Gear doesn't matter, except that it totally does. With a little creativity you can usually find a way to work with what you have, but sometimes there's no substitute for having the right tool for the job. This is a catalog of most of the tools I use to create my videos, podcasts, and streams. This is a lot of gear but I think it's also a lot of fun. It's probably also important to reiterate that I built up this collection over many years. It takes time to find what works best for you and your workflow! I like to use and try out different pieces of gear, so while this isn't an exhaustive list of everything in my studio, it is a core list of "essentials" that I use most often.
Keeping things organized is also a challenge, so check out this blog post about how I've organized my studio. I've also got an entire page of gear at B&H Photo!
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Sony FX3
The FX3 is my main camera. It’s basically the a7SIII in a different body. The image quality and settings are identical, but the form factor is geared a little more towards video and it also includes a cooling fan and an XLR handle to connect professional microphones directly to the camera.It's a very fun camera to use, plus it has a bunch of tally lights that always let you know when it's recording!
Sony a7SIII
This is one of my three main cameras (the multi camera workflow is awesome). I typically use this as a “B camera” for alternate angles and b roll footage. I love the full frame 4K, reliable autofocus, and great image stabilization. This is the camera that made me take the leap into the world of Sony.
Sony a7IV
Since the a7SIII and FX3 are best suited for video, this is my "hybrid" camera that does great photos and video (the other two can take great photos, but at 12mp they're not the best for enlarging or cropping). This camera is missing the 4K120 and a few bells and whistles of the others, but it's a bit more affordable and has a 33mp sensor for absolutely awesome photos. I also love it for vlogs and stuff on my second channel.
GoPro Hero 13 Black
It's always nice to have a small action camera at the ready. I've used GoPros for over 10 years and like them quite a bit. The Hero 13 is everything I wanted my first GoPro to be and more, plus the built in stabilization is unreal, and the option to swap out some nifty lenses/filters is VERY fun. I pretty much always have this with me.
Insta360 One X2
This is easily one of the most fun cameras I’ve ever used. The image quality isn’t quite on par with the GoPro, but the 360 capabilities are awesome! Insta360 has mobile and desktop apps that are super easy to use and make 360 video much less intimidating. This is an older model, there’s now a One X3, which is supposed to be even better somehow.
DJI Mini 3 Pro
A good drone is super valuable, even if it's not something you use every day. The DJI Mini 3 Pro is the perfect mix of value and function. It's not the highest end drone out there, but the image quality is stunning and the upgraded remote with built in display makes it easy to get it flying in no time.
Sony 24 f1.4 GM
My main lens for all of my videos and photos. "GM" series lenses are Sony's top of the line, and this one is well worth the price. The image quality is outstanding, it has the option for manual aperture, and the autofocus is completely silent which is great when filming videos where you don't want focus motor noise to be picked up by a mic. I have a review where I compare it to the Sigma 24mm.
Zeiss Batis 85 f1.8
I can't believe I went so many years without an 85mm lens! This lens is great for portraits and closeups, but in my workflow it's absolutely essential for tabletop product and detail shots. My favorite thing about it is how it compresses the background but doesn't distort the image. It's magical. Check out my video on it here.
Sony 50 f1.8
I use this mainly as my "B Camera" lens. My videos and streams often have a second shot from a side angle, and that's done with this lens. It's sharp and affordable and gets the job done. It's not the most impressive 50mm lens in the world, but it's the best choice for an inexpensive Sony-compatible prime.
Sirui Anamorphics
These are VERY specialized 50mm and 75mm lenses, but I absolutely love them. They’re fully manual cinema lenses and anamorphic footage requires some extra work during editing, but the results are amazing (this video was shot entirely with this lens). These specific models give the background compression of a 50/75mm lens but with the field of view of a much wider lens. And yes, if you position your lights just right you can get some sweet lens flares. Check out my anamorphic lens video!
Tamron 20-40 f2.8
I cannot say enough good things about this lens. It’s relatively affordable, covers a super useful focal range, and also has an aperture of f2.8! I use this for a bit of everything, but it pretty much lives on my a7IV as my all-purpose and/or vlogging lens. 20mm is so nice if you’re in front of the camera, and the a7IV’s Super 35 mode gives even more reach. It’s so much fun!
Sigma 24 f1.4
This is another 24mm prime that I bought when I was using all Canon cameras. It’s still probably the best all around value prime lens I've ever owned. It's every bit as sharp as the more expensive Sony version that I have, but it's worth noting that the autofocus is a bit slower and makes more noise. It comes in very handy when I need a wider angle for my B camera or want to travel without the risk of taking my Sony GM lens. I do also have a video about using Canon mount lenses with Sony cameras.
Sony 70-200 2.8
I went way too long without a good telephoto lens. 70-200 is the perfect foal length (especially on a full frame camera), and constant f2.8 makes it good indoors or out. I use it for B roll a lot, but it’s also fantastic for sports, wildlife, and portraits.
Sony 24-70 2.8
“The Brick” - that’s its nickname for a good reason! This is a dense, heavy lens, but wow does it look great! it’s an incredibly useful focal range and the 2.8 aperture makes it a good performer in low light. I’m not a wedding photographer myself, but you’ll usually see one of these at just about any wedding, so that gives you an idea of the quality and performance it’s capable of.
Sony 16-35 2.8
This is a very heavy duty lens that’s great for wide shots in low light. 16-35 lenses are super common in the vlogging world, but the higher price of this one makes me use it more as a studio lens and keep my Tamron 20-40 for vlog/outdoors stuff.
Rodecaster Pro II
The original Rodecaster Pro was one of the most revolutionary tools I've ever owned. The RCP2 takes things further as an all-in-on audio mixer, recorder, and interface for podcasts, streaming, and even recording instruments. I wouldn't be able to do what I do without the Rodecaster Pro!
Rodecaster Duo
As great as the Pro is, the Rodecaster Duo is probably the most practical choice for most people. The internal capabilities are exactly the same, but there are 2 XLR inputs instead of 4 and the size is super compact. It takes up much less space on your desk!
Sennheiser MKH 50
I love this mic. It's not a budget option, but it's been just about the only thing that's really been able to give be crisp, clear audio without needing to have a mic in the frame. I run it directly into my Sony FX3 or the Rodecaster. This mic has been used in TV shows and movies for decades– in fact, I did a whole video about it!
Earthworks ETHOS
This is a very unique condenser mic. It's small and compact, but built to last a lifetime and gives a quality of sound that's pretty tough to beat. Personally I’ve found the ETHOS to be the least-fatiguing mic I’ve ever used, so it won’t tire out your listeners’ ears after a long podcast episode or live stream.
Shure SM7B
This mic has been around for more than half a century and has a reputation for being excellent. While there is no universally "best" microphone, the SM7B is probably the mic that sounds most pleasing on the widest variety of voices. Depending on your interface, it may need a signal booster to really give the sound it's known for. I also like pairing it with colorful windscreens from reporterstore.com.
Blue Sona
The Sona has all the sound quality of the SM7B, but is much more user friendly. It's not that it's better than the SM7B, but I think it's better at taking everything great about the SM7B and making it more accessible to people without high end audio setups. A built in signal booster and super directional pickup pattern help it to sound awesome with any XLR interface.
Lewitt LCT-240 Pro
This mic is unreal. There’s really no other way to put it. I’ve done all kinds of shootouts, and it regularly beats microphones that are two or three times as pricey. The only downside is that it can be tricky to position properly if you’re using a boom arm that’s positioned to the side, but fortunately this adapter totally solves that problem. Check out my full review!
Rode NT1 5th Gen
Just an all around awesome condenser mic. The previous NT1 was one of my favorites, but the updated 5th gen adds USB functionality, which includes 32 bit float audio. The downside is that there are no physical controls or headphone outputs for USB mode.
Sennheiser Profile
A simple USB mic is sometimes all you need, and the Profile is the best mix of simplicity and reliability with great sound. The mic has physical controls for everything and is plug and play via USB C. It’s great at rejecting plosives and handling noise too. The mic comes with a small tabletop stand, but there’s also a kit that includes a small boom arm.
Rode PodMic USB
Just like with the Nt1 5th gen, this is n update that adds USB functionality to an already popular mic. The good news is that there are more physical controls and a headphone output on the mic when using it via USB and it includes a nice foam windscreen. The sound quality has been improved a bit from the original PodMic, but definitely still benefits from a bit of EQ as it sometimes emphasizes higher frequencies in a way that can sound harsh.
Zoom F2 Recorder
This is one of my favorite underrated tools. It’s always with me when I’m not recording in my studio. You can run a lav mic into it and record great sounding audio without having to worry about levels because it has 32-bit float. I’ve got a video that explains what that means in more detail, but suffice it to say, it’s awesome.
Rode NTH 100 Headphones
These are by far my favorite headphones. They're designed specifically for audio/video production, so not only are they really comfortable to wear for a long time, but they give you a very accurate sound. The audio quality of my videos and podcasts increased noticeably once I started using these. I also use them when practicing bass or guitar for fun! There's a video about them on my channel.
Rode PSA1+
This is still my favorite boom arm. It's simple, reliable, and super easy to position. Arms like this are also great for small lights and cameras too! If you need something that's not so tall, the Elgato Low Profile arm might be perfect. If you’re not a fan of the ultra-obvious branding, the original PSA1 is a little more discreet.
Rode XLR Cables
Really nice high quality cables that are good at resisting interferences and come with Neutrik connectors. They also come in a ton of awesome colors, which I love.
Sony Video Mic
This is a great video mic that connects directly to the camera’s hot shoe, so you don’t need any cables or batteries. Works really well on “auto” mode, but also has a ton of manual controls if you want to dial things in further. The only downside is that it has to be attached to the camera’s shoe. Here’s my full review!
Zoom H1 Essential
This little recorder lives up to its name– it’s an essential part of just about any audio/video kit! Similar to the F2, it’s a foolproof 32 bit recorder, but also has its own built in stereo mics and displays, and is a bit more budget friendly. Here’s my full review on the H1 essential.
Nanlite Forza 200
This is my key light and it's a Forza to be reckoned with! Mine is in a Light Dome Mini softbox and bouncing off of a wall to help diffuse the light even more. Even with all that, I usually keep it at only 40% brightness (it's VERY bright). It definitely needs a good stand to go with it, but a good bright key light is a critical part of any setup
Nanlite PavoTubes
These are simply the coolest lights around. They're not the cheapest, but the features and quality are impossible to beat for the price. I LOVE the giant ones, but the smaller 15C and 6C options also have places in my studio.I made a deLIGHTful review you can check out here.
Nanlite Forza 60 II
I’ve grown to LOVE 60 watt lights. In all honestly, they’re probably more than enough for most home or office setups, but they’re also great accent and effect lights. I have three of these: a daylight one, a bi-color one, and a full color RGB one.
Aputure MC
You can't go wrong with this one. In fact, get a few of them because a small, bright, and reliable RGB light has a million and one uses. I've got a review video right here!
Aputure B7c
These are the MC in a different form factor. They look like regular light bulbs and will work in regular light sockets, but they also have built in batteries to run independently. They're full RGB and can also be app-controlled. If you've ever thought of getting RGB light bulbs for your studio, get these instead of traditional "home-use" bulbs because they'll last longer and will never flicker on camera.
Lighting Modifiers
A good light is one thing, but shaping it and making it do what you want is another. I pretty much always use a soft box with my main lights, and the Aputure Light Dome Mini is my favorite because it’s simple to setup, but small enough not to totally overtake a small space. The larger a diffuser is, the softer the light will be.
MacBook Pro 14
This is far and away the most powerful computer I've ever used. It can handle basically any video codec or application I throw at it. My full review includes a pretty intense stress test to show you what I mean. There’s now an M2 model, but I have no plans to upgrade anytime soon since this has more than enough power.
Mac Mini
Unlike my MacBook Pro, this is the cheapest computer that Apple makes, and it's applesolutely incredible. It was my main computer for about a year, and while it can occasionally struggle with multiple layers of 4K footage, it's still a reliable workhorse. I love using it for streams and video calls because it never drops frames and the fans never make any noise. There’s now an M2 version of this one too, which seems to be an even better value since the price is lower and it’s more powerful (for the base model, anyway).
iPad Pro
In addition to being my main YouTube-watching device, the iPad Pro with Apple Pencil is the key to my thumbnail designs and video titles. I like to draw as much by hand as possible- even the titles to the sections on this page!
Elgato Cam Link 4K
The simplest capture card out there, period. Runs off of USB power and can handle a wide variety of frame rates. If you just need to get one camera (or any HDMI source) into your computer, this is the way to go.
Rodecaster Video
After many years using the ATEM Mini (which is still awesome) I’ve really enjoyed the Rodecaster Video. Where the Cam Link has 1 HDMI input, the RCV has 4! These are perfect for switching between multiple sources on the fly, and the ISO feature can even record all camera feeds directly to an attached SSD. It’s got 2 XLR inputs and basically has the guts of an audio-only Rodecaster inside. Plus you can create scenes, add graphics, and all kinds of cool stuff. It is limited to 1080p so I use it for streaming and for videos that warrant multiple angles but don’t “need” to be 4K.
Elgato Prompter
This quickly became one of my most used and essential pieces of gear! Under $300 for an awesome prompter with a built in display and good software that’s regularly updated (prompters with built in displays are typically more expensive and pretty much all have awful software). Plus it’s great for more than scripts and outlines! I use mine as a reference monitor and it’s also totally levels up my video calls.
Make it stand out
I've been using Final Cut Pro since 2012 and it's one of my favorite software applications. It's optimized for the MacOS platform, so it's incredibly fast and stable. I taught Final Cut Pro as part of my high school Digital Media programs for 11 years and in that time I became totally convinced of its power and reliability. I even created a course all about it!
Ecamm Live
I use Ecamm for just about everything from streaming and recording to Zoom calls and podcasts. You can keep it simple or get as advanced as you want. My favorite thing about Ecamm is that, if you have an idea, there's probably a way to make it happen. There was a recent update that added isolated video recording for interviews, so it’s a great choice if you need to record remote podcasts.
Adobe Photoshop
While I use several Adobe programs from time to time, Photoshop has been a core part of my workflow since 2002. I use it for everything from thumbnails to web site design. I don't love Adobe's nightmarish subscription model, but the software is terrific. I am exploring Affinity Photo, which is a more affordable alternative with a one-time purchase license. As much as I love the software, I honestly wish I could stop using Adobe just because I dislike their subscriptions so much.
Artlist
Artlist was the first money I ever invested into my YouTube channel. Not only do they offer a great catalog of royalty free music, but many of their licenses are perpetual and nearly universal, meaning you can use the music for client work and even continue to use songs after your subscription ends.
Epidemic Sound
This is the largest royalty free music library that I've found (they even have a Ska category!) and each song gives you the option to download individual instrument stems. Epidemic also has a pretty extensive sound effect library.
Procreate (for iPad)
If you have an iPad, get Procreate. It's super affordable and some of the best money you'll ever spend on an app. All of my hand drawn titles and designs are done in Procreate, and I even used it to create my animated channel intro.
iFootage Boom Arm
iFootage arms and gear are always top notch. This is technically a “support rod,” but it can attach to my tripod head with a quick release and then it makes a perfect boom mic mount.
Monitor Arm
This is one of those things that I wish I’d have gotten much sooner. Most modern displays have VESA mounts in the back, so any arm will work. I made a video about the one that I use, and how it’s been an absolutely game changer in terms of adding versatility to my small desk space. Every inch counts in a studio!
Rodecaster Arm
The Rodecaster Pro II and Rodecaster Duo also have VESA mounts built into them, and getting them up off your desk can make a huge difference. Just like with monitors, and VESA arm will work, but I found this extra long one that make positioning much easier. It’s a little bit of a hassle to adjust the height, but all other angles are easy and I really like it.
Big Tripod
This is probably overkill for most of my gear, but having a super sturdy tripod that’s fully adjustable and capable of handling anything I attach to it has been fantastic. Most tripods can support a basic camera, but not every tripod can support a mic, accessory arms, teleprompter, etc. If you’re investing a lot of money into your camera gear, definitely don’t cheap out on the tools that you’re going to trust to keep it all from crashing down.
Small Tripod
A solid travel tripod is often an underrated piece of gear. There are tons of great ones out there, but I love this Benro Travel Angel. The MeFoto Roadtrip series is great too. There are some super expensive travel tripods out there, and even though they’re great, I definitely wouldn’t recommend spending $500+ on a travel tripod. There’s just no need. It’s definitely a better idea to put that money towards a super sturdy larger tripod.
Tiny Tripod
The MantisPod is probably the best tiny tripod I’ve ever used. It’s perfect for taking anywhere, super solid, and has some really cool grip/mounting options. This lives on my a7IV and goes everywhere.
C Stands!
I’ve talked about these many times, but a good c-stand or two should be considered essential gear. From lights and backdrops to mics and more, there are unlimited uses for a c-stand!
The Lowboy
It’s like a C stand with wheels. Rolling stands like this are pretty common, but “The Lowboy” is, you guessed it: low! It’s become my main studio camera support since the single pole takes up less space than a tripod and the wheels make it super easy to move things around. The height lets me get my camera at perfect height while sitting. It’s not designed for cameras, so I used this Junior to Baby Pin adapter on top and then this Kupo adapter to attach my tripod head.
Tenba Camera Backpack
I’ve spent years searching for the perfect camera bag. It’s kind of an obsession. I found an awesome Manfrotto bag that really checks all the boxes, but it’s just a bit too big for me to use as an “everyday” bag. The Tenba Fulton 14L is perfect for that! It can hold a surprising amount of gear, including a 14” MacBook Pro. There are larger versions, but I like the 14L. The roll top is infinitely more useful than I expected it to be. I can keep my Sony a7IV with a lens and microphone attached in there for super quick access. The bag comes in two different colors, but I splurged on the “all weather” version, which is super durable. I love it.