Gear Essentials
Let's take a second to talk about gear. I think we all get a little hit of energy when we hear that word. I've been in the photo/video game for over five years, slowly building my kit to the point where it's an essential part of my work. This article is a guide for creators looking for inspiration and direction in building their own photo/video kit. So here it is — all the tools I use.
The holy trinity of lenses: Being able to cover every focal length from 16–200mm has changed the game for me. When I first started, primes were my go-to, mainly because of their price point. But as I took on more jobs, zoom lenses became essential. They've done wonders for me, especially at automotive and sailing events — I always come back with far more content than I would shooting primes. I'm sure there will come a point when I return to primes, but for now, zooms are my bread and butter.
Camera: The Sony a7 III is my camera of choice. It strikes the perfect balance between photo and video. With its full-frame sensor, it performs incredibly well in low light — in some regards even better than the a7S II. Pair that with Sony's G Master lens lineup, and Sony has everything a photo/video professional could need right now. If you asked me the best camera to buy today, I'd say the a7 III without hesitation.
Gimbal: I've tried all sorts of gimbals, and I always come back to the DJI Ronin-S for its reliability and ease of use. It can handle extremely heavy camera rigs, which means I can run a heavy lens like the 24–70mm GM on my a7 III with zero balancing issues.
