What is my kit missing

C

craigb

Member
Hello all,

Thanks for the advice up till now.

My kit looks as follows:

DVX100b with 2 extra batteries
Rode NTG-2 shotgun
Sennheiser G2 100 series wireless mic (In the post!)
Manfrotto tripod
50ft xlr cable

Editing with premiere elements 4.

I have $3000 to spend. What is the above kit missing that I should get with this amount.

I do corporate videos / interviews etc.

Thanks
Craig
 
You may want to consider upgrading the lav mic that comes with the Senn kit. You can do better with a Countryman or Sanken and it will be about half the size as well. There are other good lavs, but I've been happy with the Countryman.

Grip equipment should be the next thing, I think. I'm a serious hobbiest and even I'm amassing grip stuff; it makes life a lot easier. C-stands, or even a convertible Manfrotto boom stand are great for booming a mic, holding a reflector or supporting a background.

But I digreee, we are in the Audio forum....

Do you have wind protection and appropriate shock mounts for the Rode?

It cant hurt to have some packing quilts (like the type used for wrapping furniture) to thrown down or hang in case you need to deaden a very reflective space.
 
Headphones. For the love of all that is good and decent, please wear headphones while you shoot. Add Sony MDR-7506 to your list.

And you won't be able to add a decent lighting kit while keeping your budget at $3k. Rent for now.
 
Cheapie headphones simply aren't reliable. Get the Sonys... well worth the $99.

So I want to make sure that I understand your original post. The list of gear... that's what you already own? And the $3k is your budget to expand that kit?

If you are working with $3k total to add to your kit, you might look at something like the Sound Devices MixPre or 302. This gives you some control over your audio outside of the camera's pre-amps. With either, you'll want to get the mixer-to-camera snake, which is another $250 - $300.

Once you've amassed a decent audio kit, you'll want an audio bag in which to keep the gear protected and organized.

Just FYI:
A basic, starter lighting kit - at least, the one I'd want - runs about $2900. An Arri tungsten kit, the Softbank III, with a 1k and softbox, 650 Fresnel, and two 300 Fresnels, plus stands, accessories, and a wheeled case.
 
Gaff tape.
Small and large screwdrivers.
Electronics repair kit (Soldering iron, wire cutters, etc.)
Pliers.
Gaff tape.
Another mic cable.
 
Did the original poster read the stickies? There are several good posts that outline the full contents of a good kit for various budgets. While the posts haven't been updated in a while, things haven't changed that much.

I didn't see a boom pole on the list, btw.

Phil
 
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