All Things Photography

19/04/2023

I regularly get asked what is the best camera? What would I recommend? My standard answer is ‘the best camera is the one you have with you’.

So let me explain why.

Firstly the camera you need depends very much on what you intend to use it for.

As a landscape photographer I use a tripod quite a bit so my ISO is nearly always set to 100 because the tripod allows the use of slow shutter speeds.

For me, when photographing a remote location, my camera of choice is a APS-C crop sensor as the size and weight of both the camera and lens are smaller and easier to carry. This may seem odd as a full sensor should give better image quality but when hiking the lighter kit makes my life easier and in practice, with modern sensors the difference in quality of the finished image is negligible.

On the other hand, for an action photographer, high shutter speeds and hence good ISO performance at higher settings along with fast and accurate auto focus will be much more important. The size and weight may not matter as you may not have to trek long distances with your kit.

Even within the same brand, different models will often suit one genre better than others in the line up so it is always good to compare different models and brands within your price range before making a final decision.

Secondly don’t get too caught up with the technology and latest must haves.

Most modern cameras from the main brands will work well. Brand preference is usually down to the personal choice of the photographer, so if possible handle the camera before you buy as how comfortable a camera feels in your hand and how the menu system works for you are often the main factors. It is also important to note that rather than just buying a camera you are buying into a system.

By this I mean that what lens, filters, flash guns, etc. available to you will be dictated by the camera brand or type. So if you decide to change your camera from say Nikon to Cannon or from DSLR to Mirrorless this will usually mean buying new lenses, etc. and this can make changing an expensive prospect.

New or used? If they are from a reputable source buying used can make perfect sense. I don’t buy into the latest or most expensive is always best theory.

If you take a look at the work of some of the famous photographers from say 30 years ago the kit they were using was probably not as advanced as the latest smartphone camera but they were still able to shoot some great images.

Imagine you need an electrician you will probably not notice or care if the pliers they have are new or 10 years old. What you will be interested in is their skill level and experience, their ability to carry out the work you need done.

A basic camera in the hands of a gifted photographer will always produce better results than the most advanced camera in the hands of someone who knows nothing about photography.

The camera is the tool you,  as a photographer, will use to communicate or convey the content and meaning you are trying to capture in the shot.

The better your skill and more experience you have the better you will be able to do this and the more rewarding the results will be. We all start somewhere so use the camera you have or can afford and work on building your experience and skill, but most of all enjoy the journey.