FAVORITES 

The multi-camera cage is so important to my production efficiency that I've abandoned normal photography bags, cases and backpacks for a backpack that will hold this cage (which is fully rigged) so I'm always ready to shoot.

I say "possibly" because I really like LED panels, because you can store them in the padded laptop section of a backpack, but most portable LED panels aren't powerful enough to be the #1 light. Hence, the (60w or higher) COB recommendation, and I use an older-style DSLR holster bag to transport it.

I use a 10-inch LED panel for my "T-Light" method. In this method, this #2 light is used as a combination background/3/4 backlight. I like this 192 LED version that has an internal battery from Raleno (and it's also available from Neewer).

In the position of a #3 light, this acts as an RGB accent light...but there's another reason to have a small, square LED video light: If you ever have to add a light to a small vlogging camera, this is the way to go (partially because you never have to decide between horizontal and vertical).

I'm still searching for a budget full-frame camera (under $1000 US) and there aren't many options, yet. You probably know that I really like M4/3 cameras for a lot of reasons, but I think my #1 camera needs to be a full-frame body, because there are some areas of work I'm studying that might require it (especially architecture). Also, I'm still trying to decide which (budget) full-frame cameras would work for my workflow (hybrid photo-video). My guess is I'll have to settle on a LUMIX that has 6K open gate. I had been considering a Nikon Z5 or Z6 v1, the Sony A7iii or maybe A7Rii, but all those don't have open gate recording, which really helps for capturing 3:2 aspect ratio stills (from video) which is a big part of a hybrid workflow.

You might be surprised that in some ways, I like the Panasonic G85 more than the GH5 as my #2 camera, so let me explain. First, if we were talking about a #1 camera, the GH5 is a better camera, but when we're talking about my #2 camera recommendation, the G85 works really well. It's mostly because it's smaller and lighter, and fits on top of my multi-camera cage, better than a GH5 does. The G85 is also a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the GH5, so if I wanted to mount TWO cameras to the top of my multi-camera cage (total of 3) it's a lot easier to buy 2 of them...in fact, whenever people say they can't afford a 2nd camera (to follow my "Always shoot with 2 cameras" method) I recommend the G85. The G85 also uses the same batteries as my favorite #3 camera the Panasonic FZ1000, so that's good too.

Before you get too worried (or excited) about this next recommendation to buy the FZ1000, a 1-inch sensor "bridge camera" here's a few things to keep in mind. First of all, most of the mid-range pro video cameras that use a 1-inch sensor have been considered professional tools for a long time (though our standards have been raised beyond "video camera quality"). It's true this camera isn't super good in low light and it works best as an OUTDOOR camera (though I've used it for hotel conferences, and it worked pretty well) but if you use my custom settings you can handle almost anything with it. It has a nice f/2.8-4 Leica lens that can do anything from a WIDE shot to a TELE shot...and go from one to the other in seconds (using the power zoom) and it has decent OIS (optical image stabilization). The last thing is, with the lens included it's smaller than a full frame camera with a kit lens.

I've been using the Zoom F2-BT and it's working well so far (as a lavalier and connected to a mini shotgun mic) but there are so many new wireless models coming out with internal, 32-bit float recording (in the transmitter) I'm not sure if the Zoom F2 is a good budget option any more, though I have seen good deals on these used.

The shock mount isn't that good (I use a Movo SMM2) and the mic doesn't have wireless options or 32-bit float recording (so the VM40 is better) but for the low price, this VM20 is a solid, good-sounding mic. Also, it works REALLY well plugged into a Zoom F2-BT body pack...and so that's how you can get 32-bit float audio).

Not only does this record a 32-bit float file IN STEREO and has built-in stereo microphones, but it can also be used as a passthrough to back up audio from any 3.5mm STEREO audio source (especially easy because it has a numerical headphone output control to remember the settings you use for each camera or device!) There's no other little audio recorder that can do all of this, better.