OVERHYPED CAMERA GEAR beginners should avoid!

[@DanFox]

What kind of gear have you found to be overhyped? Sound off below! 👇

[@MrChristopher1]

I've purchased a bunch of stuff I've had to grow into for sure, but I don't regret most of the purchases (except that gorilla pod - definitely a bad rookie purchase). Wish I had run into this video earlier for sure. 🙏🏽

[@DanFox]

It seems so useful on paper! 😓🤪

[@Shot.by.gio.]

Buying an expensive Sony It’s worth it. However when I was a rookie that price slapped me really hard and fast. Should have bought an a6000 or something with full frame lenses

[@WhiteMic]

lmao where do we start.... Prism? Janky Shoulder Rig? Gimbal... not the electronic one, those old school manual balanced sliders! the list goes on....

[@tommikangaskortet3102]

Worst gimmick you can find is the lens ball.

[@paulprim6217]

5 years landscape photographer here. Met so many fellow photographers overequiped on the field, with so much unecessary stuff, two tripods, two camera bodies, all the filters that exists, two huge bags to carry all this stuff. The worse is that they explained me how their way of doing is better than mine, while they haven't finished setting up when i finished shooting. They should watch this video. Couldn't agree more with eveything that you said. Man is speaking truth !

[@Male_Parent]

True, I have a friend that uses his phone for about 70% of his shots. Being quick can be key to getting a good shot especially in a dynamic world like this. There's still a use for the slow and quality shot but for most of my photography I need to be able to just pull out a cam and snap.

[@clivemilner]

Paul one needs to use Prim lenses .

[@johnkorth8599]

When I go out to shoot I have a purpose and only carry 2 lenses max

[@ricknicholson5894]

The above photographer you describe is "young." I was that way as well but after lugging substantial weight around for some time, I decided like a good backpacker, to eliminate the unnecessary and unused. When I went out shooting in an area called "Cathedral Grove" here on Vancouver Island yesterday, I brought one camera, one lens and small flash. Today I will take another camera and one zoom (16 to 35), small flash and a tripod (it's dark in there).

[@00anta]

​@@Male_Parent that'll work if you're taking pictures of your daughter being goody around the house, not if you're actually making a living taking pictures. Phone pictures look like shit when you look at them on anything else but a phone screen.

[@dalegreer3095]

On your last point, people need to remember that photographers looooved the 5 y/o tech when it first came out. So if they loved it then and made great photos and videos on it back then, then it must be capable of being used to making great photos and videos still. I recently upgraded from an X-E2 to an X-T3. The X-T3 is 5 years old, but I loooove the upgrade from my 9 y/o X-E2 because there were specific features I needed in my work that the X-E2 doesn't have. Also the X-T3 just feels better built. But anyway, if you stay in the past, you'll be happy to upgrade to something that's not quite so far in the past.

[@georgesmith4509]

A great presentation. Thankyou! Somebody talking sense at last. I especially agreed with and enjoyed your comment at 16:30 "marketing departments seem to have competitions creating non existing problems your will need to fix". At 80 + years I've been active in photography since a 10 yr old and I keep all the junk gear I've bought to remind me DON'T DO IT AGAIN, but that doesn't work..... When you go into camera store leave your wallet and cards in the car! A further thank-you for keeping the background music at a sensible level, many presenters have it so loud one cannot hear the dialogue.

[@tallAldiProduction]

Very good points regarding drones and gimbals. A few years ago I bought a drone. After a year not really using it, I sold to to by a gimbal. Same story, very rarely used it and subsequently sold it before it lost too much value. Now I’m investing that money in a high quality tripod which will most likely serve me well for the rest of my life.

[@williamburkholder769]

Excellent points! As a 67-year-old photographer for over five decades, I agree with ALL of your points!

[@lucyffer8836]

I've been taking this hobby seriously for about 4 years now. And I'm actually working as a photographer these days. But you really helped give me the peace of mind that I don't really need the latest and greatest to take some great photos. Cheers!

[@OnceinaSixSide]

I had a UV filter on my lens for a little while because in my mind it made sense in an environment with lots of atomized paint particles floating around in the air. However I started to notice my footage was looking very hazy, turns out the damn thing would fog up!

[@DanFox]

I could actually see that being a useful scenario for using one, especially if it's a type of paint that doesn't come off easily. But the fogging up thing sucks for sure lol

[@tdunster2011]

@@DanFox You rub hand soap on the UV filter, let it sit for a minute or so - then wash the soap off with water. This stops the filter from fogging up.

[@PennyCarlson-cy1iq]

@@tdunster2011 Yup, so another thing you don't need is fancy anti fog solutions.

[@JackBeasleyMedia]

Hey Dan, good video. After 15 years of photography, I finally gave up on UV filters. Suddenly, I no longer have sun or light flares in my images. I held onto the practice for years, based on my photojournalism experience where I was put into horrible environmental conditions where I was afraid for the front element of my lenses. But, standing on the sidelines, shooting a football game, I don't have to worry much about environmental conditions. Oh yeah, and my drone never gets used. You're right, all the regulations and restrictions were too much of a pain in the ass.

[@TLK22]

I put UV filters on all my lenses to protect them and when I went to Nepal I instantly removed them because they trapped fog in between because of the cold.

[@shira_yone]

@@TLK22 wouldn't the fog be inside the lens element had they're not trapped first by the filter glass (unless the lens is weather sealed perhaps)? I wouldn't know but it sounds like it did it's job in this case.

[@TLK22]

@@shira_yone I use only weather sealed gears when hiking and the fog was trapped between the lens and UV filter so I stopped using them.

[@BobDiaz123]

One thing that I found VERY helpful was a mono-pod. I use it all the time when I'm blogging and the extended leg helps to steady the camera. Plus, the mono-pod gives me something to hold onto with a good grip. That plus the IBIS in the camera works wonders.

[@mostirreverent]

I find cleaning a UV filter is easier in the field than cleaning a lens element, where I don’t have to be quite so precious about how I clean it. Also I tend to buy upper range Hoya glass I really like a gimbal for moon pictures with a big lens

[@larsandreas2045]

Thanks!

[@DanFox]

Appreciate it!

[@AshwinGanesh]

As a tech KZbinr covering phones for the last 10 years... Everything you said after 17:00 applies perfectly to smartphones too Excellent video btw 😁

[@DanFox]

Appreciate it, Ashwin! And yeah... I can't even imagine trying to keep up with the phone market professionally. So much unnecessary hype multiple times per year for features that don't really matter or that are only incrementally better than the previous version.

[@autofocusrossswansea9362]

Bit late to the party but I would say that I agree with you on the UV filter thing with one qualifying point. The expensive Nikon 16-35mm VR full frame lens has internal focusing, but the zoom action on it causes the front element to dissapear slightly into the body of the lens, allowing dust to settle in the gap before the lens is re-zoomed into the original positon. In several reviews it was specifically mentioned that a UV filter permanently attached would act as a dust filter to prevent most of the dust in the atmosphere from encroaching into the lens itself and end up visible on the internal elements. I have to say, the cost of the lens made me think the small cost of a good filter was worth it. I agree that the UV filters appear to make no difference to the images at all, and the chances are, if the lens or camera is dropped hard enough to break the filter, the lens front element is going to get clobbered too - so for that purpose, its pointless, as you say. As a dust cover though - I think I'll leave mine on that particular lens as insurance. The reviewers could be spot on, so why take the chance.

[@DanFox]

Yeah, there were some dust issues with Sigma lenses for a while, too where the front elements weren't properly weather sealed. It seems that had a lot to do with this resurgence in "protection" filters because you're never getting that dust out short of taking it to a repair shop. If your lens is afflicted with that, then a screw on filter can certainly make sense - but then you'd need to go with something really high quality like polarpro's quartz glass to make sure the filter doesn't degrade image quality.

[@autofocusrossswansea9362]

@@DanFox I bought it used and to be fair to the original owner, it was in supreme condition, and had a UV filter pre fitted, a Hoya Pro MultiCoated, also in supreme condition. I shone a powerful torch through the lens and found no sign of dust which, I hope, remains the case. UV filters are a bit of a unique one - we all know that they don't really do anything for digital so that gives people the thought that they should buy a cheap one! It is wrong, obviously as, if you paid hundreds for a good lens, why stick a cheap not too good filter on there? I have never used UV filters before this lens, and have always kept the lens hood on. It seems the new lens I got requires a filter and I'd rather not risk it - landscape is outdoors and lots of dust in the air so why would I not? Great set of videos you have, I only found you a few days back so I'm working through your back catalogue. Thanks.

[@bretspencer]

The filter comments are spot on. I used to carry multiple sizes of UV, circular polarizers and a set of graduated ND filters. Today I have a set of lenses with the same filter size and I only carry a circular polarizer and a multistop ND filter. Just 2 filters instead of over a dozen. I would never go back.

[@AMLee_Magco]

Thanks for this video! Being able to hear this from someone else truly helps. It also makes me feel a lot better about my self as a novice and my recent new purchase.

[@DanFox]

You're welcome!

[@CartyCantDance]

I actually love all this advice. I just graduated from a iPhone 13 Pro with a cage and moment lenses to Sony APSC, and I’m always tempted to get a gimbal bc we don’t grace ibis. But as I’ve gotten better at handheld footage especially with s camera strap, I’ve felt like I need the gimbal less.

[@DanFox]

Yeah, gimbals are great - when you need them lol. Otherwise, they're just a pain to carry around.

[@PennyCarlson-cy1iq]

I have the 14 Pro. I did get an electronic gimbal. At least with the 14 pro, the stabilization is so good that the gimbal just makes things more complicated. I'm more of a stills person and I have to say that I hate the phone for stills. I hadn't purchased a new phone for quite a few years and thought I'd get one of the better phones, with a decent camera. I have a little bit of buyers remorse on the iPhone. So for me, you could add that to the mix as expensive equipment that I really don't need. I do like it for video though and I did need a new phone. I definitely could have gotten by with a much cheaper phone.

[@CartyCantDance]

@@PennyCarlson-cy1iq everything from the 12 onward doesn’t need an upgrade until like the iPhone 20

[@PennyCarlson-cy1iq]

@@CartyCantDance Yeah but I was coming from a Galaxy S7, so I hadn't upgraded in quite a few years. I couldn't run Waze and stream music at the same time. I'm sure a $500 phone would have done that fine.

[@NJM1948]

Great video Dan. Love how you got the message acrss in an informed way and how you used logical reasoning. The section about filters was particularly good and backed up with impirical evidence. At least now, if people still want to use unnecessary filters or any of the other things you menitoned, they will be doing so out of choice and not out of fear of missing out!!!

[@Aqua-de1rc]

sometimes buying gears ended up holding back your creativity. I have bought many camera gears as an intermediate (I make content on other platforms), but sometimes to let creativity flow, I have to strip down all the gear to force myself be creative (except for audio, never compromise). buying better gears doesn't make you a better visual storyteller. it is more important knowing what needs to be in the frame and what needs to be left out, than buying new gears to enhance picture quality, smooth movements, etc.

[@DanFox]

Gear can definitely become a crutch if you let it!

[@georgesmith4509]

I Love your comment about better gear. I recall being told many years ago "Nikon make good gear, but buying a Nikon will not make you abetter photographer, it will simple make you a Nikon owner"

[@MikeRollerson]

I've had a few Gorillapod's and have had the same issues with them not being able to hold any weight after a bit of time -- but I think that part of the issue is that they're not really intended to be a handheld device for vlogging -- they're meant to be flexible so they can grab onto things (like a Gorilla) such as poles, bricks, etc.. to attach a camera or light somewhere that you might otherwise not be able to. Attaching it to a ceiling by wrapping it around a pipe or only a handrail of a staircase. I'm not sure why they got picked up and used so much for Vlogging when it was never really a purpose of them. They're meant to flex and bend, so holding it out with the weight of a camera at an angle, it's going to end up bending. I do agree that it loses support over time (and starts to droop even as a tripod), but the alternative offered doesn't really cover the same use-cases unless it's being used as a vlogging camera or tripod

[@DanFox]

Joby explicitly markets them as handheld vlogging tripods on their website, though.

[@kenmorrisproducer]

I have used my Gorillapod with my GH3 for handheld video for years. One leg bends against my shoulder and the the other two legs serve as handles. Granted, I’m filming other things than myself.

[@djktman]

Great advice and very important for those starting out. I've noticed a lot of KZbinrs started making videos with similar topics.

[@martinratz]

Got this video randomly recommended. Did really like it, especially about most people not making use of the "Digital" Part of a Camera. I suppose most people think that using a filter is more authentic than digital post processing, but I personally do not need to spend extra money and space to justify myself to others. If it looks good, it looks good. Subscribed.

[@bricker247]

What a great video. So glad I ran into your channel. Thanks for all the hard work and I look forward to watching you grow.

[@DanFox]

Appreciate it! Glad you're here!

[@ColdPizzaPictures]

I'm so happy I found this video. I recently bought all my gear as I finally decided to get into photography properly (I say "all my gear", but I mean a camera and a DJI pocket). This video is basically a summary of everything I considered buying and ended up not buying because well, because I did my research! I'm so glad someone more experienced than me got to the same conclusions as I did!

[@vapinggranny2474]

The drone thing was my biggest problem, I wanna get into real estate shooting more and I purchase a drone with the intention of all the outside shooting but in the densely populated area I’m in near many airports it’s hard to find time to go somewhere with the right environment for practice. I’ve had a drone for like 6 months and only now got a camera, used the drone about twice when I coulda been practicing shooting anything and everything, editing all that stuff this entire time, and now just had to learn to fly. But u live and learn right? I got time lol

[@DanFox]

I think it may be worth it for folks who really want to focus on aerial stuff, even pursue a part 107 license, but it's tough to feel like it's worth it otherwise. Btw, your user name cracked me up!

[@2000sidhupunjab]

You have very good on camera presence, already a finished product at just 1.23k subscribers. I was actually shocked when I glanced at sub count. You are very knowledgeable without air of superiority. Binge watching your content, are you from Vancouver, Canada?

[@DanFox]

Appreciate it! I just started posting videos in earnest last year so it's early days yet, you know? And nope, not Vancouver, though close. I live in the U.S. about 15 minutes north of Seattle.

[@DucknCoverStudios]

In defense of the gorilla pod I have found it to be a fairly helpful tool for myself, as I do a lot of toy photography using action figures, where the ability to get the camera really close to the ground, and manipulate the legs so that things like rocks and tree roots aren't a problem is really helpful for getting the shots I want. However, I'd say you do have to be cautious about how you use it. I've never had any problems using it in the fashion you would for a normal tripod with my Cannon 60D, but there's no way I'm wrapping that around a tree branch and hoping nothing bad happens. So I'd say for something that falls in that niche where you need to get the camera really close to the ground on rough terrain it's definitely worth a look, but outside of that I really haven't found it to be super useful.

[@donflamingo795]

Well, it is useful to YOUR use. It might not be useful for other people. Or most people. But it is useful to you. So your purchase in this case is completely justified.

[@shanejb2121]

I have one too, but I was aware of the pitfalls of the eventually loosening joints. I use it minimally, like if I'm in dense brush where I'm trying to get a very specific shot where a typical tripod can be limited, or precarious, like on damp slippery logs, or boggy soil. Manipulating the legs can be a lifesaver. In that case, it's been fine, but then I've not put it through excessive use. I will say, the ball head has been very decent. I actually thought it may be the weak point. I got it pretty cheap, so I didn't feel too bad about buying it for my specific sporadic usage.

[@kenmorrisproducer]

I actually love my gorilla pod. I bought one almost a decade ago and it’s still working great. Nothing has come loose yet. Although the little rubber feet leave marks on surfaces. I think it’s just old. The pod is seriously underrated for handheld use and video. Gorilla pod for handheld and video? Yes! I shape the legs are my arm and shoulder and it provides me a little more stability without having to setup a tripod.

[@chrisbaudeg3233]

Gorilla pods only good for pocket strobes, Small LED lights, etc. NOT a camera/lens unless a cell phone.

[@konnorhalsey6981]

@@chrisbaudeg3233 also great for GoPros if you want to put them in different spots.

[@joedirtpig814]

I have a u/v filter in my kit because I once used my camera with gimbal to get some video of a new lawnmower line that was coming out and as you can imagine cut grass flying directly into the lens makes a hard to clean mess.

[@vividstudio4651]

I have a gymbol. I have not used it since I began using a simple neck strap and a lengthy lens. Neither lens nor camera have stabilisation but the results are still smooth due to the size of the triangle of support I make. It is so much easier to control the direction. Hands are on the lens for focus. I limit my shooting to 10 second bursts to describe the scene. It’s a joy.

[@Wolf_1775]

I use a UV filter as a sacrificial element for some of my work. Mainly, when around firearms during live fire where there's a chance for bullet fragments coming back. Chances are the lens' front element won't sustain any real damage, but it's helped out a couple times. For everything else... lens hood is far more useful for protecting the front element. That's literally one of the few times where I think it's useful. On a side note, always wear eye and ear protection on the range. You can replace a camera lens, but good luck with replacing eyesight or hearing. Also, good on you for pointing out that upgrading can be necessary, but it takes some work to get to the point of it being necessary. Gear can help, but it doesn't negate the skill requirement to maximize the gear.

[@DanFox]

For sure, hearing and eye protection permanently live in the little tackle box I take to the range. First time I heard how loud a firearm actually was that was my very next purchase lol

[@DanFox]

And yeah, I'm definitely not a "gear doesn't matter" guy but one needs to be able to leverage it.

[@Wolf_1775]

@@DanFox It took a while to confidently say that I needed to upgrade from my Nikon D3500 to the Sony A74. That's a pretty substantial jump, but it became evident as I started to do more lowlight work and needing the better autofocus with some of the guys I'd shadow at the range. It would've been a waste of resources until I hit that wall though. That being said, it's not a bad idea to get better gear if it's within budget, and you know you're going to be doing work that requires it. Just don't be surprised if the results aren't as polished until you actually know how to use the better gear in those conditions. The first few night shoots I took photos at were better than when I had the Nikon, but they didn't actually turn out good until I had a couple months with the new gear. Harsh truth that needs to be preached.

[@arbee1958]

I use UV filters in all my lenses but remove it only when shooting into the sun- I often shoot very close to "messy"subjects ... paint splash , sea spray etc ... and when changing lenses quickly I find I'm liable to just drop my lens front down into my crowded bag in the dark - onto clips, camera caps or other bits . When shooting next to a lot of sea spray I may need to swap the UV filters 3 times to stop sea mist clouding and drying on the front of the lens so I keep changing the UV filter and just keep shooting(I can also wash the UV filters at the nearest tap ) . I also shoot dogs and they are fond of licking the lens. My Bag is stupid heavy and bulky and adding lens hoods is a waste of a huge amount of space on my longer lenses and for my 12-24 , 16-35, 24-70 ... useless protection-wise as the hoods are barely a cm past the front element anyway

[@solaweng]

As a hobby photographer/videographer myself, I cannot agree more. I own gimbals when I shoot with my phone and I was very impressed by its functionality. Naturally, I grabbed a gimbal when I switched to Sony body. However, I ignored two aspects: camera gimbals are way heavier and bigger; balancing took way longer. I found myself never talking the gimbal out while on a trip even I had it in my bag. Smooth video is nice, but it sort of takes the realistic part out when I tried to vlog. I was a big fan of drones and even built couple of ones before my first purchase of the mavic pro gen 1. Now after 3 upgrades (or maybe downgrades), I own a mavic mini 2. I had it in my camera backpack all the time due to its small size and weight. It doesn’t give me the best quality, but I realized that flying movement is a lot more important to get usable footage than having a great sensor (I.e. practice). For me, getting the convenient gear that I will actually gonna use is way more important than getting the best gear. Now I own an a7c body, super light 16-35 G pz for landscape and video, a super compact 55mm f1.8 for portrait, a 90mm macro and a flash for macro and distant shot, a mavic mini 2 for aero, and a light weight tripod (carbon fiber) for stills and Timelapse. Are these the best in its class? Not really. But these are the gears that I am WILLING to carry every time when I am out shooting. That’s all it matters.

[@DanFox]

This is such a valuable thing to remember. If gear never gets used, it doesn't matter how good it is.

[@PancakeDiaries]

I needed this comment, badly. I have an A7C, 16-35 PZ G, 50 1.8, 24 2.8, (getting a 30 3.5 macro), and a tripod. I have the appropriate filters, and even the non used UV one. Real Estate photography is really what I wanna do; that, and food. Sold all my original equipment when I moved back to Jersey, and for cheaper than the actual value. I have an RGB light, but know I need a kit... Do u recommend a 2 light kit with soft boxes and bouncers (white, black, gold, silver)? I don't need them for the real estate stuff that I just learned requires me to have an actual website, but for food; I'm not sure that this strong ass little light I have will cut it

[@skakdosmer]

Excellent video! Only complaint: I needed it 27 years ago! I used a lot of filters back in the film era. Colour correction filters were essential, as one example, but digital cameras made them obsolete. However, digital cameras did not make UV filters obsolete. Because they were already obsolete before the digital cameras came. Film was no longer sensitive to UV light when I started out in 1996, and hadn't been for a long time. I've never wasted money on drones, gorilla pods or gimbals. But something I DID waste money on was a screen calibration device. I heard so many KZbinrs tell me I couldn't live without one, and so I stupidly bought one. And I even bought the "elite" version which was the most expensive. Only to find out that despite many attempts, it always made my screen colours much worse instead of better. Never did I waste money more badly. At least I never fell for the hype of buying a lens calibration tool. I've calibrated some lenses, but it was simple enough to do without the tool, as I knew it would be. Canon's website has a good guide, but I didn't even need that. Now, I wouldn't call the lens calibration tool useless, absolutely not, as i'm sure it IS usable for the intended purpose. I only say it's completely unnecessary. But if you think it looks cool, and if you love to buy cool stuff, then it might not be a waste of YOUR money.

[@DanFox]

I own a display calibrator and do find it useful, though to your point it is a niche product - more for those who need to be able to determine how their stuff is going to be viewed across multiple devices and in print. My personal take is not that the calibration tools are useless, but the software that comes bundled with them is total trash. Use DisplayCAL instead. It's a learning curve, and takes way longer to calibrate, but it is so good. Also, screen brightness is usually a problem that people don't realize affects calibration indirectly because of our perception. Manufacturers set their screen brightness way too bright. DisplayCAL also helps you set the ideal brightness - somewhere between 90 and 120 cd/m². For context, on my monitors, that works out to only 43% brightness.

[@deanames7326]

Listen to this man. With the exception of the filters, I am guilty of everyone of these purchase mistakes. Great video with solid advice. There is no substitute for experience! Anyone want to buy my unused drone?

[@anthonysamra7777]

Such a honest and insightful video for Nubs... really appreciated!

[@DanFox]

Sure thing!

[@mtbboy1993]

3:09 I think the main selling point of it was to wrap the gorilla pod around a tree branch, rocks, so if on a hiking or mountain biking trail and there is a tree you can put a camera in the tree and film the hiker or rider. So it's nice if you want to have camera in a weird spot, where a tripod, or camera person can't be. Or when in an urban environment light pole, sign post, a fence pole, fence planks what ever else you can wrap things around. But I think clamps would be more usable for this, I don't know if that exist. but something that clamps on to something, maybe a quick release system, a tightening system.

[@DThomasPorter]

Assuming you place padding between elements, a diaper bag makes a great "non assuming" camera bag. Most are waterproof as well. Like camera bags, however, you'll find diaper bags can get really expensive as well.

[@neddanison9202]

I wish I had seen your video a long time ago. I would have saved lots of money. (1) Spot on about the Joby gorilla pod! If one of those little joints gets the tiniest crack -- useless. I ended up gluing the joint together. I never used it as much as I thought I would in the first place. (2) UV filters to protect the lens: I bought them, but I use the lens hood anyway. First thing I noticed was glare, flare and ghosting, so I don't use them anymore. (3) My gimbal hasn't been out of its case for about a year because I tend to do a mix of stills and video, and it's just a pain to have to set up the gimbal and end up shooting mostly stills. Plus, Panasonic's double stabilization and slo-mo pretty much obviate the need for a gimbal.

[@DanFox]

I wish I had seen this video years ago, too! 🤣

[@cosmos7engineer]

Thanks Dan for the down to Earth video. We definitely need more channels bringing people away from the gear fetish.

[@Sunfell]

Thank you for this. I am a new photographer, and I am glad that I found this video. I'm still learning the basics, but I did fall for the UV filter recommendation from the shop where I purchased the camera. I also got a bag, a decent tripod, and a light. That's enough for me. Thanks for the gimbal info- you saved me some money that I'll use to get a lens hood and backup battery.

[@DanFox]

Yeah, an electronic gimbal has more utility for video, but even then, it's not worth it until you know you're actually going to need it and use it. Once you need it, then it's a great purchase, but not something you buy just because it sounds cool.

[@w.obrien8044]

I was interested in your comments regarding the Joby Gorilla, I video a music event ever week from a static position in a Pub (bar). I'm actually playing in the band so I can't physically hold the camera or mount the camera on a tripod as it would be obtrusive and impracticable in a crowded bar. So I invested in the Gorilla Pod and I mount it on a metal column and then attach the camera a Zoom Q8 N with a battery backup so the camera mount and camera are slightly overhead it's unobtrusive. In this situation the Gorilla Pod works very well, as I can set my audio level on the camera and just let it record continueously until the end of the evening. I've had no issues with the Gorilla Pod falling apart and I've been recording this open -mic event apart from lockdown since 2019. But I must admit the Gorilla Pod is pricy and the the head mounting screw can loosen. Apart from that it works well for me.

[@ManuelKahana]

About filters: I use UV filters for protection and because I live in a very sunny country, I find GND filters essential. I actually got a free CPL with my square filter kit, and I find it useless....

[@hungrychad]

Love the realistic, engaging and down-to-earth video and I'm now gonna browse your other vids. Here's a sub!

[@DanFox]

Thanks!

[@just2cameraguys]

Great assessment as to when to buy and what to buy. "if your current gear holds you back, that might be the signal to upgrade" Maybe the next video is what holds you back, some folks would think that maybe a new sensor would make them look better or sharper, but how do they make sure it's not a skill issue?? Maybe if the same thing has held you back for over a year. IDK.

Dear Dan I so agree on everything you said. Especially about the gimbal that I bought but only used a couple times.

[@patrickelliott-brennan8960]

Always good to hear a review that explains 'why' not just 'because'. Nice one :)

[@paulinfrancis]

I use my gorilla pod quite a lot, but with a GoPro, so it’s not bearing anything like the load of a normal camera. It’s very useful for filming myself in the gym, etc.

[@MurrayVader-xp8iv]

This is a great video. 6the information about filters was especially helpful. I use canon rebel xs and t7. They serve me well. I've been doing photography for over 50 years and there is still lots to learn. My main lens is a 75 300 from a film camera. It works well . Its the glass that makes the pictures in hardware and what you know. Thanks for the new information

[@DanFox]

Sure thing!

[@MannsWoodlandPerspective]

Definitely gave me a good chuckle thinking back years when I first started. BTW, where is the background audio track from?

[@DanFox]

The music track is from Artlist. I have a referral link to them in the description that will get you two free months if you want to try it out.

[@danmorgan1798]

Fun video! Love the outtakes at the end. :) Glad I stumbled upon your channel just now.

[@DanFox]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@aronkogler]

I've bought my Ronin SC especially for hyperlapse footages. It can be used for stabilizing videos, but i also thoughts i can handle it with my own arms.

[@conqueringryan]

Well done! Totally agree with these, ESPECIALLY the filters!

[@DanFox]

🤘 This was the one I probably felt silliest about after learning the hard way lol. Frees up more space in the camera bag, though. Thanks for watching, Ryan!

[@kolapyellow7631]

i am glad i didn't buy any filter either he gave awesome review and honest opinion, not trying to sell junks to newbiesss like me..

[@amitratwani5698]

Great candid video. I have spent on a drone and I honestly don’t think I was ready for it.

[@KODOPhoto]

Spot on! I'm guilty of purchasing all of these + and agree with you 100%. Well presented and well said.

[@craigmeyer5291]

All comments are right ON! I started my photo journey many years ago with small film cameras. I learned to make photos, was the JS Newspaper and Yearbook photog, later went to college classes as a hobbyist. Ya ODN'T usually NEED IT!!! Whatever it is. EXCEPT for a good tripod/head suited for your style. Thanks for the JOBO tip, it seemed sort of obvious to me, so I avoided that one. When I when Digital in 2014, my first choice was a used Canon 50D. WHY? I was an EOS film shooter, had lenses and the 50D was of the "current generation" using features and functions common across the entire line like video, and other stuff I forget. BUT, definitely still in the mainstream--aka last year's model. The first thing I shot was a panorama using multiple exposures for each panel. Because getting a sunset photo with dynamic range with my variable density ($200) filter was so damned hard. And "stitching" a pano???? Please... learning Color darkroom work, even retired ME didn't have the time to develop and build the skills to produce acceptable results. Oh, yeah, ya don't think after 60 years of shooting, I was going to be happy with crappy stuff?!?!? My favorite over-spend was on an angle viewfinder attachment on the old film cameras and worked on the 50D. I got seasick looking thru it. Flippy screen became a must-have on a new camera. I still need a lighter tripod ball head combo. My waist pack carry bag no longer works, because as an old man, I don't have the BUTT I used to have, and the damn thing keeps slipping down. Now I have a great sling pack, THINK TANK, similar in function, but even more convenient to carry and use. HAD to have a 100 mm Macro! I rented one for a Santa Fe Workshop. Loved it, but bought the Tamron 90mm instead for $300 less. I still use it. And I found it was the best Jr High (poorly lit Gyms) basketball lens because it is f2.8, and 90mm on APS-C is perfect bot the grandstand seating. So, there are good outcomes, too. Great Channel. Subscribing.

[@Drinkyoghurt]

There's a lot of overhyped gear, but what I find isn't talked about enough is gear that saves you time. Things like quick connects for straps, quick releases for tripods/cold shoes and getting gear that you can use on other stuff you own as well. For example, I have Peak Design Anchor Links that I use for both my field recorder and analog filmcamera. I have two types of straps and can easily swap between them depending on my needs. This way I don't have 10 different straps I have to worry about and manage. Same for tripods. I have some small tripods that I use for both of them when setting up on a table/desk. Not a cheap plastic one, but a cheap aluminium one. It's useful as a counterweight for my gimbal or just for field recording/getting low shots. Getting universal gear that helps you to reduce what you take with you is absolutely paramount imho. Less is more.

[@DanFox]

I don't love all of peak design's stuff and a lot of it is overpriced, but those anchors are friggin' awesome. And I totally agree with your point about making stuff easier/ quicker, too. Arca Swiss and quick release plates for it are so, so useful.

[@KevinSmythPhotography]

Great video and great advice. When starting out I over purchased photo gear due to the photography influencers. Lesson learned.

[@hughmnyks]

Thanks a lot for this video! Third time this week somebody tells me Gorillapods will break. Mine is just about to after less than two years of light usage!

[@mgs.915]

I had a very similar discussion with my brother about drones. I love them and will always have a passion for them…but they are in a weird space right now and it just seems like a pain to utilize one as much as I would want on various trips! Great video

[@sKyyyFir3]

crazy underrated channel btw :) everything well explained and well argumented for your points

[@DanFox]

Much appreciated, Keydan!

[@TLMuse]

Thanks for this; helpful advice! Did you ever do that "smoother handheld footage" video you mentioned as a possibility in your commentary on gimbals? I searched for it but couldn't find it.

[@DanFox]

I never ended up making it because it didn't seem like anyone was interested in it. But you're the second person to ask just today!

[@joelfrei669]

Hey, I really love the video, but I can say that I one time I checked my 1'100 $ RF lens and noticed a scratch on the front element without remembering where I could have possibly got that from. I leave the UV Filter on ever since and it really hurts having a scratch in a brand new lens.

[@DanFox]

I just use a lens cover sleeve (the polarpro defender) for protection when I'm not actively taking an image. That way, I'm not messing with those fiddly lens caps that fall off easily.

[@Jerry10939]

Yes, the UV filter on my camera is to protect the lens. From dings and scratches. I was a photojournalist. I have damaged a couple of them, where my filter was completely destroyed but the lens was only slightly damaged with the glass of the lens with no scratches. It was cheaper to replace a $5 to $10 filter than a $200 lens. I have had a scratched lens. But I was a film photographer. I shot a lot of B&W film so I used color filters for creative effect. Yes half of ph You is in the darkroom.

[@Jerry10939]

I found that a lot stuff were gimmicks and I didn’t need.

[@paralleldrawing1145]

for me im just going for b&w clear ones so i dont have to clean my lenses as often and especially with the super macro you could get pretty close :)

[@jeffamagicmomentphotography]

You say this was in the film days and back then we Needed a uv to protect the sensor from uv today we nolonger need them. For me it makes no sense in buying a $4000 lens then slap a $5 buck filter on. If you dropped your lens there is a high chance you done damage in side due to impact. A hood takes care of scratches and lens flaring but if it's dropped from a tripod on hard ground the chances are there maybe damage inside the lens UV is an Upsell by the sales man from my own experience I dropped my 24-70f2.8 v2 the glass was fine but I damage the lens

[@pvandck]

Definitely the work that made all the difference was in the darkroom. And it's really no different now with post production in Photoshop (or whatever). In-camera jpegs are just the modern equivalent of taking a roll of film to a laboratory/shop to be machine processed and printed.

[@AskMeWhen]

You are spot on about the drone subject. This fit me to a tee. Thanks!

[@stevejones01]

The by product of using gimbals is I move around too much (because it's going to be smooth right). I get sea sick watching my stuff later. Yeah I didn't need one either. However I'm keeping the UV filters solely to keep the lens clean. I don't worry about using the corner of my shirt to clean the filter. Your videos are excellent. Thank you for the time you take to do these.

[@DanFox]

I appreciate it! And you're welcome!

[@DanFox]

And When I'm in the field, I don't even bother with lens cloths anymore - I have no qualms about wiping the front element of my lens directly with any shirt I'm wearing, providing it's not drenched lol (and that's really just so I don't smear water all across the lens - I bring some KimTech science wipes along for absorbing water). Wiping with your shirt won't damage your lens a bit 😉

[@stevejones01]

@@DanFox a little over 50 years ago my dad handed me his Nikkormat without a filter and he said never touch the lens. I brought it back with a finger print and it didn't go well. I think I have "dad" issues when it comes to lenses. I'm going to touch the crap out of a bunch of old lenses for therapy. Thanks. You fixed me 🙂

[@DanFox]

@@stevejones01 bahahahahaha. Well, to be fair, older lenses weren't hardened with special glass and processes that modern, high quality lenses are. And lens coatings uses to be really susceptible to oils and dirt before modern coatings were invented. So your dad wasn't wrong at the time. 🤣

[@AddictiveDissolve]

Your videos truly stand out in content quality and coherence. As I was purchasing a Sony 24-105mm recently, the storeowner tried to sell me on a UV filter. I've always been "camp no filter", and none of the usual arguments about UV blocking, break and scratch protection make sense to me. However, he did raise one argument that came very close to convincing me. He said that customers who don't buy UV filters return to his lab more often to remove dust particles from inside their lenses, claiming that dust is much less likely to penetrate both the filter and the front element - which actually makes sense. He said that a high-quality filter doesn't affect image quality, and costs half the price of dust cleaning - so it can be thought of as "dust insurance". To be honest, I would probably be persuaded if filters didn't simply annoy me. I hate handling them like precious gems while trying not to touch the glass, and I *know* if I bought a filter I would be screwing it on and off every 5 minutes for cleaning. So I ended up not buying a filter... but have now developed dust phobia. FML.

[@DanFox]

This is a strange argument to me, too, as a good lens is going to be weather sealed. That said, I suppose cheaper lenses without weather sealing or if the weather sealing is bungled (think about that problem that Sigma had in a batch of their Art lenses for a while)... maybe it could be an argument? Or an argument to spend your money on lens quality and not stuff to compensate for a lack of lens quality lol

[@fofopho]

I will say, I keep a stack of cheap UV filters that I use for a very specific case. I shoot a lot in a metal shop and I have had bits of flying screaming hot metal actually melt the front element of my lens while shooting. I use the UV filter because I can just toss it in the trash after a shoot. But yeah, generally never use them outside of the steel fabrication shop. Good vid.

[@DanFox]

Yeah, molten metal is a whole different thing 🤣

[@hbp_]

Some lenses are only fully weather sealed with a sealed filter. IR cut filter might be sometimes useful with digital cameras, depending how good or bad filter the camera itself has.

[@hbp_]

I think graduated ND filters were useful when digital cameras had only a few stops of dynamic range. even the cheapest cameras today have an incredible dynamic range.

[@DanFox]

Yeah, it's wild how far technology has come!

[@hipstercrab5886]

or if you're doing infrared photography

[@joshuaszeto]

I have seen my fair share of scratched front lens elements and I have also seen a fair bit of lenses saved because they had a filter on it. Even if the front lens element is replaceable, the time it takes to send it away to be fixed is time you don't have use of the lens. The filter is worth it imo. Just get a good one so that has the least amount of negative impact on image quality. Although I suppose the dehaze slider in Photoshop could compensate for that. The gorillapod is a bit of a mixed bag. I use it when I travel and it has been extremely convenient to be able to attach it to railings and branches. It so far can hold my 5d4. My only gripe is the rubber rings on the segments are starting to get soft and is leaving black rubber marks on everything I attach the tripod to. Graduated filters are also a mixed bag. Sometimes you don't have the option to bracket the shot (moving elements like crashing waves) and the range of exposure exceeds the dynamic range of the sensor. Sometimes, gear is to help with workflow because for professionals, time is money. Wasting too much time editing is money lost.

[@jayspeidell]

I mainly do macro and nature photography and whack the front of the lens on stuff all the time. I'd feel uncomfortable with the lens just being naked.

[@terrygoyan]

Enjoyed your video immensely. I've been shooting photos for fifty years or so now. Loved shooting slide film emulsions and of course bought graduated ND filters. They really were required when shooting say Velvia or other slide films. The thing about photography is to keep on learning. There is no way I could go back to film photography. Today's high ISO's and wide dynamic range makes things possible that weren't before. At my age however, I'll probably stay away from any AI. I still like my photos to represent something I actually saw in a place I actually went. Guess I'm just old fashioned that way. Subscribed!

[@DanFox]

Glad you enjoyed! I definitely feel the same about A.I. - I want my images to represent something that actually happened and that I experienced.

[@seasterl]

I enjoyed your video and think it’s great for beginners just learning photography and buying gear during their excitement. As someone that started on film 30+ years ago, I think good advice for beginners should include trying to get as much right “in camera” rather than relying on post-processing as a crutch. If a hard grad filter is needed as a tool, then great. I’d probably teach it to a beginner that it shouldn’t be 50/50% for shooting vs post-processing. I’d say try more for 90/10 at first then drop to 70/30 to include the HDR and focus stacking. Laziness behind the camera, IMO, seems to be implied. Of course, a working pro that has to sell their photos to make a living will always spend a baseline amount of time in post, but beginners should learn proper techniques first.

[@andreas1701d]

Great video... I gotta say i'm loving your channel since I recently discovered it, well done! If you're either a hobbyist or beginner, you can't necessarily afford to replace a lens. It's this line of thinking that makes it easy to think that a $80 filter is easier to replace than a $1000 lens, even when talking about some small scratch or imperfection so I think that's where the peace of mind comes in. There are niche uses though; there are times where i don't use my lens hood for a variety of reasons... I want to get some flare in my shot, or in the case of the Sigma 85 DG DN i prefer having a less intimidating looking lens in certain scenarios where I want to maximize my chances of getting candid reactions. In these admittedly very niche cases, the protection argument in the context of being in a crowded/busy place and risking people knocking the lens element becomes more understandable. But again, niche uses. The way I approach it is it's great to have one clear (not necessarily UV or haze) filter if needed because even the good ones are fairly inexpensive. In the grand scheme of things it takes up no space, no weight and is nice to have if and when you need it.

[@DanFox]

Yeah, I certainly don't fault people who want some peace of mind - I just wanted to speak out a little bit against the never ending stream of social media advice telling new folks that it was necessary just to get them to buy stuff. My general perspective on gear is that if you have a use case, then whatever gear it may be isn't a bad purchase, but know what your use case is instead of buying all the things, you know? 🤣

[@DanFox]

Glad you're enjoying my channel so far!

[@nickroberts6026]

Spot on about UV filters, although I would point out that they're not generally necessary for film photography either - normal glass lens elements absorb an awful lot of UV anyway. When everyone used 3 or 4 element lenses, yes, they were useful - especially with orthochromatic black and white film, which was oversensitive to the blue end of the spectrum. So if you're using an old camera with a Tessar-style or even achromat lens, you might need one. Otherwise, no. I used to use a 1a or 1b filter instead, which gave slight warming, back in the day. I do find a "protection" filter useful if by the sea, where there might be wind-driven salt spray or sand, but otherwise, no. In fact I recommend taking them off before changing lenses, as filter glass is more brittle than lens elements, and thus more likely to shatter. As to graduated filters for landscapes, I stopped using them when I went digital, and I realised after a while my pictures had deteriorated. Not because ND grads are necessary - as you've pointed out, they're not. But I was rather rushing the process without considering grads, and by reintroducing them, my shots improved due to the extra care in the process.

[@NA-gn9up]

soooooo interesting and well explained! THANK YOU

[@diesel2o945]

Hey man. Just would like to say thank you for the video it really helps I have been doing photography continuously for about 10 months so it's nice to hear your opininon on products. One thing is that I think you should turn down the music just a smudge thats all. Not too much just make sure your voice is clear. Thanks, bro!

[@DanFox]

Thanks for the feedback. Glad you found the video helpful!

[@charlesoxley7242]

Great video, thank you. I do have to disagree with you on one thing: Getting it right in camera. While yes, you can definitely fix certain things or add effects in post, just get it right the first time in camera. That will make editing so much easier. Also, instead of fixing problems in the edit, you can focus more on the creative side of things.

[@tomshay8299]

Great video Dan... I couldn't agree more with your points.

[@erresmusic]

Amazing video, thanks for the neutrality (no pun intended). On the camera body it is good to see big photographers still use body cameras that are 3+ years old (with amazing lenses) and of course other big names have the latest... but at that level, companies provide the cameras or discounts. As a beginner I've found that it is much better to experiment and try to take good photos in an old camera because it forces you with those details mentioned: learn to be still or walk in a certain way, adjusting settings and get the most out of the limitations.

[@OzyNick]

Well thought out and delivered. Everything you say makes sense!

[@jimbuckley4986]

Looking for the camera bag you mentioned. Video or link? Thanks

[@DanFox]

I didn't make that video yet, Jim - but the bag I was referring to at the time was the Shimoda Explore V2 35L ( geni.us/shimoda_explorev2 ). I ended up liking it so much that I also bought one of Shimoda's Action X 70 bags ( geni.us/shimoda_action-x ) for when I need to carry additional camping and outdoor gear. I love both. Looks like Shimoda is running a 25% off sale right now for some of their kits (includes the bag plus a core unit) on their site directly: geni.us/Shimoda_deals

[@MO-ss7qt]

Thanks for providing an overall beneficial perspective. I have a lot of hobbies and I tend to be the "what if" or "be prepared" guy. And there's so much cool gear! Then as you suggest, I'm spending to solve problems I never have and things can sometimes become decor in my office. I'm not horrible, but I could use some tuning. Buy things to solve actual problems and aren't a crutch, could free up some space on my shelves.

[@juancarlosrodriguez511]

Dude, this was such an informative video. You definitely made great points & honestly discussed concerns I’ve had in the past about certain products, and now I’m super glad I didn’t buy these things. Thanks a ton!

[@FlatulEssence]

Dan, you make a lot of sense. You hit me right on the head. Subscribed and LIKED! Thanks! Will watch the rest of your videos. Keep 'em coming!

[@jamilor]

I really appreciate this video. A lot of logical points and positions 👍.

[@snaphappy7530]

I am a professional, working photographer and I do use UV filters on all my lenses above say ~$1500AUD. It is for protection not so much UV. I've only ever noticed a UV filter noticeably cut down on glare once in my entire life on hazy mountains. I have had lenses break...a lot, from bangs and falls but something inside the lens breaks before the filter. I've had the filter bend or dint but not crack. The filter did save my front element from a big footprint once when i dropped a 24-70 f.2.8 in the mosh pit. What I would argue is it does help with small scrathes allowing me to resell the lens later or replace the filter for a mint condition. I am a event and music photographer who is often literally running around and it's nice to put the lens cap on without looking and know I can't scratch the lens. I use high end Hoya filters only (~$200AUD each for 82mm, no coatings just UV glass I believe) and have had the rare scratch but a scratch none the less. I stopped using lens hoods as I use lens pouches on my hip and lens hoods just don't work in a speed sense, and speed can be everything in capturing events. It might make it is easier to clean but eh, not part of the decision for me. So call me stupid but it gives me peace of mind.

[@dougsmit1]

I believe you said this in a manner but I believe the point is that the latest features don't help much if you did not already know how to maximize results with the old model that lacked those features. Auto everything still fails to fix faults in "f/8 and be there". Sometimes I wonder if my money spent on a new camera might have been better spent on a trip to somewhere worth shooting.

[@fuzywazacolin2392]

Crazy, is that Cape Disappointment at 9:26 ?

[@DanFox]

It sure is!

[@Elemino]

I actually use clear filters by B+W on my lenses. It's for that dust reason you gave. They are easier to clean (They have this nano coating much like lenses do) and they're far cheaper to replace than my lenses.

[@DanFox]

Yeah, an optically clear "filter" can work just as well if you're in a situation that calls for it without spending the unnecessary extra on UV blocking.

[@TLK22]

They are not weather-sealed and trap fog when the air is cold. Learned this on my first day in Nepal.

[@TheSynthnut]

Some very sound advice indeed! It's so easy to get carried away by shiny gear and it often just makes things more complicated and you are likely to miss the shot. Grad ND's have their place where the sky/land contrast is in danger of blowing stuff out or getting noisy when pulling up shadows, but most of the time learning to read the histo gets round that. If the info ain't there, you can't edit it. Stacking works fine for tripod work of static subjects and is a powerful tool, but it's not for every situation for sure. It's also easy to get sucked into thinking you need a set of primes or the high-end fast stuff. Like you said, if it solves a problem, then cool. If you are trying to find your style, then dare I say it, a superzoom can be a very useful tool. Swapping lenses frequently is a sure fire way to miss any fleeting event! If you have an assistant and multiple bodies, then hey, lucky you. Yes, your lenses will no doubt dwarf the spend on your camera, but find out what focal lengths work best for you before remortgaging to buy the whole L series catalogue...

[@michaelmiller7928]

Drones are absolutely insanely difficult to learn. You are very correct to point out that the skill and practice is very time consuming and can result in burnout. Unless all you care about is action cams. Don't get a drone early on

[@caffeinatedcameras]

FPV drones yes totally agree, insanely difficult. But something like a Mavic or Air2s practically flies itself.

[@TexpatOTG]

Great topic. I think people that buy gear that far exceeds what it will be used for would be good. Like buying a Red to shoot for KZbin as an example.

[@DanFox]

If only we all had unlimited budgets, eh? 😆

[@TexpatOTG]

@@DanFox No joke ... that would be?great.

[@bjyoungblood]

In regards to graduated ND filters, you mentioned a great option to make those adjustments in your editor. Just to add another, Adobe Lightroom now will use AI to identify and auto-select the sky for you at the press of a button. It's super helpful.

[@bensteelemusic]

A superb video, that fully expands on my favourite mantra as a self-confessed gear-head: when searching for youtube info, forum feedback, or general online research about the latest and greatest gear, or the most expensive 'pro' equipment compared to the more budget options, the one simple thing to remember is 'if you have to ask about it, you don't need it!'

[@DanFox]

Generally speaking, I think that's pretty accurate; however, it could also potentially be a signal that you're ready to dive deeper and learn more about a specific niche - that you're actually being limited by your gear. It takes a lot of self-discipline and awareness, though, to tell the difference.

[@OwenEDell]

Based on my own long experience with all the things you mention (except for drones), I agree with everything you say. I hope your viewers learn by watching rather than by spending. Well presented. Thanks.

[@DanFox]

Thanks, Owen!

[@CybertroninfiniteOfficial]

Did you make a video on getting smoother handheld footage?

[@DanFox]

Not yet!

[@CybertroninfiniteOfficial]

@@DanFox hope to see it soon

[@dr.chungusphd108]

Hey man, I just recently got into photography again, I bought a 17-55mm 2.8 to replace the kit lens my T7 came with, it came with a up filter, is there any reason I should take it off of is it not doing anything i need to worry about?

[@papsny]

Thanks dan, there are also overhyped YT content creators who hype everything that is new. The reason why i switched to your channel. You are practical, unbiased, and you keep it real. Thanks For me a overhyped gear is the PM vnd filter. It has a green color cast but people are still willing to pay for it. Another are low aperture lenses (f1.2, 1.4) for video. They create a lot of aperture snobs who hate F4 lenses

[@DanFox]

One of my favorite lenses is the 24-105 f/4 G. Can't bring myself to part with it. I rocked the polarpro vnd for a long time. Any vnd is going to have color casting, just by the nature of it being two cross polarized polarizers. The thing I will say for polarpro's is that the color casting is consistent. So it's easy to batch fix stuff in post. There's nothing worse than having a 2-5 stop lean green, and then the 6-9 stop lean magenta. That said I've been rocking the Maven magnetic filters for a bit now and REALLY like them- I barely use VNDs anymore. I was thinking about doing a video about them, but you should check them out in the meantime.

[@DTRBrianMallard]

As a KZbinr and a musician, I use a variation of the Gorilla Pod at shows to wrap around stuff so I can shoot. What I'm getting to is that Wal Mart has a "vlogging pod" or something like that, for like 23 dollars. It won't hold much more than a cell phone or gopro, but it's way cheaper than a Gorilla Pod, it's also basically desposable. Just a thought

[@DanFox]

Yeah if that fits your use case at least you're not spending over a hundred bucks on it!

[@kaimelis]

I dont use UV filters but recently I was in a situation where i wished i was using one. A piece of hot charcoal landed on my Tamron 17 - 28 and burned a little spot on the coating right in the center. Now with certain conditions there is an "additional" spot in flares that can be quite visible and not good looking. That day that lens lost a bit of its usability and resale value. If i was using 16 - 35 gmaster and the same happened - i would be hella mad. For filming from a bike-car-roller blades. I have seen uv filters deflecting rock chips that would have 100 percent left a mark on on the lens possibly to the point of ruining them. Ive seen productions that have unpacked fresh filters ready to go in case something like this happens, and they use them all the time for action shots. You cant just say "theres no evidence" in uv filters protecting lenses because there is. Every photographer/videomaker i have ever met has such a story, including me. If you get unlucky and something flies into your lens, and theres a glass barrier - it will stop it. It happens about as often as memory card failure id say. And anyone with a brain does not have qualms about using backups for important shoots. Anyone who has enough experience will agree with this, and if you never ever had any accidents like that with your lens, you are as lucky as people who had many are unlucky.

[@kaimelis]

Sorry, but the drone argument is moot as well. For many people the drone is their first and last camera they want to have, and nowadays DRONES are the thing that get people into photography, and a camera or even manual mode on your phone comes second. Same goes for video. For us shooting from DSLR days drones maybe the next stage, but you have to adjust your perspective. Ive seen people buying drones and realising they like video making, using them handheld. And I dont see anything wrong with that. Its not a niche product anymore, and often a drone replaces other stuff in a bag. Id rather take a drone than an another lens. For me, and many others jumping trough hoops is worth it. And if you have like DJI Mini 3 Pro, there arent that many hoops to jump or weight to lug around. I know this video is a year old, but i had to get this out.

[@DanFox]

Lol if I had this to do all over again, I probably would have included some carveout for hot metal/ slag/stuff on fire flying directly at your lens. But even then, it doesn't need to be a "UV" filter. It could just be a high quality clear glass barrier (or "filter" with high tensile strength. The main point of this video was just to encourage beginners to focus on skills first before worrying about buying a bunch of stuff because youtubers were pushing products at them nonstop.

[@kaimelis]

@@DanFox Encourage yes, but dont use phrases like "there is no evidence". Im all for not pushing gear on anyone, and you seem like a guy thats likes to be technically correct, and does not use hard terms, like "theres is none" or "never". Yeah i just automatically group uv filters with protective or clear glass filters, to me they are just the same. But now that you mention it, maybe clear glass filters are cheaper due to not having the stupid UV designation. will look into it.

[@damienc7303]

I wanted to like your video multiple times, due to the multiple good points you raised. Good video. Thanks.

[@DanFox]

Sure thing!

[@RobertGrossmann-r6b]

I guess the focus word is beginner here. Someone that decided that tomorrow they are going to start shooting and are thinking about what gear to get. I´ve been a hobbyst for a good 5 years now and recently decided to start earning money with my developed skills. I absolutely loved my Gorillapod because it gave me so much freedom when looking for my shots. Of course I used it with a lighter camera (Canon M50), but never had an issue with it falling. For a couple of years it was an absolute must in my camera bag. Secondly the Drone - i got my Mavic 2 Pro 5 years ago and I can say im a pretty decent flyer now. I can take smooth videos where the drone is flying and turning and it really gave me the interest in starting to do more videography and learn editing. Still 5 years later, even with all the licensing, I still bring my drone along when I think I can use it somewhere (not indoors obviously). In the video you also showed some frames with photographers in the woods - of course if you take your bag out for the whole day, hiking in the mountains you need to bring the weight down (even in this case, drone is must in my bag), but this is not a standard situation. Normally you can drive to the location and take out the gear you need from your car, so the argument about bag space is not really valid in my opinion. Thirdly thanks to my passion for videography, the Gimbal has been a very important upgrade in my gearbox as well. Again it took some time to understand it and practice it, but there´s no way you can make similar movements handheld than you can with a good gimbal. Normally you balance the gimbal at home and then bring it out and you can set it up in 15 seconds. No balance required. Only issue I have with gimbal is that I cannot take certain transition shots i want (quick pan to the left-right), other than that I am very satisfied with my purchases. So in conclusion with an exception of the filters, the items listed have been some of my favorite things to use and still have great value in my gear.

[@DanFox]

Yup, this video is targeted at beginners. Stuff not to buy until you're ready or sure you want it. I thought I made that pretty clear throughout the video. Obviously, once you're ready to move into niche gear, you have a better idea of what you like to shoot and what you need.