This is a question that I think every blogger is constantly searching for or asking their friends about – especially in the beginning and I’ll preface this blog post by saying the best Camera and Lens is the one you use, consistently.
That’s right folks – there are influencers making $$$ off of their iPhone (or Pixel) and there are bloggers making zip with a Canon 1D X Mark II.
Over the years, both DSLR’s and Mirrorless cameras have grown in popularity (definitely because of social media) and there are pros and cons for both! Just an FYI, a Mirrorless Camera is defined as “An interchangeable lens camera is a digital camera that has a lens mount like a conventional single-lens reflex camera, but uses a digital display system rather than an optical mirror and optical viewfinder.” The two biggest pros for Mirrorless cameras are definitely the price and the size. Hands down, if you’ve held a DSLR for longer than 30 mins, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
I’ve owned a traditional DSLR (Canon T4i) for several years until I recently sold it and this was purely because of size. Frankly, I can’t travel, go to the mall or up the street and throw that camera in my handbag and I wanted to invest in more lenses for my Mirrorless device, the Sony a5100. As well as, begin saving for my dream camera – this one right here.
I think the best Cameras for Bloggers are Intermediate/Advanced DSLR’s and Mirrorless devices. Ultimately, like mentioned above – the best camera is the one you use consistently! Many photographers would also say that, you shouldn’t upgrade your equipment until you have outgrown your current one (even if that includes your cellphone).
As I mentioned earlier, are there Full-time Bloggers/Social Influencers that are using their iPhone or Pixel or Android for their content? Absolutely. I stand by the phrase, “Do the best with what you have, right now”.. you are far, FAAAAAAAAR better off creating consistently and constantly to acquire more skills before you invest 4 figures in new equipment.
We have not even begun to discuss, editing – which quite frankly is almost everything nowadays. What you can create on Lightroom, Photoshop is quite lovely and can really take your picture from 0-100 in a couple of seconds and truth be told, give you a unique point of view and make your pictures much more enticing and interesting.
I love a great shot, the use of shapes and composition more than anyone – but a good edit draws me in and hard! I low key cringe when I see pictures that I know are from a kit lens with no lighting/edit tweaks – it honestly looks SO bland. Would the average person notice? Maybe not. But if you’re trying to build a business and be competitive.. you have to be competitive – it’s simple facts.
…But before I go on a tangent – let’s get into the main show… the LENS!
I’m going to reference Canon and Sony lenses specifically because that’s what I have experience in. Feel free to research the Lens equivalent for your preferred brand.
The Canon 50mm f/1.8 Lens – This is THE lens to buy when you’re just starting out. Everyone has it and for good reason! First off, it’s inexpensive when it comes to lenses, you get the blurred aka bokeh background and this can handle most OOTD’s or at least from the waist up. It’s also incredibly light and easy to move around with.
THE UPGRADES: The upgrade to this lens would be the Canon 50mm f/1.4 or if you’re really looking to splurge the Canon 50mm f/1.2. You’ll notice that the lens size remains same and what is changing is the F-Stop. The smaller the F-stop, generally the more expensive the lens and obviously added benefits. Of the above mentioned lenses, the F/1.2 would give you the highest quality image, both in clarity and bokeh.
The Canon 85mm f/1.8 Lens is another portrait lens, like the 50mm measured above. I rented this on a whim once at Vistek and FELL IN LOVE. I reeeeeeeeally enjoy the 85mm and the major reason for that is that this lens produces a better OOTD for me. I get more of my body/outfit in this shot and overall I just found that my pictures just looked better. Sometimes it doesn’t come down to a science or a number for me, it’s just a gut reaction when I see images – you know?
THE UPGRADES: Same as above, the upgrades would be the 85mm f/1.4 and the 85mm f/1.2 – I’ve never rented either of the two but I can only imagine. An outfit pic on a a 85mm F/1.2?!? – HOLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! #EquipmentGoals
My final recommendation for a Canon DSLR/Sony Mirrorless would be the Canon EF 70-200mm Telephoto Lens and the Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 Lens. Now in the grand scheme of things, this may surprise some (or a lot) of people. Typically when you think of Telephoto lenses or when you look at them, you imagine travel pictures and not someone standing against a clean wall or in the midst of the city.
BUT – You absolutely should change your mind about that. The range on this lens is gorge and allows you to get the most out of your images. Frankly, beautiful and iconic images have been created with FAR less than what we have today. So when someone says composition is key, (natural) lighting is everything, the rule of thirds – they are absolutely correct.
…but before I divert – back to this beauty of a lens! It allows you to capture not only your entire outfit BUT the scenery as well. Now this may or may not interest you and when I was starting out – it wouldn’t have interested me either. But it’s important that if you’re going to take this seriously and are committed to building a business, that you are constantly honestly evaluating the critical aspects of your content – photography being at the top of your list. As I’ve begun to move beyond me just standing against a wall (nothing wrong with it, it still works and I still do it). I’ve begun to look at the overall image and package that I’m delivering, so this type of lens has rose to the top of my wishlist. Here’s an example of pictures taken with the Canon Lens – gorge right?!
This blogpost was slightly lengthy but I hope you enjoyed it! Of course, if you want to keep the conversation going or have any questions – hit me up on Instagram or via e-mail!
ps. Forgive me for any and all grammatical/syntax/spelling errors – I’m quite sleepy 🙂
xxxxxxxo.
