The best wedding videographers are always looking at ways of improving their skills. They never rest on their laurels regardless of the success they have enjoyed over the years. Many of them go through new training to advance and update their skills. Similarly, it’s common to find them investing in better gear. In this regard, they would never hesitate to buy the best wedding videographer equipment.
With such tools in tow, nothing would stand in the way of a videographer who wants to deliver quality work to clients. This article reviews the best wedding videographer gear. Why is the equipment necessary? For starters, videographers can’t rely on the word they give to clients alone. They need other tools to display their experience and skills. Bad and unsuitable paraphernalia only leads to more disappointment.
Below are the best equipment for wedding videographers.
1) Canon EOS C100 Camera
Intro
One of the most crucial pieces of equipment to all videographers is a quality camera. Good news is these professionals have tons of options where cameras are concerned. Canon EOS C100 is one of the essential cameras that any videographer should include in the list of necessary wedding equipment. The camera is an all-rounder. That means you can use it for taking photos and recording videos of the highest quality.
More importantly, it’s worth mentioning that Canon EOS C100 is capable of continuous, uninterrupted recording. For this reason, you can set it up on a tripod on the best spot to capture videos that will leave clients mesmerized. While many photo-based cameras are limited to capturing 30-minute action, Canon EOS C100 insures you more extended coverage than that. What is more, its rugged appearance means you don’t have to worry about rough use.
Pros
- Wonderful quality of images
- Excellent compatibility with Canon EF lenses
- Audio connectivity is of the highest professional grade
- Super performance in low light surroundings
- Magnificent handling
- Needs fewer accessories compared to other similar equipment
- Perfect for narrative videography
Cons
- Relatively costly
- Extra attachment required for shoulder use
- Lacks high-speed shooting
2) Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lenses
Intro
Of what use is a camera without the right lenses? In this regard, you will not be left scratching your head in disappointment upon buying and adding these lenses to your videographer equipment. With these lenses, you can shoot the majority of the event without changing to other lenses. Canon made these lenses for people who do plenty of walking around at the wedding venue.
Canon EF 24-70mm is a workhorse. What is more, the fact that it’s compatible with a high-quality camera such as Canon EOS C100 means that you have a piece of equipment that will serve you well from the moment the wedding starts to the end. Therefore, walk around with the camera and lens interviewing people at the wedding, taking wide-angle shots and doing pretty much whatever you like.
Pros
- Brilliant sharpness
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Short focal lengths produce slight color fringing
3) Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100
Intro
Now that you have a camera and the right lens, the next piece of equipment you should focus on getting is a tripod. Here, you have several options to consider but Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 ranks high for the stabilization it gives you. This tripod offers you the best combination of features and price. It has a sturdy build that makes it capable of withstanding heavy use. What is more, it is quite affordable too.
The tripod’s aluminum legs keep the camera steady until you finish recording videos. Those legs help you to continue using your cameras even when the conditions are quite windy and uncomfortable. However, you would need to plan for ample space for transporting it. Carrying it over your shoulders for long distances may not be a good option considering its weight. With this tripod, you will get great value for money.
Pros
- Value for money
- Sturdy and able to withstand heavy use
- Highly versatile
- Anti-shock ring ensures that it doesn’t collapse in case the support mechanism fails
- Adjustable legs
- Supports various types of cameras
Cons
- Heavy and uncomfortable to travel around with
4) DJI OSMO (NA)
Intro
Wedding videography requires the highest quality of photos and videos. DJI OSMO (NA) provides all that quality and more. It is the ideal piece of equipment for capturing 4K videos at 24-25 pixels. What is more, it features excellent technology. For example, you can monitor or control it remotely through Wi-Fi. On top of that, it works well with any smartphone that you wish to use in recording videos or shooting photos.
When you don’t feel like traveling around the wedding venue with your heavy camera or other similarly heavy gear, DJI OSMO (NA) would be the perfect alternative. This handheld equipment gives you the perfectly stable shots that your clients crave. Furthermore, they are just the right size to allow other guests to follow the action without feeling inconvenienced, especially when you stand in front of them.
Pros
- Suitable for pan and roll smoothing
- Captures excellent footage
- Manual camera settings
- Small and compact
- Lightweight thus not capable of hurting your arms
- Compatible with most smartphones
- Allows you to use an external mic
Cons
- Doesn’t work well in poorly lit surroundings
- Exhausts batteries fast
- Its accessories are not cheap
- A smartphone is mandatory
5) RODE Video Mic GO
Intro
The success of wedding videography hinges on the quality of sound too. Without a good sound, the videos you take will not be of much use to clients regardless of their condition. For this reason, you need the best gear for capturing quality sound. In this regard, RODE Video Mic GO would be a welcome addition to your list of videography tools. With this paraphernalia, your clients would be assured crisp, clear sound.
The fact that this audio gear reduces all the unwanted surrounding noise properly means that you should never leave it behind while going to shoot wedding videos. As all videographers know, unwanted sound can be quite disruptive thus preventing clients from listening to or hearing to the most critical words and sounds. With this tool, you will not struggle to isolate your subject from all the frustrating background noise.
Pros
- Small
- Cheap
- Easy to use
- The removable cable comes in handy when something breaks
- It lacks rear pickup
- Delivered with windshield
Cons
- Its low output can make it noisy
- Isn’t compatible with all cameras
- Needs a preamp to make it function better
6) Neewer CN-160 LED Light
Intro
How long will the wedding last? When will the event take place? You need this information to determine the type of lighting gear to carry. Neewer 160 LED Light is the best piece of equipment for this. Furthermore, this gear is not only cheap but also gives you quality light. You should not leave it behind just in case you discover that the wedding will be in a poorly lit venue.
The gear gives you directional light courtesy of the LED bulbs. However, you can arrange the whole thing so that it only focuses on the subject while leaving the background as it is. For best results, though, you should consider buying several of these so that you can set them up at different spots. This way, you can capture everything without having to change anything. Neewer CN-160 LED Light is the perfect and most natural solution for all your wedding lighting needs.
Pros
- Has several color filters
- Comes with an adjustable base
- Has a dimmer dial
- Works well with rechargeable batteries
- Easy to set up and use
Cons
- Battery charger takes too long to charge
7) SanDisk Extreme 128GB CF Memory Card
Intro
Lastly, you need ample storage for the videos you record at the wedding. For this reason, it’s vital to get SanDisk Extreme 128GB Memory Card. The card will prove useful in many ways. For example, it stores all the footage that you recorded. More importantly, it can transfer the same footage to the computer you use for editing videos at reading speeds of 120MB/s. What is more, you can operate it on burst mode without much ado!
This type of CF Card has undergone rigorous testing to determine how safe it is to use in extreme conditions. You would be pleased to note that it passed the examination impressively. More significantly, the CF Card is durable. With this card in your camera, you can shoot wedding videos like a pro. On top of that, its RTV silicone protection secures it against damages from shocks and intense vibration.
Pros
- Easy file storage
- Super-fast
- Highly reliable
- Based on its size, it’s quite cheap
Cons
- Costly CF Cards
Final Thoughts
As demonstrated in this review, you need plenty of topnotch wedding videography equipment. The good news is you will not struggle to find any of the gear reviewed here. Look for them at Amazon.com. Some of the material is cheap while others cost a lot of money. Your decision on what to buy shouldn’t hinge on the cost alone, though. Get what you need! Use this information to make your search for the best tools easier.
