Businesses have adapated to modern life, using video content to boost revenue; if you need tips about implementing this, we’ve got you covered!
South Africa (18 June 2021) – If growth is the name of the game, video is a really smart choice. According to Wyzowl, businesses using video content grow company revenue 49% faster, year-over-year, than organisations without. In today’s highly competitive video-focused world, the best video wins! And, a definite way to improve your videos is to invest in quality video production equipment. But what equipment do you need exactly?
Calvin Fisher, the owner of Pandabomb, a digital production house that specialises in photography, videography and social media marketing, has put together a list of go-to equipment you’ll need to start your profession as a videographer.
Camera
Okay, let’s start with the basics. You can definitely use your smartphone camera for filming. However, it won’t get you the same level of quality as a professional-level full-frame mirrorless video camera. But it’s more accessible, and the video quality improves all the time. Today, many creators and filmmakers use DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, and the quality is great. Most of these cameras are capable of shooting in 4K. Some can record videos in 6K and even 8K.
Lens
If you choose to use an interchangeable lens camera, you need to understand that the lens you use will have a huge impact on the quality of your work. Many videographers tend to choose wider angles that require less manoeuvring space and enable you to fit more elements into the frame.
Tripod
No matter how good your camera’s stabilization is, you need a tripod. Even small shakes can be visible in a video—especially if you’re using a DSLR with a zoom lens. A tripod turns even a basic camera into a much better video production tool. A tripod will seriously improve the video quality of any camera.
Lighting
Good lighting makes a huge difference in the final quality of your video. If you’ve ever seen a video where an interviewee is poorly lit, you know that it’s distracting. Getting your lighting right is not easy. You need to consider different types of light, foreground and background lighting, shadows, and equipment. And that equipment can get expensive. If you’re just getting started, you can use a reflector to take advantage of ambient light. It’s just a matter of getting it set up to properly reflect the light.
Editing software
You’ll need the right tools to convert your footage in order to have great content. While professional editors can be quite expensive, there is free video editing software that you could use. Mastering editing and post-production software is a long process. But you can get started with just a few basic tutorials and you’ll see an improvement in your video quality right away.
High quality memory cards
High-quality SD cards can make a big difference when shooting videos. You want high capacity (64GB or more) with high read and write speeds. A great option is the 64GB SanDisk Extreme Pro card with speeds of 300MB/s. This allows you to shoot long videos and never have to worry about running out of space. If you’re planning to shoot longer videos, it’s best to go for 128GB or larger though.