Time is running out to pick up a gift for your friends or family who are filmmakers or videographers. Well, time might have already run out for many of you hoping to hand off gifts on Christmas day.
In any case, you can always find something fun or useful for them and no matter if you are a few days late I’m sure they will appreciate it.
If you need some help to get this done we have plenty of deals to share. Or, if you want something more specific and in a relatively affordable price range of $30-500, then this guide by Tyler Edwards is just what you need.
1. Multi-Tool
Multi-tools are useful gifts for anyone, but if you are looking for a photo/video-specific one that will be immensely more useful for working with support systems, baseplates, and all the other rigging accessories one might need.
Dedicated multi-tools, like the RED SIDEWINDER, have all the common hex wrenches and some basics that will cover pretty much anything you’ll need to get your gear hooked up.
2. Color Chart
Getting your color right in post can be a pain, or it can be a click of a button when you use a gray card or color chart. I find color cards to be an invaluable tool and Calibrite (formerly X-Rite) makes one of the best for everyday use with the ColorChecker Passport Video.
This one is small, folds up to keep it safe, and is widely supported.
3. Portable SSD
Image Credit: Samsung
One thing no content creator will ever have enough of is storage. You can’t go wrong with most portable SSDs, but Samsung’s T7 Shield lineup has become one of the most popular around thanks to their high speeds and more rugged design.
You can edit off of these drives without issue. Get one or two or just get the biggest one you can afford. It won’t go to waste.
4. Compact RGB Light
Lighting is what can make or break a project. It’s also the area that many people always think about later than they should. It doesn’t have to break the bank either, amaran’s 150c RGB LED Light is a solid, compact option that will be a great tool for many amateur and professional filmmakers.
A neat thing about this light is the RGB capabilities, allowing you to quickly create a fun effect while also benefitting from an expanded color temperature range to dial in the exact look you want. Add a variety of modifiers to take it up a notch.
5. Hard Case
One that that is almost inevitable as a filmmaker is that you will acquire a lot of stuff. Almost too much stuff. Keeping that equipment safe and organized is an eternal challenge and Pelican hard cases are favorites for solving this problem.
Tyler goes with the 1510 or 1535 Air since they are lighter weight and yet still very, very durable. Both of these are carry-on size as well.
Also, the TrekPak divider system seems to be a lot easier to use and allows for more equipment to fit compared to the classic foam. Really can’t go wrong here.
Those are five easy gifts for filmmakers. Do you have any other recommendations to add?
[source: Tyler Edwards]
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