Top cinematographers like Roger Deakins (“O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” “Blade Runner 2049”) and Claudio Miranda (“Life of Pi,” “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”) know that capturing a director’s vision on camera takes more than mastering a language of light, shadow, and movement; it also means having all of the necessary filmmaking equipment.
Wondering what equipment you need to become a cinematographer? Here’s a breakdown of the gear cinematographers need to get started—as well as rough estimates of what each piece costs. That way, you’ll know exactly what kind of budget you should work with when purchasing your pieces.
1. Video camera
Let’s start with the most obvious piece of gear for filmmaking that a cinematographer needs: a camera. Which type of camera you purchase depends on what kind of projects you are looking to shoot (documentary, action, etc.) and where you intend to display your work. For example, online-only tasks have different camera needs than television news. Nowadays, you also have the option to shoot on a smartphone. Oscar-nominated filmmaker and cinematographer Sean Baker shot one of his most acclaimed films, “Tangerine,” entirely on an iPhone (with help from downloaded apps), and upstart creatives are following his lead in increasing numbers.
Cost: The camera’s cost range is the widest on this list; you can get a used iPhone for $100 or less, while the cameras used on big-budget film sets can cost tens of thousands of dollars. There are, however, many options in between; one more sophisticated model, the Canon XA60, can be yours for around $1,600.
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2. Lenses
If you’re just getting started as a cinematographer, you don’t need a ton of lenses, which are the “eye” through which your footage is captured. But having a few at your disposal allows you to significantly vary your shots, which can maximize your breadth of cinematographic impact. Beginners should start with wide-angle, zoom, and macro lenses on hand as part of their filmmaker kit.
Cost: You can pay a lot or a little for various lenses, depending on how high-end you want to go. Basic non-zoom lenses like the Fotasy F1.6 Prime start at around $30, while a premier zoom lens like the Sony FE 70-200mm runs around $2,000.
3. Sound equipment
Recording quality sound is just as important as capturing images—it may even be more important. High-level film sets have a separate audio department and utilize tools like booms (long microphones). But during the self-starting phase of your career, you’ll frequently need to capture sound yourself, and you’ll need the right equipment to do so. The most cost-effective and simple-to-use microphones are lavalier (or “lav”) mics, which adhere to the clothing of the subjects you’re shooting. Another option is a portable recorder, which can be placed directly on the set.
Cost: Decent lav mics like the Movo WMX-1 start at $40; portable recorders like the Zoom H1essential start at around $100.
4. Tripod
While not every film relies on the kind of stable shot a tripod provides, having one in your kit is essential. The tripod, a three-legged stand that stabilizes the camera, allows for longer shooting days, more shot variety, and the ability for you to have your hands free while working. You can either get a basic tripod, which does not move, or a “fluid head” tripod, which allows you to swivel the camera around. Make sure to choose one that is compatible with the weight and size of your camera.
Cost: Quality tripods for video cameras, such as the Sirui SH15, start under $150.
5. Gimbal
A gimbal serves a similar purpose to a tripod in that it stabilizes the camera, with the added benefit of being able to move with you. A gimbal can be attached to your own body, allowing the camera to capture motion much as the human eye can do (as such, gimbals are ideal for shooting action). Crucially, the gimbal stabilizes natural human movements, creating a smooth shot even as the cinematographer is in motion.
Cost: Basic gimbals like the Zhiyun Crane-M2 start at around $200.
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6. Lighting
On a studio or even an indie film set with a bit of a crew budget, there will be someone whose job is lights and lighting. But you want to be a one-person cinematography machine, right? So you’ll need some basic lighting equipment. Many filmmakers nowadays use LED light panels, which do not get as hot as traditional halogen lights. They are also the greener option, as they run on batteries, whereas halogen lights need to be plugged into a power source. The bigger the panel you’re using, the softer the light will be.
Cost: The most inexpensive multipurpose LED panels, such as the
Godox LDX50R, start at around $250. If it’s within your budget, though, you should plan to spend about twice as much for a more enduring option.
7. Reflectors
Reflectors go hand-in-hand with lighting, and often, one can be used in lieu of the other. Still, you should have both on hand—especially if you might be shooting outdoors. Reflectors use three different methods to manipulate natural light: they diffuse (reduce and/or soften light), fill (eliminate unwanted shadows), and flag (block out the light that’s coming in to enhance shadows for effect). Each of these feats is achieved using one of five colored variations of the reflector; luckily, you can get a single reflector that performs all three functions.
Cost: Five-in-one reflectors (meaning a reflector that has five colors: gold, white, silver, black, and translucent) like those offered by Neewer start as low as $13.
8. Computer
Editing is an art all its own, but as a cinematographer trying to make inroads in the industry, being able to upload and edit your footage—in a basic fashion, at least—will go a long way. There is no doubt that you will need a computer to organize your footage. Which computer is best for filmmakers, on the other hand, is a hotly debated subject. While you can edit on Macs, PCs, and most tablets, the commonly held belief is that Macs are more user-friendly when it comes to filmmaking. PCs, however, are less expensive.
Cost: You can get a used Mac for as low as $300, and used PCs can be found for under $200. New models can cost several thousands of dollars.
9. Editing software
You may be able to use a computer you already have, as long as it has space for some good editing software to—you guessed it!—edit your footage. Some included programs will do the trick; Macs come with iMovie, for example. But there are reasonably priced options for more advanced editing, too, including Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro. Of course, which software you use will depend on your working style and which computer model you have.
Cost: Some software is a one-time purchase, while others are subscription-based with ongoing payments. You can buy Final Cut Pro for a one-time cost of $299, including updates. Meanwhile, you’ll pay for Adobe Premiere Pro via a monthly subscription, which starts at just over $20 per month.
10. Storage
Video footage takes up a whole lot of digital space, and you’re definitely going to need an external location to store it. Cloud storage is an option, but it can be very costly when storing large files, so an external drive is the more cost-effective option. You’re going to want to have at least two external hard drives: a primary storage source and a backup. There are tons of basic options available; the WD My Passport external hard drive is a favorite among filmmakers and can store up to 5 terabytes.
Cost: The WD My Passport 5TB runs around $145.
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11. Camera bag
Finally, you’ll want a durable camera bag to ensure your movie equipment doesn’t get damaged—particularly when you’re traveling to and from your shooting locations. Needless to say, buy your camera first and then figure out which bag is the best fit.
Cost: No-frills video camera bags—those with compartments for lenses as well as other material storage—like the Moment Rugged Camera Sling—start at around $130.
For more on how to get work on a film crew, visit Backstage’s crew hub!