What gear do I use?
I’ve decided to start a blog. Why, you may ask? Well, for one, they’re great for SEO, and two, it’s kind of like a script for a YouTube video.
So… here goes!
I’m a big advocate of gear not being the be-all and end-all. I think that the gear I use backs me up.
The main, and usually only, camera body I use is the Canon EOS R8. This mirrorless body came out in 2023. It packs a 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, which can capture up to 40fps (which, in fairness, is pretty impressive). It also shoots 4K footage at up to 60p, which is the industry standard for a modern mirrorless camera. The autofocus system is as good as any. I trust it to pick out the right person and not fall off at a key moment.
That being said, the R8 is not a “professional body,” or at least it’s not classed as one by Canon. They call it an “entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera,” and honestly, for this reason, I love it more. It comes with the main features and quality of a “professional” camera. Yet, you can pick one up second-hand for around £1,000. That is by far the most money I have spent on anything I currently use to create my work.
I also have a Canon 7D, which was kindly gifted to me by my mum. The 7D is a DSLR that came out in 2009! It’s still a capable camera with an 18-megapixel APS-C-sized sensor. It’s a good backup, but I rarely use it on paid jobs. It’s just one for a weekend stroll, usually paired with an obscure or vintage lens!
I have three lenses. The first, and most used, is a 50mm f/1.8 prime, or a "nifty fifty," as they are commonly referred to. It’s a lens that every photographer either owns or has previously owned before upgrading to the f/1.2. I use this lens for weddings, documentaries, video, portraits—you name it, it does it. Maybe not sports though, but that’s okay because I don’t shoot sports. The second lens is an older Canon EF-mount 24-105mm f/4, which, as you can imagine, is rather versatile. It’s sharp, it’s wide, it’s telephoto. The only thing I’d change is the minimum aperture! f/4 is sometimes a little too slow, especially when you’re unable to use flash. Last but not least is my new 16mm f/2.8. I’ve used this to shoot gigs in smaller venues and plan to use it for filming in the future.
And finally, the flash, a must-have for those action-packed dance floor shots! I use a Godox V1, an industry favorite. It’s easy to use, reliable, and pretty adorable compared to its competitors.
You can get all of this gear (excluding the 7D) for around £2,200. Considering you can easily spend over £10,000 on a single lens, that’s pretty good. I do also have various film cameras and older bodies and lenses, but this is solely the stuff I use for paid work.
Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to read this. I hope you found it at least somewhat interesting. Bye!
