My camera setup for filming SURF

This is the camera equipment that I use for shooting surfing.
I'm not stating that this is the set up you have to have in order to capture great footage but it's what is currently in my bag when I head to the beach.
Equipment featured:
Canon 1DX Mark ii
Canon 400mm 2.8
Canon 70-200mm 2.8 ii
Canon 75-300mm
GoPro Max
GoPro 7
DJI Mini

[@iiLeeDz]

Hey Brad! Started watching your videos a while back from Spain. Now that I recently moved to LA I really hope to see you out there when it's pumping! Great content as always!

[@theTurboS_]

Hey Brad! This channel was my favorite find. I’m so glad I can see all this content you make and put out. I swear I have seen you in the San Clemente area. Anyway, this is cool! I might get one of these

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks for the kind words! 👍

[@dailysurfdeams6527]

Happy to see you still using EF lenses.

[@SurfingWithNoz]

Super quality video Brad! Awesome breakdown and insight too 🙌🏽

[@BradJacobson]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@sneakerset]

Thanks for the gear breakdown, Brad. Canon/Optron also produces fluorite lenses for Takahashi (Japan). I've been using Losmandy V-rails/saddles on a Manfrotto fluid head, and the rig pans nicely w/o vibration or backlash.

[@DriftLibrary]

The kit 75-300 is my favourite canon lens because it’s the lens that made me fall in love with photography. Would very much like to get the 70-200 and a 100-400 next.

[@corduche]

Some well loved gear

[@BradJacobson]

Got a few miles on those tires 🤣🤣

[@graysong5787]

Hey Brad, thanks for making content, we appreciate it

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks for watching!

[@nomadictimbo9185]

Very helpful video dude. I'm aiming to do surf videos as soon as the season starts again and I get a MacBook Pro to store and edit the footage. One question I have is what 4K settings do you prefer to use most of the time? For normal speed, do you prefer 4K 24 or 30fps? I will also use the 4K 60 and 120HD from my Fujifilm X-T4, but I was wondering what frame rates to use for standard footage? Also, do you have any tips when it comes to panning on a tripod? I've mainly been a photographer and haven't needed a tripod for sports photography or videoing skateboarding because of the image stabilisation of the camera and lens. However, I obviously know I'll need to use it for surf vids, so any advice will be awesome. Thanks mate 🤘

[@venturasurfing]

Wow! My takeaway was your tripod. Last combination of legs, spreaders, and bowl that I would have guessed. But I get it, THANK YOU!

[@BradJacobson]

I need to get carbon fibre legs for sure!

[@travyswright]

Thank you for this ! It’s great to know what gear you’ve been shooting on!

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks!

[@davegibbs6592]

Good stuff, I switched from Nikon to Canon because of the 100-400 lens and love it!

[@BradJacobson]

I didn't mention it in the video but I shot with the 100-400mm before I got the 400mm 2.8 Thats a fun lens

[@vinorama58]

Great channel! Do you use manual or auto focus?

[@henryssurfshowcase]

Thank you for sharing your camera set up! I especially like your video editing too..

[@BradJacobson]

Thank you so much!

[@henryssurfshowcase]

Hello again@@BradJacobson what shutter speed do you normally use, and what aperture approx?..

[@troyball826]

Love it bro Would love to upgrade my 1dx to the mark two or 3 I do use my 70-200 f2.8 with a 2x extender Until I can afford a 400 f2.8 😅 Love ya work my bro

[@eastcoast16s]

Just found this. Great break down. I am a Nikon guy but at the pro level they are all pretty much the same (Canon does better video). Worked in pro sports for years. Love the 400 2.8, it is by far the lens I use the most. I just need to be closer to the beach and get some surf footage now!

[@anthonyfernandez989]

Hi Brad just saw your video you posted 4 months ago. I am going to shoot at Portugal next month on my own as a freelancer, just wandering if you had any advice how i should approach the culture and getting work for what I shoot? I can shoot both vid and photos. Great channel keep up the good work.

[@cjsmith]

Canon RF 100-500 f/4.5-7.1 covers most Beach and Point breaks, then I use the 1.4x extender if I need more reach with a Canon EOS R5 😎⚡️🤙

[@braxtonvillagran2664]

Brad: I’m gonna shoot some surfing today Also Brad: Pulls out a RPG

[@waltysalamander]

I don’t know anything about shooting video, but this was still an entertaining video for some reason. Keep it up 👍

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks!

[@LongboardSessions]

Wow thanks for this Brad. Very hard to find information on what surf videographers use. I’ve been thinking of a 300 2.8 on a crop sensor a6600 for a beach set up. Basically a lower quality version of what you have hehe

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks! the 300 2.8 is a great lens! You could add a 1.4x extender (max I'd go) to get a little more reach.

[@LongboardSessions]

@@BradJacobson Yes iv'e looked at the extenders, definitely an option. However, I think the 300mm on a crop sensor gives me about a 450 ish equivalent? Another option for me is the 70-200 2.8 with an extender... that would be the much cheaper option.

[@douglash9364]

Any chance you can compare a 200MM Vs 400MM? It would be cool to see the same shots (fixed location) with a "little" standard 70-200 Vs. once of the big 2.8's. This is incredibly educational and appreciated!

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks! I can do that.

[@eliasaguirre1227]

awsome fricking video :)

[@BradJacobson]

Thanks!

[@chadly805]

Thanks Brad!! Let us know if you ever make a video on your favorite lower and mid tier cameras or what you would recommend for those starting out! Cheers

[@BradJacobson]

That’s a good idea. I’ll have to make that happen.

[@chadly805]

@@BradJacobson Thanks man, look forward to it!!

[@polinanevinskaya9187]

Hey Brad, what would you recommend if I am choosing a gear for filming surfing from land around 1K USD: a bridge camera or a camcoder? I don't think it's possible to find any good dlsr setup with enough zoom of the lenses for that budget.

[@malongachatel6171]

Hey what’s up man, so I’m thinking of buying a Sony alpha a6500 with the Sony 200-600mm lens what do you think?

[@jackscanlaniii7337]

hey brad, if you have perfect lighting is it better to lower your aperture to max to let more light in(increase shutter or decrease ISO) or keep it at a certain aperture. i know some photographers on the north shore of oahu and some of them shoot at F/5.6 even though their lenses can go 2.8. is lowering your aperture worse in terms of things being in focus?

[@BradJacobson]

Yep, going to 2.8 for shooting surfing in good light isn’t necessarily

[@SurfersofUbatuba]

Hey Brad! First, thanks for sharing all that with us. Can I ask the shutter speed you shoot? I'm shooting 4k, 24FPS, at 1/50 shutter speed. I'm getting too much blur for my taste. Just getting started here. Cheers from Brazil!

[@BradJacobson]

I always film Surfing differently than everything else. I use a high shutter speed (800-1200).

[@SurfersofUbatuba]

@@BradJacobson Thanks Brad! Appreciate it. And what about FPS? I'm start thinking that 30FPS has a better look when panning with a tele lens... Do you shoot 24 or 30 fps when filming surfing? Thanks again, for real.

[@jackscanlaniii7337]

please do another one 🙏

[@philippepetitpas1883]

Hey thank you :) do you use any nd filter ? Or you just crank up the shutter speed ?

[@naludog8087]

Would be great to hear your thoughts on ND.

[@jackscanlaniii7337]

Hey brad what do you recommend for a canon mirrorless not DSLR. I shoot on the south of Oahu so the waves are extremely far out

[@BradJacobson]

I've switched to mirrorless since this video, the Canon R6. It's good but I don't recommend it for filming surf because it overheats in the sun. I plan on getting the R5C very soon. The camera body will not help you as far as focal length or seeing surfers way far out. You'll need a good lens for that. I still use the Canon 400mm 2.8 for that. I hope this helps.

[@mattewgillenberg4587]

Hi Brad. I have a 7d II and a Sigma 150-600. My challenge is getting consistent, in-focus surfing video. Any tips on settings and technique would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@BradJacobson]

I use auto focus and it’s 90% accurate. If you’re using autofocus be sure to continue to push the shutter half way to be sure the autofocus is staying on the surfer.

[@filiperosa486]

Hello Brad, Thanks for the information! One question, do you use manual or autofocus?

[@BradJacobson]

Auto when shooting surf.

[@filiperosa486]

@@BradJacobson Thanks!!

[@danielpestle3491]

Is that a long lens

[@aaronwilliams7878]

Does the video come out stable? Windy days must be tough

[@pedrofreitas2312]

Hi Brad! How do you monetize you footages?

[@BradJacobson]

I monetize by views through KZbin.

[@AnthonyTilleyVideography]

Do you think over 400mm is necessary f

[@AnthonyTilleyVideography]

Or particular situations, like say blacks?

[@malongachatel6171]

And I’m only wanting to film surfing and wild life let me know why you think?

[@johnnykhawand]

13,000$ for the lens 😅