Filming Gear I Use for My Adventure YouTube Channel 📹
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  • Writer's pictureapriladventuring
    • Sep 15, 2023
    • 4 min read

Filming Gear I Use for My Adventure YouTube Channel 📹

Updated: Apr 11

Let me start off by saying that you don't need any specific or fancy gear to create quality content. I film plenty on my iPhone and don't use the most expensive gear.


If you're interested to see what I am using, check out this list of all my YouTube Filming Gear.


Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. That means I may get a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!


Table of Contents:


To learn more about all the tools, software, and current equipment I'm using to run my YouTube channel, check out this post.


Let's get onto the gear!


Cameras



TL;DR: This is the camera I use most consistently when I travel. While I love this camera most of the time for its video quality and size, it has been buggy for me on many occasions.


Pros:

  • Shoots in 5K Ultra HD

  • Super compact and lightweight

  • Waterproof up to 33 feet

  • Timelapse capability

  • Easily adjustable video settings

  • 20MP photo shooting

  • Front and rear screens to easily film yourself

  • Live streaming capability

  • Great stabilization and horizon leveling

  • Awesome customer service

  • Removable battery

  • Cheap for being able to shoot such high quality

  • Can be mounted in tons of ways for unique shots

Cons:

  • Need to buy an external battery charger to be able to use the camera and charge spare batteries at the same time. Otherwise the camera itself needs to be plugged in to charge the battery inside.

  • I've had issues with this camera not wanting to turn on at colder temperatures, ie. below ~50F.

  • Screen cracks easily. I've replaced mine already and the new one cracked pretty quickly. The touchscreen still works and it is still waterproof though, even with the crack.

  • Stabilization has been buggy on slow panning shots for me.

  • Microphone isn't the best. Need attachments to add mic or other accessories.

  • Doesn't work well in low light situations




TL;DR: This was my first vlogging camera and I got a great amount of use from it. I loved the flip display and found the picture and audio quality more than good enough to start out.


Pros:

  • Great starter camera, especially for vlogging

  • Flip up display to easily film yourself

  • Large screen for previewing images and videos

  • Compact and easy to fit in bag or pocket for travel


Cons:

  • Battery life isn't super long, so you'll want to bring a spare

  • Only shoots up to 720p

  • In my opinion this camera is better for photos than for video


Lighting



TL;DR: This light is an amazing way to up your content creation game without breaking the bank.


Pros:

  • Very affordable

  • Adjustable colors to change the mood of your shoot

  • Rechargeable battery that lasts up to 10 hours on lowest setting

  • Universal mount for tripod or mounting to your camera

  • Compact and easy to travel with


Cons:

  • Since this light is pretty small, you won't necessarily get studio quality lighting over larger subjects.

  • Battery takes 2 hours to fully charge, so you need to plan ahead if taking it out for a shoot.


Tripods



TL;DR: This is my third tripod and my favorite so far. I love how tall it gets while remaining compact when closed. However it's a unstable when fully extended.


Pros:

  • Super tall. Can be used from 13" to 62"!

  • Quick setup to capture on the go

  • Easily changes out to work with GoPro, phone, or other cameras

  • Comes with a bluetooth remote for capturing photos at a distance

  • Lightweight at 12.6 oz

  • Affordable


Cons:

  • Loses stability when extended. It's fine for flat ground or inside, but can be sketchy on uneven terrain outdoors.

  • The individual legs aren't adjustable so must be on level ground.

  • Only works vertically, making it difficult to capture different angles such as looking down onto a table or the ground.




TL;DR: Every vlogger/content creator needs a phone mount! I prefer the magnetic ones to the clamp type and this gets the job done.


Pros:

  • Works with any magsafe phone, such as iPhones

  • Can be mounted on any standard tripod

  • Phone can be rotated to capture different angles

  • Quickly attach and detach phone on the go

  • Affordable


Cons:

  • Not the strongest magnet. I wouldn't trust this in windy conditions, on uneven ground, or in places with high traffic where it might get bumped.

  • Doesn't work well with some phone cases, meaning you'll need to remove them before attaching your phone.


Microphones



TL;DR: My new everyday voiceover mic. A great mid-level option for sound quality vs. price.


Pros:

  • Solid sound quality for a compact, affordable mic

  • Comes with windscreen, carrying case, and cables

  • No batteries needed

  • Compact and easy to travel with at 1.8 oz


Cons:

  • Not the highest quality, but suitable for most needs




TL;DR: Perfect starter mic set with many uses. Highly packable and a step up from most camera sound quality.


Pros:

  • Comes with everything you need to get started

  • With two mics, you can do interview style videos or have a backup

  • Easily plugs into any device for recording where you need it


Cons:

  • Not the highest sound quality and can pick up some wind


Other Gear



TL;DR: I'm on my second one of these after maxing out the first and have had no issues. Read/write is reasonably fast. Compact, large capacity, and durable.


Pros:

  • Price for external memory has gone down significantly over the years and these are a great deal

  • The 2TB has the best reviews in terms of longevity. Avoid the 4TB!

  • Compact at 1.76 oz and ‎0.38 x 2.07 x 3.97 in

  • Durable, perfect for those expecting to travel with it

  • IP65 Water and Dust Resistance

  • Has a loop for keychain or carabiner


Cons:

  • I've seen reviews that the 4TB version can become corrupted and lose data.

  • I've had issues with it disconnecting from my Mac occasionally but am not sure if it's the SanDisk itself or the cables it comes with.






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