Event Photography Tips on Buying Gear

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Buying Photography Gear (from the complete guide)

Camera Bodies

Camera bodies are depreciating assets. If you are still early in the learning phase, by the time you are able to fully utilize your camera, it will have lost significant value and there will be better options out there with more modern tech.

My advice would be to buy last generation’s model of whatever camera you’re interested in, either new or used. Most depreciation in cameras occur right away and then have a very large reduction in price once a new version comes out. After that they somewhat level off again.

Use the money you save to start building your lens collection. Remember lenses make images more so than cameras. Additionally, unlike cameras, lenses hardly depreciate in value.

Which Lenses to Buy

This is simple. The first lens you should buy is a 24-70mm lens. This lens will give you a somewhat wide to somewhat zoomed in field of view. The second lens you should buy is a 70-200mm, which is essential for a lot of different types of event photography- especially when you are required to photograph a speaker on stage for example.

Please note that when shooting with those lenses on a cropped frame camera body, those focal lengths will have the field of view of a 36-105 and 105-300 and may not be as suitable if you need a very wide field of view.

The next lens I recommend getting would be on the wide end. I personally use a 17-40mm f4 lens when I need to get wider than 24mm. Better lenses are made with wider apertures, but I rarely need something so wider than 24mm. When I do, I am typically photographing larger groups or wide “establishing shots” which require narrower apertures to properly get everyone or most things in focus. When making lens choices, remember that you're building a photography business and therefore it is helpful to think of purchases as business expenses in which cost vs benefit should be weighed. Personally I would estimate that my 17-40mm lens is on my camera less than 5% of the time. It is still a necessary lens for what I do, but not worth upgrading. I used to have a fisheye lens. Take a guess how often I used that and why I sold it.

Memory Cards

You can save money by not buying memory cards with larger storage capacities. Two 32 gig cards for example typically cost far less than one 64 gig card. But be sure to buy quality memory cards with fast read / write speeds. Do the research and make sure to buy the fastest memory cards recommended for your camera by it’s manufacturer. This will make a difference. Buying higher specced cards than what’s recommended may not make a difference. It would be like putting premium gas in a car not designed for it.

Flash

When I started as a photographer there was no viable alternative to a Canon branded flash. It was essentially a two horse race then, with Nikon as Canon’s only competition. But since then, off brand manufacturers have closed the gap in the quality of their flashes for a fraction of the cost. Canon’s latest flagship flash the 600EX II-RT goes for $579 at full price. Meanwhile the Yongnuo YN600 RT-II comes in at $121. It’s essentially a Canon clone (It’s even named similarly. Don’t ask me how that’s legal), and costs less than a fourth the price.

Personally, I own two Canon flashes, but Would not have a problem with purchasing a third party flash as another backup at some point.

I have been a professional event photographer and photography teacher for 10 years. Follow the links below to see my work.

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[JB_Hobbies]

So refreshing to see someone who isn’t pushing the fastest newest and most expensive gear or bust.

[tobidada]

I get a lot of value from your videos. Event photography is niche few channels focus on. I wish you great success man!

[lukakoprivica]

Agree on all of the above... Thanks for sharing!

[jpmissmo]

Truly grateful I stumbled upon your channel. Very genuine and insightful. Keep at it! Subbed! Gonna be doing my very first event this Sunday. Excited but nervous.

[paulchin]

Thanks for sharing Mik! Great content. I just got my first FF body: 6D2 (upgrade from 80D). Good to know I made the right decision to invest in the two most important lens: 24-70mm + 70-200mm. During event, the 24-70mm will be on my 6D2 body while the 70-200mm will be on my 80D body. :)

[Lensandwheels_]

Pls share your opinion on event photography with a crop sensor camera

[thorsrensen]

I have an 28-70 Nikon lens I am not sure it will do, the work but the 24-70 f2.8 is so ekspensive.

[douglasbarnes]

Good stuff as usual, Mik! Great advise on focal lengths, etc, for full frame (zooms for function, primes for ‘beauty’). The only lens I would add is a fisheye or super wide angle for those ‘big party’ establishing shots. Also, maybe a discussion about full frame vs cropped sensor and whether (heavy, overkill) full frame is needed for events (I haven’t used a full frame for this purpose in years). Thanks again!

[saraventura]

I love how you just get into the video...

[ariportnoi]

Great video, very informative and one can tell you're really out there to help those getting started, so thanks for all your effort you put in and I hope you receive as much as and even more than what you give to help other photographers.

A quick question after reading some other comments...as a crop sensor owner who wants to start with events, and lowish budget, I'm not sure how to "translate" these two lenses to suit aps-c and what lengths to focus on more. You mentioned in reply to a comment that you were considering releasing a full frame vs crop sensor video but I haven't yet seen one. So in short, for aps-c do you recommend the same lenses or not? And if not which lenses? Currently have a 50mm f1.8 (which essentially acts as 85mm), 105mm (approx 170mm) macro and a kit lens. Would really appreciate the advice!

[ericgrayphoto]

I usually shoot with my 24-105 f4 for step and repeats as well as event candids. I also have a 70-200 f2.8 for concerts. I’m THINKING about moving to the new R5 when it comes out (if it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg) and RF glass. My question is if I moved to the 24-70 f2.8 instead of the 24-105 f4, do you think I would miss the convenience of the extra mm or appreciate the extra stop of light from the f2.8 more?

[mlphotography]

I was shooting with the Canon 60D for the longest, just recently decided to upgrade to a Canon EOS R for the full frame experience. I dont have any L or RF lenes but I am I dont need any right now but it is a goal for me to save up and get a good RF lens.

[samuelkoesling]

Hey man! Just came across your YouTube. I appreciate all the honesty in all of your videos.

I shoot film 35mm. I was wondering what your thoughts are between the 24-70 2.8 version I versus version II? Or even the tamron? I’m a fashion photographer and just sold my 70-200. Not sure how the 24-70 version compares to version 2 in film tho? Any images you could share taken on film with that lens? Thanks!

[lindaallen]

Thank You for starting out with "Don't overemphasize gear, use what you've got!" I shoot with Nikon D750 (love this camera) and have 24-120mm f/4 and 50mm f/1.4 lenses and a Nikon SB910 Flash. I really do want the f/2.8 lenses and they are on my "To Buy List". I am using what I have and will make purchases as the funds become available.


What are your thoughts on a Macro Lens for detail/close-up shots? Do you use a Macro Lens for these type of shots or 24-70 or 70-200 lens? As always, great content!!!

[whatsmineandyours]

Very valuable info Mik. When it comes to 24-70mm, I am debating between Nikon 24-70mm and Nikon 24-70mm VR. The other debate is between Nikon 24-70mm and Nikon 17-55 for event and birthday photography. Please advise.

[standardkonstruktor]

Hi Mik! I was wondering what you use to transport your gear?

[nitablackwood]

Yeah everyone told me not to use my two xt1s for events and family portraits because they don't have dual card slots. Thinking about selling one and picking up a xt2

[alexdjackson]

What do you think about the 28-70 f2 for events vs 24-70

[donteventrip]

Have a crop sensor looking at the 17-50 for indoor boxing events/ music video.
What do you think?
Thanx in advance for the feedback.

[wanneske]

The Canon 135 mm f2 is amazing but I need very short shutterspeeds with it (1/320th or shorter) as t doesn't have stabilisation.