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EQUIPMENT KIT Recommendations

(includes video and audio production kit suggestions for different budgets—and mobile journalism accessories for when there is no budget.)

UPDATED 8/2023

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KIT 1 — PROFESSIONAL KIT

SONY A7iii ($1500) or A7iv ($2200) w/ 28 - 70 mm lens��Manfrotto 502AH Tripod - $350 (B&H)

Sennheiser Wireless Mics $850

This kit includes a full frame mirrorless mirrorless camera used by industry professionals. The Sennheiser EW is an industry standard when it come to wireless lav mics.

BIG BUDGET — $3,000+ per kit

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KIT 2 — Canon 90D w/18-135mm lens

Canon 90D $1,400 (B&H)

Magnus VT-3000 Tripod $99 (B&H)

Sennheiser Wireless Lav Mics $850 (B&H)��(optional)50mm 1.8 Prime STM lens $125 (B&H)

This kit includes an upgraded DSLR that records 4K and 120fps video for slow motion. The tripod is nicely priced compared to the competition. The Sennheiser EW is an industry standard when it come to wireless lav mics.

MID-RANGE BUDGET — $2,400 per kit

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KIT 3 — BASIC CAMERA KIT

Includes an affordable video camera with a microphone input/headphone output to capture better sound and monitor it live, as well as wireless lav microphone sets that get the job done. You can find less expensive tripods than a manfrotto, but they may not last the school year.

LIMITED BUDGET — $665 to $800 per kit

OR

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KIT 4 - MOBILE JOURNALISM

This kit includes camera apps and accessories for mobile devices to capture more professional video and audio..

SHOE-STRING BUDGET — $100 to $250 per kit

Wireless lavalier �phone mic— $30

Phone tripod (available with ring light) $30-$40

ProMovieRecorder�$2.99 (one time)

MoviePro�$7.99 (one time)

Mobile Camera Apps �with manual controls �and audio levels

Mobile Device Stabilization

OSMO 6 ($149)

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EDITING SOFTWARE

  • Adobe Premiere Pro CC (30-Day Trial) Creative Cloud Education ($20/monthly, includes all adobe apps)
  • Final Cut Pro (Mac Only, 90-Day Trial) $300
  • AVID Media Composer First (Free)
  • BlackMagic DaVinci Resolve (Free)
  • CapCut (FREE online and APP + Review)
  • Hitfilm Express (Free)
  • iMovie (Mac Only, (Free)
  • Adobe Premiere Rush Starter (Free-scroll down) or Adobe Express ($10/Month)
  • WeVideo (Free) Chromebook compatible

APPS

  • LumaFusion ($29.99 one time Mac/Android)
  • Final Cut Pro For iPad (Mac Only, 49.00)

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AT HOME KITS-

Accessories to record with mobile devices

Gooseneck $15-30 (Amazon)

Ring Light 12” $20 (Amazon)

Ring Light 18” $100 (Amazon)

Lav Mic for iPhone $30 (Amazon)

Lav Mic for Phone- $35 (Amazon)

This kit is useful with mobile devices like phones and tablets. The holders will help keep the device steady when conducting interviews. Lights and microphones will help with capturing better quality audio and video.

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PODCASTING - Portable Devices $60 - $350

Rode Directional Mic for iPhone - $60 (B&H) Android $40 (B&H)

Zoom Portable Recorder - $80 (B&H)

This kit includes a portable microphone that could be plugged into a phone or tablet and portable audio recorders that have built in mics. It is recommended that you use external microphones when using these devices. Each have mini-plug and XLR inputs.

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PODCASTING - Studio Setups $850 - $2,000

RODECaster Pro 2-Mic Kit - $930 (B&H)

RODE Procaster Mic Only $200 (B&H)

RODECaster Pro 4-Mic Kit - $1,350 (Adorama)

Shure SM7B Vocal Mic (UPGRADE) - $400 (B&H)

This kit includes podcasting kits with an audio mixer, microphones, headphones, cables, and SD cards. There are two option available: 2 mics or 4 mics.