Shooting a movie on a tight budget is entirely feasible with affordable, high-quality equipment.
Evaluate your needs and see if an older model will meet your requirements. That’s just one way you can buy film gear that is affordable. There are more.
In this article, we’re going to go over some of the best equipment you need for filmmaking.
If you set out to make the film, you need to be aware that it’s going to take some money — but you don’t have to be rich. You just need cheap filmmaking equipment.
Essential Equipment for Low-Budget Filmmaking
Camera ($300–$1,000)
Recommendation: Panasonic Lumix G85 ($550–$700 with 12–60mm kit lens) or Canon EOS Rebel T7i ($600).
The Panasonic G85 is a mirrorless camera with 4K video, good in-body stabilization, and access to affordable Micro Four Thirds lenses, making it ideal for beginners. The Canon T7i is a reliable DSLR with Full HD 1080p and a flip-out screen, great for narrative shoots. Alternatively, a recent smartphone (e.g., iPhone 12 or later) with apps like Blackmagic Camera or MotionCam Pro can suffice for ultra-low budgets, offering 4K video with decent quality.
Tip: Buy used from reputable retailers like MPB or Adorama for savings, or rent a higher-end model like the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K (~$1,300) if your budget allows.
Lenses ($100–$500)
Recommendation: Sigma 18–35mm f/1.8 ($400) or a 50mm f/1.8 prime lens ($100–$200).
Why: A fast prime lens like the 50mm f/1.8 offers a cinematic shallow depth of field, perfect for narrative films. The Sigma zoom provides versatility for various shots. For smartphones, detachable lenses like Moment lenses (~$100) can enhance creative options.
Tip: Rent lens packages for specific shoots to save money, as lenses are often more critical than the camera body for achieving a professional look
Best Cameras For Filmmaking
Filmmakers and many video content creators use 4K, 5K or even 8K cameras to product high-quality work. The camera and camcorder market has evolved quite a bit over the past 20 years, making movie-quality work possible with portable cameras that don’t cost much.
How Much Does A Good Movie Camera Cost?
You can expect to spend between $300 to $5,000 for a decent 4K video camera. Of course, it depends on the specifications you need and what you’re trying to do.
With the popularity of Youtube content producers, podcasters and vloggers, buying a good camera has become a necessity.
4K 60FPS Video Camera Camcorder Ultra HD 48MP
- 8K 64MP Camcorder with IR Night Vision Vlogging Camera
- 5K Long Zoom Digital Camera
- 8K WiFi Ultra HD Camera with Touch Screen
Tripod ($50–$150)
- Recommendation: Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod ($80) or BONFOTO 671A Travel Aluminum Tripod ($70).
- Why: A sturdy tripod ensures stable, professional-looking shots, especially for static scenes or smooth pans/tilts. Look for a fluid head for smoother movements. These budget options are durable and compatible with most cameras, including smartphones.
- Tip: For dynamic shots, consider a budget gimbal like the Zhiyun Smooth 4 (~$100) for smartphones or lightweight cameras, but a tripod is more essential for beginners.
Microphone ($40–$150)
- Recommendation: Rode VideoMic GO ($100) or Audio-Technica ATR-3350xiS lavalier ($40).
- Why: Audio is critical, and built-in camera mics are often poor. The Rode VideoMic GO is an on-camera shotgun mic that’s easy to use and improves sound quality significantly. A lavalier mic like the Audio-Technica is affordable and great for dialogue or interviews, especially for solo filmmakers. For better control, pair with a Zoom H1n audio recorder (~$100).
- Tip: Use headphones (e.g., Sony MDR-7506, ~$100) to monitor audio during recording, as many budget cameras lack headphone jacks.
Lighting ($50–$250)
- Recommendation: Limostudio Continuous Lighting Kit ($60) or a 5-in-1 reflector ($20–$50).
- Why: Good lighting elevates your film’s look. A basic LED lighting kit provides soft, adjustable light for indoor shoots. A reflector is a versatile, ultra-cheap tool for enhancing natural light, especially outdoors in Atlanta’s summer sun.
- Tip: In Atlanta’s July heat (average high ~90°F), avoid heavy lighting setups for outdoor shoots; rely on reflectors or battery-powered LED panels for portability.
Memory Cards & Storage ($20–$100)
- Recommendation: SanDisk 64GB Extreme Pro SD card ($20) and a 1TB external hard drive ($60).
- Why: 4K video eats up storage quickly, so you’ll need high-speed SD cards (at least 64GB) and an external hard drive for backups. Transfer footage nightly to free up cards, especially for multi-day shoots.
- Tip: Always carry at least two extra SD cards to avoid running out of space on location.
Video Editing Software ($0–$100)
- Recommendation: DaVinci Resolve (free version) or Adobe Premiere Pro (~$20/month with student discount).
- Why: DaVinci Resolve’s free version offers advanced editing and color grading, ideal for beginners. Premiere Pro is industry-standard but pricier. Both are compatible with footage from budget cameras or smartphones.
- Tip: Use a decent laptop (e.g., with at least 16GB RAM) for smooth editing, as Atlanta’s film community often relies on co-working spaces or home setups for post-production.
Camera Bag ($50–$150)
Tip: Atlanta’s film locations (e.g., Trilith Studios or downtown areas) may require frequent travel, so prioritize lightweight, portable bags.
Recommendation: Moment Rugged Camera Sling ($130) or AmazonBasics Camera Bag ($50).
Why: A sturdy, weather-resistant bag protects your gear during transport, crucial for Atlanta’s humid summer weather. Ensure it fits your camera, lenses, and accessories.
Final Word
Atlanta is the #1 place for movie making today, but that doesn’t mean you need to be tied to Tyler Perry Studios. You can actually make a film in Atlanta with cheap filmmaking equipment.
Georgia has been a sough-after location for TV productions. Projects from CBS, NBC, HBO, BET and more are slated to shoot in the metro area in the coming months.
With more than 900 movie and TV projects just in the last few years, the film industry has generated more than $9 billion for the state of Georgia.
There are so many movies filmed in Atlanta these days that it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest movie casting calls, celeb sightings and Atlanta happenings delivered to your inbox.
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