear, you can keep using the same strap.
$66.95
A U D I O
Rode NT USB Microphone
This is the mic we use to do all Voice Overs. It plugs right into your computer. Johnny has also been using this as his mic for zoom calls (totally unnecessary but the audio is slightly better). It has really good audio quality and is reliable and easy to use.
$96.39
Additional Accessories
We Love
L E N S C O V E R S
OP/TECH USA Hood Hat - Small
We really love these neoprene lens covers. They are SO useful, and you can get them in varying sizes to go with whatever lens you have. They just slide on and off, and protect your lens from scratches or bumps. I have one for each lens we own.
$10.75
S D C A R D
SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB (95 mb/s)
Having fast SD cards matters. Most of the time we use these SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB cards (95 mb/s).
$66.99
H A R D D R I V E
Samsung SSD T5 1TB
We love this 1TB Samsung solid-state drive. It’s so fast and tiny. But it’s spendy.
$119.99
S D C A R D C A S E
Pelican Card Case
A card case is an essential part of staying organized with video. I love this Pelican Card Case because it has a hard shell so it protects the cards, and it has spots for both normal and micro sd cards.
$23.73
S T U D I O L I G H T S
Aputure Light Storm C120D II
We went far too long without a good light, and it has simplified our process so much. It allows us to shoot at any time of day, under any conditions and gives a real-light feel to any shot.
$799.00
C A M E R A / D R O N E S L I N G
Peak Design Everyday Sling
We LOVE this sling. It is the perfect size for our drone if we’re out producing and also works as our go-to back for hikes, or short adventures where we only want to carry one camera, an extra lens, and a water bottle. This sling is super functional, comfortable, and practical.
$79.95
L E N S C L E A N I N G K I T
Altura Photo Professional Cleaning Kit
When you’re investing heavily in gear, it is smart to have a set-up to take good care of it, I love this lens cleaning kit that comes with a cleaning solution, brushes, wipes, air-blower, etc.
$14.99
S D C A R D F O R 4 K
SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB (300 mb/s)
If you are shooting 4k footage you will need a really fast card to write all data, like these Lexar SDHC UHS-II cards that shoot 300 mb/s.
$97.99
H A R D D R I V E
WesternDigital My Passport 2TB
WesternDigital My Passport (USB 3.0) is solid and has worked great for us while we travel.
$59.99
S D C A R D R E A D E R
Cable Matters
We’ve tried a lot of card readers. Especially since we got a new Mac Pro with no card readers (curse you apple!) The best reader by far is this one from Cable Matters. It’s for a USB-c port.
$10.99
B A C K P A C K
Peak Design Everyday
We recommend the same Peak Design Everyday Backpack in all three sections because we love it that much. This backpack is ideal not just for video, but for travel, as a temporary diaper bag, overnight bag, or just for a day touring around. You can get the 20L or 30L.
$259.95
N D F I L T E R S
Tiffen 72VND 72mm Variable ND Filter
We’re crazy about these variable ND filters, they’re basically like polarized sunglasses for your camera, so they make it possible to shoot in harsh light and still get good footage, so so awesome. I wish I had known about these earlier.
$90.16
S D C A R D F O R D R O N E
Sandisk Extreme 32GB Micro SD Cards
The Osmo and the drone both take micro SD cards. Again if you are shooting 4k (we do for the drone) you’ll need a nice fast card. We use these Sandisk Extreme 32GB Micro SD Cards.
$9.99
H A R D D R I V E
Lacie Rugged 2TB
For Borders Johnny used the Lacie Rugged hard drives. They come in both USB C and USB 3.0. Johnny did drop one of his drives onto asphalt and it stopped working a few days later. So we’re not totally sold on the “rugged” promise of these drives. But besides that, they’ve been super reliable. Always backup footage on two hard drives to be safe.
$99.99
R E F L E C T O R
Neewer Reflector
I went years without using a reflector for photos and stop-motion but it really does make a difference. I love this Neewer Reflector for in-home shoots because it allows me to diffuse harsh light OR reflect light to create more in a lower light spot.
$23.33
B A C K P A C K
Nomadic Backpack
This is my go-to commuter bag and the perfect bag for hopping on a plane, train, or bus. It is super compact, hyper-organized with tons of pockets and sections to choose from, and waterproof. When I don’t need to be carrying around TONS of gear all day, this is my go-to for the essentials and for going to and from work.
$259.99
Podcasting
M I C
Shure SM7B Microphone
Our go to for all things podcasting, voiceovers, and general recording needs. This microphone is top-notch.
$399.oo
M I C A R M A N D M O U N T
RODE PSA 1 Swivel Mount
$89.00
A U D I O I N T E R F A C E
Rode Rodecaster Pro
This is a mixing board we use to record audio. We are NOT audio people so this thing is totally necessary for us. What we love about it is you can record right onto a micro sd card so you aren’t feeding anything into your computer. Much simpler.
$599.00
