I get this question pretty frequently, especially from hobbyists had folks who are considering going intophotography as a business. So, I thought I’d post a detailed breakdown of some of the gear I use on a regular basis.
(At a glance: Two Canon 5D camera bodies, Canon 16-35mm 4/2.8L, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 28-70mm f/2.8, Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, Two Canon 580EXII Speedlights, a collection of Alienbees strobes.)
My Cameras
I shoot on two Canon 5D bodies. Before buying all of my lenses and accessories and such, I had to select my platform. Although there are lots of choices, at the end of the day the question really comes down to Canon or Nikon. Both companies make truly formidable hardware and both companies are endorsed by some really excellent photographers. But, for my taste, I strongly prefer Canon over Nikon so that is what I chose.
All of Canon’s professional cameras (Beginning with the 30D/40D/50D models) share roughly the same interface. Two wheels—one by your thumb to control aperture, and one by your index finger to control shutter speed. All of your basic settings can be rapidly adjusted without taking your eye out of the viewfinder, and without having to navigate some kind of digital menu.
Another personal appreciation of I have for the 5D is that I find it easier to mimic the effects of true film, without so many steps in Photoshop. Of course, this has a great deal to do with visual style, but it is among the reasons I have not updated to the new Canon 5D MkII.
My Lenses
I shoot on four standard lenses which cover my whole focal range. From widest to longest:
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L – This lens is absolutely indispensible for wedding and real estate photography. It’s wide, but not fisheye so it’s great for getting a lot of information into a picture, without a lot of space to do it.
Canon 50mm f/1.4 – This is my only non ‘L’ lens, but it’s probably my favorite. At an aperture of 1.4, the depth of field is almost paper thin. A portrait can have the subjects eyes in sharp focus, but her eyelashes well out of focus. It’s also extremely lightweight and portable. Not to mention, you need significantly less light to expose a photograph properly.
Canon 28-70mm f/2.8L – This lens is sort of the catch-all in my kit. It’s excellent for photographs during a wedding’s ceremony and really any situation where you can be close but not that close. This lens was later replaced with the almost identical Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L. It’s also a formidable lens, but with the 28-70mm about $400 less expensive on the used market, I didn’t find it worth the extra expense.
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L – Portraits are rarely as flattering as they are from very long focal lengths. That’s why the Canon 70-200L is my favorite portrait lens—that is, when I have the space to use it. I also use this lens during weddings, perched in the back with an assistant. It’s sure to catch a clear, detailed view of that all-important first kiss.
My Light
While it might seem like the camera body or the lens takes the cake, light is really a photographers most important tool. In every stage of the photographic experience—from shooting, to viewing images—light is that absolute unchanging necessity. So, like any photographer, I use light as a tool. Whether it’s modifying light that’s already present, or bringing my own light. Here are some of my tools in that:
Canon 580EXII Speedlights – I use two of these. Partially for redundancy and partially to achieve different effects. With the help of a set of PocketWizards, I am able to have one 580EX mounted on my camera, while a second rests on a discreet stand across the dance floor. The light from multiple angles adds drama and a three-dimensional effect to event photography. Also with the help of the PocketWizards, these lights act as great fill lights in outdoor portrait photography.
AlienBees – For bigger and more demanding portrait work, I use the surprisingly affordable AlienBees strobes. They’re durable and produce a lot of light. They’re also inexpensive enough that additional strobes can be added on a whim as the needs of studio work change.
