5 Pieces of Budget Friendly Essential Video Gear For Beginners

One of the first things you need to do to start creating videos is to pick the right gear for you.

This can become very overwhelming if you are not sure where to start. Not just because there are so many different options, but because it is hard to know which piece of equipment is worth spending money on. Most likely you’re not ready yet to spend thousands of dollars on expert equipment used by the pros.

Check out this list of budget friendly video gear to get started. 

Your Camera

You cannot make a video without a camera. There are a few different options for you to choose from in this category. The first and easiest option is to use your phone as your camera when you are first starting out. Your other options are camcorders, DSLR and mirrorless cameras or compact cameras.

A camcorder is a portable video camera and video recorder in one package. Camcorders come at different prices, depending on their features and capabilities. If you want a camera which is also useful for taking photos, you should go with a DSLR or mirrorless camera. Compact digital cameras are much smaller in comparison with DSLR cameras, some of them can even fit your pocket.

Your Tripod

A tripod is a three-legged stand that will hold a camera steady and eliminate shakiness and vibration. If you want your videos to look professional then you will want a tripod to help you with filming. Tripods are very easy to set up and take very little time.

You can make real-time adjustments to your camera while it’s on the tripod such as zooming in and out while still capturing stable footage. In order to ensure you have a smooth and stable video, using a tripod is the best option.

Your Editing Software

Once you’ve got your videos created, you will need software to edit them. Most video editing software today will let you edit your video footage, add text, edit audio tracks, add visual effects, do color grading and change the resolution of the final clip. With the technology today you have endless options of what you can accomplish with your software. 

Depending on your budget, you have many options for software. There are some great video editing software options that are free for just starting out. There are some video editing options that cost but are still budget friendly. If you would like to jump right into the professional video editing options, there are some great choices in that category as well. 

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Your Lighting

When it comes to having your videos looking professional, lighting plays a huge role. There are plenty of options to choose from but when you first start out I would recommend just using the basics. The choice of camera you went with will have an effect on what lighting you will choose. LED lights can be compatible with most cameras. 

If you are serious about your lighting then you should get a 3-point lighting kit. Getting one of these will help with lighting for both inside and outside. They are super versatile and great for beginners. They are budget friendly and easy to take with you wherever you go. Click here to check out my list of recommended lighting equipment for you.

Your Microphone

When trying to figure out which microphone is best for you, you need to choose which type of microphone to get. There are external, on-camera, and wireless microphones to choose from. If you would like to see my microphone recommendations check out this list.

External microphones help to pick up sound from your subject or the surrounding areas. On-camera microphones connect to your DSLR camera in the hotshoe slot on top of your device. Wireless microphones are good for people who want portability. These microphones pick up sound from a certain area.

Deciding which gear to use to start your journey does not need to be daunting. If you would like some more insight on all gear recommendations I give check out this list. There are many options out there, cheap and expensive. Use my list to help you decide which gear is worth the money.