Camera
Right now, I’m using the Sony A7RV, which I upgraded to from the A7IV. Before that, I had the A7C, and I even started out taking photos with my iPhone.
Amazon links to the gear above:
- Sony A7RV (Amazon) (Current)
These are the cameras I can personally vouch for because I’ve used them myself. I’ve only ever known the Sony brand, so when people ask for recommendations, I typically mention these models or the Sony A6000 series, which I've heard great things about as a solid option for beginners.
Lenses
For the first few months of my photography journey, I used the kit lens that came with the A7C. If your new camera comes with one, I definitely recommend giving it a try. It’s a great way to learn its strengths and weaknesses. Here are some questions to help you figure out what your next lens should be:
- Does it focus quickly enough for your needs?
- Is it sharp enough for your style?
- Is it too heavy to carry around all day?
- Would image stabilization benefit your work?
- Does it fit the type of photography you want to do?
- What focal range do you find yourself using the most?
- Do you need a low aperture to let in more light?
- Is it financially sensible for you?
Over the years, I’ve realized that lens weight is a big factor for me. Sure, optical clarity and image quality are important, but if a lens is too heavy to carry, you might end up leaving it at home. For me, product photography means I use a tripod for about 90% of my work, so weight isn’t a huge issue. However, when I take my camera out for street and landscape photography, that weight definitely matters!
Lights
- Amaran 200x Continuous light
- Godox AD200 Pro Flash
I started my photography journey using just the lights in my room, but that only took me so far. Once I got my first pro camera, I decided to grab a pair of affordable softbox lights from Amazon, and they completely transformed my photos. Having some control over the light made a world of difference in my work!
Eventually, I made the switch to flash and strobe lighting, and I haven’t looked back. I still use continuous lighting from time to time, but I find myself reaching for flash about 9 out of 10 times. I’d recommend starting with continuous lighting to get the hang of things—it’s a lot easier to pick up than flash or strobe lighting at first.