Gear (archive)

This is a professionally-sourced personal database I’ve made public due to popular demand, but I made this lesson from my course free as it highlights the information more important than these spreadsheets:

Gear Worth Buying in 2019

Cameras

Brand
Model
Pros
Cons
ArriAlexa 65Fantastic out-of-box imagePrice
ArriAlexa LF89000, Focus is tougher
ArriAlexa
BlackmagicBlackmagic URSA Mini 4.6kPoor low light, big and heavy-ish (5lbs) too big for Ronin M, no proxy mode, poor internal color, color inconsistent with luma change.
BlackmagicBlackmagic URSA Mini Pro
BlackmagicPocket Cinema Camera 4kNo EVF, Poor AF,
BlackmagicPocket Cinema Camera 6kGreat codec, menues, picture quality, metadata inputNo EVF, Poor AF, New Camera, Poor Battery
CanonC200ND, DualPixel AF, EVF, Battery Life, Audio Inputs, ProxiesMediocre LCD, No Sensor Stabilization
Canon5D3
CanonC700 Full FrameFull frame at high frame rates to external recorder$33,000
FujiXT-3
FujiXT-30XT-30 is cheaper $700-ish but no IBIS. BUT has 10-bit, APS-C, great AF, great color, good lens choices
NikonZ6
PanasonicLX100
PanasonicGX85Fantastic option, IBIS, high IQ, great touch screenno log, no mic input, only 90º screen articulation,
PanasonicG7No IBIS, bigger (DSLR sized), has drive mode dial and focus switch, articulating LCD, mic input, no log but does have Cinelike D and V, great touch screen, no 4k internal and simultaneous HDMI
PanasonicSH1Unprecedented video quality in a mirrorless ILC camera.
PanasonicGH5MFT 'small sensor', poor video AF and low light, great stabilization
PanasonicZS100
PanasonicZS200
PanasonicGX9
RedHelium 8k Epic$30,000
RedMonstro 8k VVVista Vision (close to full frame) sensor$54,000
RedHelium 8k S35S35 sensor
SamsungNX1USB3, NFC,WiFi, BT, h.265No log, no ND
SonyA7RII
SonyA7SII
SonyFS5
SonyRX100 V
Sonya6400No internal stabilization; 425 Phase- & Contrast-Detect AF Points
,180º LCD, Intervalometer
SonyA73Best hybrid photo/video camera
Sonya6600
SonyVeniceInterchangeable sensor, 6 micron pixel pitch, updated color science, support for true 4-perf anamorphic lenses (cropped sensor), standard Bayer sensor, claimed 15 stop DR, 16-bit linear to AXS-R7 recorder and X-OCN for full frame raw 6k (2Gb/sec), native ISO 500, up to 8-stops built-in ND, cons: not a high speed king (only 60fps@Super35); anamorphic 4k and full frame are both paid firware upgrades$40,000

Lenses

Order
Rank
Manufacturer
Spherical/Anamorphic
Focal Length
Aperture
Still/Cine
Coverage
Mounts
AF
Price USD
VR/VC/OSS
IR compatible?
Aperture Blades
Sharpness 1-5
Coma 1-5
Quality 1-5
Age
Filter
Weight
Size
Notes
Competition
Sigma10–20mm3.5APS
17Panasonic100-300mm5.6MFTMFT$500Yes
13Tokina11-16mm2.8APSCanon NikonYes$600
12Tokina11-20mm2.8APSCanon Nikon$3502015
Laowa 12mm2.8FullCanon Sony ENo$950None"0 Distortion", cons: flaring, no filter mount, manual lens
1Samyang/Rokinon/Bower135mm2FullNo$550
43Zeiss Touit12mm2.8APSEYes800No267mm
Sigma14–242.8FullCanon EF$1,300NoNoneLooks like a nice option
14Tokina14-20mm2APSCanon Nikon$65082mm
Samyang/Rokinon/Bower14mm2.4FullNo$800
9Samyang/Rokinon/Bower14mm2.8FullNo$279
9Samyang/Rokinon/Bower14mm2.8FullYes$279
Sigma14mm1.8FullCanon Nikon Sony EYes$1,6002017
11Tamron15-30mm2.8FullCanon Nikon$1,200None
Laowa 15mm2FullSony ENo$85072mmSony E mount only
Irix15mm2.4FullCanon NikonNo$40095mm
23Samsung16-50mm S2–2.8APSNX$900 UsedYes
49Sony16–502.8APSAlphaYes800
47Sony16–50 pancake3.5-5.6APSEYes3452
46Hasselblad Vario-Tes E ZA16–70mm F44APSEYes630Yes55mm
Samyang/Rokinon/Bower16mm2APS
34Sony16mm Pancake2.8APSE$250No
18Canon16-35mm2.8FullCanon$1,500635g3.48 x 4.39"
81Sigma18-351.8APS$8005577mm811g3.07 x 4.76"
48Tamron18–200mm3.5-6.3APSEYes739Yes
Tamron18–400APS$650
40Sigma APS E19mm2.8APSE199No
Sigma16mm1.4APS
Zeiss Milvus18mm2.8$2,000
19Canon 20mm2.8FullCanonYes$40032Old72mm405g3x2.8"
2Samyang/Rokinon/Bower20mm1.8FullNo$5002016
3Sigma20mm1.4FullCanon Nikon Sony EYes$9004Medium52015?NO950g5x3.6x3.6 inches
Sigma20mm1.8
35Sony20mm Pancake2.8APSE$350No49mm
Samyang/Rokinon/Bower24mm1.4
6Sigma24-35mm2$800
16Tamron24-70mm2.8FullCanon NikonYes
7Tokina24-70mm2.8Full2015 (June-ish)
20Canon 24mm2.8Full$600280g
4Sigma24mm1.4FullCanon Nikon$85052201477mm665g3.4"x3.6"Zeis 25mm f2
36Sony ZE24mm1.8APSE$900No44
38Sony ZA24mm 1.8FullA$1,0004
10Zeiss25mm2FullCanon Nikon$1,3005
15Tamron28-75mm2.8FullCanon Nikon$5002010
1Tamron28–75mm2.8FullSonyYes$8002018
21Canon28mm1.8$450
Sigma28mm1.4Full2018
33Sony28mm2FullE$45049mm
41Sigma APS E30mm2.8APSE199No
25Samsung30mm PancakeAPSNX
44Zeiss Touit32mm1.8APSEYes720No52mm
31Sony35mm1.8APSE$400Yes4.549mm
32Sony35mm1.4$1,600
37Sony ZA35mm2.8FullE$800
26Samsung45mm 1.8APSNX
24Samsung50-200APSNX
2Sigma500–1001.8APS
5Sigma50mm1.4FullCanon Nikon$80052014
30Sony50mm1.8APSE$230Yes49mm
45Zeiss Touit50mm2.8APSEYes1000No52mm
39Sony ZA55mm1.8FullE$1,00049mm
27Sony55mm f1.8 ZA1.8FullE$1,0005
42Sigma APS E60mm2.8APSE200No4446mm
22Samsung85mm1.4APSNX$800 UsedYes
Canon Sumire
28SonyFullE
29SonyFullE
Zeiss Supreme Primes FFSphericalCineFull
Cooke S7/iSphericalCineFull
Cooke Anamorphic/i Full Frame PlusAnamorphicFull
Rokinon XEENSphericalCineFullAt only $1700 or so each it's a steal for cine lenses
ARRI Signature PrimesSphericalCineFull
Leica ThaliaSpherical
Sigma CineSpherical
Tokina CineSpherical
Atlas OrionAnamorphic

Lighting

s
Brand
Model
Gist
Date Available
Output
Power
CCT ºK
TLCI
CRI
SSI
≈Price (USD 2019)
3AputureF7Great all-purpose cheap light3200K–9500K$100
2Aputure 120D5250 Lux@1m
2Aputure 300D8930 lux @1m
$829
Aputure 300D II90,000 lux@1M with fresnel
5ArriSC60-C11,000 Lux@1m$5,800
4AsteraAX1Tube LED with zones (similar to Digital Sputnik)9595
1BolingP1Small, RGB LED, Bright, Mountable, Bi-Color, High CRI/TLCI, Color effects (police car, TV, fire), just under Aputure F7 output, 3AmpHr internal battery 2.5 hrs at 100% power,1480 Lux@.5 Meters2500K–8500K9796$159
1CameTVBoltzen 55W Fresnel$2,016$300
1CameTVBoltzen AndromedaTube-style with built-in battery, barn doors and mounting points, a bit pricey but worth it for RGB$288 (3')
4Digital SputnikVoyagerCool zoned RGB LED but pricey.
Digital Sputnik
1Falcon Eyes BL-30TDAputure 300D Alternative but bi-color12,000Lux@1M w/reflector3000K–8000K$800
2GodoxLC 500Compare to YongNuo and Andromeda?$189
2GodoxSL 200Compare to Aputure 300D and Falcon Eyes BL-30TD; loud for video$360
5LedgoLG-G260
2LupoSuperpanel Dual Color 6070k lux at a meter...20lbs69,000 Lux@1m400 W (one AC mains) or two 160Wh batteries9694 (extended)$1,800
LupoSuperpanel Full Color 6047,800 lux@1m wide$2,600
LupoDayled 2000220W$1,849
2Profound/Blind SpotCrack LightExcellent CRI/TLCI; waterproof, South Korean manf. "Profound" distributing through "Blind Spot" company. 2019 July104Lux@1mUSB 5v54009997 (extended)$40
3QuasarQ-LED T8No mounting options, requires AC, no RGB, dimmer sold separately95$75
4QuasarRGB
3VILTROXL116TCheap and large-ish source$31
1YongnuoYN360RGB Light WandExternal Sony batteries$75
2YongnuoYN360II ProBicolor light wandBuilt-in battery>95 advertised$126
YN360II Pro RGBRGB Light WandBuilt-in battery 5200mAh>95 advertised$217
YongnuoYN360SBicolor light wand"1406 lumens"External Sony batteries3200–5600>95 advertised$42
NanliteForza 6012k Lux @ 1M advertised$289
NanliteForza 300$999
NanliteForza 500One of the better options for high output COB lights available.59000 Lux@1M (not modified)$1,900
HiveSuperhornet 575c
LuxliTaiko7500 lux @1M with diffuser; 14,500 lux@ 1M without diffuser
Rayzr 7300 DaylightFlood 1M(55º) 25,700Lux350W$1,339
Arri SkyPanel S60-CA pricey, well-built industry standard; 40lbs$5,850

Audio Recorders

Device
Brand
Model
Gist
Field RecorderTascamDR05Inferior pre-amps to Zoom but omni internal mic is nice for field recording.
Field RecorderZoomH1Best option for price if budget-limited. Gets you superior audio to in-camera mic for <$100 Works as a lav mic recorder for interviews too.
Field RecorderZoomH1nUpdated H1 with better build quality.
Field RecorderZoomF1Size and 10-pin acessory port add great flexibility. Sadly, no phantom power (not even with capsules), RF interference prone (airplane mode); mid-range quality preamps; works as USB interface to PC
Field RecorderZoomF6Dual analog A>D converter party trick means 'never clip' has come to Zoom.
Field RecorderTascamDR60dmkII
Field RecorderTascamDR-40X
Field RecorderZoomH5Self noise improved from H4n; accessory shoe adds versatility
Field RecorderZoomH6Self noise improved from H4n, 4 built-in inputs plus accessory shoe adds major versatility
Field RecorderZoomF4Cheap option for TC generation which H6 lacks, Great pre-amps with low noise, look-ahead limiters are good, F-control accessory, automix, screen inferior to F8, 8AA batteries cumbersome. No app integration for metadata input like F8 has. Battery life ppor.
Field RecorderZoomF8nUpdate makes headphone gain improvement,
Field RecorderSound DevicesMixPre3Don't get "M" versions for music; High quality, great analog limiters, 3rd part controller support, Android support,
Field RecorderSound Devices633
Field RecorderZaxcomMaxx
Field RecorderZoomH4n
Field RecorderZoomH4n ProHas a weak pre-amp so no good with Rode NTG2
Field RecorderZoomF8
Field RecorderZaxcomNomad
Field RecorderZaxcomDiva
Field RecorderSound Devices688
Field RecorderTascamDR701DNot as great now that we have better Zoom and Sound Device alternatives
Field RecorderTascamDR-10LLike Zoom F1 but only a lav mic recorder
Field RecorderSound DevicesMixPre6
Field RecorderSound DevicesMixPre10t
Field RecorderJuiced LinkOut of business?
Field RecorderLectrosonics
Field RecorderTascamDR100mkIII
Lav/PhoneAudio TechnicaATR3350
ShotgunAudio TechnicaAT8987
StudioAudio Technica
AT2035
MicrophoneAzdenSMX 15Superior to Rode Video mic pro, inferior to Deity D3
USBBlueSnowball
Super Cardiod CondenserDeityS Mic 2Very popular for the price
ShotgunDeityV-Mic D3 ProAwesome set of features and quality for on-camera mic. Deity D3 Pro is one of the best all-purpose microphones. It has a TTRS plug for phone or camera use (with adapter)
Lav/PhoneOscar Tech
Lav/PhoneRodeSmartLav+
Lav/PhoneRodeiXyFor beginners, I'd suggest just spending $80 on a Zoom H1 and practice keeping it close to the sound source.
ShotgunRodeNTG2
WirelessRodeWireless Go
WirelessSaramonicBlink 500 B2A dual channel wireless mic for $250! 2.4 GHz | Poor quality sound
Rode | MOVO | ComicaRode Video Micro; Comica VM10IIA decent, small, camera-top microphone for ENG-style shooting. Great for the price.
ShotgunSennheiserME66/K6
ShotgunSennheiserMKH-416"Industry standard"
MicrophoneSureShure SM7B
Lav/PhoneZoomiQ7
PreampSaramonic SR-PAX1
PreampSaramonic SR-PAX2
PreampComicaCVM-AX3
Preamp (plus)SonosaxSX-M2D2$1k but nice! Works as audio interface, plug a phone or computer in. Highest quality pre-amps
PreampWooden CameraA-Box PlusSmall size at last! Light weight, Canon LP-E6 battery,

Microphones

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Tripods

Flip-lock legs are generally faster to set up, but after a while you’ll have to tighten the flip-lock mechanism to avoid slippage, so you may want to tape the required Allen wrench discreetly to the tripod. Twist-lock legs may take a bit longer to deploy but they’re self-adjusting for wear. Fenn prefers the speed-deployment of flip-locks.

Fenn likes the single-leg tripods better than the more traditional double-leg (multiple tubes per leg section) tripods with spreaders (which are more common in video). Cameras are much lighter than they used to be and the ability to get low and to have the legs be at different heights is much more valuable. Deployment is a bit slower though and “torsional” strength is higher on the dual leg setups. Sachtler FlowTech is a cool new idea but pricey ($1k+ for legs alone).

Slid
Brand
Model
Gist
Bracket
Inputs
Channels
Built-in Mic?
Output to Camera
PC Interface
Pickup Pattern
TC Generator
≈ Price (USD 2019)
1iFootageGazelle TA6Fenn likes the bowl because it allows for small leveling adjustments without adjusting leg height. He also loves center columns for height adjustment without messing with legs. The Benro Aero tripods and the iFootage Gazelle provide both.
2E-imageEK60AAM
1BenroS8
1BenroA2883FS4Very compact size of for maximum portability (legs fold back over center column)
5SachtlerAceVery poor quality

Stabilizers

Item
Price
Bit Depth
Axes
Max Weight (Kg)
Tool-less
Battery Life
Invert Mode?
LCD Visible?
Joystick?
Pros
Cons
Gist
Nebula 4000 Lite$60083N1st gen
CAME TV Single$1,0003231.2Y20 hrsNY-2 axis
CAME TV ActionGreat
Beholder MS-13
Beholder DS-1$750323High
Nebula 4200 3-axis$8993
Nebula 4200 5-axis$99951.6
Nebula 4200 Lite$79932
Pilotfly H1$711831
Pilotfly H1+$791323YNoY-1 axis
Pilotfly H2$1k