Top 10 Gear for New Photographers (Updated 7/18/15)

So, you want to be a photographer, but don't know what you should get? Well, there is a list of equipment that any new photographer should look into having.

Any gear you get, used is just as good as new. Plus, high tech doesn't mean high skill. While higher priced items are beneficial to the experienced photographer, if you have the eye and understanding of light, exposure, and your camera, as long as it is an SLR you will do fine.

When buying anything on Amazon or eBay or other similar sites, AVOID buying from Chinese sellers as many have been found to be fakes.

1. CAMERA: First and foremost, you need an SLR (Single Lens Reflex) Camera. You will need to be able to manually adjust the exposure, shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc. You will also want to be able to exchange lenses. You can find one of these very inexpensively on Amazon.com.

Get a 

Canon EOS Rebel T5 Digital SLR Camera Body with EF-S 18-55mm IS II f/3.5-5.6 Lens + Polaroid Studio Series .43x...

Grab it used, it is inexpensive this way with an alright resolution, and comes with a stock wide-angle lens. New it all is around $1200 but you can get it used for only $449.95. Great starter camera kit

2. MEMORY CARD: You will need to store your photos of course. A good size would be 8-16 GB. You want one with a fast speed so you can take multiple subsequent images. An 8GB card can store around 1,400 images at  Large format file size. Be care with buying cards on Amazon. Try to avoid off brand card names as many are fakes. Even some of the SanDisks have been faked. Although, I have found SanDisk to be more reliable. If you can grab an 8GB card at Walmart, Radio Shack or any other physical stores for around 16-40, go for it. With an higher capacity card you will be less likely to need a back up. If the card is a bit high for you in price, go with 2 4GB cards.

Get a SanDisk Extreme 32GB UHS-I/U3 SDHC Memory Card Up To 60MB/s Read - SDSDXN-032G-G46 [Newest Version]


3. CAMERA BAG: This is one of those essential pieces of gear that can either hinder your or make your day of shooting enjoyable. Avoid the bulky squarish camera bags. They are hard to carry and can make life difficult. Go with a shoulder sling back that will make on-the-go shooting fast and easy, and in relative comfort. You want one that is easy to access, fully enclosed to avoid pickpocketing, space for all your gear, and durable for continued use. Avoid Camera Backpacks if you are doing photography in public places. They are bulky and can be lifted if you set them down. You want something that stays with you everywhere you go.

I originally had a Tamrac 5767 Velocity 7x Photo Sling Pack (Black).

But with the addition of a Battery Grip to the camera, the bag is too small. Though, these are nice and durable, and allows for extra "lens bags" on either end to be attached. The internal compartment has enough space for a medium size camera with a zoom lens or wide angle attached, and another lens next to it. The front compartment has space for spare memory cards, batteries for camera and external flash, remote, etc.

With the extra components, its better to go with a larger Sling bag, or even a standard shoulder back such as the:

Evecase Large Canvas Messenger DSLR Digital Camera Bag

4. ZOOM LENS:  This is essential to any good wildlife, street, concert, and other photography needed nice crisp close shots. Best to pick a 70-300mm. If you have only one camera, and use both often at a particular location, you will find yourself switching back and forth. This is no issue of you know why you are using it. If you get another body, it would be preferred to have one of each kind of lens on each body that way if you have a 2-Camera harness you can easily switch back and forth. Zoom lens  will have a narrow depth of field "subject in focus while background out of focus". I use it quite often in Concerts to get those nice close up shots of faces and objects. Works quite well if you are using the right shutter/f-stop settings.


Grab a

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III Telephoto Zoom Lens for T3, T3i, T4i, T5, T5i, SL1, 5D, 6D, 60D, 7D, 70D, 600D

$150 new, but currently available for $100 used, which is the one I have now.  

5. EXTERNAL BOUNCE FLASH: This is definitely a need to be able to take photographs in low light situations. You will need it to use as light filler to take out any unneeded shadows. If using in a concert situation, DO NOT use it straight on. Get one that can rotate both horizontal and vertical, so you can bounce the flash off walls and ceilings, whether you are in landscape or portrait orientation with your camera. If you bounce the flash, it will help fill in shadow, while maintaining the natural lighting of the subject, ie stage lighting, or artistic shadowing during the day.

Get a

Yongnuo Professional Flash Speedlight Flashlight Yongnuo YN 560 III for Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus Camera

6. LENS DIFFUSER: Even when bouncing your light with an external flash, the light can be harsh at times. Get a diffuser to soften the light. It also helps to reduce shadowing of the subject and helps with a muted lighting of the subject. I use this all the time whether outdoor or at a concert.

Get a

Opteka SB-1 Universal Studio Soft Box Flash Diffuser for Canon EOS, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Sigma, & Other

7. BATTERY GRIP: If you are going to be out for long durations, the Battery Grip allows you to have the power you need. It is inserted in the bottom battery slot of your camera after you remove the door. It uses 2 camera batteries to give you twice the battery life. Additionally, if you orient it to the side for portraits, there is a handing second trigger, finger wheel, aperture adjustment, and focus target button to make it easier to handle while on its side. The one below also includes another "cartridge" that will fit 6-AAs as backup. But, it is always good to carry a backup 3rd if not 4th camera battery you can just change out when the others diminish.

If you have got an T5 get the

NEEWER® Vertical Battery Grip Hold 2PCS LP-E10 Li-ion Battery

 8. EXTRA BATTERIES and CHARGER: Always carry spare batteries. If you bought a camera used/new it should come with one battery. You will need a second if you plan to use a Battery Grip. Some of the used cameras on Amazon may  not come with a charger. Get a charger that allows for both wall and vehicle charging. The below comes with 2 batteries and a charger for both wall and vehicle.

Get the

Pack Of 2 Replacement LP-E10 Batterie

9. REMOTE TRIGGER: If you plan to do any portrait photography, this is a nice inexpensive option. You can either get a wired or wireless remove. Some even have a lock for multiple shots. This is also  good option for such uses as Astrophotography to reduce camera shake when you press the button.

Get the

Remote Shutter Release Cord for Canon EOS 5D, 50D, 40D, 20D, & 10D Digital SLR Cameras

or

Pixel Pro Digital & Film Camera 100M Wireless Shutter Remote Control Release

Wired is of course cheaper 

10. SHOULDER STRAP: While most cameras will come with a neck strap, you will find at times, especially doing moving portrait/modeling shoots, that many are too short.  You will want the flexibility holding the camera, then letting it go to adjust a set, a person, props etc. So what is better is getting a larger shoulder strap/harness. You can let the camera hang while you do your thing. These are also good for when you have heavier equipment. With a padded shoulder strap, you can let it hang while you are hiking, walking, or just standing, but are not specifically focused on capturing images.

Get the

WorthTrust Quick Neck Shoulder Strap for Canon Nikon Sony Cameras

 
 You might be wondering why I did not include a Tripod. The reason being is that I am often on the go and do not do posed portraits, but rather moving portrait shoots where I can shoot at any angle quickly. I included the Shutter Remote as that is one accessory many photographers do not think about. So, if you do plan to take still portraits, use both a Tripod and Trigger Remote. You can also include light shades, ring flashes, light lamps, or other accessories. But, I have found this list to be the basics all beginner photographers can use.

Its not on the list, but if you want to learn the basics of photography, pick up my book Digital Photography Field Guide: Turning your Snapshots into the Perfect shots in both Paperback and Kindle eBook formats.


I hope this list helps many of you aspiring photographers. If you have any questions regarding photography please reply here, or email me at errol.coder@gmail.com 

If you found this helpful, please let me know!