@mattknight533
UK TV Shooting Director here....so glad to see the classics we use over here being mentioned, the flowtech, the G3 getting some love. But most of all the fujinons. Great, great lenses.
@SevenPhotonsFilms
Thank you! The value of this video is huge: this dissipates a lot of doubts I've had about deciding the order of priorities in my next equipment update (hopefully 2025/26). Of course we can get many advises out there, but your unique rough environment experience gives top notch confidence.
@makatron
Yup, agree with everything. I too went for the cheap route and learned the hard way that you gotta invest in long term reliability. I'm saving to upgrade to that very tripod now after having the pleasure to use it for a commercial shoot this year and it just works.
@dr.gregoryf.maassen2637
Good list. We should not forget to mention that we need the equipment on location twice (other than the cases and tripods), as redundancy is critically important. This includes cables (we had a mini XLR cable suddenly failing), microphones, data retention (hard drives fail all the time), lights and cameras (one Canon C70 had to be serviced after failing, and we continued to film as we had a second C70 on set). We film with two Sennheiser lavaliers patched to each individual and have two shotguns attached to each camera. Call us crazy, but we never had to cancel a shoot because of equipment failure and we never had lousy audio (as even Sennheisers can disconnect once in a while arbitrarily as they run out of battery or other human failures - like not pressing the record button on the field recorder). Planning for redundancy reduces costs eventually, as planning a new shoot because of equipment failure can be very expensive (talent, hotels, travel, lost opportunities etc. etc. etc., etc.).
@DaveKnowlesFilmmaker
The 416 is an amazing microphone. I did eventually upgrade from my T powered one to 48V but not until it was around 40 years old and still working perfectly. I in fact had it serviced before selling it and nothing had to be done. That microphone had been used all around the world and in temperatures above 50 degrees in the deserts of the UAE and never let me down.
@chris20002000
+1 for the Sachtler. Used mine for the last five years on shoots all over the world. Used it down to -35c, dragged it up and down cliffs many times, covered it in salt water etc and it still works perfectly! I don't know what I'd do without it at this point...
@baldwinvp
I still have multiple Sennheiser G2 and G3 units going strong. I recently decided to replace them with Deity Theos for the ability to record 32 bit float with timecode, but I still have the G2 and G3 units waiting in my audio bag for when they are needed. I truly love this video! Great advice!
@billem16
Luc i love your videos. I am a way smaller filmmaker (half of my work is weddings and half is corporate/client stuff), but I love all your videos and am always learning from you. You stand WAY out from the pack because you aren't forcing new junk down our throats, you're true and pure about gear and no BS and that's why we love your stuff, please continue to be like this! You're like a needle in a haystack on YT. Oh and I do have the Sennheiser G4 kit, i like it a lot, although I do battle occasional weird frequency pops and kshkhkkksh noises mid-interview, and I want to get better at hiding the mic under clothing while avoiding clothing rustle noise, other than that, they are great!
@mattwruff
People who don't have the Fujinon MK can't appreciate the MK's! I got the Sachtler flowtech during last Black Friday when B&H had then $500 off. the 416 (outdoors) and MKH50 (indoors) are my go to shotgun mic but the new DPA 2017 is worth a serious look! The one thing I would add to the list is iFootage Spider Crabs. They are simply the BEST!
@brianonley
Great point Luc. It is not about the hottest or the latest and if anyone runs that path are in for some serious disappointments. Road tested, long term usage, survivability, regardless of the price is much more important. Good job here and you could be the first person to ever point that out. Cheers mate.
@tomguder
Hello from Leipzig! Thank you. "cinematic"-music--filmer here.
@josephfriedman614
Love your videos. I've been shooting for over 50 years and I find what you say so informative. You have carved out a piece of the cinematography world that no one seems to have occupied.
@risbill1
I have a Sennheiser mic that was made probably in the 80s and it was heavily used and abused by a TV news station and it is still going strong. They upgraded mics while I was working as an engineer and some of the old mics they were throwing away ended up in my kit.
@Miniaminism
Real advices, real experience, real pro ! Thanks for sharing you knowledge Luc !
@fossmountainfilm
Couldn't agree with you more, Luc. Several years ago, to finish a short doc, I bought the Sennheiser 416 mic and love it. This mic will last me a long time. Also, recently bought the cheapest Sachtler flowtech 75 legs and a head. That tripod is solid and I imagine it will be with me for many years. Buy nice or buy twice.
@naruto5046
Note that the Sennheiser G4’s are also discontinued, and they are focusing on the EWDP’s which some didn’t like it as much, so if you love the old analog systems i would advice to stock up a set as soon as possible since they might just run out of stock anytime soon.
@markmadnessmedia
You get what you pay for! Thanks for your informative and concise videos. I just discovered your channel and after watching only 2 videos I subscribed!
@SebastianRVF-ln4jg
definitely agree and can relate to not babying my own gear xD good to have stuff that lasts
@kalannash
I’ll second your comments on Sennheiser mics. I own two sets of G3s including the plug on transmitter. They just work & I don’t have to baby them. (I did upgrade the lavs to Countrynan B3s.) While not in the same league as the 416, I own the ME 64, 65, 66 & 67 and a pair of K6 powering modules. Gives me a lot of options and meet my most of my needs for nat sound, run and gun interviews and range. Supplemented by a pair of EV RE50Bs which are as abuse tolerant as anything, I’m covered.
@kaszrack2859