Best photography purchases of 2017
It’s that time of the year again – the list of Best & Worst Photography purchases of 2017. Same as with previous years’ lists of best photography purchases, I would love to hear what camera gear you bought that you loved … or didn’t love. As before, there are two book prizes to be had, chosen by random number generator. Here then is my list of my best photography purchases of 2017, along with the reasons why I think they were good decisions. I also add a few items that I was less excited about. Same as last year, I was a little wiser with my money and tried to limit the more frivolous expenditure … but who can resist a good deal on a Manfrotto Snake Arm (affiliate).
About the photo above – the New York skyline after a rain storm – it was taken with the Fuji X-T20 and 18-55mm lens (B&H / Amazon) that I bought this year as my take-everywhere and travel camera … except I don’t travel enough. Sadly it sees too much time in a drawer in my office. Still, it’s a nifty little camera. And this is illustrative perhaps of how our original ideas and intent changes. Sometimes its not that something is a bad product that we bought – oftentimes our plans, ideas and circumstance change. Still, I am mostly happy with the photo gear I bought this year. In addition there were a number of very tempting items that I got to play with … but couldn’t pull the trigger on.
Add yours to the list of Best / Worst Photo related purchases, by posting in the comments section. What photo gear did you acquire which you believe will make a difference to your photography and your business in the upcoming years? Post your replies in the comments.
Let’s hear from you:
To make it interesting, there were two books available as prizes. (Or could be swapped out out for my book, On-Camera Flash (revised edition), or Direction & Quality of Light.
Winners were chosen by random number generator, and announced here. (comment #42)
Even though the contest is closed by now, you are more than welcome to still add your comments.
Studio Anywhere
Studio Anywhere, by Nick Fancher. A photographer’s guide to shooting in unconventional locations.
With photographer Nick Fancher as your guide, you will learn how to get portfolio-ready photos while working i some of my most problematic scenarios imaginable … with a minimum of gear. There is no need for an expensive studio 0 you just have to get creative.
If you are curious about the premise of this book, you can order it through Amazon USA or Amazon UK.
the other book prize
Boudoir Photography Cookbook
Boudoir Photography Cookbook: In 60 easily digestible sections, (aka the recipes), Jen Rozenbaum presents essential skills that will help you with boudoir photography. Of course I am a little biased when it comes to this book – Anelisa is on the cover.
While Jennifer covers lighting, wardrobe, and other aspects of boudoir photography, the core of those book focuses on posing. The book has a targeted look at various posing strategies that will really enhance your subject.
If you are curious about the premise of this book, you can order it through Amazon USA or Amazon UK.
My best photography purchases for 2017
Nikon 300mm f/4E PF
For a long time I didn’t have a longer lens than my 70-200mm f/2.8 but when the solar eclipse of 2017 rolled near, I decided to buy the Nikon 300mm f/4E PF lens (B&H / Amazon) to use with a 1.4x converter for extra reach. What swayed me was that it uses a 77mm filter. I didn’t expect to be so blown away by the sharpness of this lens, and just how compact it is. (Less than 6″ long.) It easily fits into my camera bag, and it has already helped me at one wedding this year where the church lady banished me to the back and outer perimeter of the church. This lens gave me the reach I needed without cropping.
I have used it at engagement photo sessions, but while it is super compact and light-weight, it is just too long to work within earshot of the couple. The sharpness and bokeh are just wonderful.
For now this lens will be in my camera bag as my secret weapon for when I unexpectedly need a longer lens.
Sony FE 85mm f/1.8
I’ve been playing more and more with vintage lenses, using a Sony A72. In getting my hands on a Sony A7R3 for review purposes, I was stuck without a proper, modern lens for the Sony mirrorless bodies. I decided to invest in the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 lens (B&H / Amazon), and was blown away by this little gem. It is razor-sharp. Autofocus is fast, and it is compact. Just a brilliant little optic and already a favorite.
- Here is the review: Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens
Profoto A1 flash
Every now and then I am loaned new gear for review purposes. (For example, from my friends at B&H). Occasionally the item is so good that I decide to purchase it to own it, and not have to return it.
The Profoto A1 flash (affiliate) is one of these. It fits in so well with the rest of my Profoto gear, that I will be buying at least another one as soon as they become more readily available in the USA. Even though it is spendy, it is powerful, can be fired fast, is reliable … and works as a transmitter as well.
Even better, when I shot with the Sony 85mm f/1.8 and needed off-camera flash, I was able to fire my Nikon-mount Profoto A1 with the Profoto transmitter for Sony. For me that extends the usability of the flash even further.
- This video review of the review: Profoto A1 flash will explain more why I was so impressed with this flash.
Holdfast Money Maker 2-camera harness
Previously I have been okay with just the usual camera straps on my cameras, but since my adventure in Italy, I needed a harness system to help me not feel fatigued carrying one or two cameras with me during photo shoots and weddings. Listening to advice that I got from various other photographers, I relented on the idea of not wearing bondage gear at weddings.
I settled on the Holdfast Money Maker 2-camera harness (B&H / Amazon). And it really does help!
Oh, and if you are also annoyed by how the metal rings squeak when you walk, then a simple dab of lip balm where the metal rings touch, helps wonders!
Other purchases I am very happy with
- The unusual Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95 lens (review article).
- The rectangular Angler Parsail 60″ Umbrellas (review article), for headshots where the ceiling height is low.
- Solar eclipse stuff for the Solar Eclipse 2017, even though I was limited to staying in New York for the event.
- I bought another Drobo 5Dt RAID array for the ever-expanding amount of photos shot for time-lapse projects.
- Another Nikon D810 just for time-lapse photography. I keep the Nikon 20mm f/1.8 permanently on this camera to avoid dust on the sensor.
- A light-weight Sirui tripod that I keep in the car.
- Two Sennheiser AVX lavalier wireless sets (affiliate) for video work.
- I found a used 4×6 sized Oliphant backdrop. I’m moving up in the world!
Interesting photo gear, but I’m still undecided
Manfrotto Snake Arm
As an aside, the first time I searched for it on B&H’s website, it autocorrected to “man grotto snake arm”. I’m not sure how I feel about this one.
Truly superb camera gear … that just wasn’t for me
Nikon D850
I was really excited about the Nikon D850 (B&H / Amazon), and immediately picked one up via NPS when it was released. A state-of-the-art camera. Top of the field. Spectacular image quality. All of that. But there was just one crucial flaw for me … and I sold the camera again after a week. It just wasn’t what I needed.
Here is my review: Nikon D850 camera which will explain this in a lot more detail, with sample images. If you’re in too much of a rush to read the article, skip to the summary. It all came down to this – for the vast majority of my work, I need a camera in the 20-24 megapixel range, and the medium RAW files of the D850, which would have been perfect at 25 megapixels, were just too soft. Sadly I had to let the camera go. But it did make me love my Nikon D5 even more.
This was disappointing
I bought a Vello adapter for Nikon F to Sony E-mount from B&H with the idea that I could use my Nikon lenses on a Sony body, and without changing systems, have access to a camera with a silent shutter. Yay! Except that the adapter fried my Sony A7II.
Amazing review items that I had as loaners, but needed to return
The Canon 85mm f/1.4 IS is a spectacular lens! Razor-sharp, with stabilization.
Here is my review: Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS lens
Similarly, the Sony A7R III is a superb camera, on the same level as the Nikon D850. Astonishing technology. We have never had it so good!
The sad news – camera gear that I bought, but haven’t used yet.
Just like the under-used Fuji X-T20 that I mentioned earlier on, there are two items that I bought that are still mint in the box, unused. That’s just sad, but life and work sometimes gets in the way of everything we want to play with.
- Ikan gimbal (intended to be used with the Fuji X-T20)
- GoPro Hero 5
Your turn!
That’s it for me. Now it’s your turn. Let us know which photo-related goodies you bought this year that you loved, and those you didn’t.
Related articles
- Other best photography purchases, listed by year
- Gear list – Starting out with off-camera flash
Canon 5d mkIV. Picked it up from B&H on the Cyber Monday deal. Sold my spare 5d III and now have the III + IV as my wedding / portrait kit. For me the absolute best “all around camera”. Not the #1 is any particular category but really good at everything. 30 megapixels is more than enough, dynamic range is great, focus is wonderful, 4k video is great for the short clips I make and the dual pixel autofocus is amazing. On top of that it turns on instantly and is amazingly reliable. Combined with my canon glass I am in photographer heaven! The only problem is now I might have to get another and sell my III.
I do a lot of conferences, so getting an “open box” deal on my Tamron 70-200 mm F2.8 lens was great. It gets a lot of use. It did need focusing adjustment, and I’m lucky enough to have a camera (Canon 6D) that allows me to do that.
As simple as it may sound, I picked up a used Manfrotto 367B 9-foot light stand to hold my pop-up background. I was so thrilled with it, I searched for weeks until I found another one used. Besides being sturdy, it folds up to a length at least 6 inches shorter than all others I looked at.
I am switching my lighting system to Flashpoint, and got a *humongous* deal on the eVolv200. I’ve only used it a couple of times, but it’s great and looking forward to using it a lot more.
Moved from Canon to Fuji (XT’2) and loving them. I’ve linked to my blog post about them. The out of camera JPG’s are superb and I’m almost ready to use them for my main wedding work as opposed to the RAW files. The best lens I have for the Fuji’s is the 16-55 f2.8. I’d swear it is sharper than the Canon 24-70 f2.8 that it replaced!
Lighting wise it has to be the Godox AD200. I loved them so much I bought two for easy and quick cross lighting. TTL works a dream so no messing if you have large groups. I also got the Godox v860 – the Li-On battery lasts me three weddings at least and much cheaper than ‘cough’ some other brands with a circular head ;-). It also doubles as a trigger for my extensive range of Godox lights.
Other stuff includes a roll of Gorilla tape in my camera bag – it is super strong and very adaptable! I’ve got a black roll and a white roll. White is for the odd wedding dress that needs some help.
I’m not really a portrait photographer, spending a lot more time taking landscape images. But with two young daughters, I have been a student of your work for a number of years. Thank you for your books and teaching.
My best purchase this year was a Lastolite Joe Mcnally 24″ White Ezybox – I had previously used ones that I’d purchased as cheaply as possible from Chinese online stores, and was never happy with the quality of light coming out of them. The double layer in the Lastolite made me realize why softboxes are so useful.
My worst purchase was an expensive CPL filter (refer my landscape comment) that cost too much and would always jam going on or off the lens, and ultimately got so gummed up that the filter itself wouldn’t rotate. It makes a darned fine coaster though!
Happy holidays
Sean
I made the jump to Full Frame. Acquired a used Canon 5D mkii. I also picked up the 70-200 f4. These two items have greatly improved my portfolio. Coincidentally I used them for the first time in Neil’s studio shooting a rock band promo shots. Several of those photos made the album and single covers. I still use my 7D but the “full frame advantage”is a real thing. Best money I’ve spent to improve my work.
I have upgraded some of my Canon lenses from earlier versions this year. New lenses purchased :
1. Canon 85mm 1.4. IS
2. Canon 16-35mm 2.8
3. Canon 35mm 1.4
4. Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro IS
I also bought a new ? MacBook Pro laptop.
I have to say that every purchase that I made was a great investment for my business. All lenses are super sharp, focus faster than previous versions and produce beautiful , contrasty colors.
I have no buyers remorse. Every purchase this year was a winner. If I had to pick just one favorite it would be the new 85 mm 1.4. It will be replacing my 85 mm 1.2 which had been my favorite lens for the past decade.
Best purchase, my Softlighter II, I love it!
Worst purchase from KEH, old Tamron 17-50 2.8, couldn’t fine-tune the autofocus and there was fungus on the elements. I let my children take it apart.
I bought a Nikon 50mm 1.8 only, my first prime lens and I am really happy with it, so much sharper than the 24-70 and lighter too, now I really want an 85mm. Other purchases include a NEC PA242W monitor and a few PC parts, yet to buy the other components so not used it yet but looking forward to editing on a good monitor.
This was the first year I was back on my own with my own studio/business after ~6 years with a partner, so it was almost like starting from scratch……..again! ;)
The first purchase I loved, back in the beginning of ’17, was a used, well-kept, Nikon D800.
I was shooting with a Nikon D3S as my main, and I still use it as a second body (D700 as a backup), but
the D800 allowed me to step up my game that much more. I do a lot of on-location, corporate head shots,
and I just love how the D800 performs when coupled with my Tamron 85mm (another great purchase this year! ;) )
The next purchase of ’17 that I really, really loved was picking up 2 Interfit S1 mono-lights.
Since I suffer from the Italian Bankruptcy disease (Miafundsalo), I really have to be frugal with my purchases.
I’ve worked with ProFoto B1s and B2s and I just drool every time I’m near them, but after reading reviews and abiding by a suggestion of a colleague who’s opinion I completely respect, I pulled the trigger on my first S1…on sale! For $600! And a short month after that, my shopping app told me the S1 was on sale AGAIN! For $500!!!
2 full function mono-lights for less than the cost of 1 B1!!!
Who could say no to that? And, for something that has been reviewed to rival the B1…
I plan on integrating them into my on-location work next year (I wanted to finish off the year with like-like gear), and I’ve already used them in studio situations and on-location portrait sessions. Plus, a Santa or two :P
These have allowed me to shoot with light where I would not have been able to before because of power requirements; I’ve been using Alien Bees and did not have a Vagabond or portable power.
The worst purchase?
The Impact Multiboom Light Stand and Reflector Holder…
A colleague has one, but hers must have been made in 1941 in the midst of the war effort when they actually used quality metal!
Today’s version is made from some alloy of Silly Putty™, shaved aluminum, and used pipe tobacco…
The thumb screws that tighten the extension segments work fine as they are a pressure collar…
But, the thumb screw that tightens the boom arm into the yolk? FORGET IT!!!
Anything more than a finger tightening renders the light stand almost unretractable.
The tubing is so thin that the thumb screw puts it out of round. This prevents the boom arm
from retracting back into the main light stand segments…
So, I’m all for hearing suggestions for a portable reflector holder that allows me to change the
angle of the reflector ;)
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus and various Druid and Pagan celebrations to all!
-Tom D
My best purchase? An Eizo screen. Well, to be honest it wasn’t exactly a purchase but I did aquire it. It was gifted to me by a colleague. Even though it is previously enjoyed it is absolutely incredible. First time I have used a self calibrating screen and what a difference to my output. Highly recommended!
I bought an Eizo screen last year and I am very satisfied with the image quality. Nevertheless I was disappointed that such an expensive screen does not have speakers nor webcam. Furthermore it cannot display its full full resolution with an hdmi input. It is a pity when an equipmen of high technology fails on basic consumer requirements.
Picked up a second 5dmk4 because it’s just an amazing camera and does everything I need and want.
Holdfast moneymaker because it just rocks.
Canon 70-200 2.8 IS because I got tired of everyone telling me I need one for weddings. They were right. But it only comes out for weddings.
3 Godox AD 200 flashes. Amazing recycling capabilities and flash power at a great price.
Canon 600RT flash so that I can bounce the light and still trigger my Photix Laso triggers.
A SSD drive to make editing with LR faster.
A second 4K monitor because it was on sale and I like to buy stuff.
A second canon pixma 100 printer because it was $50! I print all the time and love this affordable printer.
Everything I bought was needed and will allow me to grow over the next few years. We will be moving soon and our new place will have enought space for a small studio!
Our best purchases this year were the new Tamron 35mm f/1.8 VC and the new Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Macro VC. These ended up replacing our Nikon 35mm 1.8 and a Tokina 100mm 2.8.
Tamron is making lenses with super nice build quality, and the images are great from both. The big advantage over the Tokina macro is that Tamron focuses much faster, though the actual image quality is comparable for both. As for the 35mm, it’s nice that it offers near macro capability with very close minimal focal distance.
Best purchase… the Westcott 26in octa rapid box! All my shoots are on location and I HATE HATE HATE struggling with gear in front of clients! This little oct box is perfect for my needs. Worst purchase… the Westcott D5 Daylight Kit! It’s really bulky and a pain to put together. Might work for a studio but not for me.
Best was my Yongnuo YN568 EXll for Canon flash. Second best was the triple flash head for less than $10! Worst was a recent purchase of a cheap ($29) 30″ silver/black reflective Octo brolly w/ diffusing panel and grid. Brolly is not deep enough and when you put the stand through the slit in the brolly it is impossible to tilt more than a few degrees which makes it absolutely useless as is! Shipping it back is almost half the cost of the item, so going to keep it and try to modify it to make it usable. Live and learn. Hopefully, will be smarter in 2018. lol
Merry Christmas to all and special shout out and warm wishes to our mentor NVN – the king of flash photography!
Canon 5D Mk iii. Superior to the Canon 6D in IQ and feel. Considering Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 for astrophotography.
I purchased the Rokinon 14mm last year. I use it for my real estate photography. It’s a little soft wide open. I shoot usually at f/8 or f/5.6 for my real estate shots. My wedding work I usually shoot wide open with my Canon primes ;)
The best purchase we made this year was the eVolv 200 light and trigger. It’s been as portable as our Nikon speedlights but lasts longer and has more power. We love that it works with our MagMod setup as well. Thankfully, we haven’t purchased anything this year that we’ve regretted!
Well, I’m going the other way. I’ve tried this year to just get better with the gear that I have – particularly the Profoto B1s and B2s I bought last year. I have purchased virtually no new gear this year (one exception is D850 which I bought after reading Neil’s story)… I sold 3 bodies.. D3x, D3, D810 at MPB.com – they offered a good price and deal was done without a hassle – with the one exception of having to open a new bank account to receive the funds. Having been an lens collector for 10 years or so, I’m now thinking about which lenses I could part with. I have too many to carry with me. I don’t shoot a lot of sports anymore (thanks to GWC’s who give away their work in exchange for photo credits) so I might part with my big glass in the coming months by selling it to someone who loves photo credits more than revenue. I might downsize to the 300 f4 that Neil likes.
I bought a new D850 but my favorite purchase was the OMD Mark 2 and 12-40 2.8 lens and 17mm lens. It’s a fantastic travel camera with excellent image quality. Light and super tough. Makes me love photography again. I dropped it twice on church stone floors in Paris going through security and it was just fine.
My best purchase for 2017 is the DJI Phantom 4 Pro+ quadcopter. First drone I’ve owned, but so much fun and a totally unique perspective when shooting landscapes. It has 1″ sensor, mechanical shutter, shoots20Mp stills and 4K video at 60fps – feel like a kid again!
Hi Neil
Our worst purchase this year is a Lowel GL1 light, the manufacturing quality of this unit is very poor, the charger packed up after the first charge then the battery gave up within a few weeks. We tried to sell on the GL1 but no takers. Best purchase this year is the Profoto A1… so pleased with this piece of kit, amazing light quality and above so easy to use. We are Nikon users, but would like to add the 5D4 with the new 85m 1.4 very tempting :-)
Mine best acquisition of this year was actually a birthday present from my wife. She gave me my first mono-light, an Orlit RoveLight RT 610. It along with a couple of soft-boxes, a C stand and a pair of Orlit RT 600C speed-lites have made quite the impact on my photography. I’m learning to shape and direct light in ways I didn’t know were possible previously. I’m getting the best photographs of my kids that I have ever gotten. The HSS really helps with freezing their movements.
Godox AD360 with their respective transmitters and recievers. At least all my Nikon brand flashes are now NOT redundant, plenty power, and lots of aftermarket modifiers to go with it, and most of all, not near the price tag of the Profoto’s or the like.
2017 was a bit of status quo as far as equipment goes. Unfortunately, the most significant purchase was a D7200 to replace a damaged unit. That type of acquisition is hardly fun. (both cameras performed flawlessly – so Nikon’s quality control seems to be working fine, at least with a sample size of 2). Fortunately, no regrets this year. For 2018, the short list includes the 60mm macro and the 200-500. I have been going back and forth between it and the 80-400. Looking at intended use and retail prices, the 200-500 is the clear choice for me.
Thanks Neil for giving up so much of your time and knowledge. May 2018 bring good health. Happy holidays to all!
I decided to jump into the world of mirrorless camera this year buying a used Olympus OMD EM10 MarkII and picking up a few primes to go with it. I’ve always made the mistake of picking up expensive camera bodies and not having enough money left to invest in good glass.
Till now I’m pretty happy with my purchase. Love the small factor, great in body stabilization and EVF. But the grip is not as snug as my old DSLR body.
Best purchase was Canon 80D on black friday. Picked up a couple 300ws studio strobes for $150 and have had a lot of fun with them. A roll of black paper, way better than wrinkles showing up in my gray backdrop. Everything else was just minor stuff. One of my favorite purchases is a 2 in one reflector that is white on one side and silver on the other. No switching the stupid zippered cover back and forth.
My best purchase this year was easily the Nikon D500 for covering sports. Having been shooting FF, I am amazed at the quality I get with this body, even at ISOs as high as 25,600.
Great:
– Sigma 8 x 16 mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM: With a FF EFV of 12 x 24mm, as far as I´m aware you can´t go wider on a crop sensor, like my Nikon D7200. Not a fast lens, but very sharp and with it you can create dramatic compositions!
– Dell Inspiron 13 5000: If you are a Windows user and need a laptop to carry around, this 2-in-1 will greatly increase your speed for post-processing without breaking the bank. Intel I7 processor (7th iteration), 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD and compact size are great features, plus you have the ability of using it in different ways, for example “Tent Mode”, to display your images while on a stand show, or conference, etc. Great battery duration and it´s worth mention that it has a very nice touch screen, but unlike most, I just don´t use it. I happen to prefer my screens always clean, both camera and computer, no greasy/oil fingerprints for me, thanks :) Sidenote: If you´re into video, than it´s just not for you, as it does not have dedicated graphic cards.
Best:
– Direction and Quality of Light: Mandatory item if you´re interested in photographing people, not just close-up portraits. Thanks Neil for this book!
– The Photographer´s Eye – by Michael Freeman: Not an easy book. I had to re-read time and time again to digest some chapters, but it happens that understand composition is the most powerful thing that can happen to a photographer. Amazing book, highly recomended for all kinds of photographers!
I purchased a Just-Rite Flash Bracket which rotates the camera and has a quick- disconnect for the flash and space for a trigger. The quality, build and customer service was excellent. Unfortunately, I was unable to use it because the weight of carrying two DSLR cameras each with flash along with my Rapid Strap on one side and the Just-Rite on the other was way too heavy!
Tamron lenses for my Nikon D850:
15-30 f/2.8
24-70 f/2.8 G2
70-200 f/2.8 G2
They match or beat the image quality from similar Nikon lenses. Definitely need the best quality image with the Nikon D850 camera!
My best purchase by far is the Canon 85mm f1.4L IS. I absolutely love this lens!
My worst purchase. Profoto A1. Over priced , over rated and in my opinion poor build quality. Returned it for a full refund.
I have to agree with Neil when it comes to the Holdfast Moneymaker, I have tried others but this is the best! I bought the D5 and loved it but it was too much camera for me, so I sold it and bought a 850 and 500 with the money, a nice trade. Just got the A1 but I am pretty sure it will be a nice addition to my B1’s. The things I haven’t gotten my money’s worth out of: Westcott Icelight 2 and the Eyelighter reflector, they don’t get used much at all.
Best Purchase – Canon M5 with 22mm lens. It fits in a coat pocket and it simply means I now take more pictures – including on a motorbike holiday in Spain. I normally carry 2 full frame Canons for assignments, so the weight advantage is amazing. I went for Canon as I am used to Canon and I can use the EOS lenses on the M5 – although that somewhat defeats the reduced weight and size advantage of the M5.
Whilst I really like my M5, I am not sure it really matters what the make or model is – its the size and accessibility that matters. I am now restricting myself to the body, 22mm lens plus a flash.
I recommend carrying something small – it will rejuvenate your photography.
I cannot agree more! After using a Panasonic GX80/85 with a fixed 15mm lens for three weeks while travelling by bike (not motorbike) in Myanmar I am ready to get rid of all the heavy stuff.
By the way for those who are interested we published a video of our experience. Search youtube:
‘Travelling Myanmar – Three bikers (not too seriuos) and a drone’
I know I already put my two cents in, but I have a *worst* purchase: The Lastolite Ezybox 2. A small (9in x 9in) softbox which is HUGELY overpriced, and I’m sure it’s that way because Joe McNally has his name attached to it. It was a birthday gift from my wife, who asked me what I wanted, and I told her. She spent too much money, and I wasted a wish!
My best purchases photography-related were Pelican cases: truly a must for organization and just having everything readily available. The 1510 models are excellent and compact enough to use / store pretty much anywhere. I do wish that they made different color inserts, however – black gear on black foam or dividers allows little contrast (label tape colors to the rescue).
Also – many photobooks – so much to learn from quality monographs (many such that this site recommended over the years).
As a side note: Moleskine notebooks are nice to take ideas and sketch out creative processes; allowing to serve as references for the fleeting mind.
A7R3 with the new 24-105 zoom it’s incredible.
I also have read every post on this blog over the last few months, i cant thank you enough for sharing your wisdom with the world!
Reading about the amount of gear you got, makes me feel a bit better about the stuff I got!
Really trying to cut down on gear. Right now trying to work out how to have gear that works with a small studio. Hopefully selling an old light for each new light I get.
Upgrading from a cropped sensor to a full frame (Nikon D90 to D850) was a game changer for me! Images are much crisper, colors look nicer and the quality is still correct at high ISO. I have now the confidence that I can deliver sharp images to my clients in most situation.
So this was an unusual year for buying cameras for me as switched systems and so I bought a lot more kit this year than I usually do. It’s going to be difficult to call out a single piece of kit, but here goes.
I’m not a professional photographer and this year I switched from Canon digital SLRs to the mirrorless micro four thirds format. There were a couple of reasons for switching – 1) I wanted to switch to the benefits of mirrorless and Canon didn’t have a full mirrorless system at the time, 2) I was using my bulky DSLR less and less (I generally fit my photography into family outings where I’m carrying the family gear as well as a camera) and 3) the time was right, as I’d just been asked to be the photographer at a family wedding and so wanted plenty of time to adjust to a new system.
I sold the following: Canon 7D Mk1, Canon 28-135 IS USM, Tamron 18-50 f2.8, Canon 80-200 f2.8L and Canon EX580 mk1 Speedlite.
I bought the following this year, either secondhand or in a sale: Olympus EM-1 mk1, Olympus 12-40 f2.8, Panasonic 35-100 f2.8, Panasonic 7-14 f4, Godox TT350O flash, Vanguard Alta Pro 253CB tripod. I also upgraded my digital workflow to Adobe Lightroom 5.7.
So which of these will I single out? My photography has definely improved this year, partly because I find it easier to get it right in camera using the EVF, partly because I’m using I’m using a camera more regularly again and partly because I’ve adjusted my technique. The 7-14 f4 is nice but it’s a specialist UWA lens that I only occasionally as expected. The 12-40 f2.8 is the lens that I use most of the time, it’s really sharp and focuses fast. The 35-100 f2.8 is also sharp and way smaller than the Canon 80-200 2.8L that I used before. I haven’t used the Godox TT350 flash as much as I expected, despite reading Neil’s excellent on camera flash book. I’ve used the tripod a bit, but it’s really for a wildlife trip next year. Using Adobe Lightroom has made a massive difference, its noise reduction is much better than what I had before and brings out the detail in my RAW files. However I’m not going to award this to Adobe on principle, as I won’t buy-in to their subscription model for the latest version. On reflection, I’m going to award it to the EM-1 mk1, on the basis that its portability means that I’m taking it everywhere, I like its ergonomics, the in-body image stabilisation is great and the results are better than I achieved before.
For me the best purchase is a Yongnuo YNE3-RX E-TTL Wireless Flash Riceiver for Canon ST-E3-RT.
For less than 40 dollars my old (and no more used) Canon Speedlite 430EX now works with the other two radio controlled Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT
My best purchase this year is a manfrotto spectra led light with gels for $75. Originally intended for a cellphone photo project, it ended up in my camera for event photography. Most of the venues were in low light and tungsten, with this little light I could focus easily, reduce noise in the file and cut like 60% of my editing time, since I don’t need to correct any wb or color cast in the shots… BTW people love when you can light them up for photos with their phones… The organizers appreciate that! So much value for a compact light!
Purchases this year:
Canon 6D – a wonderful second full-frame body to my 5DMKIII. A superb camera that really delivers despite its comparative simplicity. And, yes, the Wi Fi feature actually comes in really handy
Wimberley Plamp – $79 well spent. Makes my macro photography a whole lot easier… like having a third arm!
Canon MP-E 65mm – what a lens! My 100mm L f/2.8 is a great lens (as we all know) but the MP-E takes macro photography to a whole new level.
Godox 60″ umbrella – takes my studio experience to a whole new level, it bounces so much beautiful light back towards the subject, soft light that bends around the model effortlessly.
Fovitec StudioPro collapsible background – AU$140 – order from the USA – this beautiful cloth backdrop has allowed me to create some stunning portraits for clients. Its portability makes life a whole lot easier
Canon 600EX-RT II – Love it. It sees some improvements made to the first version and, combined with the new battery pack, delivers a seamless shooting experience
Yongnuo YN-14 Ringflash. Deliberated long and hard on whether to buy this. The AU$139 price compared to that for the Canon version – AU$700+ – made it a no-brainer, but then I’d read a lot of reviews where it was noted that the battery door had a habit of breaking after minimal use. I bought the Yongnuo and I haven’t looked back. It has seen heavy use and the battery door is solid. This flash delivers wonderful exposures time and time again and allows me to consistently shoot at f/16
Bestguarder infrared alarm system – a cheap Chinese-made product that I purchased for my nighttime animal photography. Works like a bloody charm!
All in all – I’ve made some decent purchases this year with everything meeting or exceeding my expectations!
Best regards to Neil and everyone, and I trust 2018 is an even better one for us.
The two numbers that came up, were:
#14 – Bill, and
#35 – John.
(I will let Bill have first choice of the prize.)
Thank you to everyone who had participated. Best of everything in the new year!
This is over the top Mr.N! I would be most grateful for any of those choices. My preference would be “Studio Anywhere” or your revised edition of “On Camera Flash.”
My biggest gift to date has been and continues to be a part of, and a recipient of the knowledge you have so willingly shared on “Tangents”. I look forward to receiving either of them. There is still much to learn.
From the apprentice to the master – thank you. Wishing you and yours good health and success in 2018.
Good evening Neil – I received my prize copy of “Studio Anywhere” by Nick Fancher in the mail today. This not a mere book. It is a treasure chest of ideas, experiences, and images that any photographer can benefit from. My earnest thanks and best wishes. I promise to put it to good use!
Sony A9. An astonishing camera. I will never use a DSLR again. Ever.