I often receive emails from photographers asking what kind of gear I use.
With Christmas around the corner, it’s the perfect time to share my equipment recommendations with you so you know what to get the budding photographer in your family.
Or if that photographer is you, this will help you decide what to ask Santa to bring you, or perhaps buy for yourself, this season.
1. DSLR
Point and shoot and compact cameras are good for what they are, but if you are serious about your photography you are going to want a camera that has interchangeable lenses and gives you the ability to make all sorts of manual adjustments so you can be as creative as you want. You can only do so much when everything is automatic.
DSLR’s are made by many different manufacturers, but my suggestion is to go with either Canon or Nikon. They are the leaders in the field and have the widest variety of lenses to go with the camera bodies.
My very first SLR was a Canon and since I got used to the way they work I have always stuck with Canon.
My first DSLR was a Canon XSI. Since that is a bit outdated now, my recommendation for an entry level DSLR is a Canon T3i. Check Amazon for current the price.
After my XSI I upgraded to a Canon 7D which has a better focussing system, it does 8 frames per second (great for wildlife), and is weather sealed. Check Amazon for the current price.
2. Lenses
The entry level DSLR usually comes with a kit lens that is in the 18-55mm range. You might want to replace that lens with a better quality lens eventually but in the beginning you will get more bang for your buck by extending your range with a wide angle and a telephoto lens.
Wide angle lenses are excellent for city scenes and landscapes. My recommendation is the Sigma 10-20mm. Check Amazon for the current price.
Telephoto lenses are great for landscapes, portraits and are a must-have for wildlife photography. My recommendation is the Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6. Check Amazon for the current price.
Or, if you can afford the L glass, Amazon has an excellent deal on the 70-200mm f/4L. The last time I checked it was $629!! Check Amazon for the current price.
If you are ready to upgrade your kit lens, my recommendation (and my favourite lens) is the Canon 24-105L. Check Amazon for the current price.
3. Tripod
First a warning: this is purchase where everyone seems to make the same mistake. Buy cheap, buy twice. Seriously just don’t bother with the $50 el-cheapo tripod. It’s not strong enough to hold your camera when the telephoto lens is on it. It’s not strong enough if there is any wind. It’s a waste of money. If you just get a decent quality tripod you will have it for many years.
The other thing to keep in mind is that if you tripod weighs any more than “super light” you are going to end up leaving it at home where it is totally useless. Buy a decent quality carbon fiber tripod that is light, strong, and fits in your suitcase.
My recommendation is the Gitzo Traveller Tripod. Check the current price on Amazon.
4. Circular Polarizing filter
There are many different kinds of filters you may choose to add to your equipment in the future, but the most essential filter is the polarizer. It brings out details in the clouds, takes the glare off of water, and removes reflection from all sorts of surfaces as well as saturating colour.
The circular polarizer allows you to change the amount and direction of polarization by turning the filter. Check the diameter of your lenses (they will say right on the outside ring of the lens) and get a polarizer for each size you require. My 77mm polarizer fits on my wide angle and mid-range lenses and I have a 58mm for my telephoto lens.
My recommendation is the B&W polarizing filter. Check the current price on Amazon.
5. The Anti-Camera Bag
Ok, it’s actually called a Cotton Carrier, but this thing is a life-saver for me! I have a really bad back and it is hard for me to carry a camera bag on my back. This vest type unit allows me to carry my camera on my chest, it is extremely comfortable, and the camera is locked in place yet comes out quickly and easily with one hand. I love this thing!! Check out the current price on Amazon.
6. Pelican Case
You might know that I’m a traveller. I travel in an RV on roads that are sometimes very bumpy. Sometimes dishes get broken things strewn about inside the RV. I am also a boater and my camera goes with me in some rough seas on a little boat. So how do I keep my camera safe and dry? With a pelican case. They are waterproof and shockproof. Check the current price on Amazon.
7. Shutter Release / Timer Remote
This is my latest purchase. I just received it last week and I love it already. It allows me to set the shutter, the interval between images, the number of images I want and even a start delay. So when I just tried my first time lapse I could program the Shutterboss to start in one hour, take a 15 second image every 60 seconds for 4 hours. Cool! Check the current price on Amazon.
8. Pen Tablet
I didn’t know how bad it was to use a clunky old mouse to process images. Even a cool mac air mouse doesn’t have the fine touch of a pen tablet. I have the little Bamboo Fun Tablet and I would never go back. Check the current price on Amazon.
9. Software
These are the software packages I use to process my images: Lightroom, Photoshop Elements, Nik Color Efex Pro, Photomatix. Click the links to check the current prices on Amazon.
10. Lenspen
Finally, my most used and least expensive little gadget that I never leave home without. My lens pen. A little brush on one end gets rid of dust and a little carbon pad on the other gets rid of any smudges or fingerprints on your lenses or filters with no fluid. You can pick up one of these now for only $6! Great stocking stuffer. Check the current price on Amazon.
BONUS: Books!
I couldn’t leave out my book recommendations! Here are some fantastic resources any photographer would love to own (each of which I can personally recommend):
So, what will you ask Santa for?
This is what is on my Christmas list: the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L lens. I think the price is a little steep even for Santa though so it might have to be combined with my birthday present. (We December babies can do that you know.)
I would love to know what is on your Christmas list. Hypothetically speaking, if you had $500 – $1,000 to spend on camera gear for yourself this Christmas, what would you buy?
Click here to look around on Amazon for ideas and then let me know. I’ll put in a good word for you with Santa.
If you like this post, don’t forget to “pin it”!
Great list Anne! You and I have a lot in common. I started with the same camera and moved to the Canon 7D. You have given me a couple of cool ideas to add to my list! I do have the Canon 70-200mm on my list. The price is very tempting right now 😉
Hi Patricia, yes if I didn’t already have the 70-300 (although not L glass) I would totally buy that. But since I have the 24-105 I thought the 70-200 would only give me 95mm more. If it works with your current lenses I would so buy that one it’s a great price!!
Great list Anne. So I have a question for you. I’m in the market for a zoom and am looking at the 70-200 2.8 L lens. I know, I know it’s a fortune (which is why I’m saving and will be a little while before I get it). Any thoughts on that vs. the 70-300 from a quality perspective?
Hi Edith, I have the 70-300 f/4-5.6 and it’s an ok lens. It’s not L glass. Now that I have an L lens and I have rented another L lens my personal opinion is get an L lens!! The price on the 70-200 f/2.8 is pretty steep so I would think the best alternative is the 70-200 f/4! It’s an awesome price. And really how often are you going to go below f/4? I guess it depends on your subject, but I usually use that range for wildlife, pushed out to it’s limit. I rented the 400mm f/4L once and it was absolutely amazing. So I would put my bets quality wise and price wise on the 70-200 f/4L. I’m going to have to rent that lens so I really know what I’m talking about here. I think that’s the lens Michael Russell uses. You should shoot him an email and ask him about it. (Wow, how pathetic is it that I know which lenses my online photo friends use? haha)
I think you’re going to love the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L. I’ve had mine for a few months now, and am amazed at the image quality from this lens. I considered the 70-200 f/2.8, which I think is the perfect lens for wedding photographers. But I wanted the extra reach for wildlife and compressed landscapes. Never regretted my decision. And I do agree that the 24-105 is a fantastic lens! It’s my go-to lens for just walking about.
Hi Van, I use the 24-105 as my go-to lens as well. Thanks for the feedback on the 70-300. I haven’t bought it yet but I’m still thinking about it!
My christmas gift arrived a little early a couple of days ago, and Santa was VERY good to me since he brought me a Canon 70-200 2.8L IS lens and a Canon 2x teleconverter. BIF and sports here I come.
Oooooo, nice Christmas presents Larry!! Those should keep you busy for awhile You must have been a very good boy this year 🙂
Anne – any suggestions for a digital frame? I was looking for a frame that has wi-fi that I could send pictures directly to it for my parents.
Hi Charles, sorry I have never owned a digital frame so I don’t have any suggestions for you there. My sister bought my parents one and they liked it. Except I think it made a buzzing sound when it was on. Something to look out for. I would check for reviews on Amazon or other electronics websites. Good luck!
Looks like I will be asking Santa for everything. Before I got interested in photography, I was asking someone about it and he said don’t do it. you will be constantly spending all your money on lens and gadgets, then you will own more than one camera and have to buy all the accessories. You will never have any money. I know what he meant now!
Hi Natalie, well that may be true but only if you let it. You can accomplish a lot in photography with minimal equipment. The problem is that we end up loving our equipment and want more all the time. It’s like 10 foot-itis on a boat. But just think of how happy it makes you!! I always put it in relative terms: one week in Mexico or a kick ass lens forever?
Great list Anne. There are definitely some must have items for many photographers here.
Thanks Russ. I only like to recommend things I have used myself and since I get a lot of questions about what kind of gear I use I thought it would a good time. But putting it together I couldn’t believe I own everything on that list (except the 70-200 L and the 70-300 L that I put as alternatives to the lens I have – the 70-300 non-L)
I would love a 2nd hand 7D. I already own a 5D2 which I really love. But next year I will go on my 2nd trip to Namibia, and a 7D would be fantastic for wildlife photography, for two reasons:
1- Avoid switching lenses all the time
2- Profit from ‘crop’ sensor and ‘better’ AF (although I never really understood all the complaints about the AF on 5D2, it did a good job on my 1st trip to Namibia even with a 100-400 lense).
I know that having two bodies sounds like overkill, but somehow it does makes sense to use a fullframe body for wide angle, and a crop sensor for telephoto. It also avoids dust as there is no (or at least much less) lense switching.
Hi Jan, I think it would be crazy to travel as far as Namibia without 2 bodies!! Imagine the hassle if one of the bodies breaks when you’re out on a safari and you’re left with nothing. I love my 7D, it also has 8 fps which the 5D2 doesn’t and that is great for wildlife too. I use my old XSI as a backup camera. It was a great little camera! It feels like a toy in my hands now 🙂 Thanks for your visit and comments Jan, much appreciated.
Anne, love your list and it’s giving me so many ideas. Myself, I need a new camera. I have a Bridge Camera (Fuji Finepix) which does not allow for different lenses, filters, etc. I wish I had known that when I originally got the camera, but I have learned so much since I got it, I now feel that I have gone as far as I can with it and need to upgrade to a full camera so that I can continue to expand my knowledge and creativity. I love taking photos and could do it everyday, it has become my passion. Thanks for all of your newsletters, I learn from them and also like hearing where you are in your travels. Happy Holidays!
Hi Colleen, thank you so much! I am very glad you are enjoying the blog and newsletters and learning from them. I hope Santa brings you a nice Canon T3i or T4i for Christmas!! Once you have the ability to change lenses it will open up a whole new world for you.
Thanks, Anne, for another wonderful book, and gift.
I so enjoy your take on things. I just got the Sigma 8 – 16 mm lens for my Nikon, and I love it. Having a lot of fun, so if people are wondering about it, I’m happy with Sigma. For you Nikon readers – you will find out you really can’t get a good Nikon wide angle lens for DX format at an affordable price, so the Sigma brand is a good value in my opinion.
I loved your precious sea lion photos.
I’ll use your link above to get my 58mm polarizer on Amazon. Thanks again Anne !
Mike Shaw
Hi Mike, thank you for that! I only like to recommend products I have actually used so I didn’t include anything for Nikon users. I appreciate the personal recommendation on the Sigma lens for Nikon. I like my Sigma wide angle too. And thanks for your comments about the sea lions 🙂
Anne
I am surprised that you dont includ on your equipment neutral density graduated and simple filters, as these are a very good instrument to ajust light conditions
Hi Francisco, you are right, graduated and solid neutral density filters are awesome!! I don’t know how I forgot them. I have a set of Singh-Ray’s and I love them. Thanks for the addition to the list!
Hi Anne;
I wish for a nikon 35-70mm F 2.8 Santa may have to search for it used somewhere but that is ok by me. I also want that lens pen you recommended what a great tool I can never find my lens cleaner when I need it. A must have for me is my remote button, it is a tiny and inexpensive little gadget I could not do without, thanks for the screen saver I am using it and it has inspired me to shoot my own similar one.
Merry Christmas
Hi Susan, I hope you got what you wished for! I am still considering the 70-300 I wanted. Like you, I’m keeping my eye out for a used one. Glad you like the wallpaper!
Hello
Great website and newsletter.
I Think you might consider a 50mm prime; either f.1.4 or the very cheap but great f.1.8.
You Got the skills to use it.
Kindly Henrik
Hi Henrik, You know I’ve been thinking about that very lens! I would probably get the 1.8 for the difference in price. I’ve never had a lens that fast. Hmmm… maybe I’ll use the money I got for xmas on that!! Thanks for the suggestion. And for the compliment 🙂
Hi Anne
Love the genuiness and openess of your site. Having been a lifetime user of canon film and digital I have, contrary to your recommendations, moved towards the Sony A series of mirror less cameras. You actually see what the sensor sees, white balance, dop..the lot. It’s very fast and just love it. I believe more brands including canon will be going mirror less. High end lenses are superb, equal to any L series.
Hi John! Glad you are enjoying the blog 🙂 That is very interesting your comments about the mirrorless cameras. I have been reading about them a bit and people sure seem to enjoy them. I like the small size of them while retaining image quality. I think you are right about the whole market moving towards mirrorless. I would really like to try one out but I’m afraid I’ll end up spending a bunch of money if I do!! 🙂 Thank you very much for your visit and comments John, much appreciated.
Anne,
The Tablet is the perfect gift for my wife. Thanks for the help with my Christmas Shopping!
Ed
Hi Ed, I’m so glad you found the list useful and I hope your wife loved her gift. I think the tablet makes a huge difference in processing images, I love mine! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that your wife found something equally nice for you!
Anne,
Neat list. One caution about the 70-200 L series lens, the reason the price is so low is it probably lacks Image Stabilization. There is a difference between the L and L IS in the model. I agree it is a great price (50% lower than a year ago and way below original MSRP). Another idea is a converter for the folks who have X glass and Y camera, in my case I have Minolta glass from my film days and now shoot Canon. Now I have some great lens options for less than $50.
Matt
Hi Matthew, Oooooh, that’s a good point. I didn’t realize there were 2 different ones. Image stabilization certainly comes in handy when not using a tripod, that’s for sure. Thanks for pointing that out.