Filmmaking Equipment for Beginners Pt. 01
Filmmaking can be quite expensive. With this in mind, it is advisable to rent out equipment, especially if it is used in special cases and not used in day-to-day filmmaking.
That being said, every filmmaker should have some staple equipment for the more regular shooting and production. While these might cost money, it is worth the investment as they can be used repeatedly without wearing out. And if you are tight on cash, you can also rent it out.
As a beginner, being exposed to the endless catalog of filmmaking equipment can be overwhelming. It is easy to get confused and end up wasting money on equipment that is not suitable for daily use, or for the project at hand.
If you are interested in acquiring equipment but are not sure where to start, here is a list of basic and necessary filmmaking equipment that every beginner should have regardless of the type of production.
Video Camera
Precisely the most obvious and important equipment. There would be no film without some form of video
recording device and there is a variety to choose from.
If you're new to filmmaking, the best choice is to use your smartphone.
Smartphones have a 4K HD resolution and can accomplish much of the same things as a DSLR. The more recent iPhones would shoot videos that look professionally done and interestingly, Hollywood has begun to release iPhone feature films. As a result, as a novice, your major tool is already in your hand, and you won't need to invest in anything else.
At the same time, smartphones do not have the many features available on digital cameras such as bigger sensors, wider depth of focus, many lens options, and manual settings. Videos from digital cameras are considerably more cinematic than those produced by camera phones.
There are three digital cameras you should be focused on;
Camcorders
DSLR and mirrorless cameras
Compact cameras
A camcorder is simply a portable video camera and a video recorder. A lot of models have zoom lenses and autofocus. Camcorders often include an on-camera microphone with a windshield and, in some cases, an on-camera light.
These cameras may record in a variety of video formats, including Full HD and even 4K in some cases. They also feature a variety of slow-motion capture and other effects settings.
DSLR and mirrorless cameras are the go-to cameras for vloggers, content creators, and beginner filmmakers. When buying, be sure to stick to well-known manufacturers such as Nikon, Canon, Fujifilm, Panasonic, or Sony.
Almost all DSLR and mirrorless cameras have the ability to record video in Full HD (1920 x 1080p). Some of them are capable of recording in 4K and beyond.
DSLRs and mirrorless cameras don't come with a good on-camera microphone or light because they were intended primarily for photography. As a result, you'll need to purchase these additional items.
You would need a tripod stand too, especially if you are mounting some of these items on your camera.
Regardless, they are smaller than camcorders, more flexible, and can take great photographs. They are your go-to if you want to film or take photos without too much attention.
Compact cameras also called point-and-shoot cameras, are significantly smaller when compared to DSLR cameras.
You do not necessarily need this camera, but it’s a good option for beginner filmmakers because they’re a lot cheaper to buy. For example, you don’t need to buy separate lenses.
While mobile devices are chosen over compact cameras, the latter still has dedicated software that makes them faster than mobile phones. They also offer optical zoom lenses which beat those of mobile phones
Tripod
Whether you're a novice or a seasoned filmmaker, a tripod is a must-have piece of gear.
A tripod is a three-legged lightweight stand that is generally composed of metals like aluminum or carbon fiber and can be adjusted by height.
A tripod helps you get a smooth and stable recording while taking the weight of the camera off your hands. Carrying a camera for the entire production can be exhausting, especially if it is lengthy.
While your camera is on the tripod, you may make real-time adjustments to it, such as zooming in and out, while still shooting steady film.
Tripods may be put up in minutes and are very lightweight. You don't have to opt for a high-end tripod at first; simple tripods will suffice.
Lenses
It's the most powerful element, adding depth and color to the visual. Lenses can be a little expensive, so you should get a prime and a zoom lens at the very least. Long lenses bring more character to the screen and make the images more dramatic, whilst wide lenses are beneficial for creating scenes and keeping uniform focus throughout.
Another appealing feature of purchasing a lens is that its value does not depreciate considerably over time. You can always sell it or rent it out when you need money to purchase a new set of lenses.
As mentioned above, you can get either the prime lens or the zoom lens;
Prime lenses have a fixed focal length of 50 mm. This indicates that you must shift your feet to get closer to a subject.
Zoom lenses such as 24-70 mm or 14-140 mm, have a changeable focal distance. This allows you to remain in your current location while zooming in on your subject. This is best if you want to video very intense scenes.
Lighting
While there are a variety of lighting accessories, it's best to start with the fundamentals.
According to FilmDaft, a basic dimmable LED light that can be mounted to the top of your device would suffice if you have a DSLR camera.
LED lights of this type are compatible with a variety of cameras, can be powered by batteries, and can be simply connected and uninstalled.
A 3-point lighting kit is essential if you are serious about film. In videography and photography, three-point lighting is widely utilized. The key light, fill light, and backlight are all part of it.
Different light bulbs, tripods, light stands, softboxes, reflectors, a carrying bag, and other accessories can be included in your 3-point lighting kit.
These will assist you in capturing high-quality footage of a topic both indoors and outside.
Best of all, these basic lighting kits are inexpensive, and they can be easily packed and transported in the included carrying case.
You'll ultimately need to invest in more complex lighting choices as you gain experience.
Filters
The ND filter
This filter uses neutral-density lenses to block out the light without affecting the color. It aids in exposure management without relying on shutter speeds, apertures, or ISOs for compensation.
It assists you in obtaining the appropriate exposure by stacking them in layers or obtaining a varied exposure. Infrared leakage on the picture is likewise blocked by IRND filters. They come in handy with digital cameras. They're also capable of delivering a wide dynamic range. Both the highlight and shadow details are better here.
Polarized Filters
Without silhouetting the figures, polarized filters remove unwanted reflections, glares, and light sources. When shooting with sparkling things or through the glass and reflecting material, polarizers are essential. They're also well-known for capturing the depth of color in the sky and clouds.
Diffusion and color filters
Diffusion and color filters are also utilized to enhance the scene's impact. The majority of these can be accomplished by post-production editing, however, if you wish to skip the post route, you can utilize it.
With the right visual equipment, you can make great films as a newbie. With visuals covered, audio and other aspects of filmmaking equipment would be treated in part two of filmmaking equipment for beginners.
Comments
Post a Comment