Starting a new year, I am going to look at and share my kits (various), just to “think out loud”, but also to help others with ideas etc. When I was younger I used to love these, feverishly buying magazines or books just to get a glimpse, not only of someone else’s gear, but a little look into their life as a pro shooter.
Video first, just because it is the new shiny.
My video kit goes into a back pack so I can take a stills shoulder or heavy kit bag as well.
The big Neewer backpack I bought for sports has turned out to be oversized, so it has become my video kit bag and in a way my kit limiter. If it does not fit in here (unless lighting or stands etc), then it is not needed. It only just fits!
In the bag above are the 4 semi hard XCD brand cases, which have been invaluable. The camera fits minus monitor, but with all other rig attachments on. There are 3 prime lenses (17, 25 old, 45) and 3/5/7/10 stop ND filters for my 12-40 only (the primes are for low light or alternative looks).
The 2 smaller cases on the right go in the large outside pocket along with any other bits that fit.
Each case serves a task, so I can grab just what I need.
Clockwise from top left;
The Zoom H1n, Boya LAV and shotgun, Neewer shotgun, 10/3/1’ cables, shock mounts, mini phones, dead animals (various) and batteries etc.
Zoom H5 with XY and SSH-6 mics, dead cat, XLR to H1n cable, mounts batteries etc.
The Feelworld 759 7” monitor and mounts, hood, cables, batteries and counter weight.
The OSMO Pocket, various brackets, waterproof cover and 10’ phone connection cable. There is more to come here including a full body go-pro mount case.
The back pocket bags and XLR cables.
The top 2 small cases (originally for a game console), seen in the first image, hold my 2 Lewitt 040 match condenser mics and 176 LED light. Both are optional as one is my pointy end for sound solutions, the other a nice background light (or desperation measure). These fit with a third full case of tools etc in the back pocket of the backpack. A laptop and hard drive can also fit there, but will rarely be taken.
The cables go in my kit bag with light panels, stands etc, but are relevant to the Lewitts so I added them here. The cables are only needed with the H5 and Lewitts or other mics, so full on stuff.
The phones fit in as needed. I am happy I have good “cans”, but to be honest, the little sound blocking corded ones I started with are pretty good, so I will likely leave these for H5 and Lewitt use.
Not shown, because it varies and is a bit boring to shoot are the two LED panels (Neewer 660 bi-colour and 480 rgb), the stands I may need, tripod, slider and the boom pole and bracket.