In photography, there’s a lot of conversations about technology and gear. The Canon vs. Nikon debate is endless (I’ve always been on team Canon and never had a reason to switch btw), everyone is talking about the latest cameras, flashes, bags, lights, etc. and just when you’ve been convinced that you need a 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens because it’s been all over your social media feeds, your favourite photographer starts raving about prime lenses and you’re back to square one. So my advice to you is simple: start with what you have or can reasonably afford. If that’s investing in expensive gear right off that bat, great! If not, that’s okay! While a lot of new photographers feel like having expensive gear will automatically get them the best shots or to be taken seriously by others, that’s not really the case. Learning any camera will take you further than not learning at all just because you don’t have the best equipment yet. Don’t wait for things to be perfect to start.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that a camera is only a tool, it’s the person behind the lens and their skills that matter the most. You can hand someone a professional camera but if they only know how to use auto mode and press the shutter button, they aren’t going to get the same artistic vision portrayed in their photos as someone with a lower quality camera who knows about aperture, ISO, shutter speed, exposure, kelvin, composition, lighting, and storytelling which can make the quality of the image. If you learn to use whatever camera you have (preferably in manual mode to maximize your creative control), you will be able to transfer so many of those skills to a new camera when you want an upgrade! Getting expensive equipment is a major financial commitment so start with what you have or get an affordable setup. Work with that first and be sure you really want to do photography before splurging. Once you feel like you’ve mastered the camera you have and you know you want to keep going with photography, save up for a newer setup that will enhance your skills. While premium gear offers more control in extreme conditions, artistic vision remains the indicator of a great photo so that should be the starting point and primary goal.
When I first started photography with my DSLR, I took lots of time to learn the ins and outs of it and got told that my camera (at least 10 years old btw) took great photos but I knew that once I upgraded, they would be even better because I had laid the foundation with gear that didn’t function as well in low-light, didn’t have near as fast continuous shutter speed, and didn’t show you how your settings reflected in your final image on the LCD display before taking a photo like a mirrorless camera does. When you learn to work with what you have and develop your skillset, you’ll be so much more capable when your skills rise to match the high caliber of the new equipment you’re using instead of trying to learn the basics on a camera with infinite capabilities.
Ultimately, the best camera is the one you have in your hands. Don’t let the pressure to own the latest and greatest equipment hold you back from pursuing photography or developing your creative eye. Take the time to learn your camera, experiment with different settings, make mistakes, and figure out what works for you. Your skills, creativity, and ability to tell a story through your images will always matter more than the price tag on your equipment. Gear upgrades will come with time, and when they do, you’ll have the knowledge and experience to make the most of them. Remember, you don’t need the perfect camera to take beautiful photos. You just need to start somewhere, so pick up whatever camera you have, get out there, and start shooting!
