To start with I want to (again) stress the point that your camera and lens are just tools to help you capture a great photo. They won’t do the work for you - you are the photographer. It’s all up to you, your eye, your creativity, the way you see the world, and how well you know your camera. So don’t feel like you have to upgrade in order to get better photos; instead start by photographing in manual mode, really understand exposure, find good light, work on your composition techniques, and figure out what other photographers do (visually) whose work you look up to.
There are (what feels like) a million DSLR cameras and lenses out there, so I won’t go into too much specific detail, but will instead give you some ideas on what to consider when buying new equipment, and share some links with you to read up on specific equipment in more detail.
I recommend either going with Canon or Nikon, they are the two main photography equipment companies out there. I use Canon, simply because I started out with a Canon camera and got used to it. Which one you go for is totally up to you and your personal preferences.
Here are some points to consider when choosing a new camera or lens:
1. What will you use the camera or lens for?
What is your ‘goal’? Is there something you can’t achieve with your current equipment (if you already own some), something that keeps annoying you? And what are the things you really like about your current camera and lens? What kind of photos do you want to take? E.g. portraits, landscape, fashion, etc. Will you carry around your camera lot and want something lightweight? What is your budget? Do you want a video option?
These questions will give you an idea of what features you are looking for, and with that in mind you can stay focused when reading reviews.
2. Do you already own some equipment which might only be compatible with certain other gear?
2. Do you already own some equipment which might only be compatible with certain other gear?
Check if you might (or might not) be able to use your camera with a new lens for example, or if you already own some equipment which is compatible with the new stuff you want to get (even think about memory cards, filters, and batteries here - this might save you some money).
3. A good lens is more important than the camera.
3. A good lens is more important than the camera.
A great lens can for example add sharpness to your photos, help in difficult light situations, and focus faster - just to give you an idea. You will most likely only use one camera at a shoot (unless you’re a press or sports photographer), but you might change your lenses several times. You can constantly add to your equipment with new lenses, which let you achieve lots of different effects. The camera just captures those effects.
4. More about lenses: What maximum aperture do you want, and what focal length?
4. More about lenses: What maximum aperture do you want, and what focal length?
Aperture is what the F-number stands for, which on each lens indicates the largest available aperture. Focal length is given in mm-numbers (e.g. 18-55mm) - a small number means the lens takes wide-angle shots, whereas lenses with big numbers (e.g. 400mm) are telephoto lenses.
Consider going for a fixed aperture (when there’s only one f-number indicated on the lens, e.g. f/2.8) - it is worth a lot (and therefore more expensive). Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you won’t ever be able to change your aperture. It simply means that your aperture won’t change every time you zoom in or out. If you are shooting at f/3.5 for example, this aperture will stay the same no matter whether you’re shooting at 18mm or 55mm. Compare this to some standard kit lenses without fixed aperture (e.g. 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6): if you want to shoot at f/3.5 this will only be possible at a focal length of 18mm. As soon as you zoom in, your aperture will decrease, so that at 55mm you are shooting at f/5.6.
Also, the largest aperture of a lens is important to consider, especially if you want to shoot in difficult light situations. I prefer lenses with a big aperture, starting at f/2.8 (and going up to f/1.2).
5. What does your budget include? Have you thought about extra equipment?
Consider going for a fixed aperture (when there’s only one f-number indicated on the lens, e.g. f/2.8) - it is worth a lot (and therefore more expensive). Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you won’t ever be able to change your aperture. It simply means that your aperture won’t change every time you zoom in or out. If you are shooting at f/3.5 for example, this aperture will stay the same no matter whether you’re shooting at 18mm or 55mm. Compare this to some standard kit lenses without fixed aperture (e.g. 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6): if you want to shoot at f/3.5 this will only be possible at a focal length of 18mm. As soon as you zoom in, your aperture will decrease, so that at 55mm you are shooting at f/5.6.
Also, the largest aperture of a lens is important to consider, especially if you want to shoot in difficult light situations. I prefer lenses with a big aperture, starting at f/2.8 (and going up to f/1.2).
5. What does your budget include? Have you thought about extra equipment?
If you’re buying a new camera, don’t forget that you might need to get some memory cards, a spare battery, a filter, etc. All this will add to the price. Don’t get greedy here either - invest in some fast memory cards. It makes a huge difference, especially if you want to shoot a few frames in a row, or generally need a fast camera. Definitely keep an eye on the memory card’s writing speed.
6. Reviews
6. Reviews
Before buying anything, make sure you read some reviews. Digital Photography Review is a really great site for this, you can find pretty much any photography equipment on there, and a lot of detail about most cameras and lenses. It’s also really helpful if you’re not sure about what to get yet, as it will give you a clear idea of the different pros and cons of each camera or lens.
If you want to learn more about specific cameras and lenses, have a look at the Canon and Nikon sites, where you can read more about each camera and lens. Canon even differentiates between cameras for photography beginners and more advanced ones, which is a good starting point if you are unsure about what to look for.
If you want to learn more about specific cameras and lenses, have a look at the Canon and Nikon sites, where you can read more about each camera and lens. Canon even differentiates between cameras for photography beginners and more advanced ones, which is a good starting point if you are unsure about what to look for.
This post is also very useful, as it gives you an idea of some popular DSLR cameras.
And check out this article to learn more about lenses.
Finally, I want to give you a quick overview of the equipment I use, and have been using. I started out with a Canon EOS 1000D (Rebel XS in America), and the standard kit lens that came with it (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6). I only recently switched to a Canon EOS 6D, which means I have been photographing with a basic beginners DSLR for many years (I actually took both of the photos in this post with my first camera and the kit lens).
A few years after I got my first camera and lens, I bought a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens, mainly because it was affordable.
About 1,5 years ago I invested in a new lens (Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM), and got my Canon EOS 6D about half a year ago.
I’m really happy with my equipment now - it definitely was worth the investment, including some fast memory cards. I shoot pretty much everything with my 24-70mm lens, and so far have never felt like I needed anything else.
In general just keep in mind that you are the photographer, and a great photo is up to your skills. Equipment can help and make things easier, but it will never replace your creativity.
I hope this has been helpful - let me know if you have any questions or comments.
Finally, I want to give you a quick overview of the equipment I use, and have been using. I started out with a Canon EOS 1000D (Rebel XS in America), and the standard kit lens that came with it (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6). I only recently switched to a Canon EOS 6D, which means I have been photographing with a basic beginners DSLR for many years (I actually took both of the photos in this post with my first camera and the kit lens).
A few years after I got my first camera and lens, I bought a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens, mainly because it was affordable.
About 1,5 years ago I invested in a new lens (Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM), and got my Canon EOS 6D about half a year ago.
I’m really happy with my equipment now - it definitely was worth the investment, including some fast memory cards. I shoot pretty much everything with my 24-70mm lens, and so far have never felt like I needed anything else.
In general just keep in mind that you are the photographer, and a great photo is up to your skills. Equipment can help and make things easier, but it will never replace your creativity.
I hope this has been helpful - let me know if you have any questions or comments.
I really love www.kenrockwell.com for reviews too. He seems to provide a really great, non-jargon review of photography equipment. I mainly found the more I photographed and the more experience I got, the more I learned about the limitations I was experiencing. Which meant I turned to the internet to research lenses appropriate for what I was photographing. This was a good write up :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the link and your experience, Jess. I agree, over time you will find what limitations you're having, and can then do some research on appropriate equipment.
DeleteI literally just purchased a DSLR--it arrived yesterday! I too found Digital Photography Review helpful, as well as the side-by-side comparison feature of Snapsort.com. I agree whole-heartedly with you, though, that a camera won't do the creative work for you and that it matters more what you do with your camera than what camera you have. I've been using a point-and-shoot with manual settings for 7 years, and learned so much from it. Often people mistakenly assumed I owned a DSLR, which was empowering to me as someone who couldn't afford expensive equipment.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's so exciting, Kari! What camera did you get?
DeleteThank you for mentioning the Snapsort site, that's really helpful! :)
I settled on the Canon d70. I struggled to choose between that and the Nikon d7100, which boasts higher image quality and is unique in that it forgoes the anti-aliasing filter. However, the comparable Canon d70 seems well reviewed also and is much more comfortable in my hand. Ultimately I want a camera that I'm inclined to carry around with me. I thought about jumping to a full-frame sensor (EOS 6d), but wasn't ready to invest that much yet, and the d70 appears to have superior auto-focus which should aid a newbie DSLR owner like me. I'll be curious what you think of your 6d, though, should I ever decide to upgrade in the future. :)
DeleteSounds great! I totally agree that the camera should feel comfortable in your hand, it's so important, especially if you want to carry it around with you and take lots of photos. Regarding full frame - I wouldn't worry too much, as I said I used my first DSLR camera for years and was happy most of the time.
DeleteI love the 6D now though, the full frame sensor helps with high ISO settings, and it shoots more frames per second than my old camera. So good! Don't have anything bad to say about it at the moment :) I hope you'll be happy with your new camera!
Thanks for another informative easy to understand Post. I have a Canon Rebel and a Tamron Lens that do take beautiful clear shots but I continue to struggle in Manual Mode, I become fearful I won't get a good shot for my upcoming Post and so just go back to the Close-Up feature. Your exposure Post is helpful too. Looking forward to reading more. Thank you again.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Peggy! If you're shooting something that you can easily reshoot, why not give manual a go? You can always do both - shoot in manual first, play around and practise (a lot!), and then take some more shots in auto mode (or the close-up feature you mentioned). That way you can try both, and if the photos you took in manual mode won't turn out that great, you've always got a back-up.
DeletePractising really is the key to becoming better (as boring as it sounds) ;)
Hello Helena!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to buy my first DSLR by the second quarter of this year and I find your tips really helpful. I am so excited because I finally feel that I can "commit" to photography as a hobby now. Although I have taken a photography module at school and volunteer as a photograph for different concerts and performances I always borrowed cameras as I felt that I didn't have the skills nor the time to hone those skills. After two years of doing this I feel more confident purchasing a camera now, and your post has just given me a few more points to consider. Thank you!
That's great! It sounds like you really had the time to practise and find out what you like before investing in a camera - I think that's a great way to start. I can totally empathise with you feeling more comfortable and confident now. I'm sure you will have a good idea about what cameras you like etc. just from borrowing different cameras before.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
Wow, I just saw that I wrote " volunteer as a photograph " I meant photographer of course. Although it's kinda interesting to find out how one volunteers as a photograph :/
DeleteI own a 7D.. I had it for a few years but am still learning everyday! Thanks for the great tip, it inspires me to go out and start using my camera again. Love your pictures! Will be back again for inspirations and most importantly, your beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela! I've been wanting to get the 7D for ages (before the 6D was out), but then went for the 6D. It's such a great camera, and so fast.
DeleteDefinitely use it and make the most out of having it :)
Thank you SO MUCH for this! Exactly the kind of guidance I've been looking for..I think I can make a good decision armed with this information. It really is a bit overwhelming when you know very little about cameras and equipment. Thanks for you help!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it helps :) I hope you'll find a suitable camera/lens that you're happy with!
Deletemy first lens I ever bought was the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G and I still use it all the time.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear! Thank you for stopping by and sharing.
DeleteHi Helena! I was really glad that you included your equipment in this blog post - it's always nice to know what bloggers use when taking their spectacular photos. Do you feel that the 24-70mm lens gives you enough zoom capabilities to act as a walk-around lens? I have the Nikon D5100 with an 18-105mm lens, and just saved up for the 35mm f/1.8, but I was eyeing the new 18-55mm VR II lens because my walk-around lens is quite heavy and suffers from lens creep.
ReplyDeleteHi Andie! I'm definitely very very happy with the 24-70mm lens - as I said in the post, I use it all the time. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by 'walk-around' lens? Just a lens for everyday photography? In that case I wouldn't necessarily recommend a prime lens (fixed focal length such as the 35mm one), just because you'll need to move around quite a lot which isn't always possible, and can't just zoom in. It also depends on what kind of photography you want to to and what you'll mostly use the lens for. Hope this helps. :)
DeleteHi Helena, thanks for your speedy reply! I am very much into landscape and food photography, though I do take portraits and do some street photography on occasion. I understand what you mean about my prime lens, so I was wondering if I should stick to my 18-105mm lens, or sell it and buy the new Nikkor 18-55mm VR II lens.
DeleteI don't know too much about Nikon equipment, but I think you should definitely read some reviews on both lenses, that's always really helpful. Usually I get the impression that lenses with wide ranges (your 18-105mm) aren't quite as good as more 'specific ones' such as the 18-55mm. Definitely listen to your gut as well, and consider how well you've worked with your current lens, what annoyed you, what you liked...
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