How should a photography student choose a camera and lenses for future professional work?
Asked 2/6/2012
3 views
2 answers
0
I’m studying photography and want to buy a camera that can serve me now and still be useful if I start working professionally after graduation. My interests are general photography, especially fine art and macro/close-up work.
What specifications and features should I prioritize in a camera body and lenses? I’m looking for guidance on things like durability, exposure controls, color/image quality, and any features that become important for professional use even if I don’t need them immediately.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
9
You may notice that all professionals do not use the same camera and lens. There are different models for different reasons and that means you have to get clear as to the type of professional photography you are going towards.
Any medium-to-high end model will certainly last for a few years. Good lenses last much longer and the good news is that you do not have to buy all your lenses at once.
For macro work, an advanced DSLR and high-reproduction ratio lens is must. Canon has a unique MP-E 65mm F/2.8 which is spectacular for very close macros. To use that one you need a full-fame body like a Canon 1D X, 1Ds Mark III or 5D Mark II. The higher end and more expensive ones are tougher and faster which will be more important if you start shooting action or events.
That lens is only suitable for macro photography, so you will need a couple of high-grade possibly weather-sealed lenses (in case you need to shoot in the rain or snow). Good ones to consider are the EF 24-70mm F/2.8 for general work, a bright lens for portraits like the 85mm F/1.2 and a longer lens like the 70-200mm F/2.8 for further subjects.
All these advanced cameras have all the photographic features you need for professional use such as manual exposure, bulb exposure, manual focus, custom white-balance, etc. So I would worry much less about those small details and concentrate on the lenses you want first, followed by broad features like speed (FPS), weather-sealing, resolution (depends on the sizes you want to print). You will notice after looking around that nothing is the best for everything, so you have to start with what is most important to you.
If you really need huge print sizes, you may consider a medium format camera like the Pentax 645D but this will cost significantly more and offers fewer possibilities since it is slower, less sensitive to light and with more limited lens options.
Originally by user1620. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1620
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Don’t focus on finding one magical “professional” camera. For most photography, any current mid-to-high-end DSLR or mirrorless camera can produce professional-quality images; your skills matter more than the body.
What separates pro-oriented bodies is reliability and handling: look for solid construction, weather sealing, good manual exposure control, and ideally dual memory card slots for backup. Higher-end bodies also tend to be tougher and faster, which matters more for events, action, or heavy daily use.
For your interests, lenses are often the better long-term investment. Good lenses usually outlast camera bodies, and you don’t need to buy everything at once. For macro work, choose a true macro lens with high reproduction capability; that will matter more than chasing the most expensive body. Specialized macro lenses exist for extreme close-up work, but they are niche tools.
So the practical approach is: pick a capable system with room to grow, buy a dependable body you can afford, and prioritize quality lenses suited to the kind of work you want to make.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI14y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Can a photography student enter contests that are limited to amateurs?
What should I look for in a first camera for a photography course?
What does “professional-grade” mean for Nikon lenses?
What tripod features are best for macro photography?
What camera features should I look for for a photographer with limited use of one hand?