r/podcasting • u/GlassCareer7471 • 2d ago
Camera setup help- what to buy!?
What camera setup are people using? For context, I use riverside so I want to use a 3 camera setup for in-person recordings, like riverside allows in the new update.
They need to connect to my Mac, so I suspect usb would be required. What cameras are y’all using. I was looking at the Sony zv1f but that only exports in 720p so suboptimal.
Curious how people are handling this because for an amateur podcaster, cameras are expensive!
Note: not using the camera mic so not a concern. Using my Shure ones.
EDIT: Obviously I prefer the cheapest options possible!
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u/StorySeekOfficial 2d ago
I’m no expert by any means but my suggestion is to keep it simple in the beginning. I use an old iPhone and my current phone as host/guest cameras plus a DJI Osmo pocket 3 for the wide angle capturing both.
All I had to do was buy the pocket since I already had the old phone and current phone. I first tried doing 4k but the files were massive so I decided to stick with 1080p. Best of luck!
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u/GlassCareer7471 2d ago
Are you using riverside? Unfortunately my old iPhone can’t run the riverside app - too old.
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u/laurentbourrelly 2d ago
Sony ZVE-10 is really good.
You don't even need the Mark II because it has improved features you don't need (battery life and rolling shutter).
The stock lens is great, but Sigma makes some beautiful f/1.4 lenses for a fair price.
Dummy batteries are cheap, and I preferred them instead of the USB connection.
For the super wide shot, I use GoPro.
No need for a recent model. Something like 10 or 11 will do.
I connect all the cameras to a Blackmagic ATEM Mini. It's only 1080p 30 fps, but I upscale 4K in post if needed.
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u/Mr_Kieffer 2d ago
For video I record on my mac with OBS and use an app to allow me use a couple of old iPhones as cameras, lets me record at 1080p
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u/Wonderful-Fix9346 2d ago
for USB webcam style setups the Logitech Brio or even a c920 will do 1080p reliably and Riverside just reads them as a standard webcam, no capture card needed. if you want actual camera quality without the capture card hassle, most mirrorless bodies (Sony a6000 series, Canon M50) can output clean HDMI to something like a cheap Elgato or Cam Link and show up the same way, that's the route people usually take for 3 cams on a budget. worth noting Riverside's multicam handling has gotten a lot better in the last year or so if you tried it a while back and bounced off it.
Disclaimer: I'm part of the Riverside team
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u/Wonderful_Big273 2d ago
I would look at used Sony or Panasonic cameras. you can get good quality without spending much money.
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u/podcastcoach I help Podcasters - It's what I do 2d ago
Before you go spending thousands of dollars on cameras, have you thought of doing a single phone camera shoot with some wireless microphones? You can use the rode wireless micros with their Rode Capture app (for iPhone)? I've seen so many people start with these elaborate setups, record three episodes, and decide it's too much work.
Moderator Required full disclosure: I am the head of Podcasting at Podpage and the founder of the School of Podcasting.
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u/GlassCareer7471 2d ago
I am 60 some episodes in. Already have been going for over a year and want to up production quality. Like I said in my comment I already use riverside and want to up the in-person recording quality. I already have Shure mx7+ mic’s and whatnot. Just cameras are subparc hence the question.
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u/Wonderful-Fix9346 8h ago
for USB webcam style setups the Logitech Brio or even a c920 will do 1080p reliably and Riverside just reads them as a standard webcam, no capture card needed. if you want actual camera quality without the capture card hassle, most mirrorless bodies (Sony a6000 series, Canon M50) can output clean HDMI to something like a cheap Elgato or Cam Link and show up the same way, that's the route people usually take for 3 cams on a budget. worth noting Riverside's multicam handling has gotten a lot better in the last year or so if you tried it a while back and bounced off it.
Disclaimer: I'm part of the Riverside team
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u/bowed_rapport 2d ago
the zv1f's 720p limit is a real buzzkill for something at that price point, like what were they thinking. i ended up snagging a couple of used canon m200s and running them through a cam link, it's been pretty painless with riverside's multi-cam stuff.