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Affordable Gear Guide for New Photographers

I have been asked on several occasions, “What gear would I need to get started in fashion/beauty photography?”

That is really dependent on what kind of stuff you want to shoot, but what I will try to do here is give you a good base that will allow you to attack most challenges.

DSLR camera

An entry or intermediate level DSLR with at least 10 megapixels. You may also consider one of the older version Canon systems with 8 mega pixels as well. They are extremely capable cameras. They should have a hot shoe or sync X contact to allow for attaching either a sync module or dedicated flash (which I do not recommend). Some DSLR’s will have a dedicated sync port which is preferable.

Brands to consider that produce DSLR’s are Canon, Sony, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Sigma, and Leica. These brands all offer products that you can grow a system with. However, it should be noted that they all use slightly different sensor formats and the output quality will be affected by their pixel size. It should also be noted, that all of the current brands could be used to produce a professional looking quality output that easily outperform all film formats up to 6×6 Medium Format.

Lenses

I suggest the following. A reasonably good medium wide angle to medium telephoto lens i.e. 18-55, 17-50, 17-40, 16-50 type that will allow you to work in relatively tight spaces. A fixed focal length 50mm lens with an aperture of f1.8 or faster i.e. f1.4, 1.2. This will allow you to shoot in lower light conditions and makes a great all round fashion and beauty lens in the APSC format of DSLR’s. I would also recommend a reasonable macro lens, i.e. 100 mm or there about, for the occasional macro beauty shoots. Finally and this is for those who like shooting telephoto fashion, a 50-200, 70-300 or a variation of this type of medium telephoto to telephoto zoom lens.

Flash and light meter

A reasonably good flash/light meter like Sekonic, Gossen, Kenko and Polaris are some examples of what is available.

Two or three mono bloc studio flash units. Most will do the job. Most strobe kits come with strobe trigger devices that attach to the hot shoe of the camera. Some brands to consider are Alien Bee, Multiblitz, Balcar, Dynalite, Bowens, Elinchrom, Profoto, Dynasun, Lumedyne, Hensel, Broncolor, Photoflex, Speedotron and Norman are some examples of what is out there.

Continuous light

A couple of 500 watt halogen lights with barn door modifiers. Or a couple of tungsten Mandarine lights. You might also consider the “Faux” Kino Flo lights out there. In fact I just purchased 3 Two Bank Kino Flo’s.

Accessories

A couple of umbrella’s, a light box or two, a few 7″ bowls with honeycomb grid modifiers and a couple of snoots. If in a studio type space, a few Styrofoam 4′ x 8′ panels, seamless paper support stands and a few colors like white, gray, black and what ever else pleases your fancy.

Oh and a reasonably recent laptop with Photoshop or similar program for doing post-production work at least on a cursory level to commence with.

How much will this cost?

Well, without the strobes, you could get away with a reflector and the camera and kit lens for around $500-750. From the research I have done, you can get the whole system for around $2000-3000. A lot less than a lot of you probably thought.

With this gear, you will have enough to do pretty much anything that your imagination can throw at you. That will be the biggest challenge of all. Not being afraid to explore the infinite possibilities.

Have a ball!

This article is republished from Benjamin Kanarek’s blog: What gear would I need to get started in fashion/beauty photography?

Benjamin Kanarek

Benjamin Kanarek is an international fashion and beauty photographer. Ben is currently based in Paris, where he shoots for several of the International Editions of Harper's BAZAAR and VOGUE Magazines, and L’Officiel Paris etc. View more of his work at BenjaminKanarek.com and BenjaminKanarekBlog.com.

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16 Responses to “Affordable Gear Guide for New Photographers”

  1. February 27, 2012 at 10:02 am, abberation said:

    Very informative thanks…

    Reply

  2. February 20, 2012 at 5:27 am, Duke Richards said:

    A person may want to invest in a couple of different types of backdrops as well.

    Reply

  3. February 06, 2012 at 6:02 pm, Michael said:

    This site always makes me laugh….endless source of entertainment

    Reply

  4. February 05, 2012 at 5:44 pm, Anonymous said:

    You know even with film (still better dynamic range) a 35mm was not compared to medium format. If I recall you yourself also greatly enjoyed using a medium format digital during on of your shoots. Regardless most commercial work does not require the size enlargements that would push someone to a larger format. As for lighting, you know the sun does a rather amazing job…

    Too much gear and general F.U.D, perhaps you are just wanting to discourage new photographers…

    Reply

  5. February 05, 2012 at 3:42 pm, Demouraso said:

    More than equipment , I think key to success is creativity!,

    Reply

    • February 05, 2012 at 6:25 pm, Benjamin Kanarek said:

      Of Course…Always…The Gear is just just the vehicle.

      Reply

    • February 05, 2012 at 6:27 pm, Benjamin Kanarek said:

      PS..This article is called “What equipment for the beginner fashion/beauty photographer?” Not “The Philosophy of Creativity and How to Use it in this Field We call Fashion…”

      Reply

  6. February 04, 2012 at 8:38 pm, Kenm said:

    Shouldn’t one become proficient at basic photography and lighting techniques first before going into shooting fashion and beauty?

    Once a photographer has established his/her style and mastered the technical end of the craft, the choice of equipment should be moot . . . .

    Reply

    • February 06, 2012 at 5:13 pm, M. D. Vaden said:

      One can’t become proficient without the equipment. In a way, the article shows how to put the horse before the cart.

      I do not shoot fashion, but I would definitely like to hear first about gear suggestions.

      Reply

  7. February 04, 2012 at 2:28 pm, Stefano Brunesci said:

    Strictly speaking, a hand-held lightmeter is a luxury rather than an essential when shooting digital. Also, if you have strobes, the likelihood that you will need (or use) continuous lights as well in your first few years of shooting is remote.

    Just my $0.02

    Ciao
    Stefano

    http://www.stefanobrunesci.com

    Reply

  8. February 03, 2012 at 6:18 pm, Ken Yee said:

    Ben: FYI, Balcar croaked a few months ago. Someone on the MM forums mentioned it. I was disappointed…they made some interesting modifiers 😛
    Your lens list should also note that it’s for APS-C DSLRs. If you’re using FF, you won’t go that wide. I’m surprised you don’t recommend the Tamron 28-75 any more…it used to be your favorite 🙂

    Reply

  9. February 03, 2012 at 4:57 pm, FredBGG said:

    ” It should also be noted, that all of the current brands could be used to produce a professional looking quality output that easily outperform all film formats up to 6×6 Medium Format.”

    While 35mm DSLR will produce excellent images they won’t the same rich tonalities and far better blacks and highlights of film. Also the optical look of medium format lenses is nicer than what you will get with 35mm DSLR lenses, especially when used on crop 35mm DSLR cameras.

    That said I agree that a entry level DSLR is a good way to start.

    A great combination is a mid level DSLR and a high end used medium format film camera. 6×7 or 6×8. Both will produce different looks and be more empowering that a single very expensive high end DSLR or entry level MF Digtal camera.

    Reply

  10. February 03, 2012 at 6:47 am, Julian Wilde said:

    And to get ya thru the Really Tough spots: a sense of humour. 😉

    Reply

  11. February 02, 2012 at 11:02 pm, Billshootspeople said:

    Pretty standard stuff… but I would say to most starting out, check out craigslist and look for good used equipment. Unless you are earning dollars you want to save??

    Reply

    • February 05, 2012 at 3:10 am, Sweet Annie Marie said:

      Yeah! I photographer I shot with recently got a great deal on a box light on craigslist. Always check the used market first if you are new to the genre.

      Reply

  12. February 02, 2012 at 10:36 pm, Info said:

    Wow Ben, that is quite a list… I don’t have a third of stuff on your starter list… I am shooting with $150 3-light kit from ebay 🙂

    Reply

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