What should I expect to spend on camera equipment?
I don’t know how many times I have heard the following question.
I have a point and shoot right now and I want to buy an SLR. What type should I buy?
This question is usually followed by several models – such as the Canon Digital Rebel models or the Nikon D40 or D80. What most beginners do not realize is that the camera is only a small part of the equation. I have decided, as an interesting exercise, to look at my own equipment. I would not expect new photographers to buy the same equipment that I have, nor would I expect you to spend as much as I did. However, I would expect that anyone getting into photography will wind up spending the same ratios on equipment that I have.
I will not list the prices I paid, as many of these fluctuate and that drifts away from the point I am trying to make. In addition, I expect if my wife saw the numbers she might have heart failure. In general, there are six areas of expenditure for digital SLR photography. Also, I will calculate things at the original price that I paid and I will not include items I have since sold (which reduces the lenses percentage).
Cameras – most people realize this and this is where beginners put most of their thoughts
Lenses – this is perhaps the most important area as the lens typically determines what type of shots you can take, not the camera. Note that I also include filters in this category.
Accessories – all the little do dads that add up
Lighting – this includes flashes and studio lighting
Support – this includes tripods, ball heads, and miscellaneous brackets
Software/Hardware – this includes your computer and any necessary software
The following is a graph of what I wound up paying for each area as a percentage.
I will now break down the areas and list what equipment I use, for those who are interested.
Camera equipment
I currently use the Canon 5D. The main reason I went for the 5D was the relatively high megapixel count (at the time) and the fact that it is full frame.
Lenses
Lenses should be the largest expense of any photographer. I currently use the following lenses.
Canon 70-200 4.0L IS – This is currently my walk around lens. It is incredibly sharp and the IS is amazing.
Canon 16-35 2.8L II – This is still my favorite “normal” lens. It rivals the 70-200 in sharpness and was on my camera constantly in the canyons of Petra and through most of Israel and Jordan.
Canon 50mm 1.4 – I don’t use this lens very often. However it is great for taking pictures indoors without flash and when I use it there’s really nothing else I have that can do what it does.
Canon MP-E 65 – This is the main lens I use when not on vacation and is used for most of my macros.
Canon 180 3.5L – I haven’t actually bought this lens yet, but I already have the funds for it and am just waiting for the final OK from the financial controller.
B&W Circular Polarizer – Basically a required filter in my book.
Accessories
Simple diffuser – I have a simple diffuser for my 580 EX flash. I forget the name of it.
Canon remote switch – This is also a basic, required, accessory. I really wish Canon would just include it in the box with the camera.
Flash extension cord – If you buy a flash, this is also a very important accessory. Very often I remove the flash from the camera. I do not yet have the strobists setup.
Angle Viewfinder C – I’ll probably use this more often with the 180L. With the MP-E 65 the viewfinder is too dark and it’s too difficult to track things. I suspect I will find some interesting uses for it though.
Hot shoe leveler – This is critical if you are taking panorama pictures
Canon CP-E 4 – This extends the battery life of both of my flashes significantly and decreases the recycle time. I use it whenever I am using either the 580 EX or the MT-24EX and it is always in my bag. I can’t imagine what life was like before it with my MT-24EX, as flash recycle time is critical when photographing moving insects.
Extra battery – Always get one. When one battery runs out I replace it with the other one and charge the first one.
Giotto rocket blower – This is essential for keeping the sensor clear. It may be less necessary with the newer dust removing cameras.
Eclipse cleaning solution and swabs – Always remember to clean your sensor. The rocket blower helps for the big dust spots but at times you need a more thorough cleaning.
Eneloop rechargeable AA batteries – Necessary for the flashes
Travel hard drive card readers – I bought a simple device called the Digimate III for about $30 and put a 60GB laptop hard drive in it. When I travel, I take two of these units so I can backup my photos as well as for when my memory cards are full. I always place them in different places to reduce the risk of loss.
Memory cards – These have gotten cheaper it seems each day. I currently have an 4 GB card and an 8 GB card and do not see the need to increase them until I upgrade my camera.
Flash card reader – This is very helpful for getting pictures on the computer and is much better and faster than hooking the camera itself up to the computer.
Tamrac camera bag – I forgot the model number, but a camera bag is a basic necessity. I am currently able to fit my camera, all lenses except for the 180L, my filters, extra battery, cords, 580EX and CP-E 4 in my bag. I will likely need to look at a bigger bag soon, though I’ve never had airport issues with my current bag.
Lighting
Canon 580 EX – This is the workhorse flash when I am not taking macro shots. I have found no reason to upgrade to the newer II model. An external flash is a basic necessity for starting out, though there are cheaper models than the 580 EX. I do not yet have any studio lights or a strobist configuration as I am not very interested in taking shots of people. Perhaps someday.
Canon MT-24EX – As I mentioned before, this is a requirement when you purchase the MP-E 65. I use this flash for all of my macro photography.
Medium and small light tents – I bought a jewelry light box kit some time ago that contains two different sized light tents, two constant 5000K lights, and one “sparkle light”. I now use this setup (sans sparkle light) for my isolation shots.
Support
Gitzo 1348 tripod – A good tripod is essential and Gitzo is basically the best out there. I am quite tall (6’5″) so this tripod works well for me. I also like that it doesn’t have a center column because those tripods are less stable.
Markins M20 ball head – Expensive, but I have no complaints about it.
Lens plates – both the MP-E 65 and the 180L require lens plates. I use ones from Kirk, though Really Right Stuff I’m sure is just as good
Really Right Stuff L bracket – The L bracket lets you take both horizontal and vertical shots on the tripod. I liked Really Right Stuff’s version the best and I am very happy with it.
Kirk macro rail – To take macros on a tripod you need a macro rail. Mine also does double duty for panoramas – so I can adjust for the nodal point of the lens (though for single layer horizontal panoramas only). When used with the MP-E 65, the vast majority of macro rails out there simply aren’t precise enough. The only two good ones out there are Kirk and Really Right Stuff. The RRS macro rail is more precise, but the Kirk rail is significantly cheaper due to a smarter design. I have no complaints about the Kirk macro rail.
Software/Hardware
This one is hard to quantify, as I use my computer for many purposes other than photography. Basically, though, you will need a good size monitor for editing and a relatively fast computer. I currently use a duo core 64 bit system with 4 GB of RAM and a 24″ monitor. I expect in the near future to get hit with more expenses here as I upgrade my software, buy a monitor calibration unit, and perhaps buy a Wacom unit. As this area is rather fuzzy I will not include it in the ratios.