Experiences in creating online videos

I did a search on youtube videos and found nothing useful, so maybe this thread might be helpful to me as well as others.

If you have experience making videos for online publication, please share.

What camera do you think is best? Easiest? Most bang for the buck? Reliability issues? Sound or focus solutions?

Tricks to downloading? Any issues with youtube? What makes it easier? Any advice on making money?

What do you wish you could find?

In particular I'd like to begin with any advice on what camera works best in what situation?

Some of the people here post some pretty great content. Kudos to you. Please share...

 

My money no object Sony A7 IV. Budget constraints Sony ZV-E10 also see ZV-F1. Then there are the GoPro(s).

Budget for microphone, lighting, editing software, etc.

 

As far as cameras go, it’s really a “ what works for you situation”. Budget dictates a lot, as does how you intend to use it. I have some interest in video for personal purposes these days, so I’m going to experiment with a point and shoot Olympus tg-6 that is really easy to keep handy and takes only 2 button presses to start recording in 4k. Beyond that, my phone. Eventually I want to get a mirrorless, but that’ll be a while.


Other than that, look up YouTubers that do what you’re interested, they often list what gear they use in the descriptions and occasionally put out a behind the scenes video.

As far as money goes, it’ll come if people and The Algorithm like what you do. That said, a lot of them run a Patreon account as well.

 

I'd bet most youtube videos are done on a phone. Have you ever used a Go-Pro or similar low priced option?

 

Care to elaborate on what a Patreon account is and why people use them?

 

I'm trying to find an easy to use video camera with decent sound in the $300 to $450 price range. Cheaper would be fine, but there's a point where cheap gets... too cheap, I think. I would spring for a good phone if it was video/sound capable enough. I'm kind of surprised nobody has mentioned phones. Will a phone do a ten minute video?

 

Don’t worry about the camera at all, a modern cellphone will work just fine. Worry about having something people want to watch and be able to deliver it in a meaningful way.

 

(Not a creator so take my advice as you will)

From what I have seen phones make decent devices to get started, especially flagship level devices. I have an S23 Ultra and wouldn't hesitate a second to use it for content creation. Its a VERY expensive phone but as it does ALL things the price is somewhat more justified.

Microphones are another matter entirely. What is it you wish to record? Ambient then you need omnidirecitonal, just remember that EVERYTHING gets recorded and the chink of your car keys may be SUPER annoying to listeners. Voice? Voice direct or voice-over? Lapel mics for direct voice, just know that ambient noises will be prevalent, if voice-over then a good directional (cardioid) with a cover and make sure you are happy with how you sound (annunciation) and spits and hisses are minimized. There is a LOT that goes into sound but something like a Rode can work well.

IMO a go pro would be good for different shots, outside driving, under the car, filming from a tight shot. If its direct content like working on cars, filming yourself or an action, etc then the limited zoom levels may be a detractor.

There are also cameras like the Canon M50, or M200 to go lower in price (and each other brand has theirs). Better qualify than a phone (although good phones are REALLY good these days) but I would still run a different microphone.

 

Great information... What is a "Rode"?

 

A microphone brand.

 

it is a brand of microphone

 

Can I be the first to ask

what are you wanting to do? Every situation has a different solution. And there are literally thousands of options

 

Maybe some very short action shots outside, mostly on stage or head shots with a monologue.

 

Start with your phone on a mount or tripod and a DJI Mic or Rode Wireless Go (I have both and like the DJI more)

Add a Moment 58mm lens to it if you want to make it look a little higher-end with some background blur.

use this setup until you get comfortable on camera and have a better idea of your goals.

Also, lighting is key. Make sure your face is well lit, but not harshly lit. Big open windows with natural light, or a more focused light shone into a white wall to create a bounce effect.

you can spend tens of thousand of dollars and still get crap results. The content on the camera is way more important than the quality of the gear. The best produced videos on the planet won’t get watched if they’re boring, but I can still go back and watch crappy home movies because I want to watch the content.

 

Good point.

Much rather watch a poor resolution video with a good script, a plan, and good speaking than a super high resolution video with a ton of "um"s and no real direction. Imo bad sound is more off putting than poor resolution.

Obviously I'm not talking potatoe cam quality, but really any nice phone from the last decade is good enough imo