Filmmaking Tools / Setup

The gear I use for all of my videos. This page is always being kept up to date. Keep coming back regularly to see any updates to this setup.

For video I shoot in S-Log-3 with S-Gamut3.Cine as my picture profile. I typically film at my camera's Base ISO - for the Sony FX3 it's typically 640/800 or 12800 depending on your firmware.

If you’re interested in detail on how I make my videos I have a course – education.gakuyen.com

I've linked all of my gear below - my setup has remained quite steady throughout the past 4/5 years.

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Color Grading LUTs

The color grading LUTs I use for all my footage. They work across all cameras and profiles. I personally usually use the Sony FX3 or Sony A7cII and the LUT pack includes conversion LUTs as well for just about every major camera company. Easy to apply and result in a vibrant and dense filmic look that's very pleasing.

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Cameras

Sony FX3

My main A-cam for anything high-end. Compact enough for solo work, but full-size features when I need them. I love how clean the footage looks straight out of camera — especially in low light — and it pairs perfectly with my LUTs.

Sony A7cII

My go-to for fast-paced travel or street work. Great color, great size. I use it when I want something compact without sacrificing image quality or lens options.

Insta360 X5

Perfect for BTS, POV shots, or quick 360 capture. Surprisingly cinematic when paired with the right light. The stabilization is incredible and lets me focus on the moment.

Lenses

Sony 24mm f1.4 GM

The lens that lives on my camera the most. Incredibly sharp, great falloff, works in nearly every situation. If I had to shoot everything on one lens, this would probably be it.

Laowa 10mm f2.8

Ridiculously wide. Great for creative shots, interiors, or making small spaces feel epic. I love this for my vertical content - the super wide field of view paired with the autofocus makes this lens an absolute necessity for social content.

Sony 16mm f1.8 G

My favorite wide lens for vlogging and solo filming. Lightweight, sharp, and perfect for gimbal work. The rendering is smooth and never feels overly clinical.

Sony 90mm f2.8 Macro

Used mostly for portraits and close-up detail shots. The macro on this is crazy clean. It’s a specialty lens I always end up needing more than I expect.

Sony 35mm f1.4 GM

Great balance of character and sharpness. One of my favorite lenses for handheld cinematic work. It has a natural look that’s hard to fake in post.

Sony 10-18 f4

One of the best compact wide zooms for Sony. It’s small but incredibly reliable for vlogging or tight spaces. APS-C lens but works on my full frame setup with a slight vignette that actually looks cool.

Tamron 17-28 f2.8

Solid wide zoom. I usually keep this in the bag when I know I’ll be switching locations quickly. It’s sharp, fast, and doesn’t break the bank.

Audio

Sony ECM-1 Mic – Super lightweight mic I use for run-and-gun setups. Plugs straight into the camera — minimal hassle. Great for quick interviews or BTS audio.

Shure SM7B – Studio mic I use for VO. If you've heard me narrate anything clearly, this is probably why. The sound is rich and warm, especially paired with a clean preamp.

Focusrite 2i2 Solo – Audio interface for the SM7B. Clean signal and super portable. It's simple, reliable, and does exactly what I need.

Sennheiser MKH 416 – A broadcast-grade shotgun mic I use when I want the cleanest, most directional sound possible. It cuts through noisy environments, sounds super crisp on voice, and has basically become a standard for high-end YouTube and film.

Rode Wireless PRO – My go-to wireless lav. Internal recording saves me when I forget to hit record on cam. Range is great, and audio stays consistent even in busy locations.

Rode Wireless Micro – Tiny, lightweight, and super straightforward. I use this when I want clean audio without dealing with menus or setup time. It’s ideal for BTS, casual talking segments, or moments where I just need a mic that works without overthinking it. USB-C for easy iPhone setups.

Lighting

Aputure 300dII – Studio light I use to key nearly everything. Can flood a room or act as a soft top light depending on modifiers. If I only had one light, this would be it.

Amaran 300c – Flexible flat panel I use for fill or ambient light — super thin, really versatile. It fits almost anywhere and plays well with gels too.

Zhiyun M20 – Tiny portable lights I throw into the background or use as practicals in the scene. Easy to color match. Also useful for light painting or mood accents.

Aputure 30120 Softbox – Softbox I mount to my 300dII. It’s the one you see in my YouTube videos a lot. Diffusion is super clean and flattering for skin tones.

Aputure Light Dome – The OG light dome — great for wrapping light on faces or giving interviews a soft glow. Setup is quick and it folds down easily.

5-in-1 Reflector – Just a classic 5-in-1. Nothing fancy, but it works. Use it to bounce or flag light as needed. Mine's beat up but still goes on every shoot.

Tripods and Rigging Gear

Smallrig Cage – Have my FX3 basically always housed in this. Allows me to rig my camera to my gimbal vertically with no hassle at all for social content.

C-Stand – My rig for overhead and tabletop shots. Helps stabilize top-down content and lets me mount extra gear. It’s solid and doesn’t drift mid-take.

Manfrotto Element Mii Tripod – My main tripod for all of my cameras.

Sirui Traveler Tripod – Lightweight travel tripod I use for all my hybrid shoots. Reliable and compact. Holds up well even in wind or rough terrain.

Freewell Magnetic Variable ND System – Magnetic ND system I use on most lenses. Snaps on quickly and lets me dial in exposure fast. I’ve stopped using variable rings because this is just faster.

DJI RS3 Pro – My favorite gimbal to date. Strong, reliable, and it's quick lock function has saved me soooo much time over the years.

Wandrd PRVKE 30L - My travel and camera backpack of choice. Been using it for almost 5 years and nothing beats the form factor and quality.

Music

For sound effects, my favorite are always pulled from my Ultimate SFX Pack.

For music I use the following platforms:

Artlist – Sign up with my link to receive 2 EXTRA months for FREE to any annual plan!

Epidemic Sound – Use my discount code = GAKU2 (Monthly plan - 100% off for 1 month (2 months free))

Software

Adobe Premiere Pro is my current video editing app and I color grade with Davinci Resolve Studio.

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