Low Budget Filmmaking Equipment List: What Do You Actually Need?

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Published: March 28, 2022 | Last Updated: January 19, 2026

So, you want to become a filmmaker? It may seem pretty obvious, but you’ll need a camera and a device to record sound. Hooray! However, your needs will determine what type of equipment you need to purchase. Shooting a skateboard video doesn’t require the same equipment as a corporate talking head video.

In this article, I will list some of my favorite tools for low-budget filmmaking. I’ll also explain how these tools can be used in different filmmaking scenarios and provide some sample packages to help you get started.

1. An absolute must: a camera/lenses

This might seem obvious, but you are going to need a camera. What should you be aware of before purchasing a camera?

Here’s a list of items you should be thinking about.

Price

This will likely be your biggest concern when buying a camera. Great, affordable cameras are constantly coming out, but many companies overpromise and underdeliver.

I purchased my first camera for under $1,000, but that came with some drawbacks. 

It’s best to research beforehand, especially for cameras under $1,000. Cameras over $1,000 are generally a better starting point.

I recently published an article here naming five cameras that I think are great for beginner filmmakers. This will give you an idea of what to expect.

Functionality

This will depend on what type of filmmaker you plan to be. Are you looking to become a vlogger?

Then you will want to find a camera that has a pop-out screen, has mic inputs, and offers in-body image stabilization (IBIS). 

Check out the FilmDaft essential vlogging gear checklist.

What if you shoot interviews or company profiles?

You’ll likely want a camera that offers 4K or more, a high dynamic range, and a lot of inputs for accessories. Check out our guide to the best 5K and 6K affordable video cameras here.

The style of shooting you plan to do should determine which type of camera to buy.

There are plenty of cameras that can be a mix of everything a filmmaker might need, but this is something you should still keep in mind. 

I would recommend making a list of the type of content you plan to shoot and then researching cameras that fit your needs.

Storage Media

An area most newer filmmakers may not think about is storage. How are you going to record and store files?

Most cameras today use SD cards, but others can use CFast cards or SSD drives. Look at the typical file sizes for cameras you are interested in. Here’s a guide that talks about 4K video and SD card sizes.

Most cameras shoot in H.264 or a comparable codec, which usually offers a reasonable file size—even when shooting 4K video.

Check out our guide to the best SD card for 4K video.

RAW equals the need for more storage space

However, the ability to record in ProRes or different Raw codecs is becoming more popular. This leads to the need for a lot more storage because of the massive file sizes and the need to purchase specific types of media storage devices.

For instance, a slow SD card will not work on a camera that records at a high bitrate.

Most cameras will have a list of recommended media storage devices listed on their website.

You can also check out our in-depth guide to memory cards and SSDs for video recording here.

Future upgrades

Cameras are constantly being upgraded, and 4K is slowly becoming the new standard for film and video. Should you be concerned about these things?

It depends. That’s why I recommend doing a lot of research before purchasing a camera. 

You can also rent a camera from places such as LensProToGo to see if you like its features before you buy.

I wouldn’t get too concerned about what future cameras may have to offer. As you grow as a filmmaker, your equipment will grow as well. 

2. Lenses

Lenses are just as important, if not more important, than the camera itself. Many consumer-level cameras will come with a lens, but more professional or cinema-grade cameras will not.

Zoom vs Prime Lenses

Zoom lenses give you a lot of flexibility regarding focal lengths. However, the drawback is that their apertures usually don’t open very wide. A zoom lens in the 18-75mm range will be enough to get you started. 

Prime lenses, which have only one focal length, are usually better because they can shoot at a lower aperture.

However, this will require you to buy more lenses. I have a mix of primes and zoom lenses. For example, I have an 11-16mm zoom lens and a set of 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm prime lenses. 

You also want to consider the camera’s lens mount. Mounts such as EF and MFT give you many more options and are usually more affordable than mounts such as L, PL, or RF.

Lenses will also offer different features, such as image stabilization, electronic aperture, manual aperture, and autofocus.

The Crop Factor and Lenses

Cameras that are not full-frame will have some sensor cropping, known more commonly as crop factor.

For example, an MFT mount camera has a crop factor of two, so a 25mm lens will have the same field of view as a 50mm lens.

This can be a pro or con, depending on your needs. I’ve personally dealt with crop factor my entire career, and it hasn’t hindered my experience too much.

Choosing the right lens

You’ll want to choose a lens carefully based on your needs. Going back to previous examples, a vlogger will want to choose a zoom lens with excellent image stabilization and auto-focus capabilities.

A video producer may want prime lenses for better depth of field capabilities and better low light with a wider aperture. Many videographers also prefer a cinema lens over a photo lens. Check out our guide to the best affordable cine lenses here.

You could also forgo buying an interchangeable lens camera, but this isn’t recommended for serious filmmakers or video producers. 

3. Accessories

I won’t go into detail about these items, but here are some camera accessories you should consider adding to your kit over time. 

• AA/AAA Batteries – low priority
• Additional camera batteries and chargers – high priority
• Media cards – SD, CFast, SSD, etc. – high priority
• Camera bag – moderate priority
• Headphones – high priority
• Basic tool set – screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, etc. – high priority
• Tapes – masking, painters, gaffers, etc – low priority
• Monitors or recorders – moderate priority

4. The other absolute must: audio recorders and microphones

The ability to record audio seems obvious, but it can often be overlooked. Newer filmmakers will rely on the in-camera audio capabilities, which is understandable considering the cost of the camera.

Audio recorders – high-priority 

You should consider purchasing an audio recording device. Companies such as Zoom and Tascam offer affordable recorders, and there are plenty of options.

One popular model is the Zoom H1n, which costs around $100. This portable audio recorder has an attached microphone and a 3.5mm input for an external microphone.

One of my colleagues uses his H1n as a boom mic, standard audio recorder, and lavalier mic.

I have also used other Zoom models, like the H4n and H6. Both allow multiple XLR mics to be plugged in and have attachments for using the recorder as a mic and turning it into an audio interface for a computer. 

Read more about how to get good audio for video here.

On-camera mics – moderate priority

Sometimes, you can forgo having an audio recorder if you can directly plug a mic into the camera.

Most cameras today have a 3.5mm jack built into the camera for this type of situation. In this instance, you can purchase a mic such as the Rode Video Mic.

This microphone can sit on the camera’s hot shoe and plug directly into a 3.5mm input. I’ve owned this mic and turned it into a boom mic by purchasing a long male-to-female 3.5mm cable.

This isn’t the best method, but it is a great low-budget option. These mics are also compact, which is great if you don’t need high-quality audio and a compact setup.

Shotgun mics – high-priority

Most cameras are not built to record great sound. You would want to use an audio recorder and a shotgun mic in that case. A shotgun mic is a long microphone that looks like a thin tube.

These microphones typically have a super-cardioid pickup pattern. This means the mic will mainly pick up sounds in front of it and a little bit from behind.

Due to their clean sound quality, these mics are the standard for recording sounds in movies, television, and client video work.

Shotgun mics are not super compact. You’ll typically need someone to hold the mic on a boom or set up the mic on some boom stand. Check out our in-depth guide to shotgun microphones and boom poles here.

I used a shotgun mic on top of a camera, but it’s not fast, easy, or compact.

Check out our guide to some of the best shotgun mics here.

Handheld mics – low priority

Handheld mics are typically seen in an on-site news report or live performance. These are not great for filmmaking but have their uses in the video world.

These mics are great for isolating voices, but the speaker has to be close to the mic’s head. Again, these mics are not used in films but are worth mentioning for their other uses. 

Lavalier mics – moderate priority

Lavalier mics are microphones that clip onto a speaker via an article of clothing or taping directly to the speaker’s chest.

Check out our guide to 5 inexpensive ways to hide your lavalier microphone under clothes.

These mics are great for recording clean sound on one speaker. Lav mics are often combined with shotgun mics in films and TV shows.

A show like The Office uses lav mics on all actors, as it would be impossible to record clean sound in that setting with a shotgun mic.

Lav mics are also great for interviews or weddings when the speaker’s vocals need to be the main focus. Although they can be expensive, companies like Rode and Tascam make affordable options.

The Rode Go mics can be plugged directly into a camera’s 3.5mm input. The Tascam DR-10L is both a recorder and a lav mic.

Lav mics are not great for recording much besides a speaker nearby, so it shouldn’t be your only mic source.  

5. A must with some wiggle room: lighting

Lighting is very important in film and video. Even high-end cinema cameras like the RED MONSTRO or Arri Alexa cannot see in the dark.

You are going to want some lights and accessories to get you started. 

Lights – high-priority

There are plenty of affordable light kits available from companies like Neewer or Aperture that can get you started.

I love battery-powered LED lights because they are quick to set up, but they can get a bit pricey. You can easily go to your local hardware store and pick up available lights.

I recommend having a few lights on hand regardless of what you decide to use.

Three lights should be the minimum to get you started. Look for video or photography lights 45 watts and above. You can avoid using less wattage or lumens, but you’ll likely need many more lights.

If you purchase a single light bulb, you will also need a light socket. Most photo or photography kits come with these.

Light stands – high-priority

This seems obvious, but not every light comes with a light stand. There are plenty of cheap light stands available on Amazon.

Cheap light stands are great if you need something affordable but not durable. I’ve gone through several cheap light stands from the combo kits available online.

Accessories – Low-priority

I say lighting accessories are a low priority to get you started, but these are some items you will want to add over time. 

• Sandbags – keep the light stands from falling over
• Diffusion – softboxes, umbrellas, flags, and diffusers to reduce or soften light
• Extension cords
• Batteries (like Anton Bauer or V-Mount) – if using battery operated lights
• Carrying case
• Gels – to change the color of the light
• Backdrops – green screens or colored backgrounds
• C Stands – heavy duty stand for holding accessories

6. Mixed priority: camera rigs

There are some essentials for camera rigs, but what do you need to start?

Tripod – high-priority

A good tripod is one of a filmmaker’s most valuable assets. There are many types of tripods to choose from. You can click here for a recent list of budget tripods. 

When choosing a tripod, you should consider the camera’s weight. Larger, heavier cinema cameras need a more durable tripod than a lighter DSLR.

I used a cheaper photography tripod for years with my Blackmagic Cinema 2.5K camera, and the weight of the camera caused me a lot of headaches. 

You should also consider the tripod’s mount. Cheaper tripods tend to have very small plastic tripod plates that are not very secure.

Companies like Neewer make universal tripod mounts/plates that can be used on almost any tripod, but this is still something to consider. 

Monopod – low-priority

Consider a monopod as the younger sibling to the tripod. These are great if you are on the run and need more flexibility than a tripod. While a monopod is a nice addition to a tripod, I wouldn’t recommend only owning one. 

Rail system – moderate priority

Rail systems are great for adding different accessories to your camera setup. For example, I have a rail system setup where I can add a large V-mount battery, monitor, shoulder pad, and hand grips.

This allows for a quick setup between my tripod and a shoulder rig.

Here’s a list of some accessories you can add to a rail system:

• Camera monitors
• Recorders
• Hand grips/should pad to create shoulder rig
• Follow focus
• V-mount or Gold-mount batteries
• Matte box
• Barn doors for matte box (if needed)

Slider – low-priority

A slider is a smaller version of a camera dolly used in Hollywood movies. It is great for adding movement to your shots.

Companies like Neewer make reasonably priced sliders, but these products have some cons. They usually are built for smaller, lighter cameras. Using a larger camera is doable, but it can cause a lot of unwanted shakiness.

This is a great addition to your tool kit, but it is not needed heavily. You’ll also want to remember that you need a compatible tripod head that will fit on the slider base.

Companies like Edelkrone and Kessler make heavy-duty sliders that are also motorized, but this will come with a larger price tag.

Check out the FilmDaft guide to sliders at different price ranges.

Gimbal – moderate priority

Gimbals have become extremely popular over the years, allowing filmmakers to add a lot of movement to their shots.

Alternatively, you can choose a glidecam instead. Check out our guide to gimbals vs glidecams here.

Companies like DJI have developed products like the Ronin-S and Ronin-SC, which allow budget filmmakers to create dynamic shots.

A gimbal can’t replace a tripod, so this will be a tool to add to your kit rather than relying on it entirely.

These are great for action shots like those in a slow-motion skateboard clip, walk-and-talk, or corporate b-roll.

Jib – low priority

A jib, a camera crane, is a great way to get dynamic shots from higher or lower angles that would otherwise be difficult to achieve.

I own one of these and hardly use it.

Most affordable jibs are not large enough to achieve a great result for higher angles, so renting or finding an alternative method might be better. 

Sample shopping lists

This is a lot of information, so let me provide some sample suggestions. This isn’t a definitive pricing list.

Also, don’t be intimidated by the pricing or length of these lists. Most of these items can be slowly added to your kit over time. I’ve been adding items for over ten years now.

This is just an example of what you likely would need and what they could reasonably cost. 

Bare necessities shopping list ($1,000 to $3,000)

You only want what is truly needed to get started. 

• Camera
  • Zoom lens 18-75mm range
  • Media storage
  • Camera batteries and chargers
  • Camera bag
  • Basic tool set – screwdrivers, allen wrenches, etc.
• Audio
  • On-camera 3.5mm microphone
  • Batteries for mic
  • Headphones
• Lighting
  • Cheap kit that comes with 3 lights, stands, and sockets
  • Extra light bulbs from hardware store
  • Extension cords
• Rigs
  • Tripod

Essentials ($5000+)

You can afford to spend a little more than the previous list, or you want to add more items from the previous list. You take filmmaking or video production very seriously, but it is still in the early stages.

• Camera
  • Set of prime lenses or a higher-quality zoom lens
  • Media storage
  • Camera batteries
  • V-mount battery and accessories
  • Camera monitor
  • Camera bag
  • Basic tool set – screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, etc.
• Audio
  • Audio recorder
  • Shotgun mic
  • XLR cables
  • Headphones
  • Cheaper lavalier mics
  • Media storage
  • Batteries
  • Travel case
• Lights
  • Standard 3-point lighting kit with LED lights
  • Extra lights for backup
  • Extension cords
  • Sandbags – keep the light stands from tilting
  • Diffusion – softboxes, umbrellas, flags, diffusers to reduce or soft light
  • Extension cords
  • Batteries – if using battery-operated lights
  • Carrying case
• Rigs
  • Tripod
  • Rail system w/ accessories
  • Gimbal
  • Slider

Professional essentials ($10,000+)

You have a larger budget to work with, or you have been adding items over time. Note, you can assume repeat items from previous lists are upgraded to better versions of that item.

• Camera w/ accessories
  • Prime lens kitLens adaptersCamera batteries and chargersV-mount or Gold-mount batteriesCamera monitor or recorderHand grips/should pad to create shoulder rigFollow focusMatte boxBarn doors for matte box (if needed)AA/AAA Batteries
  • Recording media – SD, CFast, SSD, etc. – high priority
  • Camera bag
  • Headphones
  • Basic tool set – screwdrivers, allen wrenches, etc.
  • Tapes – masking, painters, gaffers, etc
• Audio
  • Field audio recorder
  • 1-2 shotgun mics
  • XLR cables
  • Headphones
  • Lavalier mics
  • Recording media
  • Batteries
  • Travel case
• Lighting
  • Light kit
  • Extension cords
  • Sandbags – keep the light stands from tilting
  • Diffusion – softboxes, umbrellas, flags, diffusers to reduce or soft light
  • Batteries – if using battery operated lights
  • Carrying case
  • Gels – to change the color of the light
  • Backdrops – green screens or colored backgrounds
  • C Stands – heavy duty stand for holding accessories
• Rigs
  • Tripod
  • Monopod
  • Rail system w/ accessories
  • Gimbal
  • Slider
  • Jib
  • Other unlisted items

Summing Up

It is easy to get overwhelmed looking at a list like this because of the influx of information.

As I mentioned, you do not need to purchase all these items at once to get started. However, it’s helpful to have all of this information in one place so you can refer to it whenever needed.

Be sure to do your research on any items before you purchase. I have purchased several items I wish I had not throughout the years, and a little research would prevent those mistakes.