This is the compact video kit I developed through shows, interviews, and travel. The Canon R5 II is the center of it, but reliable audio, quick handling, and keeping the camera cool matter just as much as the body.
Originally published on YouTube Jul 29, 2026.
Camera, lens, and quick handling
I use the RF 16-28mm lens, a compact baseplate setup, and a quick-release tripod mount. A Peak Design strap lets me go hands-free when I need to handle a product or talk to someone. Outdoors, I add a variable ND filter with a grippy step-up ring; indoors, I keep the setup simpler.
Audio redundancy
DJI wireless microphones cover me and the person I am interviewing, with separate onboard recordings as backups. I also use a Canon shoe-mounted microphone for additional sound and ambience. The separate recordings must still be organized and synced in the edit. Checking the correct input jack and confirming that recording is running remain essential.
Cooling lessons from actual use
By this video, I was using a newer SmallRig cooling unit for mobile work. My earlier Ulanzi setup still worked well on external power, but its detachable battery had become a frustration. The newer SmallRig unit ran for about five hours on auto during one event in my experience. That is an observation from that outing, not a guaranteed runtime in every condition.
What matters most
My goal is a kit I can carry, operate quickly, and trust to capture usable sound. The video also covers spare batteries, editing, and the accessories that make this setup practical for me.
Original samples or settings: Download here.
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