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 do like M4/3 cameras (especially for my #2 camera) but my #1 camera needs to be a full-frame body. I'm still testing which BUDGET full-frame cameras are the best for my workflow, but my guess is I'm going to settle on a LUMIX with 6K open gate (right now I'm working on the Sony A7iii).

You might be surprised that, in some ways, I like the Panasonic G85 more than the GH5...here's why. Firstly, if we were talking about a #1 camera, I think the GH5 is a better choice (& full-frame even better) but for my #2 camera the G85 is great. It's smaller and lighter and fits on top of my multi-camera cage much better than a GH5 does.

This camera isn't that good in low light (though it's much better with my lens-sensor specific custom settings) but when you have enough light, this is such a great camera for getting a #3 shot, because it can do either WIDE, TIGHT or TELE shots!

There were so many new models coming out when I started testing gear, I decided to wait (until a small, budget-friendy, 32-bit float model was available...and we're almost there).

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, but for the price it's a solid, good-sounding mic.

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.