My Equipment
Even though I believe that the story counts, and not the gear, having good equipment is definitely helpful when it comes to creating content.
Therefore, I have created this site to show you my gear: my cameras, drones, my computers, smartphones and whatever other tech I usually use to create videos and photos. Some of the picks are up-to-day technology, others I kept because they still work flawlessly, even though they might already look outdated.
Again, it is not the equipment that counts, but our creativity.
But if you have great aims, then functional and well-working gear can help you realize your visions. Yeah, poetic.
Becoming a professional aerial filmmaker or photographer is less about using the latest gear and more about knowledge and talent. Let me take you on a journey and teach you everything I learned about shooting professional video and photos with drones throughout the years.
My favorite Drones (that I frequently use):
This is my main production drone.
It is relatively new and very advanced. It features two great cameras: one Hasselblad-made high-quality wide-angle lens. Plus, an optical (not digital) zoom lens. They both do a fantastic job. 10-Bit color depth, ProRes, a variable aperture (Hasselblad), and many more great features are why I mainly use this drone when working on serious cinematic projects. And it's also portable and can be brought anywhere.
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If I don't need features like ProRes or a zoom lens (which is excellent for cinematic videos mainly), then I often choose this model. Even though it is missing some of the pro features, it is the best alternative: it is small, has a 5.4K wide-angle lens camera aboard, it comes with a ton of safety features and modes. This drone is my second favorite choice and has been my loyal companion for a relatively long time. Right now, I use it as my backup drone.
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Hello, favorite drone. This model weighs less than 250 grams, meaning I can fly it almost anywhere without a particular pilot's license. It has a fully functional obstacle avoidance system aboard and features the best-in-class camera by far. 4K @ 60FPS, RAW photos, et cetera.
I fell in love with this drone early on (while reviewing it already) and wouldn't want to miss it. It can also track people or objects nicely and is equipped with a portrait mode for social media.
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It takes more than just a drone to record stunning aerial photographs and videos.
Some accessories are true must-haves. You will highly lift your production value when carrying them with you.
That's why I now want to introduce my very favorite ones that I always carry along with me.
If you want to see a complete list of recommended accessories, check out this page.
My favorite Drone Accessories (that everyone should use):
ND filters are a must!
I always carry a pack of them with me. ND4, ND8, ND16, and ND32 are good start.
If you are not yet familiar with ND filters, feel free to read my "Guide on ND filters" for drones.
Filming without ND filters would make my videos look noticeably less professional.
ND filters are also great for creative photography, though not a necessity.
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Usually, I carry a bunch of cheat sheets with me. Though I'm not a beginner, I still find them very useful. While changing the batteries, for example, I take a quick look at the paper showing the best drone perspectives to ensure I don't forget to capture a great angle. There are plenty of awesome cheat sheets included: some explain the technology, others sum up the best settings, again, others present the best perspectives and rules of filmmaking.
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A power bank? A power bank!
Though it might not sound spectacular, I need to tell you that I always and at all times carry a power bank with at least 5.000 mAh with me.
I learned my lesson the hard way: standing in a beautiful location with the drone cleared for take-off is fantastic. Until you realize that your phone's battery or the remote controller is dead. A device as simple as a power bank is what you need to save your day.
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Find out which cameras I use to create my videos, aside from drones. At the age of only six years, I got my first camcorder and grew up shooting video and photos ever since. Nowadays, I own roundabout fifteen, maybe more cameras. Below I will list the three models that I used the most often only.
Cameras (that I use frequently):
Canon? Blackmagic? Panasonic? Nikon? Red? Well, most of the time, I use my Sony cameras. They are small, record in crisp and clean 4K, there is a wide variety of high-quality lenses available. Also, their auto-focus is genuinely impressive, which is a powerful argument for run-and-gun solo filmmakers. There are several great models; some are full-frame, others have a smaller but well-made APS-C sensor aboard.
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I almost always carry a small camera with me, just in case. This model is fantastic. It is not small, but tiny. It records in clean 4K and is, buckle up, is fully gimbal stabilized. The predecessor model had a good microphone, but as soon as wind hit it, well, it wasn't a pleasant experience. Now, the successor has a much better microphone aboard. This tiny camera is fantastic for vlogging, travel videos, and on-the-go filmmaking.
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When it comes to action cameras, there are plenty of good ones available.
But my absolute favorite is a true killer: it records super smooth, high-quality footage, no matter the situation.
It can be a bumpy ride on a dirt road, down below the surface of the ocean, or - whatever scenario you can come up with.
It features two displays—one for regular filming on the back and the smaller one on the front.
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Post-Production is the key to making your aerials stand out. Photographing or filming great scenery is the one thing - cutting and coloring the material, using suitable audio files turns clips into videos and photographs into arts. Take a look at my favorite gear for post-production.
Post-Production (my very favourites):
For a long time, when I was much younger than I am today, I tried to save some bucks using cheap laptops for editing. That decision, though, cost me an almost endless amount of time (and nerves). A time that I could've used much more productively.
Nowadays I only use computers that are up to the task, mainly Apple computers that get the job done. Take a look at the laptop that I constantly carry around with me.
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Using the right editing software, both for video and photos is crucial. My hint: get started with a professional tool right away. That way, you don't have to get used to using several platforms. For years, I have trusted Adobe: For photos, I mainly use Photoshop and Lightroom. And for video editing, I use Premiere Pro CC. You can purchase a subscription that will keep your software up-to-date always. I highly recommend Adobes products.
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Don't underestimate the power of music. You can read a whole blog post of mine about it right here. Music and audio, in general, are essential for creating professional-grade visuals. Plenty of platforms offer music, but most are super expensive, or their music is rather crappy. But there is an exception: I have used this audio library for years and am super happy about their music. Also, their pricing is fair (subscription-based, you don't have to pay per track).
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