VIDEO ABOVE: Cheat codes for content creation
Getting the best photos isn’t just about getting the latest gear – it’s about knowing how to get the best out of your equipment, regardless of whether it’s the latest lens or a well-loved used camera.
Buying brand new gear won’t make your images any better, but buying the right gear can make all the difference. So together with MPB, which recirculates over half a million cameras, lenses and accessories every year, we’ve put together this guide to show you the tools and tricks you actually need.
When you know what you’re looking for, you can browse the extensive catalog of preloved equipment – and you can even sell your own used gear or trade it in towards your purchase. Not only can you get the features you need while saving a lot of cash, you can also extend the life of camera kit – and prevent perfectly good gear going unloved or even ending up in a landfill.
So don’t just rush out and buy the newest thing! We’re here to tell you what you need to get the shots you want, so you can shop smart, save big and support sustainably.
Here are the cheat codes you need to start creating killer content…
Use a dedicated vlogging camera
Just about every camera on the market can shoot video, but almost all of them are photography cameras that have had some video specs thrown in. To get the best results, look for a camera that’s been designed with video and vlogging in mind first and foremost.
Cameras like Sony’s ZV series have been tailor-made for content creation, with features like an extra-large built-in microphone, specialized autofocus modes, a tally light (so you can easily see when you’re recording) and a big red record button in pride of place.
Choose the right lens(es)
Vlogging requires a wide-angle lens because you’re going to be presenting to camera, and you’ll need a wide angle of view to be able to fit more than just your face into the frame – especially if you’re filming indoors.
If space is at a premium in your shooting area, and if you’re usually going to be filming in a static position (such as at your desk or within a studio setup), go for a compact prime lens with a fixed focal length, such as the Sony FE 24mm f/2.8 G, which will have better optical quality than a zoom lens. However, if you want the option for more flexibility in your framing or you tend to move around your shooting area, a wide zoom will offer more versatility.
For instant production value, choose a lens with a fast aperture – that’s a low f-number, such as f/2.8 or even f/1.8 – as it can create a shallow depth of field to add blur to your background.
Sound’s nice
It may seem counterintuitive, but the most important thing about your vlog isn’t actually the visual quality – it’s the sound quality! Most people will sit through a low-res video if the content is good, but almost nobody will endure bad audio. Make sure to invest in a dedicated external microphone, and only use the in-camera mics as a last resort.
Sound equipment can be an expensive layout, especially if you’ve already invested in a camera and lens, but with MPB you can build and upgrade your setup in a really wallet-friendly way. Start out with an inexpensive lavalier mic, which will give you the quality needed to get going, and you can work up to a wireless system like the Rode Wireless Go when you’re ready.
Keep it steady
You won’t be able to get away with balancing your camera on a stack of books or a washing basket for long – sooner or later, you’re going to need a tripod both for stability, and to enable you to set up your camera at the right shooting angle.
Like microphones, tripods can be an expensive business – but the beauty of buying pre-owned kit is that you can get something affordable to tide you over for now, and then trade it in for something a bit more pro as your funds allow it. Even something like a cheap travel tripod will do the job, and eventually you can look towards sturdier tripods with a dedicated video head for consistent positioning and smooth camera moves.
Get the light right
Before you get carried away with all those TikTok-tastic colored lights around your shooting space, you need to make sure that you are well lit! The tungsten-orange indoor lights that most of us have in our homes doesn’t look very nice on film, and it can be a real drag only shooting when you’ve got good daylight.
A good solution is a continuous LED light, which will give you consistent lighting to work with. And, paired with a tripod, you can position and angle it to create a more flattering or moody effect, should you wish. Look for a bicolor light, which can complement ambient or natural illumination.
Clever camera modes
As mentioned, most cameras are just stills bodies with a few video features bolted on – and those features are not necessarily suited to vlogging (especially when it comes to autofocus). But a true vlogging camera can really empower your creativity.
For example, a number of cameras have a Product Showcase mode – which means that you can hold something up to the camera and it will automatically shift focus away from your face to whatever it is you’re showing off. And the Sony ZV-E10 is pretty much a content creation copilot, thanks to the Auto-Framing mode – which will track you, zoom in and follow you around the frame, acting like an AI cameraman!
To find out more about buying, selling and trading camera equipment, head over to MPB.
