As a photographer, it’s easy to feel intimidated by the high cost of camera gear, especially when you’re just starting out. However, with some creativity and resourcefulness, it’s possible to build a professional-grade photography kit without breaking the bank. In this blog post, I will share how I sourced all the gear I need to get started from Facebook Marketplace and how they have helped me capture stunning images that showcase my unique style and vision.
What Gear do You Need to be a Photographer
The short answer is you need a camera, and your phone camera is plenty to start learning the basics of composition and lighting. However, most people don’t want to use that to get started. It doesn’t feel real enough, or at least it didn’t to me. This is what I did instead.
Like many photographers, my first real camera was a DSLR. The NIKON D3400 is what I ended up getting, and it’s an excellent entry-level DSLR that offers high-quality images, easy-to-use features, and excellent value for money. I bought mine used on Facebook Marketplace, which saved me some money to invest in other gear.
While the camera body is essential, it doesn’t do much without a lens. Since my camera body was used, I needed have the kit lenses that typically come with a new entry level DSLR. I searched Facebook Marketplace everywhere I went for lenses and made the mistake of buying several of them. After trying out various lenses, I settled on a 50mm lens for most of my shoots with models. The 50mm offers excellent sharpness, contrast, and bokeh, making it perfect for capturing the beauty and personality of my subjects. However, when shooting wildlife, I prefer to use my 200mm – 500mm lens, which allows me to get close-up shots without disturbing the animals. For astrophotography, my go-to lens is the 10mm -20mm, which offers a wide field of view and excellent low-light performance. The best part? I bought all these lenses used, which saved me hundreds of dollars compared to buying them new.
At the beginning I didn’t know what type of photography I wanted to focus on my I did know that some types of photography needed a tripod. I was able to get one pretty cheaply at a local second hand camera store that packs up small and has been very useful on several occasions. What I found when looking for tripods was a ball head is generally the most versatile type and that’s what I happened to find.
I did end up buying some new gear after I learned the basics and decided to make a business of it all. The first thing I bought was a camera backpack so I could travel and hike more efficiently with the camera and gear. I bought a Thule bag with the zipper on the side for easy access when I’m hiking.
While I prefer to use ambient light for most of my work, there are times when additional lighting is necessary. The Godox AD200Pro flash offers powerful output, quick recycling time, and a compact design that makes it easy to carry around. You can also get many attachments for it making it very versatile, lightweight, and durable for the outdoor areas where I use it.
To control the Godox AD200Pro flash, I use the XproIIN flash trigger, which offers reliable wireless connectivity, easy-to-use interface, and different versions are compatibility with various camera brands. The XproIIN also allows me to adjust the power output, flash duration, and other settings of the flash, giving me complete control over my lighting setup.
Final Thoughts on the Gear You Need to Get Started in Photography
As I said early on, all you really need is a camera and lens. If that happens to be the camera built into your phone, that’s perfect. If you want to put together a professional photography kit, keep in mind building a professional-grade photography kit on a budget requires creativity, resourcefulness, and a willingness to think outside the box. By sourcing all my lenses from Facebook Marketplace, I was able to save hundreds of dollars compared to buying them new, without sacrificing quality or performance. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your photography gear, remember that you don’t need brand new gear to take amazing pictures. With some patience, research, and a keen eye for deals, you can build a photography kit that reflects your style and vision, and helps you create images that inspire and captivate your audience.
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