Camcorder and Video Kits: What Is in the Box

Reading a kit listing: body, lens and the extras

Kit is a loose word, so read what is in the box. Some listings are a camera with a lens, such as a mirrorless body with a 28-70 mm zoom or a 4K camcorder with a Micro Four Thirds mount; others are filters, bags or stands grouped for video use. Compare each item against your needs, not the number of pieces. Check the lens mount and sensor size, since lenses and accessories from one system rarely fit another.

Filter kits, time-lapse cameras and other specialist bundles

Filter sets list the thread size in millimetres, such as 67 mm, and fit only lenses with that thread unless you add step-up rings. ND filters cut light for slow shutter speeds in bright conditions, and a rating like ND 3.0 (1000x) is about ten stops. Circular polarizers reduce glare and deepen skies. Time-lapse cameras record interval photos into a video and need a plan for power and weather during long outdoor runs.

Questions about Camcorder and Video Kits: What Is in the Box

What is an ND filter used for in video?

An ND filter reduces the light reaching the sensor without changing colour, so you can keep a slow shutter speed and wide aperture in bright sun. Variable ND filters adjust strength but can cause uneven tones at the extreme setting.

Will a filter fit lenses with a different thread size?

Only with a step-up or step-down ring. A 67 mm filter can sit on a 58 mm lens through a step-up ring, but vignetting may occur on wide lenses. Choosing filters for your largest thread lets one set serve several lenses.

What does Micro Four Thirds mean on a camcorder kit?

It is a lens mount and sensor standard shared by several makers, so lenses from different brands can fit the same body. The sensor is smaller than full-frame, which allows compact lenses and a deeper depth of field.