What Essential Accessories Do I Need for DSLR Video Recording?

Got your shiny DSLR with video capabilities? Thinking about how to give them a try?

If you were to spend around $500 on video accessories for your DSLR camera, what all would you consider? Well, I’ve been fond of using my DSLR for long, and I’ve got all of those essential accessories that I consider a "must have" for shooting oscar worthy video.

Here I’ll share some of the most essential DSLR video accessories you need:

1.Tripod

If you were to ask me the importance of tripod, one of the greatest accessories ever invented, odds are I’d be at a loss for words. It plays a very important role when it comes to recording videos. This accessory holds a DSLR still so that shakes don’t ruin a video.

You ought to look for a tripod that isn’t only light and stable, but portable as well. It should be easy for you to carry from one place to another. Even if you don’t intend to record several motion shots, you should get a tripod with a panning head for extra flexibility. If you ask me a good alternative to a tripod, it has to be a monopod. Hands down! Well, it seems much lighter but not as stable as a tripod. It’s recommended for those users who tend to move a lot when recording videos.

Looking for the best way to execute ultra-smooth professional looking pans? You’ll be able to do so provided your tripod has a damped fluid-effect head. But you need to stress on the fact that it has a tilt function (which can be locked). That’s not all! It should also have a center post (adjustable) if you plan to use the same for still shooting.

Plan to shoot HD movies with your mirrorless cameras? Then a tripod (medium size) with a 3-way fluid effect is perhaps the most economical option. However, if you intend to video across-the-board shooting, add a true video tripod with crutch-type legs, vibration-damping, a genuine fluid head providing damping and friction adjustments as well.

2.Microphone

Even though DSLRs can record stunning video, their built-in microphones seem suitable for personal recordings as executed by amateurs. If you want to get a clear video, consider using a third-party microphone or audio recorder. A shotgun microphone is the one that attaches to the camera and records audio directly. Well, this microphone is definitely portable but only records goods signals from certain sources which are directly in front of this vital accessory.

The lavalier microphone, which is also known as a lapel microphone sometimes, is the one that attaches directly to a person and provide the best quality for recording someone’s voice. It’s suitable for documentary style interviews, but may not seem to be a suitable choice for all users. You can also choose a standalone audio recorder. You can have this device placed close to where the action is and shoot videos from wherever you like. But don’t you forget to sync the audio recording with the video?

3.Neutral Density Filter

A neutral density filter is one of the most important DSLR video accessories that help one produce fluid motion shots. I personally feel that anyone interested in shooting professional videos won’t be able to do so, unless they own a neutral density filter. ND filter, as it’s also known, allows a user to use slow shutter speeds when the person’s recording under conditions with a bright light.

It’s true that shutter speed gets too fast and as a result, the footage looks shaky as well as unnatural. Using a neutral density filter will help you keep that in control. This crucial accessory would serve the same purpose as it would do in a scenario involving still photography. It allows you to use a broad aperture in bright situations.

4.Large, Fast Memory Cards

There’s no escaping the fact that HD video footage takes lots of space on the memory card. So you need to make sure you’re loaded with enough gigabytes to handle for shooting. It seems so obvious why speed is important. Also, you’ll find that speed is also a tricky thing to understand.

Shooting video is a job that can’t be achieved in the blink of an eye. And you need to make sure that the memory card is able to keep pace with high amounts of data. It’s always wise to have some extra memory cards. Use around 16 gigabyte cards. That way you will not lose everything if you happen to accidentally format your footage. Do consider the transfer speed of the memory card. If you intend to use an SD card, get a class 10 card.

Know that CF cards tend to be faster. Professional cards record at 600x. These cards can even record at 1000x. That way you’ll be able to keep up with your video recording. Well, the only thing you need to consider (that may bother you) is the price of such cards. So, consider your budget and get the most reliable cards with great speed that don’t cost an arm and a leg.

5.Rails

No doubt camera movement is important for making gorgeous video, but it also seems one of the difficult parts for still photographers allowing them to cope with when making the transition. Rails, one of the most imperative DSLR video accessories , help a camera move in a smooth way that a panning tripod head cannot help.

These accessories play a vital role when it comes to tracking subjects as they pass. They also add movements to scenes which may seem static otherwise. They can also be useful for one allowing them to get tighter or wider on a subject without zooming.

6.Screen Loupe

The screen on a DSLR camera is small. Due to its small size, it doesn’t always display the details needed by videographers when shooting videos. When you use a screen loupe, you can easily intensify the image on the camera screen to take a good look at what you’re recording. Moreover, it lessens the glare on the display when it comes to shooting under bright sunlight. However, there are some users who prefer shooting videos by holding the camera up to their eyes. To do this, they can buy a screen loupe with an eyepiece.

If you need more magnification on the screen, using a screen loop will give you a better look at your subject as you focus.

Final Words

There are plenty of photographers that are making a switch to videography. It seems more like a natural step. This is because a DSLR offers not few but many imperative tools to experiment. But don’t you forget that video has different rules compared to the ones of videography that will make your shooting experience pleasurable? Thus, you need to invest in essential DSLR video accessories for video recording.