Whether you’re filming an epic race or just want to immortalize your best friend’s birthday party, it’s easier than ever these days to create great video content with your smartphone, and additional technology and accessories don’t have to cost the earth. But to get such a professional, high-quality video, it will be necessary to use more than just a phone camera. Here is your list for the essential pieces of equipment that can significantly enhance your video production.
1. Smartphone Gimbal
It is a requirement to shoot stable videos especially for professionals and this is where a smartphone gimbal stabilizer comes in. It works against the motion of your hand, allowing you to maintain perfect stillness in a moving scene. Some of the most recommended mobile gimbals include DJI Osmo Mobile and the Zhiyun Smooth series. These devices provide different options like the follow mode and pan mode which make the videos interesting and steady.
2. External Microphone
Audio is just as important as the video and this is so because it enables users to have a feel of what is being said and going on in the other end of the room or at a further distance. Unfortunately, most built-in Microphones in smartphones are not optimal for professional audio. Using an external microphone is very helpful in enhancing audio clarity, you can use lavalier (lapel) mic, shotgun mic, or wireless mic system. Nevertheless, there are a lot of good brands available in the market such as Rode, Shure, and Sennheiser which support smart devices.
3. Lighting Kit
Lighting can help make a huge difference when it comes to video. Natural light is good but it is not always present and can not be easily manipulated. Purchasing a battery-operated light source like LED panels or ring lights can assist in lighting your subject uniformly and eradicate stark shadows.
4. Tripod
A good tripod is obligatory while shooting, especially when making time-lapse, and in cases when your arms get tired. To choose the appropriate tripod, pay attention to the smartphone holder, height regulation and, of course, stability.
5. Lenses
Smartphone camera technology has advanced a lot, but extra lenses can help open up even more creative options. Lenses such as wide-angle, macro, and telephoto lenses can be connected to the phone to get the intended shot. Moment and Olloclip are two famous brands that offer good-quality lenses that can easily be attached to multiple smartphones.
6. Portable Power Bank
Shooting a video on a smartphone depletes the battery very quickly, not to mention any extra gear such as microphones or lights. A high-capacity portable power bank means you will not be out of charge while on a shoot or recording a live stream.
7. Editing Apps
It is important to understand that post-production is a critical stage of creating your video content. While not a physical piece of equipment, powerful editing apps like Adobe Premiere Rush, LumaFusion, and FilmoraGo can turn raw footage into a professional video. The available editing tools, effects, and export options in these apps are designed with mobile devices in mind.
8. Smartphone Rig
A Smartphone rig is a more stable and comfortable way to hold the phone while filming. It also provides space for putting accessories such as microphones, lamps and extra handles. There companies such as Ulanzi and Beastgrip produce shoulder rigs which can be helpful in improving your filming experience as well as giving your setup a more professional look.
9. ND Filters
ND filters are very important when it comes to exposure control in a brightly lit environment. They function in such a way that they decrease the amount of light that gets to the camera lens making it possible to use slow shutter speed and large aperture on a bright day. ND filters from Moment or PolarPro can be attached to the smartphone lens so that you can control the exposure of your videos and their motion blur.
10. Green Screen
For anyone who wants to build interesting backgrounds or apply some sets of effects, the green screen is an essential piece of equipment. One of its features is the ability to change the background of your video to any picture or video while editing.
11. Memory Cards
It is essential to have enough storage space because it is easy to exhaust the space during the shoot. The necessary components include high-capacity high-speed memory cards such as SanDisk or Samsung. They allow you to store big video files and easily copy them to your computer for further editing. Select models with a high write speed to support 4K video shooting and other intensive operations.
12. Peak Design Tripod
First of all, the Peak Design Tripod deserves special attention because it is compact, lightweight, and incredibly stable, which makes it suitable for traveling and daily use. This tripod mechanism can be easily folded into a very small size yet it is not short or wobbly. It works with different types of mounts such as a smartphone mount, so you can use it for different shooting positions. One of the most appealing features of the Brio 4K is the ability to set it up and take it down in a matter of minutes.
Conclusion
Your smartphone can be turned into a professional video
shooting tool if used with proper hardware. This way, buying these items will
not only enhance the technical quality of your videos, but will also allow
you more creative freedom and versatility. From keeping the camera steady
through a gimbal to achieving good sound with an external mic, every piece of
gear is essential to making the production a success. Vloggers, filmmakers, and
content creators can find these tools useful and up their mobile videography
game to an entirely new level.
