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Hey — Thomas here.

In today’s edition:

• The best gear for beginners, intermediates, and pros

• Where to save vs. where to splurge

• And an essential tip to make the most of your budget

The Creator Gear Guide (At 3 Price Points)

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling to pro-level production,

the right gear makes all the difference.

We’ve broken up this guide into 3 parts:

• Level I: $90-$200

• Level II: $200-$1000

• Level III: $1,000-$5000

This guide will help you find gear based on your budget.

Let’s dive in.

Also, some of these links provide us a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you decide to purchase using our link, thank you so much for your support. But if not no worries!

Level I: $90-$200

At this stage, you’re focusing on building your skills and making the most of your budget.

Camera: Your smartphone! These days mobile cameras are getting better and better, rivaling cameras.

Tripod: EUCOS Newest 62" Phone Tripod ($30 Deal)

Microphone: Hollyland Lark M2 Wireless Lavalier Microphone ($113 Deal). You can find cheap, poor-quality, wired mics for ~$20. But it isn’t worth it, I’ve tried them all. The Lark M2 is wireless, tiny, and phone-compatible. Great value.

Lighting: Torjim Softbox ($45 Deal) can make a difference for indoor shoots, but use the sunset outdoors to your advantage!

Editing Software: CapCut (for editing on phone) or DaVinci Resolve (editing on computer) are great free starting points.

Level II: $200-$1000

You’ve built some momentum and want to level up quality without over-investing.

Camera: Sony ZV-E10 ($698 Deal), my favorite entry-level mirrorless camera. Flip-out screen, versatile 16-50mm lens for vlogging or sit-down shots, and fast autofocus.

SD Card: SanDisk 256GB Extreme PRO ($35 Deal). Cheap, reliable, lightweight, and fast.

Microphone: Rode Wireless GO II ($159 Deal) adds versatility for talking head videos and on-the-go shoots.

Tripod: Geekoto 77’ Tripod ($80 Deal). Over 6ft tall giving you a variety of shot choices, flexible for horizontal and vertical shooting. I used this tripod for my first 4 years doing content. The one downside is it’s a little bulky for traveling.

Editing Software: At this stage, you can either use…

• Adobe Premiere Pro ($15.97/mo, 70% off for students Deal)

• DaVinci Resolve free version

• DaVinci Resolve Studio ($235, 20% off one-time) for its advanced features

Level III: $1000-$5000

Here’s the dream setup:

Camera: Sony A7 IV ($2,098), my daily driver. I chose this camera for its rich colors, amazing auto-focus, crisp 4k, and perfect balance as a hybrid photo and video camera.

Lens: G Master 24-70mm F2.8 Lens ($1,498 Deal). Covers most shot choices with great background blur.

External Storage: Sony T7 Shield SSD 2TB ($148 Deal)

Microphone: Rode Wireless Pro ($319 Deal) with 2 wireless mics, a charging case, and magnetic mount clips.

Tripod: Peak Design Carbon Fiber Tripod ($479 Deal)

Lighting: Aputure Amaran Light ($483 Deal) with an Aputure Light Box ($56 Deal) and NEEWER C-Stand ($126 Deal)

Editing Software:

• Adobe Premiere Pro ($15.97/mo Deal)

• DaVinci Resolve Studio ($235, 20% off one-time)

No matter your budget,

it’s all about making your tools work for you.

Focus on getting only the essentials that elevate your content without overextending your wallet.

Remember: your creativity and consistency are your most valuable assets.

I’m not kidding.

Thousands of successful creators and brands have thrived using gear from each price point mentioned above.

Gear helps amplify your message.

But it’s your

• storytelling

• authenticity

• effort

that keep your audience coming back.

Thanks for showing up this week. We’ll see you in the next :).

Sincerely,

Thomas