Mounts and Rigs

Gear from Neewer is quite a bit cheaper, but the build quality is poor and you really wouldn’t want to trust it with expensive camera equipment. However, they may be a good budget option if your load is very light.

Tripods

• mini
  • standard: Ulanzi MT-46 ($49)
  • handheld/vlog: SwitchPod ($99)
  • spider: Leofoto MT-04 ($149)
• travel
  • under $150: K&F Concept C225C0 (BA225) ($109 $99) / Sirui 5C ($99) or 7C ($139)
  • under $300: Ulanzi Coman Zero Y ($279)
    • alternative: Falcam TreeRoot Lite ($299)
  • under $500: Falcam TreeRoot Quick Lock ($499)

The Falcam TreeRoot Quick Lock is sturdier than the cheaper options, but is more expensive. It uniquely features a quick release mechanism that is compatible with any Arca-Swiss plate rather than only F38 plates. The TreeRoot tripods also use Falcam’s patented 1/3 of a turn twist locks.

Falcam also has the cheaper TreeRoot Lite, but it is only compatible with F38 quick release plates. The TreeRoot Pro ($699) is larger and can support heavier cameras and lenses.

The Ulanzi Coman Zero tripods, although less sturdy, is both cheaper and lighter than the Falcam TreeRoot tripods.

The Peak Design tripods are also decent, but are much more expensive than the competition. The original travel tripod ($599 for carbon fibre) is actually a bit worse in some aspects than the Ulanzi Coman Zero Y despite the latter costing about half the price.

PD’s new Pro tripods ($799 for lite, $899 for standard, $999 for tall) are more stable than the original travel tripod, but are also more expensive than other alternatives. PD’s tripods are high quality thiugh, but the price is simply too high.

If you find PD’s tripods on a good sale they may be a decent alternative. PD promises great build quality, thoughtful design, and ethical working conditions, so that may also be a factor to consider. PD also offers one of the best warranties and customer service experiences.

• heavy-duty
  • around $150: Smallrig AD-01 ($159)
  • under $250: Smallrig AD-80 ($249)
  • under $400: Smallrig AD-100 ($399)
  • under $500: Ulanzi VideoFast Aluminium ($499)
  • under $600: Ulanzi VideoFast Carbon Fiber ($599)
  • upgrade: used Sachtler Flowtech

Plates

• baseplates: Smallrig (for all cameras)
• thumbgrips: Smallrig
• cold shoe mounts: Smallrig

Videography Rig

• cage: Smallrig / Tilta
• side handle: Smallrig
• top handle: Smallrig
• monitor: Portkeys PT5 ii ($106) or PT6 ($169)
• V-mount battery plate: Smallrig
• magic arms: iFootage Spider Crab
• airtag cage: SmallRig

Camera Straps

• standard: Etsy / other
• quick-release
  • for smaller cameras: Peak Design Slide Lite ($69)
  • for larger cameras: Peak Design Slide ($79)
  • wrist strap: Peak Design Cuff ($39)

Gimbals

• under $250: Zhiyun Cinepeer Weebill 3E ($249)
• under $500: DJI RS 4 Mini ($369, $459 for Combo, $478 for Creator Combo) / Zhiyun Crane 4E ($499)
• over $500: DJI RS 4 ($549, $719 for Combo) / Zhiyun Crane 4 ($669)

The DJI RS 4 Pro ($869, $1099 for Combo) is a lot more expensive compared to the RS 4 but has a higher payload capacity. The Zhiyun Crane 4, however, has a higher payload capacity than both the RS 4 and RS 4 Pro.

The Crane 4 also has a built-in fill light as well as an option for a wrist rest. The RS 4 series is more compact and has detachable batteries.