Budget Photography Gear
This isn’t your average page filled with expensive camera gear. If you want one of those, head back over to Google and I am sure you can find hundreds of sites ready to tell you that you need to spend thousands of dollars on camera equipment in order to create good photos. I am going to tell you right now that you can create INCREDIBLE images with inexpensive (relatively) equipment.
I have spent thousands of hours researching and testing photography gear for beginners and hobbyists. I fully understand that a beginner or hobbyist needs to get the very best camera gear that can be had for a reasonable price. I have done this long enough I can confidently stand behind all of the gear I recommend here as having tremendous value for a very reasonable price.
Not only is this the inexpensive (relatively) gear that you are going to need as you grow as a photographer, I have listed it in the order you should consider when you are ready to invest further. Sort of a plan for you on how to get started and how to balance out learning/training with investment in gear.
The cool thing is not only can you find the best gear for hobbyists and beginners here, but you can listen to podcast episodes about them as well! Check out the links on this page (to the right on a computer or scroll down on the page on mobile). If you decide you want to get the same gear I am using and you use the Amazon affiliate links I am providing then it won’t cost you anything and you will support me and this website.
Priority 1: Solid Camera Body
You have to start off with a camera body. The wonderful thing is that it is nearly impossible to buy a “bad” camera these days. Even entry level consumer digital cameras are very capable at a reasonable price.
Priority 2: First “Good” Lens
Your camera probably came in a kit with a lens. You can do a lot with that “kit” lens, but this inexpensive lens is one you should plan to add to your bag pretty quickly.
Priority 3: Photo Editing Software
You need to learn how to process your images on the computer. Half of creating a great image is knowing how to use your camera and the other half is knowing how to process that image on the computer.
Priority 4: First “Good” Tripod
Like that lens that came with your camera, you probably got a tripod in the kit as well. Regardless of the brand, I promise you it isn’t good enough. Still, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get a good one.
Priority 5: Next Three Lenses
Now things are getting serious. You are tempted to upgrade your camera body. DON’T DO IT! At least not until you have upgraded your glass. These lenses will do more to improve your image quality than a new camera body.
Priority 6: Flash Kit
Next to training and good lenses, flash is the best way to significantly improve your portraits. Like everything in photography you can spend a lot of money on flash equipment, but there are some really good and inexpensive options.
Priority 7: Flash Modifiers
You have to start off with a camera body. The wonderful thing is that it is nearly impossible to buy a “bad” camera these days. Even entry level consumer digital cameras are very capable at a reasonable price.
Priority 8: First “Good” Ball Head
Unless you went all in with that first tripod and bought something that included a really good ball head, at this point you need replace it. You will want an L-bracket too.
Priority 9: Upgraded Flash Kit
Remember how I told you that you had to invest the time and money to learn flash as a portrait photography? Remember how much better your images became? It can get even better and the cost doesn’t have to be outrageous.
