People love to capture live events, videographers live in the moment, not only capturing the footage, but fixing the lighting and inserting music and sound effects when needed.
Technically videography refers to the electronic capture of moving images on electronic media, such as digital cameras, videotapes, and streaming media. This includes specific methods of video editing and post-production as well.
Video Camera Gear and Accessories for Enhanced Videography
This article we will give you examples of video camera gear and accessories that will enhanced your video. There are many ways to get even better video out of your camera. Investing in the right video camera accessories can bring your videos to the next level.
1. Tripods
The first of the video camera accessories you should look into getting is a tripod, or at the very least a monopod. No matter how much image stabilization you have or how steady you think you are handholding your camera, you need a tripod if you are after smooth pans and tilts. Tripod legs for video vary wildly in price based on material (generally titanium, carbon fiber or aluminum), manufacturer, minimum and maximum height, carrying capacity, locking mechanisms and whether or not a head is included. Tripod heads also vary wildly in price based on manufacturer, type of fluid head, whether or not it is a bowl mount, carrying capacity, and whether or not it is a counterbalanced head.
If you are an event videographer, you may need tripod legs that extend very high to get over the heads of people in the crowd. If you are planning on shooting travel videos, weight and compression ratio (how small the tripod is when collapsed versus fully extended) are the most important factors.
2. Audio
Having great video is not solely about the picture, but also about the auditory experience. Making sure that you are recording good audio should be as important, if not more so, than making sure your image is outstanding. Capturing excellent audio is an art of its own and many projects require a dedicated sound person, however there are definitely circumstances where the budget doesn’t allow for an extra crew member.
- wire-less microphone systems save time and energy during a video shoot. Rather than worrying about hiding wires and keeping long audio cables on hand, you can focus on optimal microphone placement with a wireless mic.
- microphone- When your subject is far from the camera and isn’t moving very much, such as in an interview setup, you can attach microphone to a stand for better audio. Simply connect it to an external audio recorder and make sure to run sound from the internal mic of your camera in order to more easily synch the sound in the edit.
- recorder- When you want to add flexibility to your audio setup, incorporating a portable recorder is a great idea.
3. Lighting
Probably the number two difference, after audio quality, between good and great videos is the attention paid to lighting and composition. The needs of lighting vary wildly from one setup to another, from one shooting style to another.
4. Lenses
Your selection of lenses will make a big impact on the quality of your image and are must-have video camera accessories. The first consideration you will need to make when selecting lenses is which focal lengths you will need. If you are filming landscapes you will likely want to have wider lenses, such as an 18mm or 24mm lens. If you are filming cityscapes with a focus on people you may look to more normal lenses such as 35mm or 50mm lenses. When you want to capture far away action such as sports videos you will need a telephoto lens, such as a 200mm or greater lens.
5. Filters
Camera lens filters can help you get creative looks and they can also help you shoot in less-than-ideal settings.
6. Camera Stabilization and Movement
Consider getting a slider. Like any tool, it should be used with purpose, not just because you have it. The next tool that will help you get interesting shots is a gimbal. Gimbals are great for tracking shots. You can also get a drone to give you aerial shots which can give your images a cool perspective that you wouldn’t get otherwise. Just make sure to practice, read the instructions and learn if you need any certifications before you need to use one for a shoot.
7. External Monitor/Recorder
Using an external recorder with a camera that outputs a clean HDMI signal will allow you to get a higher quality recording. The maximum quality will of course depend on both your camera’s capabilities as well as the recorder’s.
8. Memory Cards and Batteries
If you don’t have enough battery power for your camera, audio equipment, lights, monitor/recorder to keep recording for the longest day you can image you aren’t really prepared.
Make sure you always have enough of both batteries and memory cards to cover you. This may not be related to getting a better image, but if you run out of either you won’t be getting any image, so in a way, it kind of is.
9. Editing software
This is needed to assemble and finalize your footage.
How important are video camera gears and accessories in video production?
The right videography gears and equipment can make a large difference when it comes to the image quality of your completed video. You might also find it easier to complete projects when you have the right equipment.
Some pieces of videography equipment, like your camera and audio cables, are necessary to shoot videos.