If I needed to get started images in every single place once more in 2026, that is EXACTLY the digicam equipment I’d purchase. After 15+ years as a …
If I needed to get started images in every single place once more in 2026, that is EXACTLY the digicam equipment I’d purchase. After 15+ years as a …
A lot of good info here, but not all of it is applicable to all people.
1. APS-C vs full frame for hobbyist beginners. The notion that crop bodies are necessarily less expensive, especially on the used market is a fallacy. I just saw a Nikon D850, listed as 'like new' condition, for $1200. Likewise, I saw used Canon R7s for about $1100. Yes, $1100 is technically less than $1200. But even though the D850 is several years older, it's going to outperform the R7 in most ways. Don't get me wrong. I have no problem with crop bodies. They take wonderful images. The inherent problem with crop bodies (except within brands that make ONLY crop bodies, like Olympus) is that they generally have lesser features that make photography easier, and therefore more enjoyable, and therefore something a hobbyist is likely to continue to pursue. It might be something as minor as an articulating screen, or something as advanced as in-camera focus stacking.
2. Lens choice. I completely agree with having one or two fast primes. I also agree with the value in forcing yourself to learn composition by limiting your focal length. However, there are circumstances where that forced limitation may also discourage you because there will be shots you didn't get because you had the wrong lens on the camera and by the time you switched to another, it's too late. The moment passed. You don't have to have top of the line fast zooms, or even a constant F4 zoom. A 24-70mm, 24-120mm or a 24-200mm, or something similar, makes it far more likely that you have the flexibility to catch those moments when they happen. You may be restricted by time, or your ability to get close enough to get the detail you want to capture, so having only primes can hobble you.
I'm a hobbyist. The advice I would give to someone just building their setup would be to 1) know what your primary interest is, if applicable, and 2) join a local photography group to learn what they use and why they chose the cameras and lenses they have. Some people may not know or have a primary interest, and interests change or expand, so it's good to have some degree of flexibility in your arsenal so that you can jump from one genre to another, so that's where those kit lenses have some value. But let's say someone is interested in lunar and astrophotography. They're going to need one or two fast primes on the wide end, but they'll also want a telephoto at least 300mm, as well as some other specialized pieces of gear.
I miss the sony A6400 as a recommendation
Just buy a cheap used DSLR with a kit lens. Bye……………..
If it was me, and I ws just staritng out, I'd probably buy a simple 2-lens camera kit, such as the Canon R10 and a 15-45 and 55-200mm lens, or the Nikon Z50 II 2 lens kit (which has a 16-50 and 50-250mm lens) and work with those. Granted your missing the wide-angle lens, but a simple 2-lens kit like this will let you experiment and learn, and it covers a wide range of focal lengths so that you can learn about focal lengths for example and how they impact your photos. A simple kit like these can go a long way, and for some (hobbyists) may be all they need for a while. I think the biggest issue, as was kind of mentioned, is beginners buy too much gear in the beginning, and also sometimes upgrade before they really need to, like moving from APSC to Full frame thinking that will give them better photos or that image quality is always better (it can be, and there are some advantages to FF but the differences are less than most people/beginners think).
My first camera back in the day was a 35mm film Pentax Spotmatic and 55mm smc takumar lens. Then the 28mm then the 105mm. Then my own B&W darkroom. I used that setup for years and years and learned a lot. Fast forward several decades into retirement. I love wildlife with added mix of landscape, travel, and creative. 67 years old. Olympus MFT was a no brainer, together with several of their pro level lenses. I do think you should have grouped MFT in with APS-C in your recommendations.
Thank you, subscribed!
i think it depends on the type of photography you enjoy… the prime lenses for wildlife photography will not be the same as street who will not be the same for portraits etc. that the beauty of interchangeable lens system, you can adapt it to your needs on the moment…
as a side note, i sold a gfx 50s to buy and om-3, portability and computational features wins over pure image quality (and my phase one with a very old leaf aptus ccd back blow away the fuji all day long) And i never enjoyed photography so much than with micro four thirds and light high quality lenses
For a hobbyist a prime lens? You have no idea about what a hobbyist needs. An universal camera with an universal lens. For example sony a7cr + sigma 20-200mm. Weight is about 1kg. camera size similar to an apsc camera.
What are your thoughts on this set up? Anything I could improve or switch out? I want professional grade equipment, and the only reason why I’m getting a lot of it all at once is because I’m moving out of the US to Albania or I won’t be able to get a lot of this very easily. Love the channel!
1. Canon R5 + 24-105mm f/4L Kit
2. Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro Prime
3. Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
While I’ll want to do some landscape since it’s such a beautiful county, I’m thinking I’m going to want to do a lot of street photography, liminal photography, and portraits of the main street dogs
My wide lens setup is 7artisen 6mm f2, ( its has beauty vingyating and 10 cm minimum forcusin distantance),
7artisen 10mm ii manual,
loawa 8 -15 mm (15 mm at underwater ),
sony 16 1.8 ( time laps , night scape) ,
vitrox 14 mm f4 ( 150 grams),
sigma 24 to 70 grab and go,
tamron 17 – 50( underwater use mostly) ,
Tamron 70 180 g2
Sony 200 600
am i using too much lense 😮
Great advice! You and your wife have some solid common sense and like I told her in another video it is refreshing to hear these days! I am a new subscriber!
Heres a Twist….M43 is a MUCH better investment than either APSC or FF. MUCH better.
I just started with a OM-5 and a 12-60 (24-120) F2.8. Like the advise of using it like a Prime…
There is a lot to be said for choosing a camera that you want to shoot. I have a Nikon Z9, but I want to shoot my Zf. One reviewer said the Sony A7V had better specs, but he wanted to pick up the Canon R6iii and shoot it.
Sorry you lost me in ten seconds. I actually did get a APsC camera for my first camera and it was a mistake. Get a cheap used canon 5d Markii or iii maybe d610 and call it a day stay in FULL FRAME ONLY. there are many reasons DR Delth of field low light performance also.
Full frame = more lens option
As a old fart, but long time nature photographer, I am pleased with my Nikon Z7Ii. For my needs, I don’t need the latest autofocus, although buying agin, I would want that. You made good recommendations for the newer photographer, but YouTubers seldom address the advanced amateurs. Manufactures push full frame and full frame lenses, while having a mediocre selection for APS-C. For that reason, I would buy full frame again. Yes, my 70-200 lens is huge and heavy. Sony has a great selection of lenses and Canon is not far behind. Nikon is slower to release lenses, but has a good selection.
I was very surprised by your recommendations for hobbyists. Today, on MPB, the sony a7 IV is cheaper than the sony a6700. If it was videography, perhaps the a6700 would make more sense for the 4k120, but for photography I would have thought that you do get a lot more with the a7iv for a slightly lower price. Same, when looking at the used market for the APS-C lenses you recommended, comparable full frame lenses seem similarly priced or even cheaper – at similar quality obviously. I'm only using Sony as an example, but I believe that the same observation applies to other brands (Nikon z5ii comes to mind).
Also, perhaps the genre of photography matters a bit in gear selection, doesn't it?
YADDA YADDA DO THIS- YADDA YADDA DO THAT!
I decide to document my kids growing up so I just press hard on the GAS peddle😂
Nikon Z5II ~$1600 it’s full frame, could probably be fine for either beginner pro or hobbyist and is cheaper than many aps-c cameras.
I started with an A7iii in 2018. That was a good choice, but I NOW shoot full frame and 35mm film. I have a Minolta Maxxum 7 and Maxxum 9 that I use with modern SSM lenses (which I adapt to my mirrorless camera). It's fun, but a little awkward. The Minolta bodies are getting old now (for electronic cameras), and they're not common at all.
So if I were starting again knowing my preferences, I'd go with Nikon.
I'd spurge on a D850 with two lenses: 24-70 f/2.8 and 85mm f1.4. this is what I use the most.
I'd pick up an F6 so I could shoot 35mm film. I'd also get a macro lens (mostly for film scanning).
I would only just now be looking at getting into mirrorless.
Cool video. I really appreciate that you distinguish between amateur and pro recommendations, its extremely important. A lot of channels often don't realize they're giving advice to people with very distinct needs.
I started out as a hobbiest last year as it happens, and the camera I paid for is an R7. I can happily confirm your advice is good, it's a phenomenal starter camera for the money, I've got incredible mileage out of it. You're choice of lenses are hard to argue with, but I'd point out that zoom lenses are fun and convenient, so given that we're talking about hobbiests, the Sigma 17-40 1.8 is a good alternative, if the buyer doesn't mind investing in an APS-C lens.
I use the tamron 35-150 2-2.8. It’s a do it all lens.
Heresy!! Apsc? Soon you’ll be saying MFT😂😂. I agree entirely after selling off my Z9 and Z8 kit. I retain my Sony FF for speed and dark events, but even there my MFT setup can compete if I want to do post production processing. Great advice to just get out and shoot – repetition is the mother of all learning
I aspire to be a professional motorsport photographer, but I also like to do street, portrait, concert/event and other sports photography. I also want to start making short films and maybe some motorsport cinematic videos.
I'm soon going to buy a Nikon Z5 II with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S. In a couple months, I'll also buy a Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 and a Tamron Z 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3.