So you want to level up your creative game, well I have some tips as well as some gear & products for the new and rising and even the seasoned veterans out there.
You've clicked on this post wanting to gain knowledge as well as see products that may help or enhance your workflow whether you're a youtuber, tik tok, Instagram small or big business professional I'm glad to inform you that you're taking the right steps so far for being here.
For beginners getting into filming, story telling or teaching whatever your niche is lets start with the basics. In this day and age we almost all have access to a mobile device (phones primarily) and with that expense out the way you have your first camera. Todays smartphones have a decent enough camera to get you up and shooting in no time, but wait! not so fast another cheap entry level piece of gear I would recommend for everyone not just beginners is a notebook or idea pad to keep ideas fresh and organized for later content or even scripts for pre planned shoots etc... a very useful tool indeed.
If you are here with a budget and are here looking for a camera, depending on what you're interested in creating may it be YouTube videos, streaming, or product photography whatever, I'll have something listed below for you with affiliate links for you to follow up and read through the details, price and specifications that fit your work.
When buying gear if you don't mind I would always recommend buying second hand or refurbished. You will be getting a much better deal on great quality equipment more than likely in most instances. Just a quick tip
Cameras
Sony ZV-1F: https://amzn.to/3WwbMpe
Sony Alpha ZV-E10: https://amzn.to/3yaa8jP
EOS M50 Mark II + EF-M 15-45mm IS STM Kit Black: https://amzn.to/4d7CZnN
Sony a6700: https://amzn.to/4bVZWJJ
A7iV: https://amzn.to/3Yg2D5w
Canon EOS R6: https://amzn.to/3SkF7AK
LUMIX S5ii: https://amzn.to/3zPzRi2
Moving forward you will be needing lights. Lighting will bring out the best image your camera can produce. If used correctly this could set the tone or moods you're trying to convey to your audience. With lighting your first and most affordable option will be natural light this could be anything from filming outside or by a window. Next up in the category of lighting is some budget friendly options, as well as some more expensive gear that ill be listing below.
ShowMaven Softbox Lighting Kit, Studio Lights: https://amzn.to/3WhX97R
Aputure Amaran AL-MC RGBWW On Camera Video Light: https://amzn.to/3YdNQbv
ULANZI VL49 RGB Video Lights, LED Camera Light: https://amzn.to/3LxFNP9
Lume Cube 2.0 Portable Lighting Kit: https://amzn.to/46dsGMM
Lume Cube Bicolor Panel Mini LED Light for Professional DSLR Cameras: https://amzn.to/4bTv7oI
Westcott Solix Bi-Color 1-Light Kit: https://amzn.to/3Wy77Dx
Nanlite PavoTube II: https://amzn.to/4bZcLCW
Next up we have your audio. Audio is a very important attribute to your content creation your audience is more inclined to watch a video with clean clear sound because they can at least understand below I have a list of affordable to more higher end audio gear for on the go filming to podcasting microphones and YouTube and streaming with affiliate links
Deity V-Mic D3 Pro: https://amzn.to/3y6YLct
Rode VideoMic GO: https://amzn.to/4fosT3Y
DJI Mic (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case): https://amzn.to/3Ywjt0n
HyperX QuadCast S – RGB USB Condenser Microphone: https://amzn.to/4cQ1y96
HyperX DuoCast – RGB USB Condenser Microphone: https://amzn.to/3zSiHQW
Logitech for Creators Blue Snowball USB Microphone: https://amzn.to/46bmjcV
Movo VXR10-PRO External Video Microphone: https://amzn.to/3LwACPN
Sennheiser Professional MKE 200 Directional On-Camera Microphone: https://amzn.to/3y5dMvq
SMALLRIG S20 Video Microphone: https://amzn.to/3yf53Xq
Hollyland Lark M1 Wireless Lavalier Microphone: https://amzn.to/4dbHgGN
With that out of the way we can get on to the gear to edit all your work so you can get to crafting your material as well as post. The first runner up for affordability will be... you might have guessed it, your phone! There are many apps to help you get your content prepped and ready to go. I'll be sure to list a few for Android as well as iOS
Mobile Editing Apps
iMovie (IOS & Mac)
CapCut (Android & IOS)
Lumafusion (IOS)
Kinemaster (Android & IOS)
VN Video Editor (Android & IOS)
Moving on to maybe your computer I would recommend in first place for Mac and PC, Davinci Resolve its is by far the most comprehensive solution to video editing and did I mention that this editor is FREE!!!
This video editing software has all the tools you need and more for you to create pretty much anything even movies, it's really that good and I think you should give it a try too. They also have a paid studio version if you're interested in that. It includes features like masking tools, higher resolutions and more.
I do have a few more honorable mentions in the video editing space for computers from free to a more premium price tag and I'll be listing them below
Filmora by Wondershare (Mac & PC)
iMovie (Mac) along with its bigger brother Final Cut Pro
Adobe Premier Pro (Mac & PC)
CapCut (Mac & PC)
Sony Vegas (Mac & PC)
Miscellaneous
If you have one of these items from any of the categories listed above you should definitely be on your way to creating great content! I do have some miscellaneous items that I recommend as well and and would say make your journey a tad bit easier in the creating processes. These items would be in no particular order just things I think are valuable in the field of work.
My first item of choice you might already know about it. It's the 24-70mm lens no specific brand in mind just generally speaking about the focal range. This is a versatile lens you could keep on for most cases till you expand your collection of glass
Can't go wrong with having extra storage & my storage of choice lately has been the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD. When it comes to storage their are loads of different options to choose from as well as price ranges
Keep yourself a lens cleaning kit handy as well as micro fiber cloths for cleaning lenses and other camera parts. Take care of your gear and it will take care of you.
A good camera bag is something I indeed recommend, this will allow you to pack & organize your gear for safe keeping as well as transportation.
Can't forget a tripod. A good tripod could last your whole career if you can't afford a good one I do recommend you just wait to purchase this item. Manfrotto 290XTA3-2WUS Tripod Kit w/Fluid Video Head: https://amzn.to/4ffMF1c
One good lens with a low aperture or 2.8 or lower would be ideal personally I like the constant zooms but an 85mm f/1.2 is something I've used and highly recommend I'll list it here.
Now that you have a few of these items you should be able to start creating stunning content. These items will boost your production quality for sure making your content more engaging and enjoyable to watch. Get out and start creating !
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