Stoked to share with you guys my behind the scenes camera gear, equipment and tips for setting up your kit. Here you'll find exactly what I use to create those images and videos you see on my Instagram and YouTube. Below you'll find my standard kit I bring along on travels when working with businesses and brands. Enjoy and leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Size Doesn't Matter
I truely believe that you don't need to have the biggest or most expensive camera. Some of the creatives I find most inspiring actually have what you'd call a mid-range camera. That is, not a super fancy or massively new camera. In fact, some content I've seen created with top-tier cameras can be quite mediocre. It's not about the gear, but what you create with it.
Main Camera
I've tried Canon and Panasonic, but my personal choice is Sony. I use a Sony A7riii along with 2 full frame lenses: Sony GM 24-70 2.8 and GM 16-35 2.8 (that's lots of skydiving jump tickets!). But it was money well spent due to the sharpness and low light capability of the Riii. It's a camera that can literally see in the dark! No kidding!
Back Up Camera
I also have a Sony A6500 with Sigma Art 30 1.4 which cost me around $3000 AUD. I use this kit as a backup camera or when I want to travel light. The A6500 matches the Sony A7riii in many fields however it's an APSC (smaller sensor). This sigma lens is sharp but it's not full frame and there's also poor distortion and vignetting.
Drone
Dji Phantom 4 Pro, unbeaten so far! Despite it's quite big, the quality and power of this drone is insane. I've had mine for 2 years now and have nothing to say exept that I hope that DJI will release their new Mavic 2 with the technology of the Phantom 4 Pro!
Action Camera
I never leave home without my trusty GoPros. I use a couple of GoPro Hero 6 and more recently a Gopro Fusion for 360 videos. I love the resilience of these cameras. Whether I'm skydiving, surfing, freediving, or filming action shots for clients, I never have to worry about damaging them.
Underwater Housing
I recently invested in an Aqua-Tech housing. Despite my long love for my GoPros, I wanted to enhance my underwater content. I'm using the very latest housing (compatible with the sony A7riii , A7iii and the A9). I'll create a post for this one with a full review later. It's a quite easy housing to set up, and the dome allows for some beautiful 50-50 shots
Stabilizer
I've been using my Dji Ronin MX for 2 years now. It's super powerful and perfectly balances and supports my Sony A7riii with no issue. When I combine this with the Ronin Grip (ring) it allows me I can create the most cinematic shot. Not the most practical for travelling around thought so I recently aquired the new Ronin S for travelling and I must admit, that thing would be perfect if all its functions were compatible with Sony (focus pulling being the main one missing).
Software
For video editing I use Final Cut Pro X and have for 10 years now! It's user-friendly, reliable and fast. The only cons is it's a Mac product only. For photo editing I use Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and After Effects (mostly for 3D tracking and some advanced warp stabilisation).
So there you have it! Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments section below.
Guillaume.