How to Buy Videographer Equipment
When you first become a professional videographer, chances are you won't have the unlimited budget you want to buy all of the best videographer equipment. Even with a limited budget, you can get high-quality equipment that will bridge the gap between amateur and pro, and you won't have to replace it next week.
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Instructions
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Buy a camera that has professional outputs. This way, all of your peripherals, such as microphones, will be compatible when you upgrade later. You will only have to buy the equipment once and it will save you money over time.
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Get a good, basic light kit. Lighting is paramount when it comes to shooting good video and you cannot always control outdoor or indoor light conditions. Having lights you can add will improve the quality of your videos whether you're an amateur videographer or have been in the field for years.
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Buy the best tripod you can get for the least amount of money. Tripods with fluid heads have lubricating fluid in their mounts, allowing much smoother camera movement than with non-fluid heads. If you go with a non-fluid head, chances are you will want to replace it as soon as you can afford better.
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Upgrade your computer. To edit digital videos on your computer, you need to have enough storage space to hold large files and enough memory so the computer can handle the tasks you are asking it to do. Without it, the software can slow down your computer and increase the time it takes you to edit.
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Choose your method of video capture. Firewire cards and cables are used to transfer video from digital camcorders to computers. If you have an analog camera, you'll need a converter device to convert the analog tape footage into a digital file so you can work with it on your computer and store it for the future.
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Get editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, the standard professional software used for video editing (see Resources below). It has every special effect and feature you could ever want, but chances are you won't use them all. A lower-end package will save you money and have practical features you'll need to create professional videos.
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Tips & Warnings
Always be aware of the sound around you and what the camera picks up. If possible, get a set of headphones for your camera so you can hear exactly what you are recording and make adjustments as necessary.
