So, you want to dip your feet into the world of filmmaking? Starting out as a filmmaker can be exciting, but figuring out the right gear can feel overwhelming. With so many options on the market, it’s tough to know what’s truly essential and what’s the best for a beginner, especially if you’re working with a limited budget.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the best gear for first time filmmakers that will set you up for success. From cameras and lenses to audio equipment and lighting, these recommendations will help you capture quality footage and build your skills as a first-time filmmaker.
Cameras
To make any video project, whether it be a short film, music video, social media content, or otherwise, you need a camera. Many cell phone cameras nowadays are great quality and get the job done for more casual pieces, however, you’ll want to look into a proper camera if you plan on working on films frequently.
That being said, there are tons of great examples of cell phone camera videography, such as the film Tangerine, directed by Sean Baker. If you’re nervous about spending the money to buy or rent a DSLR camera, you can try outfitting your phone with accessories designed for filmmaking, such as tripods and gimbals you can attach your phone to.
When it comes to cameras, you may want to try a DSLR camera first. These cameras are widely available from many different brands and retailers. DSLR stands for “Digital Single-Lens Reflex”, which means it is a digital camera that uses a mirror system to capture images through a lens and records them with a digital sensor. You can use many lenses and accessories with DSLR cameras, and they have both photo and video capabilities.
The Canon EOS 6D is a fantastic starting point for anyone new to filmmaking. Think of it as your reliable, user-friendly companion that’s easy to pick up, even if you’ve never used a camera before. With its full-frame sensor, the Canon EOS 6D gives you sharp, vibrant footage that looks professional. Plus, it performs really well in low-light situations, like indoor or nighttime settings. The controls and menus are straightforward, and it’s built to feel comfortable in your hands, so you won’t be overwhelmed. Overall, Canon DSLRs are solid, approachable choices for beginners.
My first short film was shot on a Canon DSLR. Time and time again, I return to that camera, or similar models, due to how easy it is to use by both amateurs and professionals. That being said, I am not opposed to using other brands of DSLRs, such as Nikon and Sony. Most brands have similar controls and features, and typically only a couple things that make them stand out from competitors.
Pay attention to DSLR models and manufacturing years when shopping for a camera. What you want is usable, high definition quality footage, which, in 2024, means you don’t want anything less than 1080p for video quality. Many cameras that are a few years older than the newest models can shoot 1080p, 2k, or even 4k, and they’ll be a fraction of the cost.
If buying new, but wanting to save money, look for older models still available in store. If buying used, you can get great deals, but do your research and make sure the camera is still in good condition along with meeting your technical needs. If renting, the older models will typically be priced cheaper per day than newer models.
Lenses
When you think of a camera, you think of a camera body with a lens attached. Often, DSLRs and mirrorless cameras come with the body and lens separate, meaning you have to purchase or rent two separate items to complete the camera. Being able to remove lenses off the body of a DSLR means you can swap them out for different focal lengths, which is super helpful.
What is focal length? Focal length is the distance between a camera's lens and the image sensor, which determines how zoomed in or wide your photos will look. The lower the focal length, the wider the angle. A 14mm lens would be used for landscape shots, while 85mm would be used for a close-up shot.
For your first endeavor into filmmaking, it’s possible to get away with using one lens that’s “middle ground”, and can be used for wider or closer shots via zooming in or out. Some lenses to try would be 24-105mm or 24-70mm. These lenses are versatile and easy for beginners to get the hang of.
A lens such as the 17-40mm is good for wide angles, while something like a 50mm or 85mm is good for portraits or close ups. You could also try the 70-200mm for extreme close-ups or telephoto.
Think about your shot list for your first film, and what lenses you’ll need. In general, you could get everything done with something like a 24-105mm lens. Do you want a lot of wide angles or close ups? Plan accordingly, and purchase or rent those lenses. If you’re buying secondhand to save some money, check for scratches on the lens, and make sure the zoom and buttons work properly.
Lenses can range heavily in price. Simple lenses can start around $100, and fancy ones with crazy focal lengths, or ones for fancy cameras, can be upwards of $2000.
When renting or buying lenses, you also need to make sure it’s compatible with your camera. The brand name is typically not enough to go off of: a Sony lens doesn’t necessarily mean it'll fit your Sony camera. You’ll need to know what mount your camera has. The mount is where the lens attaches, and each camera is a little different. Canon cameras can be EF or RF mount, for example, and you need to check which one your camera is before getting an EF or RF lens.
Audio
Good audio is just as important as good visuals. Audiences will often prefer a movie that sounds good but looks bad over a film that sounds bad but looks good. That’s likely why “found footage” movies like The Blair Witch Project did so well: the footage wasn’t state-of-the-art, but you could hear everything that was going on clearly, making it easy to understand.
Cameras have built-in microphones, but let’s be honest, they aren’t that good, especially for filmmaking. You’ll want to invest in some sort of external microphone to capture good audio. Some options out there are lower than $100 to purchase!
On-camera shotgun microphones are a great, budget-friendly option for a beginner. They attach to the top of your camera and plug into it, recording better audio directly onto the MP4 footage you capture. The RODE VideoMic is a great on-camera option to try.
You can also get a shotgun mic that can be attached to a boom pole or stand. This is what you typically see on professional movie sets. They are also a great option, and record audio separate from the video, which means you’ll have to sync the sound with the footage in post-production. You will need something for the microphone to record onto, such as a mixer.
An on-camera mic is better if you’re doing this project solo, while a shotgun mic on a boom pole is best if you have someone recording for you that can control the mic and accompanying mixer. Both options are great, and you can play around and see what works for you.
Lighting
For beginners, a big, costly lighting setup isn’t ideal. Controlling your lighting is important in film, and something like a basic LED can do more than you think. The Aputure MC Pro RGB is a great smaller, portable option for a beginner. LED RGB tube lights are also a great option as they’re battery powered and highly portable.
You can use gels to change the colour of the lights, or you can play with the colour settings on your light if it has it. You can also diffuse your lights to make them less harsh by using diffusion materials such as pieces of fabric, or proper skrims if you can get your hands on some.
To help control lighting, you may want to try a reflector. This is a metallic piece of fabric that reflects light, both natural and LED, towards a subject. Silver creates cooler tones, while gold creates warmth.
Tripods
For steady footage, you’ll want a nice, sturdy tripod. Tripods can run surprisingly expensive, but you can find some alright options for under $100, or secondhand.
Carbon fiber tripods will be lighter than aluminum tripods, but otherwise they function the same. The base of the tripod screws off and screws onto the bottom of your camera, allowing you to attach your camera to the tripod.
If you are wanting to do any smooth pans or tilts, you can utilize a video tripod head with a handle for easy usage. This allows you to control the speed of movement while staying stable.
Batteries and SD Cards
Of course, your camera and sound recorder need a battery and SD card to be able to record media. Cameras typically come with one battery included, but you can purchase or rent additional batteries and chargers as needed.
SD cards store your recorded footage, and can be inserted into a computer to transfer the footage to an editing software. SD cards can range from a few gigabytes to hundreds of GB. The larger the storage, the more expensive it’ll be. Video takes up more space than photo, so you won’t want anything less than 64 GB of storage (preferably more).
Understanding the basics of camera gear can go a long way for any beginner looking to dive into filmmaking. Learning about features like focal length, camera types, and accessories helps build a solid foundation, making it easier to capture the footage you envision. With a bit of practice and the right equipment, you’ll be well on your way to creating impressive visuals. So grab your camera, explore, and let your creativity take the lead!
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