In this video, USAF TSgt. AJ Lee, Bennie Davis and Andrew Breese unbox a camera kit. They provide important functions and features of the common components of a camera kit:
- Camera Bodies: DSLR, Mirrorless, Cinema Camera
- Lenses: Wide (ex. 16-35mm), Standard (ex. 24-70), Telephoto (ex. 70-200)
- Camera Flash
- Camera Accessories: Lens Filters (UV, ND, Polarizer), Lens Adapter, Color Checker Passport
Bennie Davis, photography expert from Airman Magazine, and Andrew Breese, videography expert from Airman Magazine, give an overview of what they typically carry in their camera bag. The experts share the following tips, tricks and best practices.
- Think about what camera gear you’ll need for the situations you’ll encounter in the field.
- Use a mirrorless camera when shooting in low light situations or when you need a lightweight camera.
- Change the mirrorless camera lens in a controlled environment to avoid getting the sensor dirty.
- Know the pros and cons of both DSLR and mirrorless cameras to determine which one to use.
- Use off-camera flash for a better sense of control.
- Learn your gear. Get familiar with your equipment by using it as much as possible before going out into the field.
- Set up a primary bag with a full range of gear for any situation, and a grab-and-go bag to be light and nimble for run-and-gun situations.
- Consider whether you need 10-bit vs. 8-bit color for post-production.
- Use a mirrorless camera to take advantage of in-body stabilization and autofocus.
- Use a cinema camera when you need unlimited audio recording at a live event or ceremony.
- Use a DSLR camera in rugged situations or when you need more lens choices.
- If you are using a gimble, choose your camera based on the size and payload.
- Choose a workhorse lens that provides diversity.
- Record a backup audio recording whenever possible to prevent a single point of failure.
- Bring a wired microphone in addition to wireless microphones as a backup option.
- A UV filter can be used as a precaution to protect your lens.
- Use a UV filter to cut haze out in the field.
- Always have a UV filter on your camera, then stack other filters on top as needed.
- Use an ND filter to cut light so you can shoot at slower shutter speeds in the middle of the day.
- Use a variable ND filter to give you the most flexibility with changing light conditions.
- Use a circular polarizer to reduce glare when shooting through glass.
- Use adapters to modify your camera setup across manufacture platforms.
- Use a color-checker passport when using multiple cameras that are different makes and/or models on a shoot to sync up colors in post-production.