Hey there!
Choosing the right camera gear can be tricky, especially when you’re just starting out. Even experienced photographers often wonder what equipment is worth the investment.
In this newsletter, we’ll cover the essentials you need to know to help you choose the right gear for your needs. 🤝
Just Starting Out?
If you’re new to photography, I’d recommend starting out with what you already have. Whether this might be your phone or your parents’ old camera, starting out simple is the best way to go.
By starting out with basic equipment, you’ll focus less on the technical aspects and more on actually taking the photos.
I personally started out using my parents’ pocketable point-and-shoot camera before getting my first DSLR-camera.
Make sure to try out as many different types of photography as possible when starting out. This will make it easier for you to later determine what kind of photography you’d like to pursue.
Analyze Your Progress
After you’ve taken photos for some time, analyze which types of photography you enjoyed most. Based on this, you can invest in new gear more intentionally.
Buying Your First Camera
How do you know when it’s time to upgrade your camera? If you ask me, it’s when you’re regularly feeling limited by the gear you have.
In my case, I started feeling the limitations of having a point-and-shoot camera when getting into astrophotography. The grainy images I got with it left me with no other option than investing in a better camera that would handle low-light conditions with more ease.
The main thing you should focus on when starting out is getting a beginner-friendly camera, as this will quicken your learning curve while also making the photography experience more fun.
When deciding on which camera brand to go for, choose the brand that feels the most natural to you. Visiting camera retailers that have demo-cameras displayed is a great way of really getting the feel of different camera models.
If you’re unsure about which brand would suit you the best, don’t be afraid to ask people that you know within the photography space for advice.
Cameras generally fall into two categories: APS-C (crop-sensor) and full-frame cameras. Full-frame cameras offer advanced features that aren’t necessary when starting out, so I highly recommend getting a crop-sensor camera as your first one. Beginner-friendly models usually belong to this category of cameras.
My first DSLR-camera was a Nikon D3300. Here are some models worth checking out if you’re starting out today:
Nikon D3500
Sony Alpha’s a6000 series
Canon’s EOS M-series
DSLR = Digital single-lens reflex camera.
Choosing The Right Lens
When buying your first camera equipment, I’d say that the lens choice is more important as it will have the biggest impact on your photos.
Lenses can be divided into prime lenses and zoom lenses. The difference between these is that prime lenses have a fixed focal length, while you can zoom with zoom lenses.
If you’ve found yourself enjoying very specific types of photography during your first time taking photos, buying a prime lens could be the right choice for you. Prime lenses are usually the most ideal when for example photographing portraits and macro photos.
One of the first lenses I got when starting out was the Sigma 105/2.8 EX DG Macro, as I needed a sharp lens for product and wedding photography.
Despite this, my personal recommendation is to buy a decent zoom lens among your first lenses. This will give you more flexibility to keep experimenting and getting to know the different focal lengths better.
Choose Your Lenses Wisely
Lenses can be specifically made either for APS-C or full-frame cameras.
Lenses made for full-frame cameras can also be used on APS-C cameras, but APS-C lenses can’t be used on full-frame cameras.
Since you most likely will start out with an APS-C camera, getting lenses made for APS-C sensors is totally fine.
As you improve over time, it can be worth considering buying lenses made for full-frame cameras.
This way, you’ll still have compatible lenses if you ever decide to upgrade to a full-frame camera one day.
Quite early on in my photography journey, I got myself a Sigma 150-600mm lens. Since this is a lens made for full-frame sensors, I’ve been able to keep it despite upgrading cameras several times.
DSLR VS Mirrorless Systems
One thing worth knowing is that cameras also can be split into DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
For this reason, lenses are often specifically designed for either DSLR or mirrorless cameras.
Let’s say you buy a full-frame compatible lens made for DSLRs early on in your journey. In my case, the Sigma 150-600mm lens is a good example.
If you one day decide to switch to a full-frame mirrorless camera, you might think that getting that lens was a total waste. Well, luckily not!
There are adapters you can buy that enable DSLR-made lenses to work on mirrorless systems.
While this isn’t worth caring about in the beginning, it’s always good knowing that there are a lot of different options you can go for as you progress.
My very first lens was a Sigma 18-200mm. Other zoom-lenses worth checking out could include:
Sigma 24-105/4 (a versatile lens with more than decent image quality)
Tamron 18-300/3.5-6.3 (decent and versatile lens when starting out)
Drones
There are not as many drones to choose from compared to the camera market, which makes it easier to find the right model for your needs.
The best drone manufacturer is DJI, so I highly recommend getting one of their models if you’re thinking of getting one. It’s definitely worth buying a newer drone model, since they offer significantly improved performance.
For example, the newer models offer better image quality, increased flight time and more reliable aircraft connections. This is a big bonus when out in the field.
If it’s important for you to have a small and compact drone, I’d recommend getting a DJI Mini 3 Pro or Mini 4 Pro. These weigh just 249g while still producing high-quality footage, making them incredibly versatile.
If you’re okay with having a larger drone, the DJI Air 3 or any of the Mavic-drones could be worth considering. For example, the Air 3 has a wide-angle and medium tele lens, which is a game-changer both when photographing and filming.
Before flying, just make sure that you have your drone licence sorted out and that you follow local drone laws and regulations.
Accessories
Along with your camera and lens, certain accessories can make a big difference in your photography experience. Here are some recommendations based on my own experiences.
Filters
A new favourite filter of mine is the Freewell V2 Hybrid VND/CPL filter. It’s a really convenient 2-in-1 filter that makes photographing in various conditions so much easier.
Glow mist filters can be used to create a balanced and soft look in your images. I’m personally a big fan of the Freewell V2 Diffusion Glow Mist filter.
When I’m not using these filters, I always have a UV-filter attached to each one of my lenses. UV-filters protect your lens from dust, dirt, scratches and other potential damage. These filters can also improve image quality by reducing haze.
Tripods
Here are two travel-tripods that I’ve personally had a good experience with.
Caruba Travelstar 143 → Good tripod for travelling. Lightweight and fairly sturdy.
Manfrotto Element → Slightly heavier and larger, but very sturdy and solid.
Camera Bags
There are many camera bag manufacturers out there, but personally I’m most satisfied with ThinkTank’s bags. If you’re thinking of getting yourself a new bag, check them out!
Moving Forward
As you start investing more money in new photo equipment, I highly recommend buying used gear from camera retailers that you trust. This is a great way of saving money while still getting the gear you want.
Most retailers also have yearly recurring campaigns for different camera brands, so if you’re patient and keep an eye out, you might find what you’re looking for at a really great price.
As you continue taking photos, keep analyzing what focal lengths you are shooting at and what kind of subjects you are photographing. Evaluating what equipment you actually need is important when buying gear.
How Do You Continue Improving?
Now that you’ve got your gear and accessories sorted, how do you keep improving as a photographer?
The best way to improve at photography is by simply taking photos regularly. While this might seem obvious, it really makes a big difference.
I also believe it’s important to every now and then step outside of your comfort zone. By taking on assignments that you normally wouldn’t, you’ll grow much quicker as a creative.
Engaging in photography communities is another way of keeping your flame going. This is also a good way to get in touch with other creatives and build new connections.
If you’ve made it this far, I hope you’ve found this issue helpful! I’m always here to help if you’ve got any further questions. Just send me an email and I’ll get right back to you. 🤝
Keep creating,
Kevin
Opmerkingen