Professional videography gear and equipment I use to create stunning videos.
I frequently get asked about the cameras, lenses, drones, and equipment I use for videography projects in Puerto Escondido and beyond. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of my professional gear setup and why I chose each piece of equipment.
Cameras
Sony a7S III
This is my primary camera for shooting video. I previously used 8-bit cameras like the Sony a6400, but switching to the a7S III was transformative—the jump from 8-bit to 10-bit recording is night and day for video editing. I can fine-tune colors precisely to achieve the exact look I want. It also has exceptional low-light capability and gives me peace of mind knowing it doesn't overheat easily, even in Mexico's hot climate.
Sony a7 IV
This is my secondary camera that I use on shoots when I need an additional camera for photos, or when running dual cameras for video with different recording settings. The footage from the a7S III matches beautifully with this camera in terms of color science. It's the perfect hybrid camera for both photo and video work.
Camera Lenses
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 GM
This lens stays on my camera most of the time for video work. It's ideal for real estate videography due to its wide angle, and the f/2.8 aperture allows enough light for shooting darker rooms while still maintaining 60fps for smooth footage in post-production. When I need more background separation, I can zoom to 35mm for a tighter composition.
Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM
The optical quality of this lens is exceptional, and the bokeh it produces is absolutely stunning. I primarily use this for events and low-light situations. The massive f/1.2 aperture means even the darkest venues produce clean, professional-looking footage with beautiful subject separation.
Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS
This macro lens is perfect for detailed product shots and close-up work. The 90mm focal length provides excellent working distance while the macro capabilities allow me to capture intricate details that would be impossible with standard lenses. The optical stabilization is a bonus for handheld macro work.
Drones
DJI Mavic 3
The video quality improvement, especially in low-light conditions, is remarkable compared to the Mavic 2. Both photos and videos come out stunning with incredible detail and color accuracy. Its exceptional stability, even indoors, makes it perfect for real estate videography when I need smooth aerial footage without a gimbal.
DJI Avata
This drone is incredibly fun to fly with the intuitive controller, making FPV accessible even to beginners. The Avata excels in tight spaces like flying between cliffs or capturing dynamic follow shots of surfers and wakeboarders. Its compact size and protective design make it ideal for creative shots in challenging environments.
DJI FPV
This drone is an absolute beast, capable of reaching 120km/h, making it perfect for high-speed follow shots of fast-moving vehicles. I've used it to capture snowmobile sequences for short films and dramatic fly-through scenes between sailboats in the San Blas Islands. The speed and agility open up creative possibilities that other drones simply can't match.
Workstation
15" Dell XPS, i9 RTX 4060, 64GB RAM (2024)
I upgraded from a Razer Blade 14 with 16GB RAM, and the difference is remarkable. The large OLED display makes editing a pleasure, while the massive 64GB of RAM allows seamless multitasking between Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and Lightroom. The upgradeable RAM and SSD make this workstation future-proof for years to come. There are some trade-offs: battery life is limited to about 3 hours at full brightness with the 4K display, and the cooling system hasn't been updated in recent years, which prevents fully utilizing the i9 CPU's potential under heavy loads.
Stabilization & Accessories
DJI Ronin RS3 Stabilizer
This is an essential tool for shooting real estate videos and follow shots of people vlogging while walking. I've owned numerous gimbals throughout the years, and this one checks all the boxes for stability and ease of use. The one-button fold mechanism makes transitions between setups incredibly fast, and the smooth motor movements eliminate the robotic feel of earlier generations. It's powerful enough to stabilize even the heaviest lens combinations.