Recently I had quite a few people asking me what camera and lens do I use, so I thought instead of typing up multiple emails, I’d write a blog post about that! Hopefully it will help someone – even if a tiny little bit.
To start with, I really should point out that although having a professional camera and lens will make a difference to the quality of photographs you produce, you can take good photographs with anything. Even with an iPhone – if you know how to.
It’s like skiing. You can get the most expensive gear, but if you haven’t learned the basics like stopping, falling and snowplough, no expensive Rossignol will make you a great skier overnight.
So before buying an expensive camera, go and read your manual, learn about aperture, f-stops and ISO, keep practicing with your old camera and see if you REALLY need to buy the next best thing (and unless you’re a professional photographer, you really don’t).
(okay, okay, I couldn’t find a decent people picture done with a compact camera – but it’s because I last used a compact in 2004 and back then I really didn’t have a clue and did think that I needed a big expensive camera to take nice pictures. I do like a challenge though, so give me your compact, I’ll show you what you can do with it!)
So, what’s in my bag?
My main camera is Canon 5D Mark II
, and I use my old Canon 350D
as a back up on portrait shoots, and will rent or borrow another 5D body for a wedding.
Same lens, different camera. It’s been 2 years between these two shots – can you tell?
My “permanent” lens set is rather simple. My two main lens are Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L
and Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L
. The 24-70mm is great for wide angle shots, where it’s important to set the scene, when there’s a limited space (mostly when shooting indoors), or when you need to get close to your subject (for example to be able to talk to them or tickle them!).
My favourite is 70-200mm 2.8 though (which I jokingly call “the beast” as it’s very heavy – good for exercising your biceps and triceps). I use it for portraits and when I really need to step away from my subject and give them a bit more space to relax and forget they are being photographed.
I also have a Canon 50mm f/1.4
which don’t use very often (I suspect because I’m pretty lazy to walk up and down). Joking aside, I do find it difficult to use prime (fixed focal length) lenses when photographing kids – the minute you decided you are going to use a particular lens, the child decides to do something else and runs away, and you are left wishing you had a zoom lens on. But it’s a great little lens which is perfect (combined with superb low-light capabilities of Canon 5D Mark II) for situations when there just isn’t enough light and for one reason or another you can’t or won’t use flash.
Occasionally – particularly for newborn photography sessions – I’d also rent a Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens. However, it is perfectly possible to only use the wide angle zoom lens (like 24-70mm) and still get a great close-up photograph of a tiny object – like a week old baby!
But guess what? A macro lens can also be used for portraits :) There is really no limit to what you can do with a single lens.
Other things in my bag include a set of SanDisk 8GB Compact Flash
memory cards, lens hoods and some Hoya UV filters. The bag itself is Think Tank Airport TakeOff
(for carrying everything including back-up equipment to and from the shoot) and Think Tank Lens Changer
(for carrying extra lens on me during the actual photoshoot). I do have a simple reflector, but never ever use it. Oh, and I don’t have an off-camera flash (although that’s the next on my shopping list, since I’m photographing more and more weddings). For now I will be renting, and do recommend you rent and trial a piece of equipment before you part with hundreds or pounds buying it.
Hope this post was vaguely helpful. Do ask questions in the comments if you have any!
Love this post, Antonina!!!! :) Really interesting to hear what’s in other people’s bags! Love it.
It’s great to see that we are all different, isn’t it? :)
Great post, Antonina. I love my 50mm 1.4 and use it almost constantly. I think it’s the wide depth of field I’m drawn to.
I told you before that I just not as smitten by the 50mm as everyone else seems to be! I actually prefer the bokeh and the compressed perspective effect I achieve with 70-200mm at 2.8 and 200mm!
I think you wold love the 85 then because it gives you much more bokeh than the 50 at the same aperture because of the longer focal length but is just so much lighter to carry around than the 70-200. But like you say, probably not as great for kids though as it’s a prime lens.
Funny thing is I know some people are using primes with kids to a great success! Just not me I guess! ;)
Loved this post. So interesting! My fave lens is my 50mm 1.8, saving for the 1.4 but totally get what your saying when photographing children with it. Could you share where you rent your equipment from? Thanks again :)
Depending on the situation, I rent from two places, one is http://lensesforhire.co.uk/ – great when you need a piece of equipment for a week or so, as they are much cheaper than other places, and they also deliver to your door. Or, if I only need something for a weekend, I would go to Calumet – they are more expensive, but they have a weekend deal when you only pay for one day rental if you pick up Fri night and return Mon morning (great for weddings ;))
Interesting post. I love hearing what’s in other peoples camera bags! It’s funny how we’re all different. I love my primes andonly use zooms when I have to. I rented the 70-200 but just couldn’t get along with it, but I know so many photogs love it! Thanks for sharing this.
I know – just as I replied to Alex’s comment…. And it just shows that there is no single piece of equipment that’s the answer to all your needs – everyone is different and you need to find what’s right for you!
Thanks for this, Antonina, really interesting. I’ve just been using a hired 50mm today for an indoor shoot and was surprised how easy I found working with a prime, as I haven’t used them very much. (The child wasn’t yet crawling though, so I didn’t have the difficulty of having to give chase!)
Yes, I do use 50mm with newborn babies and adults (subjects you can pretty much put where you like them to be), but still prefer the zoom :)
Great post! I really love my Nikon 85 1.4g for portraits. It gives you that shallow depth of field that makes your subject pop in a similar way the 70-200 2.8 does but without the weight of that massive lens!!
Haven’t actually tried the Canon equivalent of 85mm, though I did hear good things about it. But as I said, I think I’m too lazy to really get into the primes! ;)
Great post. The Canon 50mm f1.4 is a fantastic lens and pound for pound can’t be beat, amazing value for money. A great quality multi purpose lens, especially on a full frame. I tend to shoot with primes most of the time. If i’ve got a lively child subject i just tend to give them a little more room in the frame, 21mpx has plenty of give ;)
A few have mentioned the 85… I’ve owned the 85 f1.8, fabulous quality but at the time my camera was a 350D and it was just too long for me. Next purchase is the 24 f1.4 :) gear is not everything but i can’t wait!
:) I’m a big in-camera cropper, hate to crop photos much afterwards – so my only solution is to try to be as fast as a kid and follow them!
I actually tried 35mm 1.4 and LOVED it. Very very sharp and superb low light performance. Guess more useful for more still subjects though, like landscapes and adults ;)
great post antonina – I definately agree with you that it is whatever you are comfortable with – you have to know your lens well to get great pictures out if it. I tend you use my 85-1.8, 50-1.4 and 70-200L on most shoots. The macro is the next on my list of ‘many things to buy’
I agree. First time I used a macro, the results were pretty poor. I just didn’t know what to do with it. Same with tilt-and-shift. You really have to practice to get the most out of it.
Interesting post Antonina, thanks for sharing :)
always interesting to see what others have in their camera bag.. I’m a bit of a sucker for primes myself. what’s really good to see is that individual styles span more than just which preset they use in LR… thanks for sharing
Just stumbled upon your blog yesterday and I’m in LOVE :)
Love you for this post too … :)