There is definitely a way to buy budget gear. I've bought some budget gear that didn't last, so I ended up buying the more expensive stuff because I knew it would last and it was important. But I've also but some budget items that I still use every shoot. I think the budget gear gets a bad rep because there are a lot of horror stories of things just not working and breaking in a short amount of time. But budget lights like the Amaran 100x or 200x are awesome options for people wanting to do corporate videos, or weddings. Cameras like a Pocket 4K or GH5 are still great options for people who are starting out and figuring out what they want to do, but still be able to make money. I've started to invest a bit more into higher end gear and while it's nice to have an Aputure 600D, I made do for awhile with what I had and I was still getting hired consistently. What people need to do is take the mindset of "budget gear is bad," and change it to, "budget gear, if purchased right, can help you grow until you know what you're doing." Like you said in the video, you don't always know what you need until you're doing it for awhile. Great video!
My experience: Buy consumer grade used -> Feel like I need better/more -> Spend a ton on a pro setup -> become too worried to damage expensive gear -> buy “beater” consumer grade camera for daily use -> connect/enjoy consumer grade gear while “pro” setup sits on shelf -> realize the best camera is the one you use.
Glad you tackled this topic. Definitely threading the needle well 🪡 I think one of my best “cheap” gear purchases was my first interchangeable lens camera, Canon 5D Mark III I bought used for around US$500. When I was just starting out, I had no idea whether I would stick with photography. So I didn’t want to spend $2,000 or even $1,000 on a camera when I might give up the hobby in three months. $500 was an affordable gamble. Luckily for me I stuck with it. I also resist a bit against buying expensive lenses if you’re a beginner. I went for cheaper lenses in a variety of focal lengths to test them out and see which ones I liked. My cheap Canon EF 85mm f1.8 made me fall in love with longer focal lengths, so only after figuring that out did I upgrade to more expensive telephoto lenses. When I was starting out, I thought the 35mm and 50mm would be my favorite focal lengths because so many TH-camrs talked about them. They’re actually my least used focal lengths. Ha ha. So buying a 35mm f1.4 or 50mm f1.2 right away would have been a waste of money for me. Look forward to more of your videos.
Love my used Lumix S5II I was able to purchase second hand at $1300 on ebay. 6K Open Gate the same as the S5IIX. Picked up warranty to using Upsie, offers second hand product warranty.
Very sound advise. What gets the job done gets the job done. Stay in your budget and push your skills to squeeze all the good out of the gear you can afford.
I think lighting is something worth going the budget route on. Especially when you don't know what you need! My Lumecube panels suck compared to my aperture 60d and they were about the same price.
I think this is a problem that can be solved with research. Look into what people say about brands and products. Some of these things are clearly not durable or way overpriced. You can get away with fairly cheap lighting and tripods if they fit into your workflow well. It’s harder to get away with a cheap editing pc or cheap glass. I spend a lot of money on primary gear (camera body, lens, SD Cards, pc) and I save on everything else (tripod, bags, lighting, etc). But even when I save money, I look for reputable brands. Because the real secret is, that cheap brands often make good gear. Neweer for example.
I feel most photographers and videographers just want the newest toy. And there are times when its really worth buying the newest toy if it makes your job better. But I've seen so many videos this camera is amazing. 99% of the time clients can't tell something filmed on a Micro Four Thirds camera to even a Arri Alexa when they are film silly small productions. Even if you have a sky that is blown out the owner of the store that hired you to shoot their gym for a ad won't even care.
In the beginning I made ALL the aforementioned stupid mistakes causing me to think: only gear companies are making any money in the photography space! Softboxes: I wish I had gone with Westcott as the popular budget brand is breaking too often. Strobes: I wish I had gone with pro-level lights because the popular budget brand is not durable and needs to be used with care; but sh*t happens and even though they are affordable, replacing them soon gets pricey, especially here in Canada as we devolve into a third world nation.
I don't like the lighting on your face. I can't see your eye properly and that somehow creates a disconnect! I'm new to your channel, so this was a immediate let-down
There is definitely a way to buy budget gear. I've bought some budget gear that didn't last, so I ended up buying the more expensive stuff because I knew it would last and it was important. But I've also but some budget items that I still use every shoot. I think the budget gear gets a bad rep because there are a lot of horror stories of things just not working and breaking in a short amount of time. But budget lights like the Amaran 100x or 200x are awesome options for people wanting to do corporate videos, or weddings. Cameras like a Pocket 4K or GH5 are still great options for people who are starting out and figuring out what they want to do, but still be able to make money.
I've started to invest a bit more into higher end gear and while it's nice to have an Aputure 600D, I made do for awhile with what I had and I was still getting hired consistently. What people need to do is take the mindset of "budget gear is bad," and change it to, "budget gear, if purchased right, can help you grow until you know what you're doing." Like you said in the video, you don't always know what you need until you're doing it for awhile.
Great video!
Totally agree dude! And thanks for watching! I love your stuff :)
@Christellezphoto well I subbed so I'll be watching more! Are you also on Instagram?
My experience: Buy consumer grade used -> Feel like I need better/more -> Spend a ton on a pro setup -> become too worried to damage expensive gear -> buy “beater” consumer grade camera for daily use -> connect/enjoy consumer grade gear while “pro” setup sits on shelf -> realize the best camera is the one you use.
This is why I take out my Sony zv1f out more than my a7siii :')
Glad you tackled this topic. Definitely threading the needle well 🪡
I think one of my best “cheap” gear purchases was my first interchangeable lens camera, Canon 5D Mark III I bought used for around US$500.
When I was just starting out, I had no idea whether I would stick with photography. So I didn’t want to spend $2,000 or even $1,000 on a camera when I might give up the hobby in three months. $500 was an affordable gamble. Luckily for me I stuck with it.
I also resist a bit against buying expensive lenses if you’re a beginner. I went for cheaper lenses in a variety of focal lengths to test them out and see which ones I liked.
My cheap Canon EF 85mm f1.8 made me fall in love with longer focal lengths, so only after figuring that out did I upgrade to more expensive telephoto lenses.
When I was starting out, I thought the 35mm and 50mm would be my favorite focal lengths because so many TH-camrs talked about them. They’re actually my least used focal lengths. Ha ha. So buying a 35mm f1.4 or 50mm f1.2 right away would have been a waste of money for me.
Look forward to more of your videos.
That’s awesome and I totally agree. When you’re new you just don’t know what you need! Experimentation and learning for the win!
love the lighting & background on this one.
Thank you! I really should have used some fill though 😅
Used the Matte box once for a client. Purchased a $75 matte box.
Exactly this. Shame it isn't said more in youtube videos.
Love my used Lumix S5II I was able to purchase second hand at $1300 on ebay. 6K Open Gate the same as the S5IIX. Picked up warranty to using Upsie, offers second hand product warranty.
Very nice! I didn’t realize you could do open gate with the S5II!
Very sound advise. What gets the job done gets the job done. Stay in your budget and push your skills to squeeze all the good out of the gear you can afford.
I love you holding the mic. I think it's a great look.
I think lighting is something worth going the budget route on. Especially when you don't know what you need! My Lumecube panels suck compared to my aperture 60d and they were about the same price.
Some great and genuinely useful advise, thanks Chris.
I shoot most of my portrait work on a 28mm f2.8 and 55mm f3.5 lens. You don’t need fast glass.
Most beginners love DoF. It's probably the first thing they learn that makes them think they look professional.
I think this is a problem that can be solved with research.
Look into what people say about brands and products. Some of these things are clearly not durable or way overpriced.
You can get away with fairly cheap lighting and tripods if they fit into your workflow well.
It’s harder to get away with a cheap editing pc or cheap glass.
I spend a lot of money on primary gear (camera body, lens, SD Cards, pc) and I save on everything else (tripod, bags, lighting, etc). But even when I save money, I look for reputable brands. Because the real secret is, that cheap brands often make good gear. Neweer for example.
I feel most photographers and videographers just want the newest toy. And there are times when its really worth buying the newest toy if it makes your job better. But I've seen so many videos this camera is amazing. 99% of the time clients can't tell something filmed on a Micro Four Thirds camera to even a Arri Alexa when they are film silly small productions. Even if you have a sky that is blown out the owner of the store that hired you to shoot their gym for a ad won't even care.
In the beginning I made ALL the aforementioned stupid mistakes causing me to think: only gear companies are making any money in the photography space! Softboxes: I wish I had gone with Westcott as the popular budget brand is breaking too often. Strobes: I wish I had gone with pro-level lights because the popular budget brand is not durable and needs to be used with care; but sh*t happens and even though they are affordable, replacing them soon gets pricey, especially here in Canada as we devolve into a third world nation.
I don't like the lighting on your face.
I can't see your eye properly and that somehow creates a disconnect!
I'm new to your channel, so this was a immediate let-down