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.
