Lumix GH5II essentials
All items in this list are compatible with each other unless stated otherwise. With every camera, you’ll need essentials and accessories. Essentials are key to ensuring your camera functions properly, while accessories not only make your setup look cool and professional but also add to the usability and functionality of your gear. These additions can speed up your filming process, ease your workflow, or give you more creative options. If you’re just starting out with your first camera, I recommend checking out the equipment guide, either through the drop-down menu at the top or by visiting the "Order of Acquisition" page. This guide will show you when to get each piece of gear and in what order, helping you focus on what matters most and ensuring a smooth start to your filmmaking journey. This advice comes from three years of trial and error, and I’m sharing what I’ve learned to save you time and help you grow faster.
What should you get first? This list is organized by order of importance, with the first item being the most important and the last being the least, yet still very important. Each item is separated by a white dotted bar, while each category is separated by a full white bar. Items within each category are also listed in order of importance, and it’s best to get them together, as you’ll soon need the others after acquiring the first. Finally, on top of each item , is a text, labelling the equipment in question as Essential or Accessory.
If this is your first camera: Start by using the camera on its own. Only get the essentials (listed next to each camera choice), and learn how to stabilize the camera using just the strap. As you become more comfortable, you can gradually introduce more accessories. Begin with a tripod, lighting, a prime 50mm lens, and good audio. Once you’ve mastered the basics with these tools, you can start exploring more advanced accessories and techniques.
If this isn’t your first camera: You’ll unfortunately need to acquire most of the essentials and accessories all at once. This includes items like a camera cage, side and top handles, and a dedicated 2-point connection mount for your stabilizer if you have one. Since you’re more experienced with cameras, you can judge what’s necessary and what isn’t just yet. Focus on getting what you need to avoid being slowed down, and invest the rest into better batteries, SD cards, lenses, filters, and other accessories. Yes, buying a second camera involves much more than just the camera itself. Check out the page "Useful Tips: Buying a Second Camera" to help you remember what you’ll need right off the bat.
Essential
SD Cards
MAX CAMERA BITRATE: 400Mbps The Lumix GH5II has a dual SD card bay. Recommendation: 2 x 512GB V60/V90. Anything of higher capacity is good.
Capacity/Rating
Rating recommendation Anything under 240Mbps: V30, V60, or V90 Anything under 480Mbps: V60 or V90 Anything above 480Mbps: V90 Storage recommendation 150Mbps and under: 128GB 250Mbps and under: 256GB 450Mbps and under: 512GB 500Mbps and OVER: 1TB (2X512GB) Since 1TB V90 cards are rare. The best sweet spot for most filmmakers is 400Mbps, running 4K DCI 10-bit in log, retaining a lot of detail. While 800Mbps is nice, the added data doesn't outweigh the inconvenience of constantly monitoring your storage status to switch cards and the extra cost of needing two 512GB cards (or even four if using dual-slot cameras). 400Mbps allows for V60 512GB, 1TB, and V90 512GB cards if a higher SD grade is desired.
Essential
Camera battery
Having at least one spare battery for your camera is essential, and ideally, two spares are recommended to ensure uninterrupted shooting. With two batteries, you can shoot for over four hours, far beyond the capacity of a single battery. This allows for continuous shooting by swapping out the used battery and charging it immediately, enabling you to shoot for up to eight hours or more without running out of power. For shorter shoots under four hours, this setup provides peace of mind without worrying about battery life. Having a total of three batteries gives you an extra safety net, especially if you forget to charge one after swapping it during a shoot.
Accessory
Camera cage
A camera cage is often overlooked by beginners who view it merely as an aesthetic accessory, but it offers much more than that. Once you’ve become comfortable with your camera and have mastered minimizing shake, investing in a camera cage should be your next step. It adds weight, which improves handheld stabilization, and provides convenient attachment points for accessories, significantly enhancing your setup’s versatility. A camera cage also serves as essential protection for your gear, safeguarding against damage from drops and preventing wear on the camera’s screw mount.
The SmallRig cage for the Lumix GH5II is a perfect little cage at a very affordable price. It’s extremely secure, with no possibility of twisting or unscrewing once mounted. To install the cage, you’ll need to remove the camera straps with the triangle mounts on both sides to properly attach the screws. The only downside is the size of the bottom screw area, which accommodates just one mounting plate. This is where a universal quick release plate can be advantageous, although if you plan to use a gimbal, you may face some limitations.
Basic Smallrig attachements
These attachments are perfect for those who don't wish to build a full camera rig. A side handle and top handle are absolutely essential, offering several advantages: they help reduce shake, increase movement accuracy, and make challenging shots like low-angle shots easier with the top handle. They also provide comfort during long shooting sessions and offer the flexibility to attach accessories on the go. Ideal for those who either aren't ready to invest in a full rig or prefer a more streamlined setup, these handles serve as an excellent middle ground between a rigged and non-rigged camera. As for screw vs Nato: Nato is much quicker to set up, while screw in offers more security; If a Nato gets too loose, you might drop the camera. If a screw gets loose, you will feel a wabble and adjust it right away. Nato are regardless very secure and should get loose if you tighten them correctly.
Building a camera rig should be an enjoyable and creative process, but without the right guidance, it can quickly feel overwhelming. To make things easier, we’ve created this general rig-building guide to help you navigate each step and design a setup tailored to your needs. Every rig is unique, and you’re free to follow none, part, or all of our suggestions here. We've selected configurations that provide significant benefits while keeping drawbacks to a minimum, but there are countless combinations available, allowing plenty of room for customization. For those seeking even more specific guidance, we also offer detailed rig-building guides tailored to each camera listed on our site.
Camera rig build
Dummy battery
A dummy battery is a useful tool that replaces the traditional battery in your camera's battery bay with a hollowed-out version that has a cable attached. This cable allows you to connect the camera directly to an external power source, such as a V-mount battery. The advantage of using a dummy battery is that it gives you continuous power without the need to stop and replace batteries during a shoot, ensuring you don’t miss crucial moments. Since it's powered by the V-mount battery, the power capacity is significantly higher, which can extend your shooting time by several hours or even a full day, depending on the size of the battery you choose. With this setup, you can also power other accessories from the same V-mount, streamlining your rig and avoiding the hassle of managing multiple batteries. It’s a great solution for professional filmmakers looking for longer shooting times and fewer interruptions on set. The go for brand for BLK-22 is Kondor blue. there are 4 variants to go for.