Camera Gear for Beginners
As someone who’s looking to enter the World of Photography, with the huge amounts of options regarding the Gear that is available nowadays, it can be difficult to know which way to look, and where to start. Once you start looking at and researching equipment, it can be incredibly easy to fall down a rabbit hole of overwhelming information and seeing experts promoting the latest tech, which when first starting out, you really don’t need.
In this Blog I will be sharing information from experience on what the easiest and most minimal setup should look to include to start with. My advice would be to strip things back, keeping it easy and as simple as possible for yourself. At this early stage, you don’t need to be getting all the bells and whistles.
Camera Body
First up, the most obvious one, you need an actual camera body. Naturally, your budget will help you to decide and narrow the choices, as the price point of Cameras new and used can range from a couple of hundred into the thousands. However as you’re just starting out and may just want to get a feeler of things before committing to photography long term, I’d suggest somewhere around the £500 mark is a good starting point. I’d suggest a Canon 2000D, or if you can push your budget a little higher a Canon 90D which is what I started out with and can thoroughly recommend. Canon Cameras are easy to navigate and simple to use. Other desirable options in this price range can include a Fuji XT30, or a Sony A6000 which is a great small and compact camera.
General Zoom Lens
Handily, a lot of Cameras these days come bundled with an affordable Kit Lens, which makes for a great starting point. These zoom lenses which normally cover a wide range of distances, for example 28-70mm or 18-55mm, are great to allow you to get used to and figure out how distance and compression can effect your photos. They are versatile because of the range, and are well suited for the use of Travel. Furthermore, they also allow you to be flexible in your approach to photography, which is perfect for beginners.
Computer/Phone
This is a simpler one since these days we all have phones and maybe a computer at home. In order to be able to process and edit your photos, you’re going to need either of these products. Personally, for a long time I was happy with and actually found it easier to edit photos on my phone, and because it has enough storage. However, over time I’ve found that by using a computer/laptop, besides the larger storage space, you can of course view your photos on a much larger screen and in more detail. In the long term, this is a game changer, as it allows you to review your photos more thoroughly and see where you can improve.
Basic Software
Carrying on with the computer theme, a lot of the basic software necessities run best or even only on a computer. However, you don’t need to splash the cash and pay out tons for monthly/annual subscriptions, you just need software which is solid and reliable when it comes to editing, organising, and the storing of your photos. Honestly, to start with just the built in Photos app works well, or for something a little more dynamic Luminar Neo is a decent choice. The best and most flexible in terms of photo organisation is Lightroom, however this along with Luminar requires a paid subscription.
Camera Bag/Sling
To store and carry around your Photography gear, you will need either a camera bag, or alternatively a camera sling. The first thing you want to do is keep your equipment safe and away from potential damage, and buying a specialised bag will significantly reduce this risk and also provide you with the needs to transport your gear from A to B with no hassle. If you’re looking to take a more basic and simplistic approach to getting around with your camera, then a sling is an option worth looking at. Most slings will be just the right size to fit your camera and a lens.
SD Card & Spare Battery
These two accessories are ones that are often forgotten about, but two that are most definitely needed. An SD card is something you’ll need to basically save and transfer your photos, without one you’ll be taking pictures but literally won’t get to see them. While a spare battery isn’t as essential to start with, however from first-hand experience I can safely say that I’ve had numerous occasions where I’ve forgotten to charge my camera and had to delay plans or cancel things altogether due to not being able to use the camera when needed. Furthermore, if you’re out all day and busy snapping away, it’s likely your battery will drain quickly… to save hassle and disappointment, it’s worth investing in a spare for sure.
Cleaning Kit
The final piece of the puzzle worth picking up is a cleaning kit for your camera. These cleaning kits normally contain a number of cloths and liquid solution bottles ready for use to clean your camera lenses and also the body itself. They are cheap and affordable for under £10 off marketplaces and stores such as Amazon, and literally do the dirty work for you in terms of keeping your equipment in the best possible state. Once again speaking from experience, there’s nothing worse than going out to take photos and finding you have a dirty lens, as once you upload your shots you’ll find all sorts of dust spots on the image, which is hassle to edit off.
