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.

• 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.