Video Gear Guide
Before we dive in, I have to say that you can absolutely make YouTube videos… And be successful… without purchasing anything.
I’m sure you probably heard that before… but it’s true! I know of YouTubers who have hit over 100,000 subscribers using only an iPhone!
That being the case… Sometimes, getting new gear is your best option. It can solve problems (like bad lighting), and better equipment can produce the highest quality videos possible.
Since everyone’s budget is different, I’ve broken this guide down by dollar amounts so you can know what to focus on, no matter how much money you have to spend.
Some of the links I have in this document are affiliate links, so if you happen to purchase something after clicking on a link in this document, I may get a small commission at no additional cost to you.
General Guidelines
Speed should be one of your top goals when producing video content. You should always be evaluating how quickly you can get your content out to the world.
Pay attention if there’s something that’s taking longer than it should or causing you to redo work. For example, if you spend a lot of time trying to find the best lighting in your house, purchasing a Ring Light can fix that problem, and save you a lot of time.
If you consistently have a lot of trouble in one area… it's usually a good sign that you need to address and fix the issue somehow.
What I consider “Video Gear”
You can count almost anything physical that’s needed to produce a video as “gear”. In this guide, we’ll focus on the top three categories… Cameras, mics, and lights. We’ll throw in editing software recommendations as a bonus too.
Gear Recommendations Based on Your Budget
Budget < $1k
Cameras
Use your Phone!
Seriously! It can work just fine and get you started. There are YouTubers who have hit over 100k subscribers using their iPhone alone. If you don't have a lot of money to start out with this is a great choice!
This is my go-to camera for video. It does a good job in pretty much all situations. It has a decent built-in mic, and it has a gimbal to stabilize the recording while you move! This can also put you slightly over the $500 mark depending on what options you select
Mics
Get a high-quality lapel mic so that you can be heard. Dji makes a combo pack for the Pocket 2 that includes a wireless mic that works just fine.
If you have a different camera or still prefer to use your phone, I like the wireless mics from Saramonic.
Lights
One Ring Light. It really is the best single light you can have for video and you can add other lights later. Just make sure it comes with a stand or buy one to go with it. Also, be sure to put your camera in the center of the ring when recording.
Editing Software
If you have room in the budget, I’d recommend getting Final Cut Pro for your editing software. It’s advanced but it’s still pretty easy to use.
If you don’t have the money or if you own a PC, go with DaVinci Resolve (FREE).
Coming Soon...