Beginner Photography Gear: What to Buy and What to Skip
Landscape photography requires the right gear to capture stunning images, but not all equipment is essential to start. In this post, I’ll help demystify what’s critical and what’s optional by sorting gear into three categories: must-have, nice-to-have, and wait-to-have.
Must-Have Gear
Basic Digital Camera and Kit Lens
You need a digital camera with manual controls to adjust settings such as aperture and shutter speed, and a kit lens (i.e. the default lens that comes with the camera body) to get started.
I shoot with a Sony a7ii and the standard 28-70 mm kit lens. While this is a slightly older camera model (released in 2014) it does everything I need it to. The lens is versatile enough to handle a variety of situations and is the perfect starter focal length range. I was able to capture each of the images below with my kit lens.
Some other popular starter cameras are as follows:
Tripod
A tripod is crucial for landscape photography as it helps you keep your camera steady and reduce camera shake. Look for a sturdy tripod that can support the weight of your camera and lens.
Look to spend in the neighborhood of $75-$100 on your tripod. You want something high enough quality that it supports your most important asset, your camera, so it’s best to avoid cheap flimsy options.
Unless you’re planning on doing extensive hiking, you can also hold off on the ultra lightweight carbon fiber models that tend to be significantly more expensive.
My go-to tripod is the Joby Rangepod. The images below wouldn’t be possible without a sturdy tripod.
Basic Camera Bag
A simple camera bag to protect your camera and lenses is critical. Initially you want something fairly lightweight and versatile. As you accumulate more gear, you can upgrade to have more storage space.
My starter bag was the LowePro Slingshot SL 250. It’s a single-strap sling pack that goes over your shoulder and across your chest. I did a review of this pack in the video below.
My honest review pf the Lowepro Slingshot SL 250 camera bag. As I discuss the different pros and cons of this bag I try to answer the question: are small camera bags worth the cost?
Extra Battery
Landscape photography can drain the camera battery quickly, so having a spare one can keep you shooting for longer.
Lens Cleaning Kit
Dust and dirt can accumulate on your lens, so a cleaning kit is essential to keep your lenses clean.
Nice-to-Have Gear
ND and Polarizing Filters
Filters are a common accessory for landscape photographer as they help control the light and improve the quality of your images. A circular polarizing filter (CPL) helps reduce glare and enhance colors in your images. A neutral density (ND) filter is also useful for controlling the exposure in bright conditions or when you want to create a long exposure effect.
While filters can certainly improve the results of your photography, I think it’s more important to master the basics to start and then add these in later on. Otherwise it’s just another step in the process and something else to spend money on.
Second Lens
A second lens such as a wide-angle or telephoto can help you capture a variety of landscapes. The downside is that it’s a significant investment, adds weight to your bag, and introduces another step in the process. You’re better off mastering your initial lens and over time you’ll figure out what are the scenarios that you continually wish you had more flexibility with focal length.
You may find that you often wish you had a wider view to capture more of a scene. Of maybe you pick up Astro photography and need a lower aperture or wider lens. On the other hand. You may find yourself constantly cropping in photos to get a closer view of your subject. This could lead you to picking up a telephoto, which is what I did for my first lens upgrade.
I use a Sigma 100-400 mm as my second lens. This telephoto lens allows me to capture images like these…
Remote Shutter Release
A remote shutter release can minimize camera shake and ensure sharp images. That being said, cameras typically already have a delayed shutter release option that works just fine in most cases. Focus on the basics and invest in accessories as you progress.
Wait-to-Have Gear
Upgraded Camera Bag
A more specialized camera bag that can fit additional lenses and accessories can be purchased as you accumulate more gear. Once I outgrew my initial bag, I went with the Shimoda Explore V2 30. It’s big enough to fit all my gear and works well for both day trips and longer adventures. For all the specs on this bag, click the Amazon link below.
I also did a full review of this bag in the video below.
What makes the perfect camera bag for a landscape photographer? In this video I break down all the features in the Shimoda Explore V2.
Specialty Lenses
As you progress, you can invest in additional lenses that cater to specific needs, such as macro, ultra-wide or tilt-shift lenses.
In conclusion, the must-have gear includes a basic digital camera and kit lens, a tripod, a basic camera bag, an extra battery, and a lens cleaning kit. Nice-to-have gear includes ND and polarizing filters, a second lens, and a remote shutter release. Wait-to-have gear includes an upgraded camera bag and specialty lenses.
By prioritizing the must-have gear and gradually adding the nice-to-have and wait-to-have gear, you can build a collection of gear that will help you capture stunning landscape photos.
