Gear recommendation for beginners

Hi guys,

 

my buddy (who is a semi-professional event photographer) just basically gave his Canon EOS 5d Mark III to me. I can borrow a 100-400mm Canon lens (I am not sure what the name of the model is). My photographic background is one of rather casual travel/landscape photography. So my question is whether I should get a lens that has even more zoom or work with the one I have for now, until my skills are a little bit more refined? I am really conflicted and would be eager to hear some input from more experienced photographers.

I guess a 100-400 is a kind of decent zoom range

• for a dedicated 2nd shooter
  
• in not too bad light (or with flash)
  

Clarifying: it will work somehow if your task is

• collecting additional headshots
  
• staying out of the main photographer's way.
  

I don't own such a lens and haven't tested it during events. With a focusing assist light in your flash (Yongnuo?) it should work well enough. Use it, it will keep ypu occupied. (Worried about facing low light I bought a 70-200/2.8 instead. - I can see where more reach, as you got comes in handy)

If you want to get into serious business (on your own) I'd recommend getting a 2nd body for a shorter lens. Maybe the stabilized Tamron 24-70/2.8 Or take your time to save up for a EOS R with 24-105 kit zoom.

Juggling lenses during events is no good idea & counter productive.

I think you need to elaborate on when and where you are working. Are you working as a second shooter for an event shooter? If so what types of events, what type of locations? You're asking about an equipment want list without any description to your activities. :confused:

I think you need to elaborate on when and where you are working. . .

 

Yes, indeed. Additionally, IF your tasks are to include being a Second Shooter for you buddy, what lens(es) does he recommend you use, and why?

 

Waiting for more details, thank you,

 

In the meantime, on the chance that this comment might be relevant: I would NEVER lumber my Second Shooter with a 100 to 400F/4.5~5.6L USM for Event Photography. It is too big; too slow; and generally too imposing.

 

But as mentioned the type, location and purpose of the Photography that you want to pursue will somewhat dictate the type of lenses that you need.

 

That stated, you've posted your question in the "Business Forum" if the question is indeed a general Business question about the gear that a Beginner beginning a Business in Photography would need, then, as a general answer, a minimum of TWO Camera Bodies; a fast Standard Zoom Lens; some Lens Redundancy, that can be accomplished by one Fast Moderate Wide Angle and one Fast Moderate Telephoto Prime OR one fast Standard Prime; one Wide Zoom (F/4 or F/2.8); One Telephoto Zoom (F/4 or F/2.8); two Hot Shoe Flash Units would be a good, basic, all round beginner's kit.

 

WW

whether I should get a lens

Be a minimalist when you learn, start from 50 mm and try to get perfect results. Long zooms tend to produce shake blur in amateur's hands.

IDK what your goal is, like all others I'd appreciate if you cared to elaborate.

I can't really agree upon the 50mm suggested above. While there is the least expensive lens of all at that focal length and one can choose it as a first and only lens to start shooting, to me it seems hard to earn money with it on a FF body. I don't even follow @ruslan 's shake blur argument. - AFAIK there is no IS 50mm but Tamron offer a stabilized 45/1.8. The inexpensive 50/1.8 needs to get a bit stopped down for sharpness and with the IS in the 100-400 the risk of camera shake blurring the image should end being a wash, between those two. Anyhow I guess it is close to impossible to put somebody wondering about more zoom reach than a 100-400 on a basic set of primes. But if that is your goal: I would buy two; some 35mm and something between 85 & 105mm. There are (still) folks running their photography businesses with that minimalist kit. I'd probably buy the 35/2 IS and am torn between 85/1.4IS or maybe 100/2.8 Macro IS and (if budged is an issue) the stabilized Tamron 85mm.

I don't shoot Canon to take unstabilized lenses out of a studio environment.

I suppose the Tamron 24-70/2.8 is good enough to serve as a wider walk around / press and general purpose lens. - In a studio the optically awesome unstabilized Canon 24-70/2.8 seems desirable but also expensive enough to get a couple of primes instead.

 

If you are asking as a beginner interested in getting deeper into photography: Take the lens you can get hold off, try it out, desire something else and add it.

For anything professional I recommend having at least 2 cameras, 2-3 speedlites, 2 light stands and the focal length range from 24 to 200mm covered. (Longer is either nice to have or too heavy to lug around and in any case: "Expensive!")

 

Since we are talking Canon: I fear there is no desirable general purpose zoom like the 24-120mm Nikkor. (I haven't used that one myself; I don't like Nikon menus. But I see it working for a buddy as his one & only lens. The long end is a bit limited but you can do a whole lot of things with it.) In my other system I have lenses from 21 to 90mm in regular use and do an occasional shot with a 135mm.

 

I really don't want to push primes here. - Zooms are more versatile, especially when your "photographic concept" is to stumble in and shoot what you'll see.

Moderator Note:

 

This Conversation is closed.

 

Thank you to those who devoted their time and effort responding to the Opening Post.