My Recommended Video Equipment Checklist (Under $40)
Using video is a great way to tell the story behind your farm and to empower your CSA members to learn how to use your food.
I use video every week both on my business page and inside my private Facebook group to prepare recipes, unpack the CSA box, teach storage tips, demonstrate cooking techniques, and share behind-the-scenes footage of the farm. I also do the occasional live Q & A interview in our kitchen or film a segment outside in the fields or packing shed.
The question always comes up… What video gear do you need to put together a bare bones videography strategy for your farm?
The good news is that as a beginner, you really only need 3 things, and the initial investment can be as low as $40.
I share my recommended video gear throughout this blog post. All of these items are things I’ve actually purchased and use in my weekly video set-up. (I am an Amazon Affiliate, so if you purchase through my link, I’ll get a small commission).
But first, there are a five issues you need to think about as you prepare your videography set-up.
- Camera
- Stability
- Lighting
- Audio
- Video Editing Software
Camera:
As far as cameras go, keep it simple and just use your camera phone. I usually either record and then edit in iMovie before loading up into Facebook or YouTube. Or I will record LIVE on Facebook and then download the video as an mp4 to my computer and THEN upload it to YouTube. I’ve noticed that the resolution is a bit fuzzy when I do this, which is why I’ve started experimenting with a webcam. But for beginners, just keep it simple and go with your camera phone.
Be aware that there are TWO cameras on your phone — the one on the back of the camera, and the one on the front (the screen side). The better camera is the one on the back, so you’ll get higher resolution when you film from that side. Hopefully, you already have a Smartphone camera, so you’ll be good to go here. Cost: $0
Sometimes I do also videos on my desktop computer.
For example, I might want to show a customer how to access my SLFarms Online Academy resource, how to search for recipes on our website, or how to order in my online store. I can do a “screen capture” video where I basically video my computer screen and audio as I teach, but I can also add in some “direct-to-camera” teaching as well.
For this, I use the Logitech C922x ProStream Webcam.
This camera has way better resolution than my iPhone, but you may not want to do any direct-to-camera elements when you do screen recordings from your desktop. I’m also starting to create online courses, and need a better video capture system. Cost: $68
Stability:
Many of my earlier videos were shot simply holding the iPhone with my hand, trying to keep it as steady as possible. When you’re filming out in the potato fields, or walking through the packing shed, you can’t do much about camera movement.
But if you’re doing some kind of stationary video, like a quick tip or recipe prep, you really should try to stabilize the camera by placing it in a tripod. I own a tall tripod that I can set up to film myself standing. Cost: $25
I also purchased an “Octopus tripod” which I use a fair amount. Cost: $10
This is a small tripod with 3 bendable legs so you can wrap them around equipment or place it wherever you want to get unusual shots. This is a nice addition to have in your video-toolkit, because you’ll find that sometimes you just want to do a video from your kitchen table or desk, and the tripod stand is just too high.
That’s when you whip out this short mini Octopus tripod. You also get easy access to the phone itself, so you can tap the screen to flip the view.
Another way to use this is to attach the camera inside and then just grab the legs of the octopus as your grip for a quick selfie video. It’s easier than holding the camera between my fingers.
But if your’e short on cash, just stick to the basic tripod and make it work.
Adapter:
You’ll also need to mount the camera into a stand that attaches to the tripod. That’s where the adapter comes in. These are small plastic attachments that adjust to fit the size of your phone.
They screw into the tripod at the top. I also bought a separate adapter for my iPad, since I sometimes use it to film longer form videos. Before you buy, check the specs and make sure it fits your type of phone WITH the Otterbox or case on. This is a required purchase. Cost: $7-10
Lighting:
My photographer told me that the best time to shoot film or photos outdoors is actually on a cloudy day or at dusk or dawn. The light will be less glaring in your finished product.
Supplemental lighting is most important if you’re filming indoors.
I used to have issues trying to film in my kitchen which had poor lighting. This would limit the time of day that I could shoot a video. I managed to get around it by rigging up various standing lamps I had in my living room. I’ve also used my husband’s floodlight/shoplight in a pinch. I finally did a kitchen remodel, which included new lighting, so my indoor shots look so much better now.
I wouldn’t focus on this element initially — just use what you have and see if it’s an issue.
As I build out a more serious video platform, I may invest in a lightbox system, but really guys, don’t worry too much about this one. Cost: $0
Audio:
Audio is almost more important than the video itself. People will be willing to put up with an “okay” view/image, but if they can’t hear you, forget about it.
I’ve struggled with this one at times, especially when I’m outside filming in the wind or near a tractor. If you’re inside or behind the camera narrating, I think you can get by without a mic at first.
Microphone are not cheap — they run around $50-$100, so try it without to see if you really need one. In most cases, just projecting your voice will cut it.
But if you want to graduate to the next level and get some crisp audio, then I recommend using the Rode lapel microphone.
I love it. I even take it outside sometimes. The Rode Lavalier microphone doesn’t have a very long cord, so I purchased an extender cable ($25) which lets me stray out really far from the tripod/camera, and I don’t have to worry about yelling. I use it for my cooking tutorials in my kitchen now too, because it makes such a big difference in audio. Cost: $80
Video Editing Software
Honestly, about 90% of my videos never get edited. I point and shoot, then send them right to Facebook, YouTube or Instagram. But for our weekly documentary series, I need to edit my clips, add in audio, etc. To do that, I need a quality editing software.
I use iMovie, and I love it. It’s very easy to use. In fact, the whole reason I switched from Windows to a Mac two years ago was because I wanted to do more video, and I knew I needed an easy editing software. I do most of my editing on desktop — there are more features and it just comes together faster.
There are some other video editing software options:
Camtasia — a screenflow and video editor (PAID)
Loom — a free screenflow video tool that creates a URL link that you can then share with your members — no mp4 required (FREE)
VideoPad — video editor only (FREE)
HitFilmExpress 9 — video editor only (FREE for Mac and Windows)
Adobe Premiere – video editor (PAID)
Moral of the story: if you’re a beginner, all you really need to get started is your smartphone camera, a tripod, and an adapter mount. Total cost: $40