Camera Gear Beginners Actually Need

[@flyingo]

I feel extremely fortunate to have learned filmmaking and photography basics in the 1960s when I was only 6 or 7 from my father and his best friend - a prominent local commercial photographer. The fundamentals never change and these recommendations are spot on. The only addition I would suggest are a few filters. Yellow orange & red are essential for black & white work and very helpful in color work (ND, polarizer). Happy filming to all.

[@matthiasice]

Just a recommendation. For a liiiiiittle bit more ($160 is the lowest I've seen it), the Smallrig AP-100 is a really nice "travel tripod". It's carbon fiber (still has a little heft to it) and the one-turn leg locking is so nice!! I don't do a lot of long exposures, but I'm thinking of getting into astro photography. We'll see how that goes with the AP-100, but I might need to dig around in my local classifieds for something a little more sturdy. PS - I carry that K&F bag daily. It's excellent. Well padded and the rigid parts of the padding are removable/collapsible. That was a big thing for me because I travel with my camera gear in another case, then transfer some gear to the small bag when I get where I'm going. It allows the bag to collapse down when empty.

[@PhotoTrekr]

I began doing photography with film cameras. My first camera was a Nikon FM. When light meters were first put in camera bodies, that was high tech at the time. When affordable digital cameras came along, I switched and never looked back. I shot film for 20 years. And if anyone is shooting film these days I would encourage them to set up a darkroom too. I've used a tripod since the beginning. So it is second nature for me. Buy the best that you can afford. The Gitzo that I use now, I've had for over 20 years. It will probably outlive me. The only quibbles I have is that I wouldn't recommend old zoom lenses. They were terrible. And I don't like buying cameras and lenses from eBay. I've bought lots of used gear and prefer using B&H, Adorama, KEH, MPB, or FredMiranda. This is the first video of yours that I've found. But, I'll be sure to check out others.

[@the_last_rangefinder_society]

The 40mm ef pancake is ace on the eos 3

[@alexsomeing8192]

Imo the best camera is the one you have all the time, and how easy it is to access. So it comes to size and weight and how you carry it

[@OchreFrame]

I was gifted a Nikon F55 a while back. It is FAR from the fanciest camera out there. However, it still exposes correctly with its internal light meter and has no light leaks. That's enough to work with!

[@luzr6613]

Just some thoughts.... I would think the key questions that any gear purchase has to respond to are the ones around the 'what' and the 'when' of taking photos - so having some idea of the environments one spends one's time in along with what it is that one finds interesting about those environments is important. Then there's the determination of whether or not someone can afford the ongoing costs of shooting with film and, if so, whether they can afford to shoot often enough to develop their skills as quickly as they hope for. My own experience of film is that, when you start, you burn through a lot of rolls for a very low return in hits - if Digital had been around in 1980, i'd have been all over it. To me, one of the greatest things about Digital is simply that it allows a person to make mistakes for free, and it has the additional benefit of encouraging experimentation - also free. These days i'm a lot less inclined to screw up, so i'm able to interrupt my Digital schedule to casually enjoy shooting film with zero anxiety - so long as i remain mindful of the costs i'm incurring with every roll.

[@qiao4874]

Finally you are back!

[@mvw5721]

You're helping a lot of people, I suppose it's going to be more than a 12-step program, right? :) I humbly add that the Canon EOS 5 is also a gem on all fronts and very affordable.

[@_Just_Some1]

Is that Matt Day’s lamp on your desk??

[@filmnerd.photography]

Great video mate! I agree with you, don't need to spend a fortune to make great photos. I have a shelf full of awesome film cameras and lenses as well as a couple of great digital kits (a Nikon D700 and an Olympus E300), all of which I picked up for free or for cheaper than a low fat soy mochalatte from Starbucks in Beverly Hills. I think the key is to shop around, get to know the little country town op shops (that's we call them here in Australia, think you call them "thrift shops" in the USA?), be patient, learn how to clean and do basic repairs and also to let your family and friends know that you are on the hunt for old camera gear and they will pass on their old stuff to you.

[@randallstewart1224]

At 78, looking back to starting photography in 1959, all I can say is "been there, done that". The only thing I'd add IF you are shooting landscapes in B&W is a basic set of color filters, large enough so that one set can be adapted to all regularly used lenses.

[@larrainlsd6546]

what is that website of the camera kit?

[@maxwmccoy]

he's so back

[@carlosetejada10]

Love the recent content! I'm just starting with film photography is this is super useful! One quick question is, why do you have a Peak Design anchor on your tripod? Just curious! Welcome back!

[@IntrovertAmateur]

Just enjoying your videos since you are uploading again :) Merry Christmas! :)

[@originalbumbu]

Love the advice here

[@dylan.thissen]

Biggest and best point in my opinion of everything you said in this video was the tripod point. Nothing sucks more than being in sub-freezing temperatures and having to twist lock a tripods legs. Got the PD tripod about 4 years ago and I won't say it's perfect but I've never considered buying a replacement tripod for it. I realise it's not relevant to everyone but I would not go back to my old tripod ever.

[@AchievingZeniths]

date the camera and marry the lens best quote i heard all year

[@orion2250]

Ime easy..ime so poor that i can afford 10-12 year old pro gear.. Its pro..its old. But ive got good glass..its where i spend my poorness😅

[@rohithk4659]

Is the R50 better than a6300?

[@carlosreyesf19]

Both are good. I would say the most important aspect is if you prefer building up a lens collection for the Sony E-mount or the Canon RF mount. So if you ever change the camera you can keep your lenses.

[@unwantedscrub]

Going to get my first roll developed today! Used your exposure cheat sheets! Your point in this video applies in every hobby. As a musician, I'm always wanting to purchase more and more gear, but my best and most creative stuff usually stems from me limiting myself to a set number of tools.

[@jeffmccarthy9073]

Good stuff

[@locke_ytb]

Recently watched your previous video. Thanks.

[@maxwmccoy]

cody has yelled at me 1,435 times about having a crappy tripod

[@RaoBrandon]

Awesome vid ! Good to see you back bro :)

[@KaushikCWCFA]

My first camera is on the way & its a film camera. Your post is in the right time

[@ebreevephoto]

Thanks for this. As always spot on advice!!!! After shooting for the last 20 years your advice would have been helpful in the beginning. I will be looking at those cheaper but good sticks. Thnx

[@deneirtubes]

Just watched your video on exposure and went to your profile to subscribe. Just so happens you uploaded this video as well. Perfect timing!