6 Pieces of Filmmaking Gear That Will Last FOREVER

Рет қаралды 20,751

Күн бұрын

We all want to spend our money on filmmaking gear that’s actually going to last - and the 6 pieces on this list will do exactly that. Everything has been in my kit for longer than 5 years and comes with me on every single shoot, making this stuff some of the best value gear investments I’ve ever made.
#filmmaking #gear #tough
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📘*LIFE-CHANGING ADVICE FOR FILMMAKERS (FREE 70-PAGE EBOOK)*📘: tinyurl.com/ax9c3kkf
📽 *A FILMMAKER’S GUIDE TO LONG TERM CAREER PLANNING (FREE 5 DAY CHALLENGE)*📽: bit.ly/40ZS9GC
📖 THE DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKER’S NETWORKING GUIDE (FREE DOWNLOAD) 📖: bit.ly/3VIA7Vm
📝✅ ESSENTIAL GEAR PACKING CHECKLIST (FREE DOWNLOAD) ✅📝: tinyurl.com/ycknfa7j
🗞 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER: FILMMAKING TIPS, GEAR, AND CREATIVE LIVING 🗞: bit.ly/3imiDAj
🤘 WHERE I GET MUSIC FOR MY VIDEOS (Luc70 for 70% off!!!) 🤘: audiio.com/lucforsyth
🔗 LINKS FROM THIS VIDEO
Flowtech tripod: bhpho.to/3WoHIfy
Pelican Cases: bhpho.to/3Wkvy7F
Sennheiser G series lav mics: bhpho.to/3w9aKp3
Sennheiser 416: bhpho.to/3wiGfwR
Fujinon MK Lenses: bhpho.to/4a2ovUi
Westcott Flex Panels: bhpho.to/49YgzDD
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - How I choose gear
2:16 - First piece, had this for 10 years now
4:14 - Second piece, also from the audio department
5:36 - Third piece, from the lighting department
7:49 - Fourth piece, to carry your gear safely
10:07 - Fifth piece, the best lens I’ve owned so far
12:54 - Sixth piece, this one got shot and kept working
🎥 🔥 📷 GEAR I USE
MY ACAM: amzn.to/3CsrOoy
MY KZfaq CAM: amzn.to/3TcW12m
BEST DOC TRIPOD IN THE WORLD: bhpho.to/3VD3Gsn
MY FAVORITE CAMERA BACKPACK: bit.ly/3yTAJPh
EXPEDITION BACKPACK: bit.ly/3MEkco2
KZfaq LENS: amzn.to/3CuSl4x
PRIME LENSES: amzn.to/3CuVrWk
CURRENT DRONE: amzn.to/3VUUiQk
KEY LIGHT: amzn.to/3MzpsJn
SHOTGUN MIC: amzn.to/3hVwVnL
COMPUTER: amzn.to/3HXNwlE
CRAZY GOOD POWER BANK FOR FILMMAKERS: www.omnicharge.co/luc
Some of the above are affiliate links, but all are personally vetted and recommended
✋ SAY HI
Email: luc@lucforsyth.com
Web: www.lucforsyth.com
IG: @lucforsyth (BTS content, but I’m TERRIBLE at DMs - sorry!)

Пікірлер: 100

@kaszrack2859 Ай бұрын

As a 20 year old aspiring cinematographer, I've been learning more from this channel than from any of the work experience I've done before, the amount of videos I've watched in the past few days is astounding, its also exciting to see what the future could hold for someone who is determined enough to make it in this industry.

@theowlfromduolingo7982 Ай бұрын

Yes I love this more realistic mindset that focuses more on skills and experience and not on flashy new gear

@wintorz01 Ай бұрын

I literally recommend this channel to all of our film students (and, to a lesser extent, our journalism students)

@kaszrack2859 Ай бұрын

@@theowlfromduolingo7982exactly, after going out and working gear becomes old real quick, hearing experience and tips has really helped, gear videos are always helpful but you do need to be careful who you listen to, I value Lucs opinion for sure though.

@kaszrack2859 Ай бұрын

@@wintorz01funny thing is I’m also a university student and as I do think I’ve learnt a good amount and had some valuable experience and made good connections here, watching KZfaq videos like these from professionals has helped a bunch especially with technical stuff, my uni atleast is more theory based.

@wintorz01 Ай бұрын

@@kaszrack2859 I work at a more theory based Uni too. Its probably 60-40 in favour of theory (though even the practical modules are also kinda 50-50 theory to practice). I don't wanna say a degree has no value, because they do, and in ways that are less tangible. But I guarantee I never got a job off the back of the theory. Including the job I have at the university. 😅Continue to make the most of your time by self-learning on top of your University modules, and make the most of your time to get hands-on practice.

@VlogCity Ай бұрын

I'm with ya: if the gear can't take a beating, I don't want it. Many times you need mobility and speed for a shot

@mattknight533 Ай бұрын

UK TV Shooting Director here....so glad to see the classics we use over here being mentioned, the flowtech, the G3 getting some love. But most of all the fujinons. Great, great lenses.

@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker Ай бұрын

The 416 is an amazing microphone. I did eventually upgrade from my T powered one to 48V but not until it was around 40 years old and still working perfectly. I in fact had it serviced before selling it and nothing had to be done. That microphone had been used all around the world and in temperatures above 50 degrees in the deserts of the UAE and never let me down.

@SevenPhotonsFilms Ай бұрын

Thank you! The value of this video is huge: this dissipates a lot of doubts I've had about deciding the order of priorities in my next equipment update (hopefully 2025/26). Of course we can get many advises out there, but your unique rough environment experience gives top notch confidence.

@chris20002000 Ай бұрын

+1 for the Sachtler. Used mine for the last five years on shoots all over the world. Used it down to -35c, dragged it up and down cliffs many times, covered it in salt water etc and it still works perfectly! I don't know what I'd do without it at this point...

@billem16 Ай бұрын

Luc i love your videos. I am a way smaller filmmaker (half of my work is weddings and half is corporate/client stuff), but I love all your videos and am always learning from you. You stand WAY out from the pack because you aren't forcing new junk down our throats, you're true and pure about gear and no BS and that's why we love your stuff, please continue to be like this! You're like a needle in a haystack on YT. Oh and I do have the Sennheiser G4 kit, i like it a lot, although I do battle occasional weird frequency pops and *kshkhkkksh* noises mid-interview, and I want to get better at hiding the mic under clothing while avoiding clothing rustle noise, other than that, they are great!

@dr.gregoryf.maassen2637 Ай бұрын

Good list. We should not forget to mention that we need the equipment on location twice (other than the cases and tripods), as redundancy is critically important. This includes cables (we had a mini XLR cable suddenly failing), microphones, data retention (hard drives fail all the time), lights and cameras (one Canon C70 had to be serviced after failing, and we continued to film as we had a second C70 on set). We film with two Sennheiser lavaliers patched to each individual and have two shotguns attached to each camera. Call us crazy, but we never had to cancel a shoot because of equipment failure and we never had lousy audio (as even Sennheisers can disconnect once in a while arbitrarily as they run out of battery or other human failures - like not pressing the record button on the field recorder). Planning for redundancy reduces costs eventually, as planning a new shoot because of equipment failure can be very expensive (talent, hotels, travel, lost opportunities etc. etc. etc., etc.).

@elmoking95 Ай бұрын

Never considered double lav. Great idea, thank you for sharing!

@Nisharigan Ай бұрын

I can't thank you enough! This video is a game-changer for me. It resolved all the confusion I had about how to prioritize my next equipment upgrades. Your guidance is spot on!

@PALALALALALALA Ай бұрын

Real advices, real experience, real pro ! Thanks for sharing you knowledge Luc !

@wildlifephotogmedia Ай бұрын

Appreciate the insight!

@mattwruff Ай бұрын

People who don't have the Fujinon MK can't appreciate the MK's! I got the Sachtler flowtech during last Black Friday when B&H had then $500 off. the 416 (outdoors) and MKH50 (indoors) are my go to shotgun mic but the new DPA 2017 is worth a serious look! The one thing I would add to the list is iFootage Spider Crabs. They are simply the BEST!

@AkaBull Ай бұрын

Another awesome video Luc 🎉

@peterfritzphoto Ай бұрын

This was excellent. Thanks, Luc.

@alexgeifman Ай бұрын

This video is pure value. Thanks Luc.

@josephfriedman614 Ай бұрын

Love your videos. I've been shooting for over 50 years and I find what you say so informative. You have carved out a piece of the cinematography world that no one seems to have occupied.

@fossmountainfilm Ай бұрын

Couldn't agree with you more, Luc. Several years ago, to finish a short doc, I bought the Sennheiser 416 mic and love it. This mic will last me a long time. Also, recently bought the cheapest Sachtler flowtech 75 legs and a head. That tripod is solid and I imagine it will be with me for many years. Buy nice or buy twice.

@nickdelatorre1280 Ай бұрын

Spot on about the G3’s, even the one I bought used still holds up

@raydurlok6824 Ай бұрын

Amazing video, thank you!

@westdoc Ай бұрын

Great Ep! You are correct on all that gear.

@travelbagphotography Ай бұрын

Great video... again! Thank you so much. Ever used the Canadian-made Nanuk cases?

@markmadnessmedia Ай бұрын

You get what you pay for! Thanks for your informative and concise videos. I just discovered your channel and after watching only 2 videos I subscribed!

@chipcurry Ай бұрын

Super video! I have my favorites, but I have a video shoot this week and I was looking for ways to leave my 10 pound Schactler tripod behind and pick up one of those “travel tripods“ but one realization I came to was that you just can’t go too light. There are so many videos out there about videographers doing weddings successfully with very light gear. It is tempting!. it’s nice to see a professional talking about handling difficult shoots, and believe me I know what you mean when you say you don’t wanna have to baby everything. thanks for a heavyweight video.

@briano6115 Ай бұрын

Great point Luc. It is not about the hottest or the latest and if anyone runs that path are in for some serious disappointments. Road tested, long term usage, survivability, regardless of the price is much more important. Good job here and you could be the first person to ever point that out. Cheers mate.

@MindfulGrinds Ай бұрын

There is clearly a difference between a field filmmaker and one who enjoys lattes in the studio without ever getting dirty.

@thehuskyunicorn Ай бұрын

Thanks, great stuff

@SebastianRVF-ln4jg Ай бұрын

definitely agree and can relate to not babying my own gear xD good to have stuff that lasts

@JJKoester Ай бұрын

It's so funny you mention Senny wireless lavs. I rented a pair for a production and both of them had been worn and torn at the jack and had persistent fuzz. I never even considered buying or renting them ever again. Maybe I'll give them another go.

@ThePandaPhotographer Ай бұрын

I'd like that, " I'm the captain now " 13:36

@DotsOnYTLive Ай бұрын

I see Luke, I click. Always great learning from your experience.

@brad_in_yyc Ай бұрын

I totally agree with how disposable our world has become and I'm also not cool with it. Great tips Luc.

@habocky Ай бұрын

I knew the tripod is going to be one of it :D you are in love with that tripod :D

@redwoodsedits1611 Ай бұрын

Found my 416 for £300 and have never looked back! Amazing mic!

@og975 Ай бұрын

Awesome video, I broke the power button on my old 9-year-old Zoom H4N recorder yesterday doing a shoot. Now I'm trying to figure out if should I fix it or finally put it to rest 🙂

@DroseMr Ай бұрын

Nice Thank You

@KennethBenjaminReed Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing, Luc! I own almost all of these, as well. For those balking at prices, these are also very much worth looking for in the used/rental-clearance markets. Quick question: What's that modular insert system you're using in the larger Pelican case?

@NeilEvery Ай бұрын

Loved my Sennheiser G3 kit. Sold it a couple of years ago when the legal frequency rules changed and mine were no longer legal. Lucky this wasn't a problem for you. Since then I've been using the Sennheiser AVX kit. I also have the MKE 600 mic. Great video btw, though I mostly shoot in less extreme environments than you, I agree it's better to pay extra for something that can take a beating. I come from 8yrs as an AC on film sets using 35mm Arris and Panavision camera where every piece of gear was built like a tank and when I shifted to DSLR and digital cine cameras and went freelance I was shocked at how flimsy a lot of the gear was, even gear touted as being best in class.

@AnandaGarden Ай бұрын

In the film days small high-end cameras like Nikon F4 were much tougher, as were mid-range models. With mirrorless where they're essentially a circuit board and a bit of mech they feel much less solid and trustworthy. Twenty years from now I'm guessing there will still be lots of Nikon F1s that are working, and a much lower ratio of Canon R6s and such. Creeping crappity-ness.

@chrisw443 Ай бұрын

In 10 years we are gonna look like dinosaurs manually focusing our lenses luc. hehehehe.

@LycanVisuals Ай бұрын

The G4, Tripod, 416, and MKE 600 are all on my wishlist lol. Buy nice or buy twice lol

@varianography Ай бұрын

I’ll never forget the first time I used Sachtler Flowtech tripod legs for the first time.

@SirSeabass Ай бұрын

Holy crap. That's so freaking metal. I had a tripod I looked at wrong last week and one of the legs fell off.

@qvisionmedia7195 Ай бұрын

I love the g3's they are my go to every time!

@Jonathana0608 Ай бұрын

Umm….. so you gonna brush over the fact that you got shot at? That needs to be a video…. Story time!

@gordonarmour4048 Ай бұрын

Watch his tripod video

@LOMISFILM Ай бұрын

Wasn't expecting a PT Cruiser reference today. Nice.

@martinellic Ай бұрын

Maybe I missed it but, I have that same tripod and it’s MONEY. It’s travelled with me everywhere. It’s light, reliable AND smooth. Can’t ask for more. My kit is heavy. FX9, sometimes 70-200 plus thick gold mount and this tripod holds up. Definitely worth the money. Oh, did I mention it’s light? First thing in my case when I travel besides the camera

@who2999 Ай бұрын

We have some G4's at work... I will say they have not held up nearly as well as your experience with the g4's. If you're comfy opening them up and soldering stuff back together you can keep them running but they've taken some work to keep them going. Could be our department just got unlucky... five or six times... I can't vouch personally for everyone else's sets but I know the two in my kit have been babied and well cared for and still both had broken antennae and battery springs. I will say they are sturdier than our equivalent sony mics we moved over from.

@terryhope2074 Ай бұрын

Loved my G series packs, but in Australia the government re-stacked broadcast frequencies - making a fortune in the process - and they were no longer legal. No compensation for my thousands of dollar investment that became a series of paperweights. Figured that after years of use they were written off and ended up sending them to a friend in Thailand who was teaching young documentary film makers. Great video as usual and yes I love my MK zoom too.

@ThomasCristofoletti Ай бұрын

I would def check the Deity Theos.. amazing pieces of lavs

@ETFootprints Ай бұрын

There have been many cases Pelican refuses warranty because it only covers manufacturing defect. Read the fine print, their warranty policy sucks. I love my Peli but my next choice will be Nanuk. I read they replace broken cases, no question asked.

@kalannash Ай бұрын

I’ll second your comments on Sennheiser mics. I own two sets of G3s including the plug on transmitter. They just work & I don’t have to baby them. (I did upgrade the lavs to Countrynan B3s.) While not in the same league as the 416, I own the ME 64, 65, 66 & 67 and a pair of K6 powering modules. Gives me a lot of options and meet my most of my needs for nat sound, run and gun interviews and range. Supplemented by a pair of EV RE50Bs which are as abuse tolerant as anything, I’m covered.

@jamesandcamera Ай бұрын

I have owned or rented all of the gear on this list as my go-to kit for the better part of my career and can 100% confirm that it is all super tough. I wish I could own a 100mm flowtech but unfortunately my more affordable brand 100mm tripod just wont die either.

@Edwin-- Ай бұрын

I really like the Miller Solo Q tripod and Compass CX fluid heads as well. Definitely in the same league as the Sachtler tripods and heads when it comes to durability. The Sachtler Flowtech tripod is nicer to operate, but I like Miller's Compass CX fluid head better than the Sachtlers, for their adjustability of the counter balance and even better smoothness. They are a joy to use. I also really like some of the older gear from Sound Devices, like the USBPre 2 audio interface, and the MM-1 mic Pre Amp. They sound great, are built absolutely bomb proof, and both last me over 10 years and seem to be able to last years and years more. Also great purchases.

@bodanielz313 Ай бұрын

Bullet scars on the expensive tripod puts you in another league my guy. The Indiana Jones of filmmaking lol

@chrisw443 Ай бұрын

Buddy, hiking 4 miles with a tripod, slapping it down and immediately shooting with it, is INVALUABLE. At my last job I used a manfrotto they were throwing away and it outlasted the crappy new ones they bought. lol. PRO TIP, the schatler speed lock tripods are very close to the new flowtech ones and help your back with the one lock per leg. But theyre gonna be beaten, which, doesnt matter. However they are only like 800 to 1500 bucks used.

@dertythegrower Ай бұрын

So, ironically i studied the diodes on that led flex light... you can get a common LED grow light using similar Samsung Lm30B1 or lm301H diodes, for 40 bucks.. same size and durability, my friends... spiderfarmer or marshydro has them 10x lower cost but not flexible. Can easily be powered by a small usb battery setup. They are not flexible, but super thin and small for a 2x2 closet.

@dertythegrower Ай бұрын

lm301b, sorry yt app freezes constantly to see and scan words before sending...

@nouhadmelki Ай бұрын

Would you do a video on how you sync your Sennheiser G3 audio with your footage? Thanks.

@FJRudman Ай бұрын

Man, so true about tripods. I got my first pro tripod second hand when I started 11 years ago for 500 NZD - it was a Manfrotto and is still one of the best tripods I’ve used. Would still be using it today if it wasn’t stolen 3-4 years back… now I own the worst tripod I’ve ever used, also a Manfrotto 😂😂

@PBentz28 Ай бұрын

I’m shocked that the wescott lights make this list. I have experience with everything on this list and our wescotts broke multiple times without subjecting them to anything close to the stuff you put them through. I wonder if different generations or manufacturing years are to blame or something else. Always love your perspective!

@dertythegrower Ай бұрын

highly overpriced Samsung (or cheaper than samsung diodes) LED growlight.. they are 9x less cost by many makers, fyi... should be 50 tops for that, heh. i have deaigned led lights from hongkong for aomost 10 years as a commercial grower and educator here for led lights.. lm301b and meanwell power driver(marshydro or spiderfarmer are two brands to choose with warranty and english support)

@Sgyozo Ай бұрын

There are a lot of Sennheiser G2, G3 for sale but for a reason, bands C, D, E can't be used anymore in Europe legally, and as GSM networks use a lot of frequencies there it's not recommended to buy them anymore. Maybe they work sometimes, but it's not fun if you figure out at home that there was a strange clicking noise or interference the whole time. Pretty annoying if your $500 set becomes unusable after a few years because of new regulations. And sennheiser is an ass basically, they only offered some discount to buy a new set. So, before you buy anything make sure that the frequency range is usable for you.

@tomguder Ай бұрын

Hello from Leipzig! Thank you. "cinematic"-music--filmer here.

@josephfriedman614 25 күн бұрын

What are those small what look like 5"x5" lights that in another video you used Gorilla putty to mount under a shelf?

@timdanyo898 Ай бұрын

Curious if there is a cheaper, but just a durable 1x1 LED like the Westcot? Could be a cool review topic?

@ThePandaPhotographer Ай бұрын

Damn right! I don't have funds like that 14:54

@Jasondeheus Ай бұрын

I’m so hard on my gear, I take care of it but I’m hard on it. I’m still rocking the G3’s (2 pair) and my H4 died a couple years back after dropping a few times down a mountain side but had that for a while. I have the H6.

@johnclay7644 Ай бұрын

informative video thanks Luc.

@LiamMarskog Ай бұрын

Older Sennheiser packs are amazing but be aware that in some countries the radio frequency they run on makes them illegal and the fines for running stuff on illegal frequencies are quite steep. Major bummer as they still work absolutely perfectly.

@davebear6312 Ай бұрын

What kind of drone you use? Do you have your part 107?

@JeremyBotz Ай бұрын

Luc!? You been watching my B&H surfing? After 6 blown out cheap to Mid tripods, I'm so sick of trying to save a buck, yet spending 20mins a scene setting up angles. Flowtech has been in my cart since I got the Hollyland TX/RX. Saving up for it next, thanks for the video as always.

@poti732 Ай бұрын

I would say buy it without the head. Iv used plenty of REALLY good fluid heads , my current one took all the beating over the years and its half of the price as the flowrech head

@dertythegrower Ай бұрын

'Derty thumbs up' indeed 😅

@David_Quinn_Photography Ай бұрын

Sennheiser makes amazing audio equipment, I use their headset, USB desktop mic ad want to get their shotgun mic for video that I am looking to get into.

@thegadgetdude Ай бұрын

"when my crew got shot at" erm storytime? 😅

@filipmichalsaffray441 Ай бұрын

Hi Some mic likeSchoeps CMC 5 and 6 with MK4 last forever...did recording with 1988 models Schoeps in mics is top in pair with DPA and some Sennheiser MKH line...

@WhySteve Ай бұрын

I once worked a wedding and forgot to switch off my camera. When I took it out the bag to start shooting, the battery was dead and the camera body was hot 😅 Also, I gotta get me a robust tripod, but more a $100 tripod, not a $4000 one haha

@Noumenon11 Ай бұрын

I'm the captain now 😂

@unn4medfeel1ng Ай бұрын

It's sad there's no 2.4G lav system powered with AA. Rodes and DJIs are nice, but their battery will inevitably degrade with time. P.S. Oh you've got yourself an X100. Is it for photography or you're shooting video with it?

@videowien Ай бұрын

I own to many peli cases but just yt search peli warranty.. If one ever breaks my hopes are not to high

@menoadil8404 Ай бұрын

Hi I like you're videos

@asaadyt Ай бұрын

should the title be " 6 pieces of filmmaking (gear) "

@johntupper1369 Ай бұрын

No G word in title dog

@asaadyt Ай бұрын

@@johntupper1369 there is a G word in the thumbnail

@asaadyt Ай бұрын

@@johntupper1369 see what is the title now

@ThePandaPhotographer Ай бұрын

Panda approved "also did that"

@ragadrop Ай бұрын

Wait; conoces a Chivo en persona?!?

@CamiloMaster10 Ай бұрын

Dang Luc, banger after banger. You really the king of uploading with quantity and quality.

@loudandclearmedia Ай бұрын

Cool topic. Got me thinking about what those things of mine are, and they are similar to yours. Multi tools, Pelican cases, Sennheiser G4s, C stands, Promediagear tripods, Arca Swiss heads. The rest of the gear comes and goes, but I'm positive those items will outlast me. Even when they get banged up...just gives them more street cred.