Top 5 Pieces of Film Gear Under $100
Finding the right gift for a filmmaker doesn’t have to mean spending the equivalent of a down payment of a house on an Arri Alexa camera. In fact, some of the most useful tools on set cost less than $100, and they can make all the difference in how you operate on set.
Before we dive in, a quick note: we don’t have any sponsorships or affiliations with these products. These are simply items we use (and love) at Parthenon Pictures, recommended because they’ve proven their value on set time and time again.
Here are our top 5 film gear picks under $100 starting from #5.
Filmmaking gear: our favorite addiction.
#5 – Foldable Milk Crates
👉 CleverMade Collapsible Milk Crate
Milk crates are the unsung heroes of filmmaking, perfect for hauling cables, loose grip clips, or holding gels and filters. The foldable version saves space when not in use, making it an easy win for any set.
We have about 8 of these crates in our arsenal. The foldable aspect of them make travel a breeze. We actually pack a few of them in our suitcases when we travel out of state for filming.
#4 – SmallRig Multi-Tool
👉 SmallRig Folding Multi-Tool Kit
Every filmmaker needs a reliable toolkit in their pocket. The SmallRig Multi-Tool includes screwdrivers, hex wrenches, and more, exactly what you need to tighten rigs, plates, or accessories in the middle of a shoot.
I was sick of having one screw-driver on set and having to use a quarter to tighten base plates- This little tool elevates the professionalism on set.
#3 – Aputure Smart Light Bulb
This isn’t your average light bulb. The Aputure Smart Bulb screws into any lamp and gives you professional control from different color temps to effects. It’s a simple, under-$100 way to add cinematic mood or practical lighting to your scene, without hauling extra gear. Plus it’s app controlled!
We keep 4 of these in our truck. Anytime we are filming in a house we quickly replace the practical lamps with these giving us even more control. Plus, since they are battery operated, we have even used them on prop lamps that were broken, or in a location that has no power.
#2 – Canned Atmosphere
👉 Atmosphere Aerosol Fog Spray
Want to instantly add cinematic depth to a shot? A few sprays of atmosphere haze catches light beautifully, turning ordinary spaces into textured, moody environments. It’s portable, affordable, and one of the easiest ways to boost production value.
This is seriously a secret formula that makes your shots look incredible. They are a little pricey, but its well worth it in my opinion.
#1 – Tennis Balls
Ok, this may seem like a joke, especially putting it at number 1, but you absolutely need these if you are bringing light stands or c-stands on set, especially homes with wood floors.. Cutting a slit and placing them on the legs of light stands or C-stands keeps sharp metal feet from damaging flooring.
You can also put them on the ends of c-stand arms to make sure your crew or talent are protected. We have had to mount lights and flags on c-stand arms and a lot of time the ends of those arms are eye level. In a dark stage you could easily run into them and get hurt. Adding one of these tennis balls at the end, not only protects getting hit, but are bright enough to see the arm before its too late.
Each tool shapes the story you tell.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend thousands to make a filmmaker’s day. The right gear under $100 can make a set safer, a shoot smoother, and a project more cinematic.
At Parthenon Pictures, we use tools like these every day, alongside industry-standard cameras and lenses, because great filmmaking is about preparation, creativity, and the right gear for the job.
