My Wedding Video Gear 2021

Since wedding videos are one of the primary services Wynn Media offers to customers I really depend on functional and quality gear to help my jobs go as smooth as possible. Today I will break down some of the gear I have and why and when I use it. 

Camera

My main camera is the Sony a7iii. This camera provides both video and photo but for the sake of this post, I will be mostly talking about it as a video camera to shoot weddings. As a videographer, this camera is great because it’s small, lightweight, and easy to operate meaning I can quickly get it up and ready to record so I don’t miss any important moments. I also edit my own footage so I usually record in 4K to allow some leeway with my editing but the Sony a7iii also allows me to shoot at 120fps for super slow motion so for that I shoot in 1080p. While I think the audio recording on the a7iii is better than their previous models, I usually use an external audio recorder if I am trying to get crisp and clear audio for things like voiceovers. The battery life is also way better than previous Sony models, so one battery is usually enough to get me through an entire 6 -10 hour shoot even with 4K recording. The only real problems I have ever run into with my Sony a7iii while shooting weddings are overheating, which is very rare, and the fear of water or other weather damage affecting my camera. I go to great lengths to protect my camera even in the smallest drizzle. Overall I think the Sony a7iii is great for weddings and allows me to capture beautiful moments with ease.

*It should be noted that the Sony a7iii does have a 30-minute record limit for video so keep this in mind if you’re looking for a camera that will sit on a tripod and continuously record. 

Gimbal

I’ve had the chance to work with two gimbals over the course of my career. The first being the Zhiyun Crane v2 and the second, my current gimbal, being the DJI Ronin S. Both support mirrorless cameras, like my Sony a7iii, but as I bought more professional glass like my Sigma 24-70mm E Mount lens, my old Zhyiyun Crane began to have problems supporting the larger glass. This is where the DJI Ronin S takes the cake. While it is a little bigger and heavier, especially with the camera mounted, this gimbal not only holds my camera but allows me to get breathtaking shots whether I’m zoomed out at 24mm or zoomed in at 70mm. Of these two gimbals, I definitely recommend the DJI Ronin S since it can handle a lot more camera and lens setups but for someone with limited glass choice, the Zhiyun Crane v2 is not a bad choice either. 

Lenses

Lens choice for weddings can be tricky because it really depends on what you’re shooting, how you’re editing, and the amount of time you spend with the couple. Sometimes it can be good to have a lens that can go from wide to zoomed in like a 24-70mm or a 24-105mm that way you can run and gun easily but still be able to capture different perspectives. On the other hand, if you have multiple shooters then someone with a prime lens, like an 85mm, can get more artistic shots while the other camera operator focuses on getting the surroundings and wider shots of the couple. Then there’s the option of a superzoom lens like a 70-200mm that can sit on a tripod in the back and capture the ceremony without having to distract the audience or the couple as they say their vows. Personally, since I am usually a one-man team, I tend to let my Sigma 24-70mm live on my Sony a7iii because I can capture wide and zoomed-in shots. This lens also plays nice with my gimbal so there really aren’t a lot of situations where I take this lens off my camera. If I have enough time to get the couple alone for a few intimate shots then I try to use a prime lens like a 50mm to get real cinematic and artistic shots that add to the final edit. Overall lens choice comes down to what you’re trying to capture and what the couple expects from you. If they want just a video of the ceremony with good audio then a super zoom lens will be the best choice to capture the entire ceremony and give it to them with clean audio. If they expect a cinematic and visually appealing recap of the day then an all-purpose lens like a 24-70mm will be your best bet to capture the surroundings and intimate moments of their wedding.

Final Thoughts

Every wedding videographer’s gear choice will vary on the needs of the job. This list was really just to help others see that a good camera and the right lens selection can help get most jobs done. I do recommend learning more about lighting and audio if you want to step up your production value but for me, my Sony a7iii, my Sigma 24-70mm, and my DJI Ronin S get me through most of my shoots. 

If you plan on having your wedding in the Asheville, NC area reach out to us at Wynn Media and we can help capture your special day.