Must Have Photography Gear That Won’t Break the Bank

by Christopher B. Derrick

Even if the current economic times weren’t so dire, the smart photographer is always looking for a bargain — which is why the 2nd-Hand market for lenses is so dynamic. However, there are always items that you want – nay need – and, now, you’ll want to make sure you can get these amazing items without shattering your anemic bank account.

A Super Wide-Angle Zoom is pretty much mandatory for most photographers — regardless of your skill level, having one of these flexible lenses (i.e. Sigma’s 10 – 20mm f/4-5.6) gives you a lot of options in capturing dynamic and arresting images. The thing about having a lens like this, is that it gives you great range along the wide-angle spectrum so that you can compose startling images by using the distorting quality of a short lens (say around 17mm focal length) or just expand your angle of view ever so slightly further up the focal length. A super wide-angle zoom is a robust tool for interior and landscape photography. You can pick up the Sigma for $479 at Amazon, but a used lens is preferable, because with the right testing for flaws or scratches, you can add an amazing piece of hardware for an unreasonably cheap prices.

An External Flash with a Cord is a great and under-appreciated accessory to have in your photographic arsenal, mainly because when you’re shooting indoor and can’t control the light (which is the vast majority of non-studio situations). The flash cord gives you a lot of flexibility when you are using a flash. Whether the camera is attached to a tripod or your holding, you can move the flash around the subject any way that you light to get the “best” lighting; the flash cord gives you options that you can only dream about when the flash is attached directly to your camera. A solid external flash and cord will run you about $35, which is a small price to pay for the rich flexibility it gives you and your external flash.

Another must-have item is a Reflector; you can pick up a new or used reflector for a steal, and with adequate practice you’ll be able to raise the quality of your exterior portraits and group photos. While they might seem a little bulky (just keep it in your camera bag), they enable you control and direct light – that ever important element in photography – and reduce the contrast on faces. ”Why is reducing contrast important?” you might ask. It’s because digital cameras, nearly all P&S cameras and a vast majority of dSLRs, do not handle large contrast ratios very well (and, to remind you, with digital photography once you “blow the hi-lites” you can’t “find” that image information again in Photoshop, no matter how much tweaking and adjusting and massaging you try to do). A Reflector enables you to achieve better exposures on your subject, and therefore get more aesthetically pleasing photos. Once you start using a Reflector and seeing the results, you might find it hard to do without it when working outside (or inside for a soft light boost than what you’d get with lights or a flash).

A Tamron 18 – 200mm f/3.5 – 6.3 XR Di II is perhaps the must-have full-spectrum zoom lens – taking you from the edge of wide-angle photography to impressive telephoto photography. Why a Tamron instead of a Canon or Nikon or Konica or Pentax OEM lens (as the Tamron is compatible with these three manufacturers), price mostly, but Tamron has made a darn good lens. With this zoom lens on your camera, you’ll rarely need to change lenses — and the build quality of the lens is amazing. The lens is specifically designed to take advantage of a dSLR’s razor sharp resolution. It has a minimum focus distance of 17.7-inches, which is pretty amazing. The only draw back with this lens, is that it won’t work on the new full frame dSLRs. You can pick up one for as little $289 new and $246 used.

A Cable Release, which will maybe set you back $25, but this item might not be a “must-have” although it will become a “I wish I had.” Mainly because it enables you to do studio work more intimately and it’s a must for any long shutter speed work.

These are some simple things to get — but the simple things really fill in the gaps that you need for great photographs.

Chris Derrick is a writer, photographer, screenwriter and director living and working in Los Angeles. He studied film production and screenwriting at the University of Southern California, and continued to expand his photographic knowledge through classes at the Art Center College of Design.

Website: shadowboxercinema.com

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7 Comments

Dee said:

Thank you for sharing! This article is great for those who are just deciding what to get for photography! I live in Singapore and the prices for the lenses costs double here and maybe slightly more. =(

I still have my 18-55mm lens and the 55-200mm VR lens, still thinking if I should sell them and get the Tamron 18-200mm lens.
Daniel said:

Good info. I have the 10-20mm and was wondering what else to fill my photography needs. Thanks alot for some insights
Greg said:

Dee:
Don’t! 18-55 and 55-200 lenses (I assume you mean the Nikon range) are sharper and the image quality is better than that of Nikon 18-200 or Tamron 18-200. Of course you are compensated by convenience of a lens you do not need to change.

As far as the wide angle lenses are concerned I would recommend to look at Tokina 12-24 and 11-16 offerings. I used 12-24 a lot and found it sharper than Sigma 10-24; though you need to mind a little chromatic abberation easily fixable in the post.
Russell Green said:

Another must have, at least for Canon shooters in the 50mm 1.8 ‘plastic fantastic’. Should be able to get one new for 89.95, used not sure. I hear moving up to the 1.4 isn’t worth it, but the 1.2 is (L glass is really expensive!)
Dee said:

Thank you very much Greg (ok I wont sell both my Nikon lenses). Will rent the wide lens and see how it goes! =)
Paul Pride said:

I think a must have for Nikon owners is the 50mm 1.8 (as mentioned by Russell). It is a fantastic lens and unbeatable at the price. I also have a cheap flash lead which has enabled me to create a mini studio environment at home.
Gaurav Dhwaj Khadka said:

Very helpful information for to the peoples to start in photography ….: )