Must-Have Affordable Camera Gear for Beginners
The hardest thing about being a student filmmaker is not having the gear you need to start working on your craft. You are so eager to get started, but you don’t have anything to do so. Maybe you have the advantage of using your school’s gear for your projects, but you finally decide it’s time to start investing in your own because you don’t want to borrow anymore.
Buying film gear can be just as stressful as buying a car. You don’t want to make the wrong choice, and you’re trying to see what will help you in the long run. You want the best gear you can possibly get, but you also want to buy without breaking the bank or putting a huge dent in your own wallet.
I was in this situation when I started college. I wanted to stop using the gear from my school and wanted to have my own. At the same time, I wasn’t making much money and was making just enough to pay rent. I wanted to write this article today to help someone that is currently in the same situation I was in college. Here is my list of five pieces of gear that starting student filmmakers should get under $2100 total.
1. Camera (Panasonic GH5)
When you start to research gear, the first item you always start to look at is the camera. This item will be the most expensive item on your shopping list no matter where you turn. When looking for a camera, you want to find something that can be multi- purposed. You want to find a camera that can be used in every scenario, from slow artistic videos to fast paced action. That is why I highly recommend the Panasonic GH5.
Not only can you shoot up to 4K, there are also other features already built into the camera. You can shoot the industry standard 24 frames per second up to 120 frames per second for great slow motion shots. Not only can you shoot video on it, but it can also take fantastic pictures if you ever want to catch that perfect picture in the moment. There is also built-in Wi-Fi, so you can connect the camera to your phone to see your shot on a bigger screen. The camera also has built-in camera stabilization, to help with your shaky footage. Please note that this camera does not come with a lens. This camera is the best bang for your buck. I still use mine to this day, and I bought it four years ago. Most colleges I’ve seen are starting to buy this model of camera for their students, so why not get ahead of the curve?
You can view the item here.
2. Tripod (Magnus VT-4000 Tripod)
When looking for a tripod, you don’t have to be fancy. You can wait to buy the big fancy Manfrotto tripod that everyone probably uses. At the same time, you also don’t want to buy a flimsy tripod that can’t hold the weight of your camera. You also don’t want to buy a small tripod that can easily be pushed down with a slight breeze. This is why I highly recommend any Magnus Tripod. With Magnus tripods, you can have the support you need to hold your
camera without the worry of it falling. You typically want to get a tripod that has a spreader in the middle that can be raised in multiple stages. You also have a fluid head with different pan/tilt locks with a leveling bubble as well. It has the same exact features as a Manfrotto for half of the price. I think these tripods are a good first tripod to have, without putting a huge dent in your wallet. As long as it holds the camera, without the worry of a small breeze to push the whole tripod down, you are good to go.
You can view the item here.
3. Audio Recorder (Tascam DR-60D)
When you are starting out as a student filmmaker, the number one mistake I’ve seen in most films is the lack of audio. Most students use the microphone inside the camera, and this will ruin your film. When your audience views the film, the first thing they notice is the audio. If you have horrible audio in the film, your audience is already drawn away from the experience. The audio system inside each camera is very low end. Because of this, you need to have an audio recorder that is versatile, but with a small price tag. This is why I recommend the Tascam DR-60. This audio recorder is perfect for a starting filmmaker. It has so many features that can fit in the palm of your hands. You can record up to four channels all at once while adjusting the audio on each channel. This audio recorder accepts three different types of inputs: XLR, quarter-inch, and eighth-inch. The unit also runs power off of AA batteries or a USB power bank charger. With enough power into the unit, it can run for hours without powering off.
You can view the item here.
4. Microphone (Rode Shotgun Microphone)
Now that you found the perfect audio recorder, you need the right microphone. You need to find a microphone that can be used in every scenario. You need to find a microphone that you can use in your short films for projects to interviews for your local church or community center. That is why I recommend the Rode Shotgun Microphone.
With this shotgun microphone, you can pick up great audio no matter what you’re filming. The microphone is powered by one AA battery or can even be phantom powered through your Tascam audio recorder. This microphone is very popular for starting filmmakers and for indie film projects. This microphone was one of my first purchases as a student filmmaker around six years ago and I still use it to this day. If you purchase this, you also need to purchase one XLR with a boom mic stand. Both of these items can be found cheaply for about $30 combined.
You can view the item here.
5. Lights (Dracast S-Series LED5000 Panel)
The last thing you should consider buying is lights. No matter what you are filming, you are going to need some sort of lights to make your film look fantastic. In every shot of your video, the lighting is going to be different. The light temperature is going to be different depending on your location. You need a light that can deliver consistent color temperature and can be easily controlled. That is why I highly recommend the Dracast S-Series LED Panel.
By buying this light fixture, you have the capability to change the color temperature in every scenario. This light can do 3200K-5600K all by twisting one knob. The light can also be tilted into any position you need. This light can be powered by Watson batteries or by plugging it into a wall. It’s just that simple. Please note when buying the light, you are buying the fixture itself. This purchase does not come with a stand. Just try to find any Dracast stand within your budget when purchasing your light. I found one around $20, but you can be the judge.
You can view the item here.
This list is not meant to be ideal. Make adjustments to your own individual needs. I bought everything on this list over the span of four years. I only bought what I needed at the time with the money I had available. Make sure you have enough money for changing needs. If you don’t have the money to buy anything, and your close friend has the equipment you need, consider renting the gear for your project. By doing this, you can still do the project you want while having the gear you need to complete it.
Meet the Author, Brandon Young
Brandon Young is currently a Stage Technician at Walt Disney World. He is also a Producer/Director for Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium at Johnson Controls Hall of Fame Village. His previous experience included being a Videographer and Editor at Trinity United Church of Christ, and a Media Specialist at North Canton Community Christian Church. He has produced projects for ESPN, NASA, TED, Sherwin Williams, Hyland Software, and the Canton Palace Theatre. He graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Digital Media Production and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Denver for Professional Dramatic Writing.
He most recently completed a documentary called “One Last Summer,” where he was the director, producer, and editor. The film premiered at the Canton Film Festival and was nominated for “Best Feature Documentary” at the Las Cruces International Film Festival. He most recently wrote a feature script called “McDonald’s Massacre” that has been accepted into eleven script writing competitions, including “Best First-Time Screenwriter” at the New York Genre Screenplay Competition and placed in the Top 3 at the Ivy Film Festival in Rhode Island. He has also a screenplay screener for the Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition and is on the board for the Canton Film Festival.