A Beginner Photojournalist’s equipment buying guide
Ashley, a dear friend and former colleague recently asked me what I could suggest to her as the best, most economical camera equipment to buy as a basic starter base to be a beginning photojournalist.
Hopefully she won’t mind me also sharing my thoughts on this with the rest of you all—since I’m figuring somebody else could probably also find this helpful.
And as always, if you have any suggestions to add or disagree with any of my choices, let us all know!
BUDGET = $1500
That budget is the ceiling of our budget—which is not a lot. It also immediately limit us down to a “prosumer” level of digital SLR cameras…..assuming the beginning photojournalist agrees that they want to get a SLR and not a fancy point-and-shoot camera. Other assumptions are that a computer is already available to the photog, as well as the necessary computer software and post-processing accessories like memory card readers. For simplicity and uniformity, all the equipment I’ve listed are from B&H.
BODIES:
1.) [$986.95]
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (a.k.a. 350D) 8.0 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera (Black) with Canon 17-85mm EF-S IS USM Lens
Normally I wouldn’t recommend buying a body+lens package, but this is a really pretty good deal. And, even though the lens is a variable f/4-5.6, it does have Canon’s great image stabilizer and Canon’s great USM silent motor—so it’ll be fast enough. This is definitely not a cheapo starter lens that’s packaged.
2.) [$999.95]
Canon EOS 30D, 8.2 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera (Camera Body)
This would be what I would pick if I was the photographer. The 30D is canon’s best budget SLR in that its a better build quality than its Rebel line, but still economical enough. It can also suffice as a beginner’s sports shooter, with an acceptable shutter, so best all-around body.
3.) [$622.95]
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (a.k.a. 400D) 10.1 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera Body (Black)
This is what I would recommend if you really want a dirt-cheap shooter and spend more money on lens and accessories. However, the body is also the newer/better replacement model to the 350D, so it maybe a smarter choice if that was the comparison.
4.) [$685.95]
Nikon D40x, 10.2 Megapixel, SLR, Digital Camera with SanDisk 2GB Ultra II Secure Digital (SD) Card
Yes Nikon switched to using SD cards for their budget SLRs. No idea why… I guess SD cards are becoming more mainstream… With this deal you get a card bundled with the camera. I personally still think CF memory cards are more reliable, not to mention larger capacity and faster transfer rates…..but if you must get a Nikon body, you’ll now have to switch to SD cards.
5.) [$924.95]
Nikon D80, 10.2 Megapixel, SLR Digital Camera with SanDisk 2GB Ultra II Secure Digital (SD) Card
This is comparable to the Canon 30D. And again the deal gives you a SD card.
6.) [$1124.95]
Nikon D80, 10.2 Megapixel, SLR Digital Camera with Nikon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5D IF Zoom Nikkor Autofocus Lens
This is a package with a decent lens, like the Canon package. However this lens isn’t really wide enough, so I’d suggest also buying a wide angle.
LENSES:
If you buy a camera body package above that bundles a lens, you probably don’t need to buy an additional one unless you want.
1.) [$389.00]
Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
This is a decent lens that’s also affordable. Good value and will get the job done as your first lens.
2.) [$419.00]
Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro Autofocus Lens for Canon Digital EOS
This is the lens I’d buy if I got a Canon body…. Its a true f/2.8 piece of glass so you’ll get fastest results in lowest light.
3.) [679.00]
Sigma Zoom Normal-Telephoto 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM Autofocus Lens for Canon Digital EOS
This is a good lens to buy I you do get a bundled lens with the body you buy. That way you’ll have two lenses, one wide zoom, one telephoto zoom. Perfect!
4.) [$74.95]
Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens
This is a no brainer. It is an absolute must-have lens! Cheap and the best fixed length in photography. You’ll love it!
5.) [$104.95]
Nikon Normal AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Autofocus Lens
This is the Nikon equivalent of the Canon 50mm lens. Buy this for sure if you get a Nikon body.
6.) [$129.00]
Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 28-70mm f/2.8-4 DG Compact High Speed Zoom Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF
Wow, lenses for Nikon are much cheaper than Canon’s! This is another good choice.
7.) [$299.00]
Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF
This is a nice wide angle that is affordable.
8.) [$329.00]
Sigma Zoom Wide Angle-Telephoto 28-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF-D
This is a great value and the range is very useful. I’d want to get a wider angle second lens though….
BAGS:
Buying bags for your cameras is like trying to buy clothes for yourself. There are just so many choices!
So instead of giving you a million choices, here’s the one and only bag I’d recommend because its what I’d buy:
ACCESSORIES:
1.) [$26.95]
Sandisk 1GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card
Why buy only 1GB CF memory cards? Because you can afford to buy a couple of them. That way you can have backups when you shoot cuz you never want to depend on having only one card. Plus, as a beginner, you probably won’t need the hundreds of frames you’d get out of larger capacity cards.
2.) [$23.95]
Sandisk 1GB Ultra II Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card
This is what you’d need if you got one of the Nikon cameras, because they all use SD memory cards instead of CompactFlash.
3.) [$112.95]
Bogen/Manfrotto 725B Digi Black Tripod with Ballhead (Quick Release) - Supports 7.7 lb (3.5 kg)
Yes a tripod does come handy. You can get more creative with your photography…especially at night. This is a good value. And you can’t go wrong with Manfrotto. They’re the best.
4.) [$89.95]
Sunpak Auto 433 AF TTL Shoe Mount Flash (Guide No. 120′/37 m at 35mm)
Built-in camera flashes are for amateurs. As a beginning professional, you’ll want a dedicated flash unit. This is a cheap one that’ll do the job.