Camera Rig for Wedding and Documentary

Z Cam E2

I really like this camera. I do a lot of long-form stuff, so the inclusion of H.265 is excellent. Dynamic range is great for a 4/3 sensor, I’ve been enjoying the different aspect ratio options (4:3, DCI, 2.35:1), and the fact that it takes NP-F batteries is amazing.

Z Cam E2-M4 (Better Alternative Camera)

This is basically just a slightly different version of the original E2. The big plus is the interchangeable lens mounts. Z Cam offers a locking MFT mount, locking EF mount with optional ND sled, EF mount with speedbooster built in, etc. A few features from the E2 are left off like some multicam syncing options and I think the E2 has slightly higher frame rates.

Metabones 0.64x Speed booster

Expensive, but essential for getting you close to a full frame look. The crop on the E2 is 1.9x, so this speed booster gets it to a 1.2x crop. I got mine for cheap because the back element is a bit scratched, but it only shows up at maybe f/11 or smaller apertures.

Metabones 0.71x Speed Booster (Alternate Option)

Sometimes I wish I had this speed booster instead. It would be a better match for my Sigma 18-35mm, which is an APS-C lens and vignettes a bit on the 0.64x speed booster.

Canon 24-105mm f/4

This lens has a great range for documentary work. 24mm is pretty much as wide as I ever want to go and 105mm gives a nice portrait or detail shot. It would be nice if it were f/2.8, but then it would probably have to be massive, so I’ll take the trade-off. With the 0.64x speed booster, it’s a 29-126mm f/2.5 full frame equivalent.

Smallrig Top Handle

This top handle gives the standard benefits of a top handle, but also has a start/stop button. I have the old version of this top handle that only came with a cable for Panasonic. This version works with Z Cam and Panasonic too.

Portkeys BM5WR (updated version of my BM5II)

My BM5II isn’t available anymore, but this updated version of it seems to have all the same features, plus wireless control for select camera. Build quality is amazing on these, and the SDI in and out give room to grow into the more professional standard.

Rode Videomicro

The most basic mic ever, which is why it’s great. For scratch audio, this is nice and compact and doesn’t require a battery, just plug-in power from the camera.

Deity D4 Duo (Better Mic Alternative)

What I like about this mic is that it has a capsule pointing forward and another one point backward, making it great for vlogging. But what’s even better is that it has a 3.5mm input, meaning you can plug another source into it. It’ll then record the front capsule on one channel and whatever’s plugged into the input on the other channel.

RVLVR Clutch

The Clutch is expensive but worth it if you have a Z Cam. The limited buttons on Z Cams mean that adjusting settings is annoying, even basic settings like aperture and ISO. This handle has a record button and two clicking scroll wheels, so I can start/stop recording, power on and off the camera, change aperture, ISO, and white balance, turn on and off the preview LUT, and punch in to check focus. So much in the camera is made so much easier with this side handle.

IDX SL-F70 Battery

It’s such a great feature that the Z Cam takes NP-F batteries. This is a 72Wh one, so I’ve left the camera on with intermittent recording for probably around 7 hours without it dying. It also has 5v USB-A output and “X-tap” output which requires a special cable end that you have to make into a cable yourself.

IDX SL-F50 Battery

Same as the SL-F70, but lower capacity. This one is 48Wh.

Watson NP-F770

I use these 32Wh batteries on my monitors and they last quite a while, probably 5-6 hours on the Portkeys. They’re a good affordable option and they’ve been reliable for me.

DJI Wireless Mic

I would say this the best wireless lav option in its category. They transmit to the receiver and can record internally at the same time, so you’ve always got peace-of-mind that you have the audio. The charging case and ease of getting audio files off the transmitters set this kit apart from the Rode Wireless Go system.

Exascend CFast Card

This CFast 2.0 card was apparently specifically made for Z Cam and I haven’t had any problems out of it. How much can I say about a memory card?

Tiffen Variable ND Filter

This one’s almost as boring as the CFast card, which is probably why I forgot to include them until the very end of the video. I haven’t noticed any color problems with it and it’s nice that it goes all the way from 2 to 8 stops of ND.