Photographer and filmmaker David McLain has shot major assignments around the world for leading brands like National Geographic Magazine and Apple. All of the Sony Artisan’s work aims to explore big questions through intimate stories, and when it comes to filmmaking, his experience has led him to assemble a kit that he knows will always get the job done. “Most of what I shoot is dual channel sync sound verite,” he says. “This gear list is the result of years of trial and error to get the smallest, most well-balanced kit that can also record high-quality sound and ProRes RAW codec. Carrying the recorder in a fanny pack makes the camera less top or side heavy, and most importantly, prevents the shotgun mic from picking up the fan noise.” Keep reading as McLain shares each piece in his kit and watch some of his work created using the gear.

“This gear list is the result of years of trial and error to get the smallest, most well-balanced kit that can also record high-quality sound and ProRes RAW.” – Filmmaker & Sony Artisan David McLain

Camera

Sony Alpha 7S III: What can I say? The original Alpha 7S re-wrote the rules of DSLR filmmaking. The Alpha 7S III expands this legacy with better AF, better menus and better everything.

Watch the complete film HERE.

Lenses

Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master: This is my favorite Sony lens of all time and go-to workhorse. Having manual aperture control on the lens is a must. Almost any picture I would want to shoot I could shoot on this lens.

Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master: My second-favorite Sony lens of all time and go-to workhorse. The new AF is truly next generation. 

Still frame from David McLain’s Bold Coast Dreams. Watch the complete film HERE.

Accessories

SmallRig Professional Camera Cage Kit For Sony Alpha 7S III: Cheap and effective. The handle is really important for stability and for a mounting point for the shotgun and a way to secure the HDMI cable.

Audio Accessories

Sony XLR-K3M Dual-Channel Digital XLR Audio Adapter Kit with Shotgun Microphone
Total game changer for anyone who is serious about sync sound. I have my shotgun on one channel and a lav on the other channel. It always works and always sounds great.

Sony URX-P03D Dual-Channel Camera-Mount Wireless Receiver (UC14: 470 to 542 MHz)
Can’t wait to get the newest version of this. It allows me to have a wireless Lav on my subject at all times.

Sony UTX-B40 Wireless Bodypack Transmitter with Omni Lavalier Mic (UC14: 470 to 542 MHz)
Great wireless lav transmitter that my subject wears.

Sony MDR-7506 Headphones: Industry-standard headphones.

Garfield Headphone Softie Earpad Covers (Blue, Pair): Ear covers for headphones. Treat yourself! All the pro sound recordists have them.
 
Sanken CS-M1 Moisture-Resistant Ultra Compact Shotgun Microphone: The kit mic that comes with the XLR-K3M is great but if you’re feeling flush and want to upgrade this mic is next level and priced accordingly. I honestly can’t get over how good it sounds. A sound recordist I work with recommended it.
 
Rycote Softie Kit for Sanken CS-M1 Microphone with Windshield and Shock Mount
ZILR 4Kp60 Hyper-Thin High-Speed HDMI Secure Cable with Ethernet (39"): This is the kit for the Sanken CS-M1 with a great mounting system and wind reduction.
 
Bubblebee Industries Invisible Lavalier Microphone Covers (3 Black/3 Beige/3 White Mesh): This system is designed to attach a concealed lav on your subject and prevent their shirt from rubbing on the lav. It almost always works and dramatically improved my ability to record sound.
 
Bubblebee Industries Mic Accessory Case for Lavalier Microphones (2-Pack): This case holds the mic and mounting materials. Keeps it all minimalist.
 
Cable Techniques Low-Profile 3-Pin XLR-F to 3-Pin XLR-M Shortie Mic Jumper Cable (9"): This small xlr cable keeps wires to a minimum.

External Recorder

Atomos Ninja V 5" 4K HDMI Recording Monitor: This allows you to shoot ProRes Raw, a total gamechanger in post. 

SmallRig 2209 Cage for Atomos Ninja V: Cheap and effective. Mandatory if you are carrying ninja in fannypack because it allows a way to secure the HDMI cable.

Other Accessories

Domke Belt Regular for F-5XB and Accessory: This is the fanny pack I carry my Ninja V in.

Domke F-831 Small Photo Courier Bag (Brown RuggedWear Waxed Canvas): Timeless, functional, stylish.

Sabrent 4TB Rocket Q M.2 2280 Internal SSD: This is like the most expensive external hard drive you can buy but once you have it there is no going back. The enclosure holds the same next generation SSD that is used on the Mac Pro. It's smoking fast and cuts down backup time at the end of the long day. What used to take hours takes minutes.
 
See more of David McLain’s work on his Alpha Universe Profile and at DavidMcLain.com.