Buying Photographic Equipment

Buying Photographic Equipment

by William Lulow

I recently commented on a Linked In discussion about buying equipment. It reminded me that today’s digital equipment has gotten incredibly expensive for high-end professional gear and has made me think twice about buying a piece of equipment that I will only use once or twice. I have a motto when it comes to camera gear: “Don’t buy it unless the job will pay for it and you can use it at least ten times more!” These days, there are quite a few rental houses that will lease equipment that you need for a specific assignment. In the past, Canon used to have a professional loan program. Back when I was covering golf tournaments for the LPGA, I “borrowed” a Canon 600mm telephoto lens. I used it for several events and that was it. I never had a use for it again. Now, I have Canon 60D cameras and only four lenses: the workhorse 20mm f/2.8, the 60mm f/2.8 macro (for products and close ups), an 85mm f/1.8 for portraits and the 135mm f/2 as well. I have decided to go with all prime lenses after a couple of years of using a zoom (17-55mm f/2.8). I have found that the primes are just a bit sharper and easier to use. Sometimes, if I have a special event where I need to get close up images from a distance, I will rent the 70-200mm f/2.8 Canon zoom lens. But I have found that even that lens, as good as it is, is sometimes difficult to hand-hold. The 60Ds are older models, but quite sufficient for my needs as they have been since 2012 when I bought them new. Since the shutter counts on both are beginning to be north of 50,000, they are approaching the end of their life spans and I probably should think about getting new camera bodies.

If you are an amateur, on the other hand, you are free to buy the kinds of equipment that you want, not simply things you would need to maintain a business. Many people these days like the size and ease of use of a point-and-shoot digital camera. They are lightweight and can easily fit in a pocket or purse. There are some things you need to know about these cameras however, so that you won’t be disappointed by the results. One is that most come equipped with a zoom lens that is not interchangeable. The better ones will have lenses that carry their “speed” (largest aperture) through all the zoom focal lengths. These are normally more expensive because the lens is better. So, you have to be on the lookout for that. The other thing is that automatic point-and-shoot cameras are designed to provide a good photograph of whatever subject you happen to be aiming at, but not necessarily one you might like. For instance, if you aim it at your grandchildren, and leave it on AUTO, it may not render sharp enough images if you are trying to stop some motion and are using only ordinary room light.

If you leave any camera on its AUTO setting, it will attempt to render an acceptable exposure, but not an optimal one. There is a huge difference. So, the caveat when buying one of these cameras is not to expect perfect results from it. Especially if you intend to use it for highly specialized images like stopping motion or low-light imagery. If you are aware of the limitations of using the camera in its AUTO mode, then you will make sure that you are always somewhere where there is plenty of light.

If you are primarily taking photographs for your own use, you don’t need a fancy, expensive camera with all the bells and whistles. If you only use it at family functions and on vacations, you certainly don’t need a “top-of-the-line” piece of equipment. If, however, you have progressed to the point of using your camera quite a bit, if you often go out trying to make “art-type” images, if you have become more discerning about the type and quality of the images you make, then you will want a camera that has interchangeable lenses, external flash units and can be operated on MANUAL mode most, if not all of the time.

Also, if you are intent on making better images and controlling the environment in which you shoot, then I suggest taking some classes to help you perfect your “art” and get more control over the equipment you use.  

Getting back to my own use of professional cameras, I used to own Hasselblad equipment for medium format portraits and view cameras for table tops. Today, the digital version of the Hasselblad costs anywhere from $20,000 to over $30,000. It registers around 40 to 50 MP per shot. By comparison, the newer Canon 90D is around $1000 and has 24MP sensor. So, if you have a business that generates well over $300,000 per year, perhaps the Hasselblad is warranted and would have paid for itself. Personally, I’m not sure that the image quality is better enough to warrant the expense, unless you are constantly shooting ads that will be displayed on the sides of buildings. I get tack-sharp images that have been used on magazine covers and websites.  

I will say that I always preferred the square, medium format over the 35mm format. There is something about seeing the image on a ground glass that is easier to look at than through the viewfinder of a 35mm-style camera. But, with good quality LCD’s, these days it’s almost a moot point. (Incidentally, there was actually a physical difference between the emulsions for 120 roll films and those for 35mm that I think, made the medium format better).

So, if you have jobs that will pay for the highest quality digital equipment, great! Do it. For most of us in the business, you should never go into hock for photo gear just as you should never re-mortgage a paid-off house for the sake of a business. It’s just too risky. The quality of equipment these days is still excellent for almost all levels.

The take-away for this article is that you need to examine carefully your interest in photography before buying any camera gear. If it has become more than just a way to document your family vacations and has grown into a true avocation, then it makes sense to ask a good teacher what kind of equipment to buy. One must also create a budget for this kind of thing, because it can get out of hand very quickly unless you are careful. This is usually the case with any hobby to which you can become addicted.