When I launched my podcast back in 2014, I had always wanted to start my own YouTube channel to go along with it. But video content felt intimidating to me – more production, more gear and more opportunities for mistakes and setbacks – so I left it on the backburner for years.
Then, in 2018, my passion for interviewing authors and thinkers led me to produce a docuseries, which launched on Amazon Prime the following year. Working alongside videographers for months helped me learn the ins and outs of video production, and when I returned home I felt ready to start publishing videos on YouTube and see where it would take me.
I published my first video, a tutorial on Zoom, in late 2019, and haven’t looked back since. My channel Feisworld Media is now monetized, I have hundreds of tutorials to point readers back to and I’ve worked with over 30 household-name brands along the way. If I were to do it all over again, I would confront my fears head-on and start on YouTube with no hesitation.
Creators and small businesses alike are increasingly leaning into video production to get their message out into the world. As smartphone and broadband technologies improve, streaming HD video on the go is better than ever before, and social media platforms are increasingly becoming video-first to try and stay relevant. If you have the gear you need to produce quality videos on the fly, it’s easier to publish consistently, and your results will hopefully snowball over time like mine have.
You really only need a smartphone and something to say to start making videos. Eventually, you’ll want to upgrade your equipment and when you do, you’ll want to make sure your investments will pay off. Here’s what I personally use both at my desk and on the go with regard to cameras, lenses, microphones and more.
Cameras
When I first started my YouTube journey, I opted for a popular camera at the time, the Sony A6400 mirrorless camera and an additional 16mm lens from Sigma. These two pieces of equipment have been a wonderful combo I still like and use to this day.
After four years of owning a single camera and lens, though, I wanted more variety and the option to film multiple angles at once. I also wanted to play with more lenses to see if I could create videos that felt more intimate for my audience. I decided to buy an additional camera, the Sony ZV-E1, and a couple of new Viltrox lenses. I switch between the two Viltrox lenses now to film my talking-head videos, and I reserve the Sigma 16mm lens for some of my vlog videos.
One of my favorite features of the Sony ZV-E1 is how sensitive to light it is. The camera works well even in low light settings, whereas my Sony A6400 seems to capture more noise, which makes the shot more grainy in low light. Once I capture the videos using the ZV-E1, little to no color grading is needed during post production (for our needs). As for the lenses, Viltrox lenses are high in quality and are well-made companions to Sony cameras. I got both the 16mm and 27mm Viltrox lenses in my equipment upgrade.
The 16mm lens is a wide-angle lens that works especially well when you work inside a smaller office without much distance between you and your camera. The wide-angle lens can keep an entire scene in focus, but isn’t so wide that it distorts the composition (the way a fisheye shot does). Generally speaking, you may find 16mm lenses easier to find and less expensive, too.
In contrast, the 27mm lens is a moderate wide-angle lens. It’s a good option for talking videos as well as travel photography and landscape shots. Because it’s a moderate wide-angle lens, it will feel more zoomed in compared to the 16mm lens, so you may need to place yourself or other subjects further away from the camera itself.
Having more than one lens gives you the flexibility to experiment with different setups. If you only have the budget for one lens, I recommend the 16mm option.
Microphones
I’ve tried a variety of microphones as a podcaster over the past 10 years. After much research and experimentation, I’ve settled on the following choices.
For camera recording, I attach the Rode VideoMicro to my camera and that’s it. Be sure to test out your audio quality by recording a few short videos and adjusting the placement and distance of your mic as needed. In some cases, you may want to buy a mic stand such as this one from LyxPro to place the mic closer to you instead of simply putting it on top of the camera.
For podcast and livestream recording, I use the Neumann TLM 103 microphone for podcast and livestream recording and a Rode boom arm. This condenser microphone was an investment, but was well worth it.
Dynamic and condenser mics both work well for podcasts and videos. Generally speaking, dynamic mics are more durable, less sensitive to ambient and background noise. Condenser mics on the other hand are highly sensitive. While they do provide quality audio, a controlled and quiet environment is necessary to ensure the highest recording quality.
Given all the post-production audio enhancements available today with AI technology, audio can be easily improved with software such as Adobe Podcast or Descript even if your setup isn’t perfect. So far I’m very happy with the equipment I’ve had for years, and I no longer want to invest so much time and money into upgrading my microphones.
Lights
Lighting is an art form. People who do it professionally have shown me just how powerful it can be, such as the work they did during the production of my documentary, where a crew would arrive on set hours before we hit the record button. Now that I’m primarily filming on my own, I created a setup that’s always ready inside my office whether it’s for a Zoom call, a livestream or a recording in front of my new Sony ZV-E1 camera.
For my Zoom calls and livestream videos, I use two Key Lights from Elgato that are attached to my Flexispot E7 Plus desk, which I talked about here. I prefer these key lights because they produce 2,800 lumens, powerful enough to light up my entire studio or dim down to a subtle glow. If you find Elgato Key Lights to be more than you need, you always have the option to choose its mini version, the Key Light Air, to save space and budget. Another new product from Elgato is the Neo Light, which can be attached to your computer and still offers smoothing and quality light.
I find Elgato lights to be very high quality. Not only do they make you look good on camera, but they also help reduce vision fatigue. These lights have made hours of recording and webinar moderation more tolerable.
What about fun lights?
Colorful LED lights can transform your office space. These lights are designed to change up your background, sync with your music and so much more, which lets you inject more of your style and personality into your videos. If you want to explore some quality yet affordable LED lights, I recommend Govee. Try placing a floor lamp like this in the corner of your office, or install these cube lights on your wall to start looking like a pro YouTuber.
Teleprompter
For years I thought teleprompters were reserved for professional news anchors and politicians. When I finally bought a traditional prompter, I found the setup to be clunky, and after all that effort my eye movement was easily detectable in recordings, so I gave up.
Then Elgato introduced me to its teleprompter, which won the Product of the Year in 2024 from the National Broadcaster Association. I was hesitant to try it at first, but the simple setup looked enticing. Within minutes, I was able to connect the prompter to my desktop and control the settings and configuration through Elgato’s Camera Hub app.
The Elgato prompter comes packaged with a variety of camera adapters, which work with both my old Sony A6400 and my new Sony ZV-E1. If you have Elgato’s Facecam Pro webcam like I do, there’s an adapter for that too.
Furthermore, the prompter is powered through USB-C without needing an additional power adapter. The screen can be used as a crisp and clear display for your script or an additional display for your computer. It’s well-designed and user-friendly, and I’ve loved it since Day 1. Take a look at my CNET videos; most of them were recorded with this teleprompter.
Filming on the go
As a creator who loves filming at home and on the go, it’s important to talk about different setups. Often we’re trapped in the idea of having one ultimate setup and forget how unrealistic and impractical that approach may be when we are traveling.
Here’s a simple configuration that works for both YouTubers and hobbyists who want to travel light and create quality video content.
Smartphone
I used to carry half a suitcase of filming equipment, and took pride in showing my guests and clients how professional my setup was. But the truth is, heavier equipment and complex setups don’t necessarily create better content, and it’s a lot of work to schlep all your stuff around.
Over the years, I’ve realized the importance of spontaneity and capturing small moments on the go. I love capturing videos and audio on my smartphone (an iPhone 13 Pro Max from late 2022) with 256GB of storage.
The choice of having more local storage on my smartphone seems to work well, but you could also opt for cloud storage and with solutions such as Google Photos. Having sufficient local storage seems to be faster and more reliable, if it’s available to you.
For a recording app, I use the Simple Camera app, and I bounce between the regular recording mode and the cinematic mode depending on the subject.
Lavalier microphones
Audio used to be a big issue when filming on the go. It was difficult if not impossible to fix bad audio. Luckily with AI, we can now enhance several significant audio issues using tools such as Adobe Podcast, Descript and Podcastle, but recording good audio in the first place is always recommended.
I started with the Rode Go II Mics and used them at home and on the go. The audio quality was very good, but unfortunately I lost them while filming backstage at Cirque du Soleil about a year ago while I was fumbling through my bag.
That’s when I discovered my new (and far less expensive) Ecomxia wireless lavalier microphones. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of audio captured on these devices for the price. There are two connectors available for both iPhone and Android, and I like having a case that both holds the microphones and serves as a charging station.
Having two lavalier microphones is essential for my travel vlogging needs. Since I often interview guests on the go in addition to capturing b-roll, I can attach one mic on me and the other on my guest, which lets us move around freely while we record.
Handheld lights
I find my iPhone 13 Pro Max to be quite light-sensitive. Even in dim rooms and later in the afternoon, I can still capture quality videos. With that said, owning a mini LED video light is a good idea for evening shots and dark environments such as backstage.
There are many choices on Amazon and camera shops such as this one from Ulanzi. For around $20, you can get a powerful, rechargeable mini light that works in most scenarios and with batteries that last for hours. You can also look into a clippable light such as the Newmowa if you don’t want to deal with mounting a light to your phone whenever you want to shoot.
Phone gimbal
Lastly, as an optional travel vlogging device, I want to spotlight the Insta360 Flow gimbal stabilizer. This is the version I have. There is also an Insta360 Flow Pro version as well if you want to compare the different features.
What’s a gimbal? A gimbal is a device that allows an object to remain stable and level. Sport and action videography are where gimbals are most commonly used, but gimbals can also be helpful for everyday vlogging and capturing footage outside of a controlled office environment. A gimbal makes the difference between shaky handheld camera footage and smooth quality video on the go.
The Insta360 Flow works with both Android and iPhone, and it offers additional stabilization that makes the video appear quite smooth even when you are walking or running, making it a popular gadget for those who love filming sports. Furthermore, Insta360 uses AI-powered tracking to keep subjects in frame with accuracy and flexibility.
Set yourself up for success – and creativity
Setting up your office for video production can feel overwhelming at first. With these tried and tested options for cameras, microphone and lighting, I hope you’ll gain more comfort and confidence.
Please remember that these products are only part of your creative journey. They are designed to change and evolve just like you. Fancy and expensive products have their own special appeal, but often the most simple, well-made products are the ones you end up keeping and using in your office and on the go. Above all, I hope you have fun as a creator, play the long game and help those around you along the way.
