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The Gear I Use (and Other Recommendations)

Several people have requested that I list the equipment I own. Below you’ll see the items I use along with other gear I recommend (affiliate links wherever possible to help support Izzy Video if you purchase something).

What I normally use for shooting:

  • High Definition Camera – Sony PMW-EX1 (frequently referred to as the ‘Sony EX1′). I highly recommend this camera. I think it’s currently the best camera in the price range.
  • Shotgun Microphone – I use a Sennheiser ME66. This is the front piece of the microphone. It also needs a K6 power capsule (or it won’t work) which you can find here. I have been very happy with this microphone, and I use it whenever I can because the audio quality is that good.
  • Lavalier (lapel) Microphone – Sometimes I can’t feasibly use a shotgun microphone, so then my next best option is the Sennheiser wireless lavalier system which consists of a ME2 microphone, an SK500 transmitter, an EK500 receiver
  • Handheld (stick) Microphone – Whenever we’re shooting reporter-style, run and gun, ENG (Electronic News Gathering) type of content, we’ll use the Electrovoice RE50B handheld microphone. The audio quality is excellent for the price!
  • Soft Boxes for Lights – As I mention in many of my tutorials, I frequently use soft boxes on my lights to make the quality of light softer. The soft boxes I own are the Video Pro Plus units from Chimera. I own these in large, medium, and small sizes, but the medium is the one I use on the key light for nearly every shoot. I’ll likely be getting another medium for my fill, with a 500 watt bulb inside.
  • Key and Fill Lights – I use Chimera triolet lights inside my soft boxes as the light sources when I’m shooting people. These make up my key and fill lights with 1,000 watt and 500 watt bulbs inside respectively.
  • Separation Light – For a separation light, I’ll usually use an Arri 150 fresnel or a Lowel Pro Light.
  • Background Light – The light(s) I use on the background depends on the background I’m lighting. However, I frequently use my Arri 300 fresnel.
  • Tripod – The fluid head I use is the Sachtler DV-6SB which has since been discontinued, but a similar head is the FSB-8. The set of legs I use is model 4188.
  • Shoulder Mount – When I put the camera on my shoulder, I use this for support: Zacuto Z-News News Production Baseplate Kit
  • Stands – I have a wide variety of light stands, but my Matthews C-Stands are my favorites. They’re heavy (downside), but they’re very durable and versatile (making the weight worth it).
  • Scrims and Reflectors – When I’m shooting outdoors, I use my Scrim Jim kits to diffuse, reduce, and reflect light.

My Voice Over Gear

  • Studio Microphone – I use the popular Heil PR40 microphone for my voice over work. The sound quality is excellent for the price.
  • Voice Processor – The microphone carries the signal of my voice through the Aphex 230 voice processor where it’s compressed and enhanced.

Recommended: Entry Level Gear

Recommended: Intermediate Level Gear

  • Camera – Canon XH-A1s
  • Audio, and lighting recommendations are coming soon…

Recommended: Advanced Level Gear

  • Camera – Sony EX1
  • Audio and lighting recommendations are coming soon…