I’m going to share with you 5 ways to save money on camera equipment without compromising on quality, because we all know that camera gear is expensive and addictive. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, hopefully these tips will help you get the most out of your budget and help you create amazing videos and take awesome photos.
For me the most important tip I can give to you is making sure that you can afford the camera and accessories that you want, because for most people, they’ve already got access to an awesome content creating machine, their smartphone.
“You don’t always need the latest and greatest gear to make great content”.
Most of the time you don’t need a fancy camera to make great videos when you’ve got your smartphone.
Phones today have powerful cameras that can shoot in 4K, in slow motion, do timelapse and so much more, just like those cameras, and while you’re using your phone you can still be filming on professional like apps like Filmic Pro and editing on mobile apps like LumaFusion and still enhance your video and editing options to a high level.
There are lots of ways to improvise without spending, you can use natural light, lamps, or flashlights as your lighting sources; you can use headphones, earbuds, or your phone’s mic as your audio recorder; you can use books, boxes, or containers as your stabilizers or tripods; you can use free software like iMovie or DaVinci Resolve as your video editor. So using what you have can save you a lot of money while also contributing in helping you improve your skills and creativity.
Save money on camera equipment by investing in the essentials. Instead of buying a lot of unnecessary or low-quality gear that you may end up buying replacements in the future, focus on saving your money and doing your own research by reading reviews, watching youtube videos, so you can make an informed decision about getting something that will last you a long time and make a big difference rather than a snap decision on something that’s not quite as good as that thing but you’ll definitely want to upgrade in the future.
For example, invest in a good camera body that suits your needs and style; invest in a good lens that covers a wide range of focal lengths and apertures; invest in a good microphone that captures clear and crisp sound. Invest in a good light that provides soft and even illumination; invest in a good tripod that provides stability and flexibility. Investing in those essentials can save you money in the long run and help you achieve professional results.
Another way to save money on camera equipment is to look for deals and discounts. You can always find great deals and discounts on equipment during those peak sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day, and Boxing Day and even at other times throughout the year.
While using coupons, promo codes, cashback apps, or loyalty programs from various retailers and brands is also another good way to save money. Those newsletters, blogs, podcasts, or YouTube channels that you’re subscribed to, you’ll often find that they offer discounts on those products too.
One of the easiest ways to save money on camera equipment is to buy used or refurbished gear from reputable sellers. You can find deals on used cameras, lenses, tripods, lights and microphones on sites like eBay and Amazon. Just make sure, if you do choose that option, that you are carefully reading the item description and seller history before you buy anything just to make sure you’re getting exactly what you want and in the right condition.
If your purchase of new upgraded gear now means that you now have surplus gear, then one of the best ways to save money on new gear and make money on your existing gear is to sell or trade your old gear that you no longer use or need.
The extra tip, is DIY your gear. If you’re feeling creative and handy, you can create your own camera equipment and save some money while having fun. You can find tons of tutorials online on how to make your own camera stabilizer, slider, dolly, reflector, diffuser and more using common household items or cheap materials.
Hopefully you found these tips helpful, check out the video version of this article https://youtu.be/zk_-p5HofdE