Video and Audio Equipment I Use and Recommend

Remember: Start with what you have. You can upgrade as you gain more experience and can allocate more budget. I started with just my phone and used that for years.

Video Equipment:

• Budget Camera options (as far as cameras go) Canon M50 Mark II https://amzn.to/3TDIuUg My first camera was the Canon M50. Nice camera for the price! If you prefer Sony, this is a good beginner option https://amzn.to/3IFZiDU

• My main cameras that I use now are Sony. I have the Sony A7 C II https://amzn.to/47B5HdN paired with the new Sony 16-35 GM II https://amzn.to/3sJ7wXk I also have the Sony A7IV https://amzn.to/3pCgrIl paired with the first gen Sony 16-35 F2.8 GM Lens https://amzn.to/3WcZkJl These are in the “pro-sumer” level camera and lenses. They are very expensive and I don’t recommend them starting out unless you are doing content creation full time or have the budget for them.

• One of the best video cameras you probably already have. Your smart phone. I use my iPhone 15 Pro Max https://amzn.to/47iRZg3 is what I use for almost all of my b-roll (close up shots of the project or tools).

• I would recommend you watch this video https://youtu.be/0LPxcHMhLUU?si=jfLaa4F7cY_aJPLV for selecting the best camera for YouTube (content beginners).

Audio Equipment:

• For microphones I use this DJI Wireless Set https://amzn.to/46fUK0p The great thing about these microphones is they are wireless and they work with phones and/or camera. I would suggest buying this before you worry about buying a dedicated camera. Audio is more important in my opinion.

Lights:

• Lighting is important for videos and photos. I use these Amaran 200d LED lights https://amzn.to/3I87OeP paired with this soft box https://amzn.to/42CKJJE and have them on these stands https://amzn.to/453Kt8g NOTE: These are quite big with the soft box attached and will take up room. I ended up mounting mine to the ceiling of the shop to get them up out of the way.

Tripods:

• Tripod I use for my cameras https://amzn.to/3I87OeP

• Tripod for phone - I use the Switchpod for my phone tripod https://amzn.to/3MApBOw You’ll also need the ball head https://amzn.to/3pLPi5Q and cell phone adapter https://amzn.to/3MApRwY

Computer Equipment

• The laptop I use is a 13 inch MacBook Pro that is a few years old now. I would recommend this one https://amzn.to/3Mt0P2I if you want a laptop.

• My main computer I use at my desk is a Mac Studio https://amzn.to/41C9Rz0

• I use this computer monitor as my main screen https://amzn.to/3M7WjFp It’s an Ultra wide display which is useful to have several apps or windows open at the same time.

• The best Computer Mouse for editing and we browsing in my opinion is the Logitech MX Master 3S https://amzn.to/3pU3SYQ

• For my computer speaker I use the Bluedee sound bar https://amzn.to/3oaH72p

• File back up and storage are very important. I use the Sinology DS1522+ https://amzn.to/3IcBmbA paired with the WD Red Pro Hard Drives https://amzn.to/3Mt7REE

• Battery backup for the computer and equipment I am using the APC UPS 1500VA https://amzn.to/42Puf0E

Software

• Video editing I am currently using Final Cut Pro because it works very well with my Mac. However, I used Davinci Resolve for a number of years and it is FREE but still very powerful and will likely do anything you want for video editing.

• Mobile video editing apps I use regularly to make REELS, Shorts, etc. are Videoleap, CapCut, and Mojo. These can be found on your App Store of your device of choice.

• Photo editing software I use for my thumbnails is Affinity Photo 2.

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