My Camera Gear 2019

Here’s a comprehensive list of the gear I use in 2019 to capture and edit my DIY projects, tutorials, and videos. You don’t need anything special these days to start out capturing great photos and videos– use whichever camera you have access to. These are the tools I personally prefer for the type of work I do. Since the last time I made this post (2017), a lot has changed about my setup. I’ve carefully optimized my tool selection for my professional photography/videography practice. For some practical tips I still stand by, check out my 2014 MAKE article about making great build videos. Links to products are affiliate links.

Panasonic GH5s – This mirrorless micro four thirds interchangeable lens camera is the latest in a long line of video workhorses. I’ve had every GH model since the GH3, and while the GH4 is still my favorite (mostly for the form factor and battery life), the GH5s jumps on the dual native ISO bandwagon, enabling low light shots that you could previously only get on a Sony (read about why I upgraded from the GH5). I still shoot in 4K and edit in 1080p, but it’s nice to know that if I want to make a 4K project, I can choose to record in a variety of cinema formats (and at 60fps). I use two cameras together frequently, either with a dedicated camera for each video and stills, and also sometimes as a two-camera video setup.

My most-used lens is the Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 II.

I also often use the Lumix/Leica 8-18mm f/2.8 lens, especially with the Manfrotto Magic Arm for tabletop shots, since it goes a bit wider than the 12-35.

I still use my 60mm Olympus lens for macro shots. Since my partner got an Osmo X5R kit, which also uses micro four third lenses, my borrowed lens options have expanded to include three primes: Olympus 12mm f/2.0, Olympus 25mm f/1.8, and a DJI 15mm f/1.7 lens.

For direct camera address, I usually use my Sennheiser camera-mountable wireless lavalier microphone, and sometimes use my camera-top Rode Videomic Pro. I love my Parrot Teleprompter. For voiceover, I’m still using my Zoom H4N recorder from over a decade ago, plugged into my computer as a USB audio device.

I made a from-scratch foot pedal remote trigger for the GH-series cameras last year, and made a tutorial for building your own.

For studio lighting these days, I use a LiteMat 2L LED panel (long rectangle), which has a (wired) remote control interface to adjust the intensity and color temperature. I bought this light with money I earned renting my gear out to other NYC filmmakers on sharing sites KitSplit and ShareGrid (review and comparison article). I have this light boomed out over my rolling work table with a C-stand and shot bag.

For point-and-shoot, my Pixel 3 phone has finally surpassed the quality/convenience threshold needed to stop me from carrying a small pocket camera like my G7X.