My Favorite Photography Essentials (That I Actually Stand By and My Honest Option)
Photography is one of those passions where your gear can really make a difference. I have discovered that some of the items I have bought can vary in price range, some items more expensive than others, but like I have been told over and over again, is you get what you pay for, and when it comes to photography equipment that term in my eyes was not something I wanted to take lightly, only because I wanted to have the best equipment that would be the most effective. I didn’t get all of these items at once either, I had to save up my money in order to really develop my collection for my photography startup. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few gems that genuinely helped improve my work and have made the whole process smoother and more enjoyable.
Here are some of my favorite photography-related purchases that I still love and continue to use to this very day:
1. My Camera
I had been looking for an upgrade for some time, when I heard about Sony cameras and saw how well they delivered based on the overall quality of the camera and the photos it could take. I also knew that Nikon was a really great camera as well and it too takes amazing pictures. I read the reviews of both, obviously there were pros and cons to both cameras. When it came down do it, I decided Sony was the better option of me, mainly based on the price of Nikon camera equipment, which can be pretty expensive in my option when I am a starting photographer and wanting to purchase a few lenses, because obviously lenses typically don’t come with your camera and are an additional expense. Sony camera equipment was like half the price of some of the Nikon equipment that I was wanting to purchase, and I was more opted to try Sony first and maybe later add Nikon into my collection of camera equipment, once I get a bit more seasoned in photography skills. Purchasing the Sony a9 camera was definitely an upgrade from my Canon Rebel T6, and I am very impressed with the pictures it takes. I would say this camera is not for beginners, but more for those that are in the realm of intermediate and professional photographers. Overall, I am very happy with my choice of camera, and it has not let me down…yet knock on wood! I would definitely recommend this camera if you are looking to upgrade your camera to something that is a bit higher tech.
Sony a9 Full Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera (Body Only) (ILCE9/B),Black
2. My Go-To Tripod
I didn’t realize how much I needed a tripod and boy it has been a game changer, especially when it came to my telephoto lenses, which can be on the heavy side and holding them for longer periods of time can lead to arm fatigue and increased camera shake. The one I bought is lightweight, sturdy, and folds up nicely and came with its own storage bag. It has worked well for me for both indoor and outdoor shoots. Definitely a great and much needed investment. Hands down recommend this tripod.
Carbon Fiber Tripod-INNOREL RT75C Super Professional Tripod Monopod Heavy Duty Stand Support Low Gravity Center 360°Panoramic ballhead for Digital DSLR Camera Black
3. Silicone Pump Dust Cleaner With Microfiber Cloth
An important task you should be doing before and after you take your pictures is to clean your lenses and sensors in order to achieve sharp and clear shots. Use this pump dust cleaner with some microfiber cloths and it will save you countless hours of editing out dust spots in your photos. Before I bought this handy little tool some of my pictures were definitely showing the dust spots even when I was careful to put the lens cover on my lens after use. But after using this cleaning tool, it has made a big difference.
Soft Tip Silicone Super Air Blower Blaster Pump Dust Cleaner Include Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth, Bulb Blower for Digital SLR Lens Sensor LCD Screens Musical Instruments Keyboards Telescope Filters
4. Flash
When you upgrade to the more intermediate to professional cameras everything costs extra. Just like the different lenses, you may also need to buy a flash. Actually, you will eventually need a flash in order to obtain a certain shot in a specific lighting. Unfortunately, not just the shutter speed, aperture and other settings are going to do the job for you, you may need an extra boost. I went with a flash that was specific to my camera, and it has made a big deal when trying to shoot low light pictures. It is very bright and there are multiple settings to adjust the brightness which is nice depending upon the setting you are in when you go to take your pictures.
Sony HVLF60M Flash for Alpha Cameras (Black)
5. Camera Backpack
This comfortable and durable backpack has just the right room for your camera, lenses, and etcetera. Also, this backpack has compartments that you can adjust to your liking. I love that I have a backpack where I can organize and transport my camera essentials. You also have the option to choose the size of backpack you want, and it comes in a few different colors! I chose the Black and Purple because Purple is my favorite color!
G-raphy Camera Bag with Rain Cover Small Type for DSLR Cameras, Lenses, Tripod and Accessories (Purple, Small)
6. SD Card
You always have to have a ton of these on you at all times, never going to know when you're eventually going to run out of space. I try to buy ones with a higher GB. This one specifically is my go-to the 128GB SanDisk Ultra and it holds a lot of storage. Definitely recommend this one, if it is compatible with your camera, which I believe it is compatible with most cameras out there.
SanDisk 128GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - Up to 140MB/s, C10, U1, Full HD, SD Card - SDSDUNB-128G-GN6IN
7. Flash Drive
This leads me to another storage device “The Flash Drive” that you will definitely want a few on hand to save your pictures and/or free up space on an SD Card. This will come in handy as well when you edit your photos. It is a great way to organize your pictures and safely save them so they don’t accidentally get deleted. A couple of my favorites are the SanDisk Cruzer Glide 256GB and the Samsung Bar Plus 256GB. Both are very easy to install on your computer and have a ton of storage space.
SanDisk Cruzer Glide 256GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive -SDCZ600-256G-G35
SAMSUNG BAR Plus 256GB - 400MB/s USB 3.1 Flash Drive Champagne Silver (MUF-256BE3/AM)
8. Lenses
Okay, let’s talk lenses. There are many options out there and meant for different purposes and the type of photography you are trying to achieve. I did my research and watched countless videos on what were the best and most versatile Sony lenses. I already knew that I wanted a few different options and was prepared to pay the price. Below I have a list of the lenses I currently own and love. These are definitely great lenses to add to your collection of photography essentials. Although, all of mine are for the Sony cameras, you may be able to find lenses similar that go with your specific camera.
My Favorite and Go-To Lens: Sony SEL90M28G FE 90mm f/2.8-22 Macro G OSS Standard-Prime Lens for Mirrorless Cameras.
Absolutely love this lens. Even though it is a Macro lens it also is great if you are wanting to take standard pictures and portraits.
The Second Lens I Purchased: Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS Super Telephoto Zoom Lens (SEL200600G)
This lens has definitely helped me get some shots from afar. Such as some of my Bald Eagle shots. I wanted a telephoto lens that could reach a long way away and this one does the job!
These next two lenses I purchased later on. I actually saw these on various social media platforms. Professional photographers posted some videos of lenses they recommend and if they only were able to purchase one lens, these two came up, they described them as the most versatile of the lenses in their lens collection, and I have to agree with them too, like the Macro lens I always use, are wonderful when it comes to standard photography. These are definitely a recommendation in my list as I feel these would be excellent lenses to start out with if you are unsure of the kind of photography you want to pursue or if you are just testing the waters. Without further udo, I introduce you to…
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens Black
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
The last two lenses I would like to talk about are smaller telephoto lenses I decided to get, again based off social media photographers. Even though these may be small they still pack a punch, can reach great lengths and lighter in weight than the 200-600mm telephoto I talked about before. That was exactly what I was looking for, for my next telephoto lens and have been very happy with my purchases. These definitely don’t disappoint, so, here they are!
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Full-Frame Constant-Aperture telephoto Zoom G Master Lens (SEL70200GM2) White
Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5–5.6 GM OSS White
Lenses are an investment, but getting the right one(s) (even if it’s just one or two in the beginning) can seriously level up your photography. Remember, I didn’t buy all my lenses at once, and you don’t need to either. Make sure to buy a couple in the beginning that you really want to try, I would suggest one of the two is a versatile lens that works well with your everyday standard photography. Overall, I love every lens I have purchased, no regrets at all.
9. Battery Pack
Lastly, but certainly not least, let’s talk about battery packs. Actually, I really don’t have much to say other than you should also have a few of these on hand, charged and ready to go. You don’t want to be in the middle of a great photoshoot, taking pictures of your pets or outdoors taking pictures of awesome landscapes and nature and run out of battery, YIKES! So do yourself a solid and go buy a couple to stash in your camera bag. I get it, they are a spendy investment, but I learned the hard way when I was taking some nature shots and all of a sudden, my camera screamed low battery, and I did not have another battery to take its place. You live and you learn. The one below is the one for most Sony cameras and the one I use in my camera.
Sony NPFZ100 Z-series Rechargeable Battery Pack for Alpha A7 III, A7R III, A9 Digital Cameras black
Every photographer has their own workflow and style, but these tools have made my life a whole lot easier—and helped me focus more on having fun taking pictures and less worry on the what ifs. If you’re building or upgrading your own photography collection or just looking for a few helpful extras to add to your camera bag, I definitely recommend checking these out. Remember starting out as a beginning photographer purchase what is needed most then add more essentials here and there. Eventually you will have accumulated a ton of photography equipment that you will be able to achieve just about anything…well photography wise anyway!
Cheers!
Vanessa
Note: This journal entry contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission (no cost to you) if you make a purchase through one of these links. I only recommend products I truly love and use myself.
