Is This Cinema Gear OVERRATED or UNDERRATED?

There is a lot of camera gear out there that many people act as if they are necessary pieces of EVERY kit. And that's not true. Today, I go through eight different often-talked about items and decide if they are OVERRATED or UNDERRATED.
Let's go.
0:00 - Intro
0:24 - How We Decide Overrated/Underrated
0:41 - External Monitor
1:39 - Camera Cages
2:35 - Nice Shotgun Microphone
3:35 - High End Tripod
4:40 - Magic Arm
5:35 - Battery Powered Lights
6:48 - Wireless Follow Focus
7:29 - Matte Box
8:31 - Final Scores
📖 - Subscribe to my newsletter for my Free Budget Creator Template: currens-newsle...
--
GEAR IN THIS VIDEO:
Portkeys B7II DS: amzn.to/4bzbHG8
Camera Cages: amzn.to/3UVUgtM
Nice Microphones: amzn.to/3ysVP9J
YC Onion Pineta Peak Tripod: www.yconion.com/
Zhiyun X60: store.zhiyun-t... (use code 10ZYX60TOCC for 10% off).
PD Movie: www.bhphotovid...
Tilta Matte Box: amzn.to/3UA93Jk
Footage Spider Crab: amzn.to/4ckfNDh
--
MY MINIMALIST LIGHTING KIT:
10% OFF discount for ZHIYUN products:
ZY10TOCXM510
- Zhiyun Molus X100: store.zhiyun-t...
- Zhiyun Molus X60 (2): store.zhiyun-t... (use code 10ZYX60TOCC for 10% off).
- All Zhiyun Gear: store.zhiyun-t...
- Zhiyun Molus G200: store.zhiyun-t...

[@RavikantRai21490]

I can't get enough of your videos. The fact that you make standout content in a sea of over-saturated video space on youtube speaks to how much thought you're putting into these.

[@CurrenSheldon]

Thanks so much! I appreciate the kind words and for watching.

[@paulgero]

Solid list...thanks Curren!

[@CurrenSheldon]

Thanks for watching!

[@xiiiconcepts]

Great content! If ever I’ll take advice on RUclips, it would be from an Academy Award nominated filmmaker. Thank you for the wisdom!

[@CurrenSheldon]

haha thanks! Glad it was helpful.

[@visulions]

Thanks a lot Curren! Useful information

[@CurrenSheldon]

Glad it was helpful - and thanks for watching!

[@zogbric]

Matte Box are solid for showmanship esp for corporate clients. Would say invest in one if your clients are paying you good money.

[@CurrenSheldon]

Definitely gives it a little bit more of a "pro" look, so sometimes useful!

[@DANAMIONLINE]

I see what you mean. Thanks for starting this conversation, Curren. I would add that:
- Camera cage is underrated depending on the camera you’re using.
For example, for verite doc work, a Blackmagic Pocket Camera needs a cage to be able to mount additional things like external shotgun mic, wireless lav receiver, or timecode.
- Flowtech Tripod is overrated while any “good” tripod is underrated.
- Follow focus is overrated. It’s not essential to pulling focus.

[@CurrenSheldon]

All great points.
Camera cage is definitely camera dependent - if you're using a cinema camera (c70, FX6), then you can definitely get by without them. A mirrorless camera that isn't the FX3, then they are pretty darn useful - especially half cages.
Flowtech - Overrated? hmmmm. Maybe. But it's still great - haha.
And yes, I think the general follow focus is very overrated. I'd much rather have my hand on the lens itself. But wireless follow focuses are necessary when you need them and can't actually physically touch the lens.
Thanks for watching!

[@DANAMIONLINE]

@@CurrenSheldon You’re welcome.
Back in the day, when I used a Canon C200 and C100, we never bought cages.
Regarding the tripod, I used your justification for ranking, essential. The Flowtech isn’t essential. Hahaha. Is it super convent, YASS.

[@CurrenSheldon]

@@DANAMIONLINE Haha FAIR on the Flowtech. That particular tripod is not essential, but a great tripod is. And yes, for my cinema cameras, I usually just change out the stock top handle to get a few more mounting points, though I don't think I ever did that for the C100/C200.

[@clipsthatsell]

Do you reckon you need a camera that look like a bigger pro camera (eg Sony FX6, or FX9) versus smaller mirrorless cameras like the Sony A7siii or FX3 or FX30, for corporate gigs. I know the sensors, codecs/ software are pretty much the same. Do the bigger cameras pay for themselves?

[@CurrenSheldon]

I think it's more about how you like to work. I think some clients are more impressed with larger cameras, but I often like the C70/300/FX6 cams for: Internal NDs, XLRs, and better ergonomics. But, love the mirrorless for IBIS, cheaper full-frame options, and usually better AF - so all depends, I think. Both great and both will get the job done.

[@degree5305]

I wouldn't say they are underrated but aren't cages kinda key to a lot of rigs? Their strength is their flexibilty, like you said you like the top handle but don't like how they can make it hard to grip. BUT they do offer handle grip possibilities if you have a camera without a good form factor like some mirrorless cameras. Cages gives you options to mount external recording, monitor etc. Once I was crammed in a shoot and the cage allowed me to mount the shotgun mic to the side. I changed my mind I am moving cages to underrated tier lol.

[@CurrenSheldon]

Agreed that for some cameras/rigs, they are more important. BUT they are not a necessity for every single shoot, which is what you hear, so therefore they fell into the overrated category - but they are still very useful. If more mirrorless cameras had mounting points like the FX3, then I think camera cages become even more overrated.

[@MrDanielWaters]

Overrated: V-mount batteries. I feel like *this* is the controversial opinion! It’s so much money to buy a whole system of rods, mounting plates, cables etc, before you even buy the batteries! And it’s a huge amount of extra weight.
I shoot on C70s and an R5, and I’ve never been able to justify spending all that on a battery system. NPF batteries are cheap, and some camera batteries now have USB and D-tap outputs. Thoughts?

[@CurrenSheldon]

Oh good one! I agree. I love V-Mounts for my cinema cameras, but I agree that they are definitely overrated for mirrorless or small cine cam (C70, FX6, etc) rigs.

[@d4fredffw]

dead squirrel

[@CurrenSheldon]

Haha the big ones? Probably overrated until you really, really need them.