Notifications
Clear all

Best Accessories for Sony a6700?

7 Posts
7 Users
0 Reactions
2,151 Views
0
Topic starter

Hey everyone! Just snagged a Sony a6700 and I'm super excited to start using it. I'm looking to build up my accessory kit, but there are SO many options out there! What are your must-have accessories for the a6700? I'm mostly interested in improving my video quality and stability for some run-and-gun shooting. I've been looking at gimbals, but not sure which ones play nicely with the a6700's autofocus. Also, are there any external mics that are a clear upgrade over the built-in one without breaking the bank? What accessories do you find yourself reaching for the most with your a6700, and why?


7 Answers
2

I spent way too much time and money when I first got the a6700 trying to build some crazy cinema rig, and honestly, it was a total disaster! I bought this massive gimbal and after one afternoon of hiking with it, I realized I absolutely hated the setup process. It just sat in my bag while I missed all the good shots. I eventually stripped everything back and it was the best decision ever! I went with the Sony ECM-B10 Compact Shotgun Microphone because I was so over cables blocking the screen. It's been fantastic not having to worry about extra batteries for the mic too. The real win for me was realizing how much better the camera feels with a simple grip. I've been using the SmallRig 4336 Bottom Mount Plate for Sony A6700 for months and it's amazing how much more stable it feels just having a place for my pinky to rest. I remember being at this local festival and while everyone else was fiddling with their massive cages, I was just flying around getting amazing footage with zero stress. It really taught me that the best accessories are the ones that stay out of your way. I dont even think about the gear anymore, I just love shooting with it!


0

Hey! Congrats on the a6700, you're gonna love it! I totally get the accessory overwhelm – it's a rabbit hole! Since you're focusing on video and run-and-gun, I'd suggest prioritizing audio first. The built-in mic is... usable, but not great.

For a budget-friendly but HUGE upgrade, I swear by the Rode VideoMicro. Seriously, it's a game-changer for the price. It's super compact, so it keeps your setup light, which is key for run-and-gun. Plus, it's powered by the camera, so no extra batteries to worry about. I've used it for everything from quick interviews to capturing ambient sound on location, and the difference compared to the internal mic is night and day. I've tried other 'budget' mics, but they always seemed to pick up more handling noise or just sounded 'tinny'. The VideoMicro just *works*.

I actually used it for a small doc I shot last year – mostly handheld stuff in a noisy market. I was seriously impressed with how much clearer the audio was, especially when I compared it to some test footage I took with just the built-in mic. It's not perfect, of course (you'll still want a deadcat windscreen for windy conditions), but for under $100, it's an absolute steal.

Focus on getting great sound first, *then* worry about the gimbal. A wobbly but well-recorded shot is always better than a smooth but poorly-recorded one, in my opinion. Good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions!





0

Hey there! Congrats on the a6700! It's a fantastic camera. I've been shooting Sony Alpha for over 8 years now, so hopefully, I can offer a slightly different angle on accessories than just the usual suspects.

While gimbals are great, for *truly* run-and-gun, I'd suggest focusing on mastering in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and potentially a smaller, lighter prime lens *first*. I've seen too many people buy expensive gimbals only to realize they're still too bulky and time-consuming to set up for spontaneous shooting. Really learn how to brace yourself, use your body as a stabilizer, and nail your focus settings. You might be surprised how far you can get with just good technique.

Specifically, I'd recommend spending time dialing in your IBIS settings for video – experiment with different levels of stabilization and different lenses. Also, be careful with rolling shutter. The a6700 is pretty good, but fast pans can still introduce some warping, so practice smooth movements. And for audio, instead of immediately jumping to a high-end external mic, I would suggest looking at a decent *lavalier* mic with a long cable that you can plug directly into the a6700. Something like the Rode smartLav+ or similar. They're much more discreet and less prone to picking up ambient noise in run-and-gun situations than a shotgun mic mounted on the camera. Plus, no need for extra batteries or recorders!

I learned this the hard way after lugging around a bulky shotgun mic and recorder for months, only to find that my best audio always came from a simple lav mic hidden under my subject's shirt! It's all about finding what works best for *your* style of shooting.

Good luck, and don't hesitate to ask if you have more specific questions!


0

Hey, congrats on the a6700! So many options, right? Instead of specific brands, have you considered *why* some gear is pricier? Cheaper gimbals might struggle with the a6700's weight or IBIS, causing jerky footage. Same with mics – better ones usually have lower noise floors. It might be worth renting a few different brands from LensRentals to see what works best *for you* before committing! Has anyone else tried renting before buying?


0

Hey! I totally get the accessory stress! Everyone's suggesting awesome (but pricey) stuff. If you're on a budget like me, don't sleep on the Rode VideoMicro. It's around $60, a HUGE upgrade over the built-in mic, and super compact for run-and-gun. For stability, maybe start with a decent monopod ($30-$50)? It's way cheaper than a gimbal to see if you even need one. I found it's a good starting point to decide what I want to upgrade next. Hope this helps!





0

Hey there! Congrats on the a6700! Everyone's diving into the fun stuff, which is awesome, but I wanted to throw in a slightly different angle: safety and reliability. You're doing run-and-gun, so that means movement, potential bumps, and things getting jostled around.

While a fancy gimbal and external mic are tempting, don't forget about protecting your investment! I'd seriously consider a good cage for the a6700. Something like the SmallRig cage – lots of mounting points, adds protection, and gives you a more secure grip. Plus, it protects the camera body from scratches and minor impacts. A broken camera is WAY worse than slightly less-than-perfect audio!

Also, think about a solid neck strap or wrist strap. The stock one is…well, not great. I once had a camera slip from a cheap strap (thankfully, it just bounced off my jacket!), and I learned my lesson the hard way. Peak Design straps are pricey, but they're incredibly secure and comfortable. Even a decent Op/Tech USA strap is a huge improvement. For run and gun, a wrist strap might be better and safer.

Finally, and this might sound obvious, but invest in high-quality, reliable batteries. Cheap batteries can swell, leak, and even damage your camera. Sony's own batteries are pricey, but they're the safest bet. If you go for third-party, read reviews carefully and stick with reputable brands like Watson or Wasabi Power. I always carry a spare, fully charged battery in a protective case – peace of mind is priceless.

Just my two cents! Have fun shooting, but stay safe out there! Let me know if you have any questions.


0

Hey! Congrats on the a6700! Everyone's giving awesome advice, but I wanted to throw in a slightly different angle: consider the DIY route for some things.

For run-and-gun stability, before dropping serious cash on a fancy gimbal, have you thought about building a simple shoulder rig? You can get surprisingly stable footage with a DIY setup using PVC pipes and some basic hardware. There are tons of tutorials online. Plus, it's a fun project! I built one for around $50, and while it's not as smooth as a Ronin, it's way better than handheld and saved me a ton of money.

Also, for audio, experiment with placing the Rode VideoMicro (mentioned earlier) *off-camera*. Even just using a cheap extension cable and boom pole (again, DIY potential!) can drastically improve sound by getting it closer to your subject and away from camera noise. Just make sure you monitor your audio levels closely! I would suggest this, because if you get the audio wrong, it cannot be fixed.

Seriously, YouTube is your friend here. It's amazing what you can achieve with a little ingenuity before investing in the expensive stuff. Good luck, and let us know what you end up doing!


Share:
Forum.Sony-Rumors.COM is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Contact Us | Privacy Policy