We travel all over the country to film with real estate agents in their markets (we call them Top Bananas). Whether you’re a Realtor looking for the essentials or a videographer looking for the ultimate travel kit, here’s your guide.
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Real Estate Video Equipment for Realtors
As videographers who travel the country filming with real estate agents in their markets, we use all of this equipment every single week (if you’re curious about our entire kit, you can find that below). But you’re a Realtor, not a videographer, so you want the essentials.
This is a list of the essential gear for real estate agents to create their own video content.
Cameras
- Your Phone! – With the right lighting and a mic, the phone that’s already in your pocket will never cease to impress! If you want to have a dedicated camera for filming to avoid running out of storage, have a flip out screen, or a physical gimbal to keep things stabilized, then consider one of the below. Just be sure to use the rear camera on your phone! The front camera (the one that records you when you’re facing your screen) will never look as good as the rear camera(s). You won’t be able to see yourself on the screen, but that’s where a dedicated camera like the ZV-1 below comes in handy!
- Sony ZV-1 – This is the little camera that could. We’ve used this camera on every single client shoot since it came out in 2020. It’s great for Shorts (Reels, TikTok, YouTube, etc) because, to the viewer, it feels familiar and similar to a video recorded on your phone. We can go down the rabbit hole of depth of field, what it is, and when you want to use it and when it’s important not to, but we’ll keep it brief here. If you want to dive deep, become a Big Banana and we’ll work together to get everything dialed in exactly as you need it to crush it from day one.
- DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo – We don’t leave home without this thing! It’s great for out and about filming – think showcasing your favorite restaurants in your market or your favorite nightlife. This is a camera and gimbal in one that fits in your pocket. It’s amazing.
Tripod
- Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod – You can really go with any tripod, as long as you use it. But since we’re making recommendations, this is the best affordable tripod on the market. And by affordable I don’t mean cheap, unfortunately, but it’s best in the best in class (and includes a phone mount).
Lighting
Lighting doesn’t have to be complex. One soft light (if you don’t know what that means, just DM us) and a little natural light in the room you’re filming in is all you need.
- Aputure Amaran COB 60x S – This is the perfect light for shooting inside during the day. Don’t expect to use it outside and compete with the sun, but you shouldn’t be doing that anyway!
- Reverse Leg 7′ Nano Lightstand – As long as it’s 7 feet tall, any light stand will work. We like the reverse leg because it’s more compact.
- Phottix Double-Small Folding Shoot-Through Umbrella 94cm – This is a nice, large (about 37″) light modifier that softens the light. A harsh, bare light shining on you will never look good!
Audio
- DJI Mic 2 – To have good audio, you want to keep the mic as close to the sound source as possible. In this case, that’s your mouth. Never rely on the audio that’s being recorded by the microphone in your camera. It’s fine in a pinch, but if you’re stationary and filming in your home or office and you don’t have a mic that’s within a few inches of your mouth, it doesn’t matter how pretty your video it. It will feel cheap even if the viewer doesn’t realize why.
- Rode Lavalier GO – The DJI Mic transmitter can be clipped or attached to your shirt using the included magnet, but it’s not ideal. It sounds great, but visually it’s an acquired taste. If you want to keep things really tight, grab this wired lavalier, plug it into the transmitter, and clip it on your collar. Throw the transmitter in your pocket and you’re good to go!
Real Estate Video Equipment for Videographers
There are 2 of us, we never check a bag, and we only have 1 carry-on and 1 personal item each. You’ll find our bags of choice and everything we carry below.
This is a complete kit for anyone looking to create social media content for Realtors. So you’ll discover there’s nary a drone on the list! Since we don’t shoot listing videos and we don’t use drone shots for our shorts and longs, a drone has not found it’s way into our kit.
But if you want one, we’re big fans of the DJI Mini 4 Pro (don’t skimp and use your phone as the screen, go for the model with the screen built in to the remote).
Travel Bags
- Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L – fits in the overhead storage on any airline
- Peak Design Everyday Backpack v2 30L – Both the 20L and 30L fit under the seat. Here’s our video testing the 20L and the 30L under airplane seats. They’re perfect for storing all cameras and lenses for travel and, because of the easy access, also on shooting days.
- Peak Design Small Tech Pouch – fits easily in the top of the Everyday Backpack. Good for a couple SSDs, an Apple Powerblock, and all your miscellaneous cables and adapters.
- Peak Design Wash Pouch – We clearly love Peak gear and it’s because every detail is considered. Like the camera bags and pouches, even the wash pouch has features that you never knew you needed. One standout is the hidden hook and open flat style that allows it to be hooked anywhere in the bathroom and wide open without anything falling out, yet everything accessible.
Cameras
- Sony A7IV – Jeff’s camera
- Sony A7CII – Amara’s camera
- Sony ZV-1 – The little camera that could. We’ve used this camera on every single client shoot since it came out in 2020. Great for Shorts/Reels.
- DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo – We don’t leave home without this thing. Great for out and about filming, especially when you’re like us and benefit from asking for forgiveness rather than permission.
Lenses
We shoot prime lenses across two camera bodies, but a single 24-70mm 2.8 GM II would be a tighter kit for a single shooter.
- Sony 35mm 1.4 GM – Killer all-around lens.
- Sony 20mm 1.8 – Perfect when you want wide, but not too wide.
- Sony 50mm 1.8 – Nifty fifty.
- Sony 85mm 1.8 – Killer portrait lens, but a piece of the kit that we don’t need to be traveling with.
- K&F 67mm Variable ND Filter – Don’t forget a variable ND filter for your out-and-abouts! The Tiffen variable ND filters are probably better glass, but we don’t have any real complaints about the K&F other than some potential vignetting.
Tripod
- Peak Design Aluminum Travel Tripod – You should’ve seen this coming. Every detail thoughtfully considered, Peak knocks this tripod out of the park. It fits on the side of any of the Peak bags above. There is a carbon fiber version if you like spending more money, but saving 1/2 lb isn’t worth an extra $220 in my mind.
Lighting
Simplify your lighting, simplify your needs. This one key light covers everything we need. Choose your space wisely and natural light plus practicals will cover everything except the key light.
- Aputure Amaran COB 60x S – When shooting inside during the day, you’d be hard pressed to find a more compact and effective light. This isn’t going to compete with the sun, you’re not going to use it outside during the day, but it’s the perfect travel light for single-person talking heads. If you want more power, the Amaran 200x S is what we use at home.
- Reverse Leg 7′ Nano Lightstand – Any 7′ reverse leg, lightweight generic lightstand will do. Ultra compact, fits on the side of any of the above Peak bags.
- Phottix Double-Small Folding Shoot-Through Umbrella 94cm – Don’t over think it! A light dome is amazing, no question, but a simple shoot through umbrella is the choice for a travel kit like this. And this is the most compact shoot-through umbrella you’ll find. It’s still about 37″, but it folds down to absolutely nothing and fits in any bag.
Audio
- DJI Mic 2 – 32 bit float, 2 mics, 800 ft range…sheesh, wireless mic technology’s come so far.
- Rode Lavalier GO – Sure, let your talent hold the DJI Mic and talk into it for a little of that TikTok charm once in a while. But don’t go using the magnet and sticking that transmitter to their shirt. Be a pro, use lavaliers. Remember, perception goes a long way. Your client probably bought a similar wireless mic. So show up having already considered all the details they may have not. You want them to feel the expertise that they’re paying you for.
- Apple EarPods (3.5mm) – Plug into the DJI Mic 2 receiver to monitor audio while recording.
- Apple EarPods (USB-C) – Plug into the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 to monitor audio while recording.
Miscellaneous
- Crucial X9 Pro 2TB SSD – Perfect little SSD hard drives for the road and for editing. Just be sure to use HDDs for long term storage of your footage.
- Anker MagGo Power Bank – This will fully charge 2 iPhones, but beyond that, it’s also a convenient way to charge camera batteries or the Osmo Pocket on the go using the USB-C port.
- NP-FZ100 Camera Battery Charger – Combined with the Power Bank above, this is a great way to charge spare Sony batteries in your bag while on the go.