Essential Vlogging Gear Guide
Discover the essential gear for iPhone video recording: Elevate your mobile filmmaking with our top picks for creating stunning videos.
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When it comes to capturing videos and photos, convenience plays a key role for me. That's why I opted not to rely on a separate camera. Instead, I leverage the power of my trusty phone, which is always within arm's reach. To enhance the quality of my shots and make the most of this versatile tool, I invested in a few essential accessories: a tripod, an LED light, and a wireless microphone. These additions have truly taken my phone photography and videography to the next level.
For those curious about the specifics, I’ll share a comprehensive rundown of my setup, including the necessary cables for connecting my iPhone.
By leveraging this setup, I have transformed my phone into a powerful content creation tool, enabling me to capture stunning videos and photos with ease. It's a convenient and efficient solution that allows me to pursue my creative endeavors without the hassle of carrying around additional equipment.
The Ulanzi MT-08 is a sleek, extendable handheld tripod designed for vloggers and smartphone photographers, featuring a comfortable silicone grip and an adjustable length from 5.9 to 10.6 inches. Ideal for a variety of cameras and smartphones, its compact design and leather-like feel ensure ease of use and portability, making it a perfect companion for travel and on-the-go content creation.
The Ulanzi ST-27 is a versatile metal phone tripod mount designed for smartphones between 2.4 to 3.5 inches wide. It features a 360° rotation capability, a spring-loaded clamp, and angled holders with nonslip silicone for secure phone placement. The mount is equipped with three cold shoe mounts and three 1/4" threaded receivers for attaching additional accessories like mics and lights.
The audio quality from the phone sounds unprofessional when recording outdoors. The wind noise is picked up and it gets really quiet if you're standing more than a few feet away. I didn't want to deal with wires so I chose the iRay DW20 Pro. iRay is a respectable brand in the microphone community and I like that I can use the wireless transmitter with the built-in microphone or add a lavalier mic. I used the Rode Wireless GO in the past, but I like the charging case and price of this setup.
The Ulanzi VL49 offers both RGB and Mini LED lighting options for versatile content creation. The RGB version features full-spectrum color adjustability from 2500K to 9000K, while the Mini LED maintains a natural 5500K color temperature. Both are equipped with a 2000mAh battery and a soft diffusion filter, ensuring high-quality, consistent lighting
This cable comes with the iRay DW20 Pro, but if you opt for the Rode Wireless GO II, then you'll need this to connect to your iPhone:
-TRS (black) jack into the Rode microphone
-TRRS (gray) jack into your iPhone (smartphone or tablet)
For those of us with older iPhones with the Lightning port, we will have to use this adapter to be able to plug the TRRS (gray) jack into our smartphone or tablet.
For those of us with newer iPhones with the USB-C port, we will have to use this adapter to be able to plug the TRRS (gray) jack into our smartphone or tablet.
The NEEWER 77-inch Camera Tripod is designed with a unique center column comprising 2 sections, allowing for a maximum height extension. It features a 360-degree panorama ball head for precise angle adjustments and can be transformed into a monopod for versatile shooting. The tripod is foldable to 19 inches for portability, supports up to 8 kg, and includes a carrying bag.