As I have previously mentioned on my website, "Every Artist Needs The Right Gear". It is true, we do need the right gear to enable our creativity to be seen by others. However, it is important to remember that having the right gear doesn't make you an artist. You still need to use your creative imagination with a hint of your own personal technique. Your personal technique is the most challenging part of the entire game, as this is what sets you apart from everyone else. We can leave that for another day but having the right gear puts photographers in a good stance to create the best images possible under all kinds of conditions. I thought it was pretty cool to go through my go to gear when I am out in the field doing what I love.
Camera Bodies
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
The Canon 5D mark IV was release in 2016 and is still to this day one the most popular cameras out there on the market. The 5D Mark IV carries a new 30.4 Megapixel full-frame sensor, a 61-point autofocus system, shoots up to 7 frames per second at a maximum ISO of 32,000. The high ISO range on this camera is incredible making photography perform on a completely different level in low light conditions whilst having minimal effect on image grain. The other really cool feature that I like about this camera is that it has dual card slots: one for CF cards and one SD cards. This is most convenient for long events such as weddings when you need that extra space or just incase when the unbelievable happens and there is card failure, you still have the option of using the second card as a back up.
Canon EOS 6D Mark II
The Canon 6D Mark II is a great first full-frame camera due to its value for money in relation to its high tech features. This camera body features a 26.2 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, shooting at a 6.5 frames per second with a maximum ISO of 40,000 designed to create high-resolution and detailed images. It has a 45-point autofocus system which is terrific, both for static and moving subjects. This is also useful when attempting to lock onto focus in tricky low light conditions. One of the biggest biggest enhancements with this model is the the vari-angle touch screen is an additional great feature for getting those low and high angled shots.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L telephoto lens is a popular choice in many industries such as weddings, sports and wildlife photography.
This beast of a lens has a whopping 23 elements in 19 groups are made of high-grade glass with one fluorite element and five ultra-low dispersion glass elements. The precise construction, the high grade materials used and the high aperture capable of this lens allows the crystal clear results for even when subjects that potentially far away. Just make sure those shutter speeds are cranked up a notch.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 is one of the most favorited lenses in the wedding industry for photographers due to its versatile range of focal lengths. Having the ability to shoot both wide, zoom and everything in between is perfect for a fast pace environment when the time you have to change lenses is often limited. Even when the lens is at it maximum focal length, the results are still very sharp. This lens has rapid auto focus due to Canon’s ultrasonic motor that is very fast and quiet allowing for stealthier shooting. The high aperture rating will make it so much easier shooting in darker environments where using a flash lighting is prohibited which is not unheard of in certain venues.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM
The EF 50mm f/1.2L is one of Canons high end prime lenses. This is a great choice especially for portrait or wedding photographers. The focal length is right in-between Canons other popular prime lenses, the 35mm and 85mm lens, which in my mind is a perfect sweet spot. The image quality is superb due to the lens featuring ultra-large aperture for a narrow depth of field which gives those softer background blurs. The lens is pretty solid due to its compact yet durable design and weighing at 1.2lbs making it easy to use, store and travel with. This 50mm f/1.2 lens consistently delivers all the superb image resolution and contrast you expect from a high end prime.
"Photographers are equipped with a versatile set of high grade camera gear to ensure that they are always prepared and ready for whatever the challenge may lie ahead, with the goal of creating the highest quality images possible." - Joel Gray
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