TECH & GEAR

This is the toolkit I use to capture, edit and create; filmmaking, podcasting and desk set-up.

As an Amazon associate I take a small percentage on the back-end via the links below at no cost to you. So I’m super grateful if you choose to purchase anything via these links. Enjoy.

youtube & filmmaking

 

Camera: FujiFilm XT-4

This APS-C mirrorless camera released in 2020 could just be the perfect hybrid content creation camera. In-body 10-bit colour, 4K 60fps, flip-screen, dedicated menus for stills and video, plus those gorgeous fuji colours: it’s a dream.

‘Run-N-Gun’ Zoom Lens: Fujinon XF16-55mm F2.8 Weather Resistant Lens

My new go-to do everything video and photo king. Big, pro but a better bet than their 18-55 F2.8-4.0 kit lens. It’s weather resistant, and with a constant aperture, it’s a great lens for video and travel photography and the autofocus is the smoothest I’ve found for film and video work.

Prime Lens for Interviews: Fujinon 35mm F2.0 Prime WR

In my opinion, this is THE prime lens to get for wonderful photography, fast enough for video, and a perfect depth of field for interviews with that lovely background blur. The images are beautiful, plus it’s surprisingly affordable and versatile. Win.

Variable ND Filter: K&F Concept 77mm Variable ND Filter Adjustable Fader Neutral Density ND2 - ND32 Filter, NO Spot X Black X Issue, MRC 18-Layer, Ultra Slim, Waterproof

At around £50, this variable ND Filter punches way above its weight. From the comparison tests I seen; easily as good as filters for twice the price. 77mm is a great bet for fuji fitting most larger lenses (i use the step-down ring to mount to the 35mm).

Step Up Ring for ND Filter: Amopofo 43mm to 77mm Metal Step-up Ring

Does what it says on the tin and cheaper than buying more ND Filters. Seems good quality so i don’t mess up the thread on my lenses. I use this to fit the ND filter to the 35mm lens.

Key Lights: Neewer 2 Pieces Bi-color 660 LED Video Light and Stand Kit

This bi-colour set from Neewer has tested to be as accurate to daylight 5600k as some much more expensive lighting set-. I used it for a pro filming project and got great results.

Hair / Back Lights: Neewer 530 RGB Led Light with APP Control

These may look unappealing in the pictures, but they are a great option for putting colour and depth into your set-up. They also work as accurate bi-colour lights for daylight and tungsten. great combination with the 660s. Plus I can fit all 4 stands in the larger bag: perfect.

Soft Box Diffusers for LED Kit” Neewer Collapsible Softbox Diffuser

I use these purpose-made soft-boxes for the Neewer 660: small and easy to store it makes for a simple and quick lighting set up for filming weekly videos. Otherwise: a white shower curtain hung in front get’s even better results!

Tripod: K&F Concept 61” Carbon Fiber Camera Tripod

OK, so I researched this a lot. Too much probably. But this is great: it’s strong, tall, and packs down to fit in a backpack. Plus it allows you to adjust in lots of directions for top-down shots and so on. It’s also light enough to hold as a vlogging handle if you are into that kind of thing.

 

Wireless Microphone: Rode Wireless Go II

This beauty allows you to do wireless sound for two people with back up recording, either on a mobile device, a camera, or even as a USB Mic. It has a built in microphone and supports external lapel mics. very versatile. You can even just pop it on the camera and use it like a shotgun mic. Perfect all-in-one minimal solution.

Simple Podcast / Pop Filter : RØDE Interview GO: Handheld Adaptor for Wireless GO

A simple and brilliant way to turn the wireless go II into a wireless podcast step up. Two of these on stands and away you go + great for voiceover quality using those mics.

RØDE Lavalier GO Professional-grade wearable microphone

Good value but high quality clip on mic for use with the Wireless Go.

Desk Mic Stand: On Stage Sound (OSS) DS7200B

A simple, well made desk stand at a great price. I’m using these to mount the Wireless GO / Interview Go Set up for podcasting.

Camera Desk Clamp: UTEBIT Ball Head Clamp with 1/4" Screw

A solid clamp to mount you camera to your desk. Great for streamers, YouTubers and a zoom flex! combined with the extension pole it’s a brilliant hack.

Desk Mount Pole for Camera: Zhiyou Extension Pole Monopod Rod

This is a great hack! Whilst this extention pole is for a gimbal, you can combine this with the UTEBIT clamp for a sold and brilliant camera mount for your desk set up. Boom

Magic Arm & Super Clamp: SMALLRIG 10 Inch Magic Arm with Super Clamp

Super clamps are great for fixing things to anything at any angle. I use this to mount a mic onto my tripod for example for a standing set up. Great quality and one screw does all the joins.

Perfect Video Lens: Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 (EF Mount)

OK, so this is on my wish-list: but having tested it: it’s the go to video lens that works surprisingly well with autofocus when adapted to the Fuji system. Super sharp and great DOF.

Canon Lens Mount Adapter: Fringer EF-FX Pro II Mount Adapter

Use this to adapt Canon CF mount glass to your Fuji. Amazingly effective and smooth mounting, and maintains great auto focus and tracking. It’s not a speed-booster; so it will simply allow you to mount lenses with the same crop factor on APS-C.

Speedbooster Adapter: Viltrox EF-FX Pro II

A speed-booster allows you to adapt lens to a system like the Fringer, but also the focal-length is multiplied by 0.71 meaning it widen’s the filed of view and adds a stop of light. Basically meaning on an APS-C sensor you will end up with a 1.1 crop: so pretty close to a full-frame equivalent! Bring on those buttery bokeh. This one allows me to mount Canon EF glass to my Fuji.

Flexible LED Tube Lighting: Nanlite PavoTubes

These things look amazing: allowing you to quickly and easily light scenes in hard to reach places. Nanlite do a 4 foot version offering amazing scope to create soft, wrap-around key lighting from one simple tube. Beautiful. The larger lights come with a single clip mount to fit onto most 1/4’ stands.

Batteries For Portable Lighting: NP-F Batteries and Charger

Batteries for the Neewer LEDs above to make them fully portable for outside use. Job done.

Microphone Stand Adapters: NICEYRIG Thread Adapter

I use these adapters 1/4 Inch Male to 5/8 Inch Female thread adapters to turn my mic stand into a boom for my Rode Mic along with a cold shoe adapter. Or to mount anything else on a 1/4’ thread for that matter such as the mini Aputure ML-M Mini LED.

Cold Shoe Adapters: Neewer 1/4’ Thread Cold Shoe adapters

Work with the Niceyrig adapters or any 1/4’ lighting stand to turn it into a cold shoe mount for lights, mics or anything else. I use for booming my Rode mic for talking head videos and interviews.

Small, Powerful portable LED Light: Aputure Amaran AL-MX Mini LED Video Light

This is brilliant for lighting products, putting in small spaces, and using for a hair or back light. and good value. You can even mount to a camera if you really want using a cold/hot shoe. It’s the upgrade to the cheaper AL-M9 below in the Mobile video gear section.

 
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MOBile Videography

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editing & Content CreatioN

  • Luma Fusion: Video Editing on iPad & iPhone Visit Luma Touch

  • Spark Post: For creating YouTube banners, and graphic images

  • Affinity Photo: For creating LUTs and editing photos and thumbnails

  • Lightroom: For editing photos and thumbnails

  • Photoshop Mix: for creating more complex image collages and cutting out

  • Garage Band: For Multi-track recording of podcast interviews

  • Procreate: For drawing animated titles

  • Parrot Teleprompter: for using with a homemade teleprompter!

  • My Editing SSD Drive: SanDisk Extreme PRO 1 TB Portable SSD, Up to 1050 MB/s, USB-C

  • My Back Up & Storage Drive: WD My Passport 5TB

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productivity Apps

  • Notion.So: for building an all-in-one productivity and project management system Visit Notion

  • GoodNotes 5: for drawing and note-taking app for iPad

  • The Apple Notes App: for drafting blogs and writing video scripts