The Gear
Like most other industries, a photographers equipment is their pride and joy. Like a kid on Christmas morning, when we get new equipment we become overly excited and have to play with it immediately. I really enjoy all of the equipment I have acquired over the last couple of years and I look forward to the new equipment in the future.
Each item is linked to Amazon for you to see additional reviews, pictures and pricing.
- Many will agree that this camera set the bar high in the industry when it was released. With it’s capability to record 1080P HD video and still be able to capture amazing images was a new spin in the photography world and opened the door for cinematographers.
- The Canon 1D Mark IV is part of Canon’s fifth generation of professional DSLRs. This camera is all about fast, accurate focusing and the ability to shoot ten frames per second (10fps). If you know a little history about the 1D lineup, you might know that the 1D Mark III had an auto-focus issue which has since been resolved with the 1D Mark IV. This camera is an absolute monster when it comes to freezing players while in action.
- People will call this lens a workhorse because its so versatile and will help to create some stunning images. If there was one word needed to describe this, I would use the word “Amazing”. This lens is fast, weather sealed, has great auto focus and image stabilization systems which are just a few of the reasons it’s a workhorse. Save your pennies, nickels, and dimes because this lens is well worth every penny you will spend.
- The Canon 100mm Macro L is one of the top lenses Canon has produced. It’s superb sharp image quality built in image stabilization allows for you to get those extremely close-up shots while hand holding this lens. This lens is also weather sealed so as long as you have a weather sealed camera body, you can get some neat shots in all kinds of weather.
- Canon’s 135mm F/2.0 L lens is the fastest telephoto lens in it’s class. The color and sharpness of this lens results in amazing photos and works really well for weddings. Like most prime lenses, this lives up to the sharpness standards most expect. There are a lot of people out there who have nothing but excellent reviews on this lens, it’s truly an awesome lens.
- The 50mm prime has to be one of the most owned lenses in both the Nikon and Canon communities. With Canon offering the “Nifty Fifty”, which is the
50mm F/1.4, most people opt to start shooting with that lens first. Although it’s a good lens to have, I found it worthwhile to upgrade to the Canon 50mm 1.4. This lens is not constructed of the plastic body like the F/1.8 lens as it has a metal body and a much improved focus ring. The focus ring, to me, really is much nicer to have. I would suggest saving your money until you can afford the Canon F/1.4 over the F/1.8, you won’t be disappointed in that advice.
- Memory is something you cannot have enough of. On top of space, speed is also important when buying memory cards. Rob Galbraith did some very thorough testing on memory cards and it’s worth checking out (
HERE). You will see that having a memory card that can write as fast as your camera can spit out is very important so you don’t find yourself waiting for the camera buffer. Spend the money on high speed memory cards, you may not be able to buy as many as you would like, but you will be happy with the results.
- The LightCraft Workshop variable ND filter is great for those times when the lighting is just too bright. This also comes in handy when shooting video. There are plenty of times you will find yourself trying to fix the exposure and there is nothing left that you can do without some sort of light blocking equipment. If you’re shooting 24fps and your shutter is set at 1/50sec and the ISO is at 100 but you are still overexposured – time to get a ND filter. Some people prefer variable units while others prefer gradual filters (especially those who do landscape sunrise/sunsets)
- Canon Speedlites are a great way to properly exposure your subjects. This flash has the ability to swivel 180* so that you can bounce your flash wherever you need it to go. This unit has great battery life (AA batteries) even with full power shots. I’ll be honest in saying you won’t be able to shoot all day on full blast but you’ll get plenty of pictures from it. The Canon 580 EX II is most likely on it’s way out the door soon since they just recently release the
Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT. No matter what unit you purchase, it’s always nice to have a flash in your bag.
