My Visual Arts Loadout - Main Gear
This year I upgraded my photo and video game by investing in quality gear. This is what I got and why I wish I would have done it sooner.
Most of the pictures I’ve taken over the past decade were captured on my phone. These days, you can get amazing photos with the right phone. There are also situations where you want a little more. For me, a lot of it was about lenses. I wanted some serious zoom without sacrificing quality at my kid’s sporting events. I also wanted bigger and better photos and camera features to help make that happen. Last Christmas, I decided to invest in my hobby and get a proper camera.
Main Attraction - EOS R5
I had a good experience with my EOS Rebel decades ago, so I started with a bias to Canon. Among the top-name brands for cameras, they are known for having the most extensive lineup of high-quality lenses. I researched the latest camera technologies and headed to Best Buy to see what they had.
While I was waiting for help, I spoke with another customer. They recommended a kit that included the EOS R50 and a few lenses. For vlogging and most pictures, it’s an excellent camera at a reasonable price. After talking to the photo expert, I settled on the EOS R5. I don’t buy big ticket items often and decided that this was an investment where I wanted to go big.
What does mirrorless mean? Old school 35mm film and digital cameras use a mirror to reflect incoming light to a sensor for capture. In mirrorless cameras, the light comes through the lens and goes right to the sensor. Advantages of mirrorless include smaller size, better video capabilities, higher quality images, and in-body image stabilization.
Pro tip: Mirrorless cameras are more power hungry than DSLR, especially if you are shooting video. I haven’t needed it yet but I bought an extra battery.
What does full frame mean? Full-frame mirrorless cameras have a sensor the same size as a 35mm film frame. They provide multiple advantages in producing high-quality images. A lot of them become apparent in editing. One of the biggest lessons I learned in the past year is great images are teased out of a shot with cropping and other adjustments. Having a full-frame camera gives you better raw material with which to work.
Here is an Example
Did you say video? Amazing video. There is an entirely different section of settings on the camera for shooting video. For streamers, they also have a software package called EOS Webcam Utility Pro that will allow you to use the camera for streaming. The quality is so good that I’ll do photo shoots of myself by just recording video to pull out some quality still frames.
Lenses
The Workhorse - RF28-70mm F2 L USM
This is my primary lens. I shoot a majority of my photos and videos with it.
That’s a lot of letters and numbers. Decoded:
RF - is the mount type Canon makes for its full-frame mirrorless cameras.
20-70mm - is the focal length. Longer is higher magnification and a narrower angle of view. Shorter is the opposite.
F2 - is the aperture. How much light it will let in. A lower number means more light. F2 means this lens is great in low light.
L - Luxury. This is a professional-quality lens.
USM - Ultrasonic motor. This is part of the technology that provides fast and quiet autofocus.
RF70-200mm F4 L IS USM
This is a longer lens. I’ve used it for kids’ sports, choir concerts, and wildlife. It has auto stabilization and other handy features. In what I do with my camera, I haven’t used it as much, but it’s nice to have more magnification available when the situation calls for it.
Wrap-up
A year later, I’m very happy with my choices. I’m looking to add some lenses, but I’ve been able to get all the shots I’ve wanted. There are so many software features and functions. As an amateur, I’m still getting into new situations that allow me to learn more about how it works.
I recommend getting a dedicated camera; it’s a fun hobby if you have good gear. I would have captured more quality memories if I had gotten one when my kids were younger.
If you are interested, you’ll still find some lower-priced camera bodies and lenses that will work fine for your needs.