My Favorite Products That I Purchased In 2024 Ranked

While last year focused on home and lifestyle purchases, 2024 has been all about photography and video gear! I've invested more in camera equipment this year than ever before. It became a domino effect where one premium purchase led to another in the same category. Every item I bought serves a specific purpose in my photography and videography journey. I'm excited to share these recommendations with you, whether you're just starting out or you're an experienced photographer

Here are my top 10 favorite products that I purchased in 2024 ranked:.

10. Godox Lux Master Flash

Let's start with the retro-styled Godox Lux Master Flash. Drawing inspiration from 1950s camera flashes, it beautifully combines a classic folding fan-type reflector with modern technology. When Godox released this flash, I knew it would perfectly complement my Nikon Zf as I needed a new flash for my second camera body. The intuitive touchscreen makes it easy to adjust settings and select lighting modes. This flash supports multiple sync modes including TTL, High-Speed, Manual, and Front/Rear Curtain. A single charge delivers up to 460 full-power flashes. To sync with your camera, you'll need a flash trigger such as the X3 (https://geni.us/oZuSr). I also added the LM-R28 Reflector with Dome (https://geni.us/G7858D) for creating beautifully diffused, soft lighting on my subjects. I can’t wait to use this flash more for weddings and events!

9. Delkin Devices Fat Gecko Dual-Suction Camera Mount

For my vlogs, I often need car footage - either b-roll of me driving or talking to the camera while behind the wheel. To capture these shots safely, I needed a reliable suction camera mount for my front windshield. After trying the popular Neewer mount without success, I discovered this dual-suction camera mount from Delkin. Thanks to its two suction cups, it attaches firmly to the window with no risk of falling. The mount boasts an 8lb weight capacity, features 3-point ballhead adjustment for flexible positioning, and includes a cold shoe adapter for flash units. Whether you're filming the car's interior or exterior, this dual-suction mount delivers smooth, professional-looking footage.

8. Godox Wes2 Kit2 Wireless Mic

For the best audio quality in controlled environments, I rely on the Wes2 Kit2 Wireless Mic from Godox. This plug-and-play wireless lavalier microphone connects via USB-C to your phone or laptop. The Environmental Noise Cancellation feature stands out—it effectively filters background noise while enhancing vocals for crystal-clear sound. With a transmission range of up to 656 feet, you can capture audio from a distance and experiment with creative shots. The battery life impressed me, lasting surprisingly long on a single charge. For its price point, this wireless mic delivers exceptional value!

7. Samsung T9 Portable SSD 4TB

Since I started vlogging this year, I needed a portable SSD with enough storage space and speed to transfer video files from my camera to laptop. When a photographer friend recommended this during Prime Day, I took the plunge—and I'm so glad I did. This is hands-down the best portable SSD I own, and I'll stick with it for future purchases. It transfers 5GB of data in seconds, thanks to its blazing-fast 2,000mb/s read/write speeds—making it one of the fastest SSDs available. The included Magician software is a great touch, offering constant firmware updates, encryption, and drive health monitoring to keep the SSD running like new. Its shock-resistant, temperature-controlled casing protects your data during intensive use or accidental drops. While it's not the cheapest option out there, after months of storing my video footage on it, I can confidently say it's worth every penny.

6. Ulanzi TT38 Tabletop Tripod

This is hands-down the best compact tabletop/vlogging tripod for cameras. The design is thoroughly well-thought-out, featuring a one-click release for the tripod legs that lets you smoothly switch between camera grip and tripod modes. A quick-release button makes it effortless to detach your camera from the tripod. The innovative leg hooks enable "mantis mode," allowing you to secure the tripod on thick surfaces for creative angles. With its 360-degree ballhead, switching between horizontal and vertical orientations is seamless. Whether you're a vlogger or frequently shoot on the go, this tabletop tripod is an essential tool for any creator out there.

5. Rode VideoMicro II Microphone

Great sounding audio is essential for any video creator and this hot shoe microphone from Rode produces clear and crisp audio whether your indoors or outdoors. It’s compact so you can fit it into any bag and the directional pattern picks up the sound around you. Its also easy to operate as you just plug in the 3.5mm cable to your camera. I’ve been using this microphone everywhere I go from events, client shoots, restaurants, cafes, and travel. The deadcat or windshield is a MUST if you’re recording outdoors since it does a great job of blocking the wind noise.

4. Nikkor Z 40mm f/2.0 (Special Edition) Lens

This lens is one of those iconic lenses that will be remembered for years to come. It's compact, performs well in low light with its f/2 aperture, offers the perfect focal length for street photography, comes at an affordable price, and features the retro lens design that made Nikon famous in the 1980s. Combined with the technology of Nikon's mirrorless cameras, you have a winner.

3. Aputure Amaran 150C

To upgrade my video quality, I focused on lighting, and this LED studio light from Aputure has dramatically improved the professional look of my footage. One of my favorite features is its Sidus Link app connectivity—I can change colors remotely without physically adjusting the light. The Bowens mount makes it incredibly versatile, accepting a wide range of accessories. Despite being more compact than other studio lights in its price range, it delivers impressive light output. Whether you're creating YouTube content or working on film sets, I highly recommend the Aputure Amaran 150c.

2. Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S Lens

I've been using the F-mount version of the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens adapted to my Z7 II, but it simply doesn't compare to the Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S lens. Having used both extensively, I can confidently say the Z-mount version is far superior. It focuses faster, delivers more accurate results, and offers significantly better stabilization than its F-mount counterpart. I was particularly impressed by the lens's stabilization while filming video—even when zoomed in to 200mm. The images are consistently sharp, and the depth of field is stunning at f/2.8. Whether you're shooting portraits or landscapes, this lens deserves a place in every Nikon photographer's kit.

1. Nikon Zf

If there is one product on this list that I’ve been using consistently and brings the most joy to me whenever I use it, it’s the Nikon Zf. While I initially purchased it as a second camera body for wedding photography, I've been amazed by its video capabilities. The camera's autofocus system is remarkably efficient—gone are the days of slow and inaccurate focusing. Though not quite as swift as Sony's systems, the Zf tracks and locks focus impressively fast. The new 3D tracking AF-C system, especially when paired with back-button focus, is a game-changer, effectively combining three autofocus modes into one. I've noticed significantly improved accuracy and speed in subject tracking compared to my Z7 II. I love that Nikon finally incorporated a fully-articulating screen—perfect for content creators like me who vlog frequently. The camera excels in low-light conditions, with focusing capability down to -10EV. It handles noise remarkably well, allowing you to push the ISO higher while maintaining clean results. If you're considering this camera, I'd recommend pairing it with a Neewer grip for more comfortable handling. And of course, I can't help but love this camera's beautiful retro aesthetic.

I hope you guys enjoyed my top 10 favorite products that I bought this year. If you want to check out my favorite products that I purchased in 2023, click here.

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