In today’s video-focused world, you need to step up your game and choose the latest equipment for your video productions. It might seem like a big investment to select the best equipment but they will pay their worth right away. You’ll notice a better quality of your video content and your clients will be satisfied as well. Therefore, here is an equipment checklist to ensure you are set to film and produce high-quality video content.
- Camera
You will need a video camera to proceed with a video recording or a shooting project. If you are looking for the best option for a camera, a full frame is not the one. Moreover, don’t go for the latest point-and-shoot cameras that don’t have interchangeable lenses if you want versatility and longevity. These are usually cheaper and won’t give you the same quality of images that Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras offer. SLR cameras can be used with interchangeable lenses, have multiple features and accessories, and shoot at a higher frame rate. Some of the options you should try are Canon Mark |||, Panasonic Lumix GH5 4K, Nikon D90, or Sony A7. However, for 8K, you should try the Canon EOS R5.
- Lenses
Picking out a high-quality lens is crucial if you want to capture the details in your video. Lenses transform the camera, so you must have a few of these at your service. The focal length of a lens refers to the distance from the sensor to the center of the front lens element. Lenses with a 40-50 mm focal length have a similar perspective to the human eye, and that is why they are called normal lenses. However, lenses with a focal length of less than 40 mm are considered wide-angle lenses and are used for interior shootings or landscapes. Macro lenses come in different focal lengths, whereas the longer focal length lenses let you capture your subjects from further away and still capture close-up imagery. For a general shooting environment, you should use the 24-70mm lens, 50mm for close-ups, and 70-200mm for distance shooting. Some of the options you are recommended to use are the Sony 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 or Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 lenses.
- Tripod
The type of tripod you get will depend on what kind of video you shoot. You should look for ones with sliders or flexible ones. The types of tripods you are recommended to use are Manfrotto tripods, Gorillapods, and Konova slider kits.
- Sound equipment
Audio is incredibly significant when doing a video shoot, so you need to make sure that you have the best audio recording tool. While shooting your video, you will need to use an external microphone. This way, you will improve the sound quality of your video, whether you are using live sound recordings as you shoot or adding in voice afterward. For a better sound, you should use a RODE VideoMic, Sennheiser wireless kit, or Shotgun Microphone. Many video production services in Kosovo use this kind of equipment to provide the best service to their customers. Hence, these companies are very professional and they reach customer satisfaction.
- Lighting
Lighting is probably one of the essential parts of video production. You can get an LED light attached to the top of your camera. For the rest of your lighting, it is best to go for a lighting kit as this will include everything you need, from the lights to the stands and reflectors too. It is recommended to try Neewer LED lights, Flat Panel LED 2-Light Kit, LED Ring Light, or On-Camera LED Light.
However, a broad daylight shot can do much better without those additional lights and offer you bright videos. LED lights are essential only to fill low light conditions to highlight your subject.
- Accessories (Batteries, Memory Cards)
The type of memory card you need to use will depend on what type of camera you have, but it is always recommended to have the highest quality to avoid the possibility of your content being corrupted. You may want to go for the larger storage space just to be safe. Moreover, you should try the SanDisk Extreme or Ultra range of memory cards.
In case of an emergency, such as a low battery in your camera, be sure to pack four or five extra batteries. If you have rechargeable batteries, then charge them enough before heading out for your next video shoot.
Conclusion
Many video production companies use the latest equipment for their videos to be qualitative. They must use the latest and improved equipment because of the highly competitive video production companies. Therefore, investing in a new camera, lenses, tripods, and lighting are the main things you need to win in the market.
