Camera Gear Beginners Actually Need
If you’re starting out in photography, it’s easy to get lost in all the gear. YouTube is a rabbit hole full of affiliate salesmen that will push every lens and accessory under the sun. Brand ambassadors will promote the latest Sony that costs more than a car and photoshop experts will be showing you their 30 step workflow with expensive plug-ins. This confuses me let alone someone who is just starting out.
With so much noise, I decided to put together this blog and share with you what I think is the most useful minimal kit that can be put together at almost any price point. Of course this is just my personal opinion based on my experience and my type of photography. Finally I will share some examples of gear however it is based on what I know and use. There are other brands and systems too.
Body
This is an obvious one… you need a camera. Of course your budget will dictate this however you can pick up a good used body for not much money. I would say around £500 is a good starting point. Personally I would suggest a Fuji XT30 or something similar. If you have more to spend, look at an XT3. If less than an XT2 or XT20.
General zoom
A good general zoom is a great starting point especially if it’s a kit lens. Most zooms will cover a 24-70mm range if full frame or around 18-55mm if a cropped sensor like a Fuji. Kit lenses will also be affordable and most importantly let you figure out what focal length you like to use the most. Finally this is the best lens for travel. Personally I would suggest a Fuji 18-55 or something similar.
Prime
When I first started photography, I slept on primes. I didn’t understand why anyone would want to use them when you have zooms. However once I got my first prime, I quickly realised my mistake. A prime can really push your photography skills as well as providing a smaller, cheaper and lighter package. Often with superior image quality compared to a standard zoom and a more fun shooting experience. If you like to shoot scenes, then have a look at the Fuji 23mm f2. If you prefer subjects or abstracts, then the 35mm f2 will be a great starting point.
Laptop
Even if editing is not your thing, you still need a way to organise and store your files. More importantly you need a decent large screen to review your photos and see where you can improve. For this you don’t need anything fancy and I only recommend two products. If you prefer a traditional desktop experience then you can’t go wrong with a MacBook Air. Another option will be an iPad Pro 11”.
Basic software
You don’t need a £50 Adobe subscription. If you’re on a Mac, the built in Photos app is a fantastic choice. It has almost all the main tools you will need and is one of the best apps for storing and organising your photos. For something more creative and unique, Luminar is a solid choice. Of course if you want the best, then you can’t go too wrong with Lightroom.
Camera insert or sling
You don’t need a camera bag. Most camera bags are over priced, ugly, scream “please steal me”, uncomfortable, not ergonomic and useless for anything other than photography gear carry. Save the money and looking like an easy target. Instead opt out for a small camera insert that you can use with a regular backpack. Although they are very expensive, I personally love Bellroy bags. However a £20 high street backpack and a £15 camera insert from Amazon will also do the job. Another option is a small sling. A premium one is from Bellroy and a good value one is from Uniqlo.
Spare battery, SD card & strap
The only 3 accessories that matter. Running out of juice will ruin your day. Filling up your card will ruin your day. Having your card malfunction will ruin your day. Dropping your camera will ruin your day. A spare battery, spare SD card and a wrist or neck strap are a must.
