Best gear for mobile video journalism with a smartphone
The gear you need to produce broadcast video reports with a mobile phone
By Robb Montgomery, Mobile video expert and founder of the Smart Film School
The subject of video gear comes up wherever I train broadcast or print reporters how to make video stories.
This is especially true now that we are able produce broadcast quality news packages on an iPhone.
The new iPhone 6+ from Apple presents an amazing all-in-one solution for
recording reporter stand ups, voice-over narration and even cutting
sound bites with cutaway sequences with an app.
The 6+ model (with max memory storage) is my pick for a smartphone that is good enough to do it all.
The camera is good, the plus model has image stabilization, and the
device is connected. Video packages (or even trimmed rushes) can be cut
in iMovie and quickly sent in from the field.
You will need to supplement the phone with some key equipment in order to capture broadcast quality video.
The gear I recommend as a video consultant falls into four main categories.
Note that there are many choices depending upon your expectations and budget.
Stability
Stable shots are best and to get them you will need to use a grip. I only recommend grips that securely attach to a phone and make a secure connection to a tripod or monopod.
Avoid the cheap springy clamps that you often see attached to selfie
sticks and go for a solid grip made my Manfrotto, ALM, Shoulderpod, UniGrip Pro.
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| A good beginner microphone |
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| A more rugged professional mic setup. |
Microphones
Sound bites, voice-over narration, and reporter stand ups (Piece to Camera) clips require a professional microphones to sound good enough to broadcast.
You can attach professional stick, lav or shotgun microphone with the IK iRig Pro. This is a great-sounding pre-amp and analog to digital converter that connects directly to your iPhone and gives amazing quality.
It can even provide phantom power for pro condenser and is powered by a 9-volt battery.
Light
When you need to “illuminate your victim” you will want to use a face lamp like the Luxpad22.
This low-cost LED lamp is a winner because of the dimmer controls for intensity and color temperature.
It can be powered with standard, low cost video batteries or AA’s.
Power
A power bank that provides at least 10,000 MaH of recharge power rounds out the list of bare essentials in the field.
Look for a model that provides at least one port labeled 2A or high power. This port is designed for power-hungry iPads and the big screen iPhone 6+.
More pictures and details at http://www.robbmontgomery.com/p/gear.html
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