What support gear would you pay extra for? What would you cheap out / go DIY on?

M

MikeFunktastic

Active member
I've been hunting through these forums for a while hoping to strike a nice balance between a reliable, durable set of accessories without shelling out my life's savings for it, and I'm sure everyone else has.

So for someone who's looking to film both documentaries and narratives, what would you guys recommend to spend extra on? What would you save / rent / go DIY on? I guess what I'm asking depends a lot on what accessories you find yourself carrying around with you to shoots all the time vs. the gear that you tend to leave at home except for the rare occasion. The more often a gear is used, the more you would usually spend on it, right?

I'm talking about anything from the following list of accessories that I feel should be in most filmmaker's armory:

-Tripod legs
-Tripod head
-Shoulder stabilizer / rig
-Cases (for storing rigs, lenses, and anything fragile)
-Articulating arms
-Shoulder pads
-Battery packs, cables
-Matte box
-Follow focus
-Steadicam
-Field monitor
-Microphones (boom, shotgun, lavaliers etc)
-Audio recorder
-Filters (ND, polarizer, UV)
-Crane
-Dolly
-Anything else I forgot to list

Hope I can get some good insight from everyone!
 
a lot of the answers to your question depend on where you live. if you live in or very near a major market. just about all of what you list can be rented quite easily.

the problem is, to get good at using many of those (steadicam, crane, follow focus, etc) you need quite a bit of practice with them even to simply set them up properly. so renting quickly gets pretty expensive if youre not billing rental back to a client.

if youre a single person with not a lot of demands on your time. you can get good weekend rental rates and just spend every waking moment with the gear.

another variable is are we talking about traditional video camera or video dslr?
 
Oops. Good points that I definitely forgot to mention.

I live in the DC/Northern VA area. So a pretty major market I would think. I shoot video DSLR (7D and 5D) and intend to for the foreseeable future. In terms of content, I definitely plan on doing a lot of sports instructional videos as I am a tennis instructor, but I also have personal projects (mostly narrative) planned as well.

I have a good amount of money to spend at the moment on additional gear, if needed (~$3500). I'm just trying to figure out what gear is absolutely paramount in terms of shelling out top-dollar for (buy), versus something that I might not even end up using all that often (rent).
 
When you're looking at your savings don't forget about expenses outside of equipment. You also have web hosting if you use it, advertising and other marketing costs, hard drives and the little extra yous hould keep in case you haven't thought of something or you have to pay before the client does.

For specifics on what to get at first: Tripod head and legs. I'm going to not say audio because you can hire an audio person instead of investing. You'll need someone to operate that equipment anyway, so build a partnership if you can. If you can't get someone investing in audio could be a good idea as well. And I'm going to stop there, because if you plan on spending top dollar on everything those two kits and marketing fees are going to eat up your savings pretty quick.

[edit] And I agree on a good slider. I don't care how disdainful people on here get of slider shots, clients love them.
 
Oh, and don't forget lenses. In case your kit is lacking any of those.

And ND filters can be pretty helpful with HDSLRs.
 
Be able to do what you do well. Start with sharp, well exposed stable footage that is in focus and has good matching audio.

IMO never buy crap - just dont have stuff or rent when you need it - having crap just means you embarras yourself on set when it doesnt work

Record Stable shots (tripod good head)
Record and hear sound - recorder, shotgun, lav, cans
Keep running, Bateries Batteries Batteries, Media Media (CF cards)
Shoot in the dark - a couple of lights
Shoot in the brigtht - ND - A reflector to fill in on the sun
See stuff - Glass - a wide a medium and a mid tele
FOcus on stuff - a monitor


Next up is probably a shoulder rig so you can move around fast

Then stuff to smoothly move the camera, slider, steadicam whatever

S
 
$3500 is NOT a lot of money. but if you buy well. you might get a workable basic kit

here is what id get.
- a decent USED lighter vinten, miller, or sachtler tripod and head combo. $500-$800
- a basic interview light kit. can be had for about a grand if you buy smart
- an audio recorder, like a zoom or tascam
- a handful of screw on filters (polarizer and a good ND grad)
- a monitor 7" or smaller (with focus assist features)
- a monopod or maybe a very basic shoulder rig like this:
http://www.dynamicmotionvideo.com/index2.php#/gallery_sec/1/
 
Good stuff.

So far, it seems like there's a consensus on a good tripod and head combo, and maybe a field monitor?

@wgzn - is there a reason to go with a grad ND filter as opposed to a regular ND filter?
 
@wgzn - is there a reason to go with a grad ND filter as opposed to a regular ND filter?
Click to expand...

i actually meant to say variable rather than grad. but yeah. now that we mention it, i do keep a couple grads handy to darken the sky on outdoor shoots.
and again, several fixed grads will be better than the variable ones. but you cant beat varis for convenience...
 
For strictly DSLR? Id skip the monitor (unless you've got a crane) and get a decent loupe setup. Monitors on SLRs - my opinion - not nearly as useful as a loupe to focus, especially outdoors. I use a so-so cavision loupe (which attaches to the baseplate, hell yeah, no magnetic sticky ring business). I just hate the lag shooting with a monitor on a Canon. Some folks don't like loupes - you are seeing pixels with them, but I find it really easy to focus.

I've gotta say, my Westscott Scrim Jim system - I've used the heck out of that for 15 years. I generally have a large butterfly and a medium reflector built on set. Seems to be the one constant that is on every shoot, whether DSLR or video cam. I've had little grannies sew me up more fabrics for it.

But asking what gear to buy 'round here - you'll get a heck of a list!
 
Michael Carter said:
For strictly DSLR? Id skip the monitor (unless you've got a crane) and get a decent loupe setup. Monitors on SLRs - my opinion - not nearly as useful as a loupe to focus, especially outdoors. I use a so-so cavision loupe (which attaches to the baseplate, hell yeah, no magnetic sticky ring business). I just hate the lag shooting with a monitor on a Canon. Some folks don't like loupes - you are seeing pixels with them, but I find it really easy to focus.

I've gotta say, my Westscott Scrim Jim system - I've used the heck out of that for 15 years. I generally have a large butterfly and a medium reflector built on set. Seems to be the one constant that is on every shoot, whether DSLR or video cam. I've had little grannies sew me up more fabrics for it.

But asking what gear to buy 'round here - you'll get a heck of a list!
Click to expand...
Haha you are absolutely correct on that last part.

I was more looking to see if people have a short list of accessories that MOST feel would be crucial to have / spend good money on - whether you're a documentary, corporate, or narrative filmmaker. I should mention that a lot of the stuff that people have mentioned already, such as the recorder and loupe, I already have (zoom h4n and zacuto zfinder). I also have a good coverage of lenses and filters for my 7D (tokina 11-16, tamron 17-50, nikon 50mm 1.4, canon 85mm 1.8 + a few B+W polarizers) and am still planning to add more. So all in all, I can definitely get out and shoot most of the stuff I want / intend to shoot.

I guess I just wanted to see how all the more experienced guys and girls prioritize the gear they would buy if they were starting out all over again. As in, gear that people should get to make the shooting experience go more smoothly without spending exorbitant amounts of money (ie $3000 premium shoulder rig over a $500 shoulder rig) to get marginal / barely noticeable improvements in the shooting results. And "marginal / barely noticeable" is defined differently by everyone. Some can't stand the extra 20% in camera shake and consider that as "huge"... but either way, it's still great to hear input from everyone. For example, I would have never considered a slider but like one of the posters mentioned - but now I'm seriously thinking of making that my first DIY project as I can seriously see a lot of uses for it for the type of shooting I will be doing.
 
Cassius said:
When you're looking at your savings don't forget about expenses outside of equipment. You also have web hosting if you use it, advertising and other marketing costs, hard drives and the little extra yous hould keep in case you haven't thought of something or you have to pay before the client does.

For specifics on what to get at first: Tripod head and legs. I'm going to not say audio because you can hire an audio person instead of investing. You'll need someone to operate that equipment anyway, so build a partnership if you can. If you can't get someone investing in audio could be a good idea as well. And I'm going to stop there, because if you plan on spending top dollar on everything those two kits and marketing fees are going to eat up your savings pretty quick.

[edit] And I agree on a good slider. I don't care how disdainful people on here get of slider shots, clients love them.
Click to expand...
Cassius, I forgot to reply to your post.

I like your advice about the audio. I will have to look into that more. Regarding tripod head / legs... what do you think about going only with a good monopod, such as the manfrotto 561? Do you think the monopod can mostly replace a good tripod in terms of video? For my projects, I foresee myself shooting in a fairly mobile manner... ie lots of handheld shots, low / high angles etc.
 
what do you think about going only with a good monopod, such as the manfrotto 561? Do you think the monopod can mostly replace a good tripod in terms of video? For my projects, I foresee myself shooting in a fairly mobile manner... ie lots of handheld shots, low / high angles etc.
Click to expand...
i have the 561 and love it. but its not really for moving around. for your uses, it sounds like you need an adaptable cage rig
 
wgzn said:
i have the 561 and love it. but its not really for moving around. for your uses, it sounds like you need an adaptable cage rig
Click to expand...
Right. But I don't think I'll be shooting handheld exclusively. For those moments when I need a fixed shot, would the 561 be a good substitute for a tripod in most cases?

Besides... I'm probably going to get both types of setups (handheld / fixed) so that I can have better coverage of the types of shots I want. Just not sure if both a tripod and a monopod are necessary. Decisions decisions...
 
As with everything, it depends on your personal needs more than anything. For me personally I wouldn't skip out on a tripod, even just a cheap one, since it's the things you didn't foresee yourself shooting that really matter. The cheap ones work just fine when you need them, you just can't expect them to last too long. I'm also take still photos, including some long exposures and night shots, and my video work often involves still - like framing for B-Roll. So it becomes a big deal for me, having that enhanced stability. All you can do is try it and see what works for you.
 
For those moments when I need a fixed shot, would the 561 be a good substitute for a tripod in most cases?
Click to expand...
eh, to a degree. but no, not really.

a monopod (for video) is not a replacement for a tripod. its more a replacement for bare handheld. with a combo like the 561 (monopod + head) and some practice, you CAN do some "tripod-esque" moves. but no. i definitely would NOT go with one over the other.

where i find my monopod a necessity is when im doing hand-held, ENG-style interviews. where im standing in one spot for several minutes and want some movement, but not much. in this case a monopod provides me more comfort and more stability than a shoulder rig.

Decisions decisions...
Click to expand...
oh man, you dont know the half of it. unless you have unlimited budget of course ; )

what you might look into is a cage or halo rig. that would give you the ability to:
- add as you need
- sit on a tripod or monopod
- cover high and low angles easily
- shoot hand-held without much if any deconstructing of your setup
 
My advice... don't buy items exclusively for DSLR shooting. Instead purchase items which will work with future camera purchases to maximize your investment dollars. Fluid head with continuously adjustable counter balance rather than two stage, with payload support for future camera purchases rather than just a light weight DSLR. Lenses which will work with any future camera you may own, rather than just your current camera. Filters which will last a lifetime. And tip #2, another way to maximize your investment, is to purchase higher end well kept used gear, rather than cheaper lower end new stuff which you will end up replacing.

Good Luck!

Dave
 
Cassius said:
As with everything, it depends on your personal needs more than anything. For me personally I wouldn't skip out on a tripod, even just a cheap one, since it's the things you didn't foresee yourself shooting that really matter. The cheap ones work just fine when you need them, you just can't expect them to last too long. I'm also take still photos, including some long exposures and night shots, and my video work often involves still - like framing for B-Roll. So it becomes a big deal for me, having that enhanced stability. All you can do is try it and see what works for you.
Click to expand...
Sounds good. Yes, I didn't even think about still photography since I was so focused on video. Looks like I will be needing that tripod after all!

wgzn said:
eh, to a degree. but no, not really.

a monopod (for video) is not a replacement for a tripod. its more a replacement for bare handheld. with a combo like the 561 (monopod + head) and some practice, you CAN do some "tripod-esque" moves. but no. i definitely would NOT go with one over the other.

where i find my monopod a necessity is when im doing hand-held, ENG-style interviews. where im standing in one spot for several minutes and want some movement, but not much. in this case a monopod provides me more comfort and more stability than a shoulder rig.

oh man, you dont know the half of it. unless you have unlimited budget of course ; )

what you might look into is a cage or halo rig. that would give you the ability to:
- add as you need
- sit on a tripod or monopod
- cover high and low angles easily
- shoot hand-held without much if any deconstructing of your setup
Click to expand...
I will definitely be getting a cage rig. Looks like what I will be doing is getting a tripod set with a cage rig concurrently, and then adding in the monopod later on as I get more experienced. In between that, I'll probably be spending some more on lenses (vintage, most likely) and filters etc. You were absolutely right... $3500 is nothing LOL. I was looking at the manfrotto 504 head, but you suggested in the other post to go with used miller/vinten/schattler instead? Which would you go with if you were making your purchase?

David W. Jones said:
My advice... don't buy items exclusively for DSLR shooting. Instead purchase items which will work with future camera purchases to maximize your investment dollars. Fluid head with continuously adjustable counter balance rather than two stage, with payload support for future camera purchases rather than just a light weight DSLR. Lenses which will work with any future camera you may own, rather than just your current camera. Filters which will last a lifetime. And tip #2, another way to maximize your investment, is to purchase higher end well kept used gear, rather than cheaper lower end new stuff which you will end up replacing.

Good Luck!

Dave
Click to expand...
Dave, thanks for the awesome tip about future-proofing and getting quality used gear. I think what you've said has finally provided me with a rule of thumb on any gear purchases in the future. Great advice!
 
My advice... don't buy items exclusively for DSLR shooting. Instead purchase items which will work with future camera purchases to maximize your investment dollars.
Click to expand...
getting mileage out of your investment is always a good idea. but i think the DSLR / modular small body format is pretty much here to stay. and if someone is primarily using a DSLR, the odds of them needing to rig an alexa or red or f900 ON THEIR OWN GEAR are extremely low.

if youre making money with video/stills, you need to buy things that will get your work done with as little hassle and as much quality / reliability as possible. one thing ive learned with DSLR video is that you have to think in the way that you work. what works for phillip bloom is often more or less impractical or unneeded in my workflow.

if you shoot narrative, feature, indie stuff. manual lenses and a GOOD external monitor are extremely valuable. on the flip side, if you shoot event or ENG work, speed and accessibility take priority. in which case buying modern AF glass designed to work with your current body is smarter.
 
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