video equipment & Tech
Not sure where to start on researching video gear that meets your needs?
It is extremely overwhelming & time-consuming looking at all of the gear & accessories that come with this profession.
This post will provide you with:
Basic Knowledge on camera bodies
Basic knowledge on lenses & the importance of good lenses
Real-world use & products I recommend
Let’s start with camera bodies! Now, camera bodies can be really tricky, & here is why! Camera bodies are NOT the most important part of your gear. Sounds weird, right?
All major camera companies have very similar camera bodies. They tend to have, cropped frame sensor cameras & full frame sensor cameras. Cropped frame sensors, also known as (APS-C) are commonly referred to as a “cropped frame sensor”. Full frame sensor cameras are “full frame” because the sensor is 35mm, the same size as a piece of 35mm film.
All this being said, the age old parable is still true..”bigger doesn’t always mean better”. Especially with the technology coming in cameras now, a lot of APS-C sensor cameras have a really, really high megapixel count. For example, Fujifilm has come out with a camera called the “Fujifilm X-H2” that has an astounding 40MP APS-C camera sensor! Having a 40MP APS-C sensor means you have A LOT more room to zoom in on your photos post-production. Do keep in mind, that full-frame sensor cameras will still have a better/more clear zoom for photos. I have been to many, many events where 90% of the hired media are using full-frame camera bodies & full-frame lens equivalents. Yes, it can be daunting being in an environment like that without the same gear. But, gear doesn’t mean anything. Take the time and read the settings and information about your camera and how to properly set ISO, shutter speed & focal length (more on that later!). This information will be much, much more useful than spending a fortune on gear you might not use to the full potential.
I personally, started my photography career with a Canon Rebel EOS T7. This camera was amazing for stills, but when it came to motorsport photography, it didn’t quite live up to the expectations. I then started doing research on mirrorless Sony cameras, & I now happily use a Sony Alpha 6400. This specific camera body I got on sale for $1,000 USD (I have a shop in my linktree to all my gear). This camera only has a 12MP APS-C sensor & has been through all types of weather; rain, dust, mud, snow, extreme Phoenix heat etc. All that being said, if you are not a professional photographer making money, you do not need a full-frame camera body. Save the money and go with the APS-C sensor camera body!
Camera lenses, in my opinion, are the most important part of your gear. For automotive Photography it is really, really nice to have a zoom lens while being able to move freely. Prime lens, also referred to as “fixed focal length lens”, are great for extremely clear & vibrant images. Something to keep in mind, prime lenses only have one specified focal length. Prime lenses are an amazing option for macro photography.
hmm..focal length, what is that? well i’m glad you asked!
Focal length is a fundamental concept in photography. It refers to the distance between the lens and the image sensor (or film) when the subject is in focus.
Field of View: Focal length affects the field of view. A shorter focal length (e.g., 18mm) provides a wider angle, capturing more of the scene, while a longer focal length (e.g., 200mm) narrows the field of view, focusing on a smaller area.
Depth of Field: Focal length determines the depth of field, Shorter focal lengths tend to have a greater depth of field, meaning more of the scene is in focus. Conversely, longer focal lengths usually create a shallower depth of field, making it easier to isolate subjects from their backgrounds.
Perspective Distortion: The focal length also affects perspective. Wide-angle lenses can exaggerate distances, making objects close to the lens appear much larger compared to those further away. Telephoto lenses compress distances, making objects seem closer together.
Creative Choices: Photographers often choose lenses based on their desired artistic effect. For instance, wide-angle lenses are great for landscapes, while telephoto lenses are ideal for portraits or wildlife photography.
In summary, focal length is a crucial aspect of how lenses capture images, influencing everything from composition to the overall look of a photograph. Understanding focal length helps photographers make informed decisions about which lens to use for different situations.
I am going to list some lenses down below that I think are a great option for beginners & experts:
1) Sony FE 50mm F/1.8 Standard Prime Lens - $250-$300
2) Sigma 24-70mm F/2.8 DG DN Art Lens - $1,400
3) Sony 35mm F/1.8 Prime Lens - $500
4) Sigma FE 70-200mm F/2.8 GM OSS full frame lens - $1,500
5) Sigma 85mm F/1.4 DG Art full frame lens - $1,600
Gear I use & the prices of each gear:
Sony Alpha 6400 camera body - $1,200
Sony E-PZ 18-105mm F/4 G OSS lens - $600
Sony FE 50mm F/1.8 Prime lens - $300
DJI RS3 Gimbal - $500
DJI vertical mount for RS2 & RS3 - $50
72mm K&N Neutral Density filter - $40
72mm Circular Polarizer - $50
49mm K&N Neutral Density filter - $20
49mm Circular Polarizer - $50
Peak Designs 45L travel backpack - $400
Sandisk Extreme Pro 256GB V60 SD Card - $70
Manfrotto Befree tripod - $250
Okay, but let’s pretend most people do not have the money to afford all the lenses listed above. That is where you need to assess what the main purpose of your lens will fulfill. I suggest picking 3 lenses that will be your primary lenses for in the future!
Unfortunately, I have yet to be able to afford most of the lenses I listed above. But here is the beauty, that doesn’t matter! I have one zoom lens with a good aperture F/4, & one prime lens, Sony 50mm with an aperture of F/1.8. I primarily use the Sony 50mm for macro photography, & really close, vibrant photos. I use the zoom lens for basically any other occasion! The zoom function is pretty hard to beat when you have drift cars whipping around you at 80+ MPH while only being able to stand in one spot. Also, possibly the most logical reason..I cant afford one yet.
I really hope this post helped you in your camera research path. If you have any other questions or would like to see another topic discussed, please reach out to me via email on my website! I would also like to shamelessly plug my prints I have for sale as well! My prints would be a great Christmas/Birthday present! Or, if you are feeling up to it, you could leave a donation for my art on the home page! I really, really appreciate anyone reading this & reaching out.
“Never stop shooting”
- azx visual media
