What Makes a Good DSLR Video Kit Part #1 - Tripod and Microphone

For the purpose of simplicity, we will start with a basic kit and build up with a few additional essential accessories, as the list can just keep growing.

TRIPOD –The first two accessories for a DSLR video are a solid tripod and a quality wireless video microphone. No matter how much confidence you have in the image stabilization, handholding your camera is not ideal when shooting a quality video.

Before you jump in to buy a tripod, think through the following scenarios, as they could benefit from different types of tripods:

WIRELESS MICROPHONE –The fact is it does not have to be wireless. However, the wireless systems have the obvious advantage of freedom of movement.

Two most common wireless systems are VHF vs. UHF.

VHF stands for Very High Frequency, and UHF means Ultra High Frequency. In the United States, these systems operate on different bands or ranges:

- Low-Range VHF (49-108 MHz):

• 49 MHz: typically used by walkie-talkies, inexpensive microphones
• 72 MHz: assistive listening frequency
• 88-108 MHz: commercial FM radio broadcast range

- High-Range VHF (169-216 MHz):

• 169-172 MHz: traveling frequencies used for quality wireless microphones, subject to various interference for the wide public usage
• 174-216 MHz: VHF television channels, much less likely to be interfered

- Low-Range UHF (450-806 MHz)

• 450-536 MHz: pagers
• 470-806 MHz: UHF televisions and quality wireless microphones, rare to receive interference

- High-Range UHF (900-952 MHz): licensing required

To learn more about various wireless microphone types and choices, check out a recent article that we wrote: Why do you need an external mic for DSLR videos - and how to choose?

If you are not ready to invest in a DSLR, you can still make amazing videos, by using just your smartphone. Check out this article that we put together with some incredible tools to help you improve your smartphone video quality: Must Have iPhone (Or an Android Smartphone) Filming Accessories

Next week, we will look at additional accessories and equipment that can bring up your video quality for exceptional visual and exceptional movement stabilization. Stay Tuned!