Equipment Basics - Putting Together Your Gear

Posted in Equipment, Photography, Photojournalism by Gary Cosby Jr on December 8th, 2007

If I could have my dream package of gear it would go something like this: Two Canon EOS1D Mark IIIs, a 16-35 f2.8, a 24-70 f2.8, a 70-200 f2.8, a 300 f4 and a 400 f2.8 with a 1.4 extender. I would have at least two Canon dedicated strobes and I would pack additional Uni400Jr strobes with Jack Rabbit battery packs and there would be Pocket Wizards galore. I would also throw in an EOS 5D for full frame work and a tilt-shift lens just because they are really cool. All that gear would put me at the new car price level and it is, and probably will remain, just a nice dream.

So what do you really need to have a good chance at success? This is a really important question because I can tell you from experience that it is very frustrating to be shooting with several other photographers at an event and not have the gear to keep up. This is more common for me at big sporting events than anywhere else because so much of sports photography is focused around having excellent big glass. Leaving that aside for a moment, what basic gear do you need to be a successful photojournalist?

Obviously the first thing anyone needs is the camera body. Here I will say to spend your money wisely because several manufacturers offer excellent camera bodies in their entry level pro cameras and you may not need to spend the multiple thousands to get a pro body. You might find an EOS 20D or 30D that is lightly used or if you are a Nikon shooter and can’t quite swing the new D3, the D200 is just falling out of the first string being replaced by the D300 and you will be able to find bargains here too. Just be cautious when you buy used. You may be sinking your money into someone else’s money pit. A good, reputable online dealer like KEH in Atlanta would be a excellent place to find quality used gear.

As far as lenses go, the zooms are really sexy right now but they come at a steep price. When I began in photojournalism I shot primarily with a 24mm, and 85mm and a 18omm and, amazingly, didn’t even feel I needed a zoom. Prime lenses like these are available from Canon and Nikon at a fraction of the cost of a zoom and the primes usually offer faster maximum apertures than their zoom cousins. (That is called a double bonus!) The trade of is, of course, a little less flexibility especially in fast moving situations. Prime lenses are also quicker to learn. I remember early in my career how I could see in my head what a shot looked like through each lens. When I transitioned to zooms, it took a couple of years to really become intuitive with them as I had been with my primes. Then we transitioned to the DX format and there was another learning curve and I am still not totally comfortable with my wide angles and the DX. It is just a stubborn wish that the 17mm was actually 17 mm but an absolute delight that the 300mm is closer to 450mm. There are trade offs to every choice.

Regarding lenses, don’t buy ones you don’t need. That would seem obvious but when buyer’s lust is upon you all reason is cast aside. When you are drooling over that 300 f2.8, it won’t matter too much that you primarily shoot up close to your subjects. Carefully evaluate each purchase and do a little mental cost/benefit analysis over each piece of gear. Determine how you work, or how you plan to work, and make purchases that will benefit what you do. Be careful that you don’t spend yourself into a hole because there is a huge difference in owning a camera and the camera owning you. When I began thinking about purchasing some gear for a little freelance work on the side I continually discarded the idea because of the debt I would incur which meant I would have to work all the time just to get out of the hole I dug.

There is a tremendous debate raging over whether Canon or Nikon is better. I have a slight preference to Canon because their cameras have been slightly better in the AF department and dramatically better in low-light situations. However, with the intro of Nikon’s D3, that difference may have just evaporated. It really comes down to two questions. First, do you already have a lot of money in one system? Second, does the system fit the way you shoot? A person with skill will make fantastic photos with either system. A person without skill will struggle to make a picture with either system.

One final thought when you make purchases. Have an eye to the future. Try and see yourself down the road a little way. If you are working for a small newspaper and have to supply your own equipment, do you see yourself in two years still working for the small newspaper? This matters. If you say yes, you may want to spend just a bit more on your gear than someone who will be working in a larger market where equipment is supplied for him. At any rate, have fun out there keeping the U.S. economy rolling! (PS. This big baby at the bottom I have nicknamed the Widowmaker because if you are married and you bring this big boy home unannounced your mate is gonna kill you!)