This list represents the gear that I own or use in the creation of my content and for client work. If you purchase kit using the links below I make a small commission which doesn’t cost you anything but provides me with very tasty coffee and the ability to keep making content.
Cameras
Sony Lenses
Media
- Angelbird 128GB V90 Cards
- Sony CF Express Type A 160GB
- Samsung T5 / AndyCine Lunchbox (Ninja V)
- Samsung 870 EVO (Ninja V)
Screw on Filters
- Polar Pro PM II VND 2-5 82mm
- Tiffen Black Promist 1/8 82mm
Matte Box & Filters
- Tilta Mirage VND Matte Box
- Vaxis 95mm 0.6 IRND (2 Stop)
- Vaxis 95mm 1.2 IRND (4 Stop)
- Vaxis 95mm 1.8 IRND (6 Stop)
- Vaxis 95mm Black Mist 1/8
Camera Rig
- SmallRig FX3 half cage
- SmallRig FX3 top handle
- SmallRig FX3 handle extension
- SmallRig 6″ carbon rods
- SmallRig 4″ carbon rods
- SmallRig rod clamp
- Nitze N54-F5 monitor mount
Monitors
Lighting
- Aputure 60x
- Aputure 300x
- Aputure Light Dome II
- Aputure Light Dome Mini II
- Amaran T4c Light Tubes
- DedoLight DLH4
Drone Kit
- DJI Mini 3 Pro
- DJI Inspire 2
- DJI X7 Camera
- DJI 16mm DL Lens
- DJI 35mm DL lens
- DJI 50mm DL Lens
- DJI Phanom 4 Pro v2
- Freewell Mini 3 Pro ND Filters
Sound & Audio
- Rode NTG-3 shotgun mic
- Sennheiser MKH416 shotgun mic
- Rode VideoMic NTG
- Sony UWP D21 wireless kit
- Sony ECM-77B lav mics
- Sony DC-78 mic PSU
- Rycote hand grip & softie
- Sennheiser HD 25 headphones
- Tascam DR-100 mkII Audio Recorder
Support & Grip
Bags & Cases
- Peli 1564 hard case
- Peli 1554 hard case
- Lowepro Stealth Reporter bag
- ThinkTank Airport International V2
Just watched your tutes on audio mic testing and using Custom WB with the Color Checker – outstanding material! This level of expertise will transform my work process and produce better results more consistently. Excellently made videos too – you have mastered the post process well. Thanks for sharing!
Really pleased they were helpful, thanks for letting know.
Hi Paul, First of all, many thanks for all your great tutorials. You have been a guiding light in regards to my newly acquired FX3 and Ninja V. But there is one thing I have not worked out: I wish to start/stop the NinjaV and the FX3 simultaneously FROM THE NINJA V? Is this possible? I know how to start them both from the camera but not from the monitor. Can this be done? Thanks again and happy filmmaking! Warm regards. William
Hi William, sorry for the late reply, for some reason I wasn’t getting notifications of comments on the blog! As far as I know it’s not possible I’m afraid, the Ninja doesn’t send control information back to the camera.
hi paul,
maybe an odd question but with your dji phantom 3, if you crash it into a tree or object, have you got any accidental damage cover on it? (e.g. dji care) and if so which do you have!
thanks
henry
As a professional operator I have full insurance through a company called Coverdrone.
Hey Paul, do you find that the Sony ECM-77BMP lav mic gives you a noticeably better sound than the included lav? I too have that sony wireless mic system and was curious as to your thoughts on it. I would assume the sound quality is better, but can you compare the two? Thanks!
Hi Kyle.
I’ve not done a specific test of the two, I’m not even sure where the original mics are at the moment! I really just wanted to get the best quality I could and the ECM-77’s are industry standard so it felt like a good idea to get those.
Apologies for the late reply Paul, but thanks a lot for your advice, much appreciated.
Hi Paul
Your equipment list is pretty epic, I ma very jealous :) I am still slowly building my equipment arsenal and hope it will be impressive as yours one day. I am shooting on a 5Dmk2, I found it a little daunting at first as I had never used a DSLR for film, I am now a lot more compotent using my equipment. This is probably the age old question, lenses. I am looking to invest in some new glass, I currently have the 24-105 kit lens and the 50mm 1.8. Is there a lens that you continuously feel that you use?? a lens that you could not live without? I am really unsure where to go next with lenses to be honest, I have been doing a lot of interiors clubs etc so was thinking something faster perhaps the 50mm 1.2 or 1.4. Some advice would be great. Thanks in advance. Gar
Hi Gareth, thanks for getting in touch.
It’s really hard to say what lenses you need without knowing what you’re looking to achieve. Certainly a fast prime will give you more options with depth of field control but then your 50 1.8 is no slouch in that regard either so you do already have an option there. If you’re mainly working on interiors then it might be worth looking at a fast wise like the Canon 17 – 40, it really depends if you find the wide end of the 24 – 105 to be restrictive.
Thanks Paul, I think I definitely need something a bit faster to be honest, I know its tough to give advice on something like this as it obviously depends on what I’m shooting. Thanks for your advice. I also need to invest in some lighting I have used the ARRILITE 750 3 head kit, its a little cumbersome I found though, ever had any experience with any of the Litepanel kits??
Gar
Hi Gareth
I use litepanels 1×1 all the time really just for portability and ease of use. They work well although I do think something like a kino flow diva kit produces nicer light if you can deal with the fragile nature of the tubes.
Your insane equipment list has just destroyed my dreams.
Hi Paul
I am trying to find out what type of head to use when using a Glidetrack in a vertical position? I seen it on the Glidetrack website at one point I think but it now seems to have gone. It has a type of swivel head on it I think, by manfrotto maybe. I dont know what type it is so can’t find it anywhere online.
Thanks
Gare
Hi Gareth
I’m not sure which head they showed but its possible to do a vertical shot using the Miller head I use, see above.
Hi Paul
I’m trying to think of a way to ask this that doesn’t seem rude… basically there’s a lot of expensive kit here which for a hobby or someone trying to build up an interest/experience, would be unaffordable for most. I assume you’ve been able to make the work pay for most of this kit. Do you have any advice on how to achieve a level of income that is at least self sustaining particularly when starting out in film making? In other words how do you get off the ground?
Many thanks and love your work.
Innes
Hi Innes.
That’s a very good question and one I’m happy to answer. When I started out back in 2007 I had just enough to buy my Canon XH-A1 and a few essential accessories like batteries, a mic and a basic tripod. At that time I was also providing freelance graphic design services and used pretty much every penny of my profits to invest in more video gear, eventually managing to get enough to start offering a few video services to clients. I ditched the design work in 2009 The rest of the kit on this page has been added over the last few years and most of it was purchased with specific projects in mind that would pay for the kit. I generally chose new gear that would allow me to take on new types of projects or offer something new to my existing clients that would result in more work, and so paying for the kit.
Don’t fall in to the trap where you think you have to an impressive looking camera system and be ready for anything that comes in, just get what you need to service your existing clients and their projects as you get booked, that way your kit list will develop naturally and you will end up with the right gear for you rather than the same gear that everybody else has!
Hey Paul,
I have been looking to get some rails for some time now and now is that time to get that Glidetrack Hydrid. I just wanted to know how it connects to the tripod. Is it sold with the plates? Do I screw on my tripod plate to the bottom of the slider? Whats the deal? When I get it, I want to get all the necessary parts at the same time. You know how it goes when you buy something and then when it arrives, you realise that you need some more things that you were not awear of. Can you please give me a lil rundown of the things I might need. I use one of those small Satchler tripods that came out around the time the Panasonic DVX100 were popular.
Thanks in advance,
Sean
Hi Sean
they do not come with any tripod plates, they just have threads to allow you to attach whatever plate you need underneath the rail. Best bet would be to contact Alastair at Glidetrack and ask him what you need to attach the glidetrack to your tripod. You may find that you need to support it at both ends as the hybrid is based on the HD rail and may be a bit heavy for use on a singe tripod.
Its just as well your kids like playing in the garden with sticks and mud!
lol, it’s funny you should say that :)
Hi,
quite a lot of you use!
Are you happy with the LaCie Rugged Ext. Drive? Any crashes? Do you use the Triple Interface 500GB version?
I’m asking because I’m thinking of buying them.
Daniel
Hi Daniel.
I had a problem with a 500GB USB version a few weeks ago when I was working in Barcelona, it was just a generic “there was a problem writing to the drive” etc etc msg from my macbook so I reformatted it and it’s been fine since. I also use the triple interface versions and prefer them because I use FW800 with both the macbook and my mac pro.
I always assume any drive is going to fail and keep everything on at least two of them. I just like the way the lacie rugged drives are soft and rubbery, they pack well and don’t feel like they’re going to get smashed up in a bag or a case, and more importantly they don’t damage other things around them. I also purchased a set of different coloured bumpers for them which helps a lot in knowing which is which :)
Thanks for the fast answer. Do you use 5400rpm or 7200rpm?
5400 I think, just the cheapest option as I’m not normally in a rush when using those drives. My MacBook or the NVS2500 normally do backups to ext drives while I’m eating or sleeping :)