I used an old(er) used Nikon d7100 ($350) with the new(er) used DX af-p 70-300mm ($150) for a while, it was a great budget setup! It really surprised me sometimes!
As I said in a previous comment, I use an EOS R10 with an EF-S 55-250mm, with crop factor it gets to 400mm equivalent, this is one of the reasons I don't want to switch to FF, I want as much reach as I can without breaking the bank
An old Vivitar 100-200 mm zoom lens that I got along with another lens for a grand total of €10. I was pleasantly surprised by this one as it wasn't very well photographed by the seller but it's in a mint condition and produces images which are a lot better than I expected.
I'm a novice photographer, so I say with humility that my Panasonic Lumix G85 takes great photos in most conditions. I would say that it's auto focus is just OK and it's not the best in lower light conditions. However, as a hiker I take mostly landscape photos and for that the 12-60mm kit lens, along with the 45-150mm lens I purchased is all I need. The camera body is nice and light, it's weather resistant, and the lenses are both compact and lightweight.
Hey folks. Hope you enjoy the video. Sorry I can’t comment much, but I recorded this in advance to play while I was in Kenya. I’m in Amboseli right now. Enjoy!
I saw a video where someone was asking should I get a budget camera and his advice was eh just use your phone. Unless you have 1500$ dollars Instagram filters will be enough. Like why would you do that? I respect everyone who wants to make the field more accessible.
Recently, I was on the fence for a new purchase: The Nikon 180-600, or a more expensive, 'S'- series prime from Nikon. I couldn't choose - until I watched Morten Hilmers' Osprey video. In that video, he was using the 180-600, and it made me realize that all this too-and-from I was doing in my head was mental. If a 180-600 is good enough for Morten Hilmer, it's good enough for me. I'm glad I didn't choose to go for the more expensive lens, as that money I saved enables me to go on a trip to actually take pictures --- which is the entire reason we are in this hobby in the first place.
Both Sonys 200-600 and Nikons 180-600 are stunning value for money, and youll be hard pressed to find better wildlife lenses without spending WAY more. 600 F6.3 is a awesome sweetspot in Price/Perf. and with the right techniques will net you great images and a lot of fun outside.
I looked at the 180-600 when it was released. But the older 600 f4 vr’s were going for about $1,000 more. I’m glad i put down a little extra cash for the 600 f4 over the zoom. You’re probably a much better photographer than me. I definitely don’t deserve a Z8/600 f4 combo 🤣
I've backed zooms for 40 years and never regretted it. Many, many reasons. Next time, ask a friendly retailer to let you take tests shots on your own gear.
The zoom telephoto range is more versatile than the one focal length 600mm lens. That would be my pick also. Changing focal distance makes it easier to work. I picked up a Tamron 100-400mm lens recently and will also use with APS-C to get 1.5x range, (or just use as is with my full frame). I am mostly a beginner in wildlife and birds coming from other types of photography.
You know what's crazy, after watching your videos sometimes I catch myself repeating your last name, it just sounds so cool anyway thank you for all your teaching moments.
It’s very easy to be influenced and made to feel inadequate by all the documentaries or social media content about pro equipment. So people end up thinking they aren’t getting the results they want because they don’t have a massive budget for their equipment. People forget to think that pro equipment is most often a business expense and even at that, a kit was built up slowly. Thank you for this, it’s very selfless of you to put all this information out there about skill building and helping folks along the way!!
When people ask me why my photos are sharp I typically say, "Good Light!" because good light brings out the best in both the lens and the subject. I shoot wildlife with a $600 Nikon Zoom lens and often get better results than friends using $12,000 600 mm lenses. As is pointed out in this excellent video expensive gear really helps but good technique can often yield excellent results while using budget gear.
I have been following your videos for past few days, and I would say very detailed and to the point clarifications you give. Exactly what we need to know - speaks for your experience in the field.
Simon I have yet to own a starter camera. I most likely in my 50 year photography have always owned what is being called entry-level gear. For me I have never thought of my gear as entry-level. It is what my budget would handle and I have built my skills around the gear I have. I do appreciate your help with information to improve on my skills. Have a great fun time on your trip.
Well, if one looks at all photography, from toy cameras to the latest and most expwnsive mirrorless, any reflex "entry-level" camera is waaaaay up in the top shelf. It's great you've enjoyed photography for so many years.
This is why your video's are so great. You explain very well why it is not so black and white as some YT-bers make it look like. Some think they have to explain why gear does not matter and they just highlight that side of the story while of course using the best gear themselves. On the other side there are people who exaggerate why you can only make the best pictures if you use the best gear, which is also not true. Then a bonus tip from me (a very average amateur photographer). If you want to make great extremely sharp pictures of birds, go to a zoo where you have the option to walk between these animals. Think about tropical butterfly gardens. Often they have also other animals there like birds. I made my sharpest bird photo's there with a macro lens. And nobody can see the difference with real wildlife because you can get so close that the whole background is blurred out.
Finally, someone who doesn't say that cheaper gear isn't good becouse its not as sharp as the expensive ones. IT IS STILL GOOD 😅 Very good, informative video again 😁
Equipment can help if you know how to use it. The appropriate equipment will simplify the task more than universal ones. But if you don’t know how to use the equipment, then specialized equipment may complicate the task, while universal equipment may work better. The tool will not work instead of you, it will work for you.
I think you also need to consider your editing software in closing the gap. Modern editing software can minimise a lot of the weaknesses in the cheaper gear, e.g. reduce noise in low light, fix focus issues and improve sharpness. It is considerably cheaper to use an 85mm F2 lens than an 85mm F1.2 lens and then use software to increase the bokeh and reduce noise, which is what I am doing.
Agree to certain point: for me using DXO - for my 11mm pictures for example - the program together with the lens and camera definition in it makes a nice architecture picture a very good one for me. THNX to Viewpoint. Using: DXO PhotoLab; Viewpoint; PureRaw.
@@lesath7883 Luminar Neo has a Portrait Bokeh function that allows you to adjust the bokeh in portrait photos. It also has a Blur function where you can apply a level of blur to selected parts of your photo. Not as good as an expensive lens but closes the gap from a cheap one. All depends on what result you want and how much money you have to achieve it. My 85mm F2 lens was $AUD650 secondhand. I was offered an 85mm F1.2 lens secondhand for $AUD3,500. That’s a big difference.
This is a 1st! Never have I encountered such a detailed compilation of tips in a single video... usually those are given as a remark here and there in other videos. GREAT ONE! Thanks again, Simon!
Something I always try to remind myself. 2 days inexpensive year would have absolutely blown the minds of people 10 or 15 years ago. And a lot of their photos still hold up really well so I think we're doing okay
Gear does matter, just not the way people think. Great vid. I always tell anyone who asks about buying a new camera to really think about what you're going to shoot. Had I known what I was going to shoot when I first started, I could have gotten buy with 2 lenses and a single body.
Yep - horses for courses. I've only had ONE body and ONE lens for decades. One good zoom fits my travels perfectly. I have a FF body with 24-240 zoom. Recently added an APS-C body and a FF 100-400 zoom. Fully interchangeable with each other. Did 5 weeks in UK. Hardly used the new gear. The FF + 24-240 did all I wanted.
I have a budget camera, canon 550D, and pro lenses from almost 30 years ago, EF 70-200 L and and EF 100-400 L both stabilized. From the relative low use that I've given them so far due to work, just a couple hours they have yelded some amazing fotos. Best money I ever spent in gear, results/budget. Way sharper than everything I ever had so far. If memory serves me right you already mentioned this in some previous videos. For wild life photography its a very low frames rate, but it helps honing the skills of when to shoot as opposed to ever growing spray and pray. Good fun 😊
My first video of watching you and now definitely a fan! With the constant gear wars, it's nice and refreshing to see a great teacher and positive voice in the photography world. Thanks for the great techniques and hope to see more of your videos.
That's why I love Simons content! Maybe because it reminds me of my everyday issues when dealing with colleagues and customers: a fool with a tool is still a fool. Meaning: If you don't know HOW something works, you can't work with it properly. In this context: If you don't know how better cameras and lenses work - saving you a lot of manual adjustments that you had to do before - you just operate on the level the tool enables you to.
And there are lots of fools using phone cameras who sometimes get lucky. Oh, sometime get AI on their side, I meant! Nothing worse than taking a pic on your semi-pro gear alongside someone on a phone. Sometimes they win!
Best budget gear? My grandfather's folding brownie! LOL Would now be 100 years old. 2.5" x 3.5" negative film. One ISO setting - the film. One shutter speed. Two distance settings - near and far. Two aperture settings - sunny and cloudy. Took some excellent shots with it and still have them. Eventually I used the bellows to make a home made darkroom enlarger.
Given that I use an m50 but with better (non-kit) lenses, I very much appreciate this video. The tips to make the m50 shoot better quality were eye opening. Someday I plan to upgrade as I have a very mild tremor in my hand and would love be able to shoot hand held once in a while with IBIS. But until then… thanks for the tips!
Your videos are awesome and full of meaningful methods and tips. At the same time your are not dogmatic at all, gathering the best from all brands and schools of photographic thought, unlike many of your colleagues. As a seasoned enthusiast in the MFT tradition, I consider your work as excellent!
I love how straight forward you are with your videos. I bought an M50 Mark II since it was much smaller than my pro camera. Ended up loving it so much. I call her my sleeper camera since a lot of people think it’s a very unassuming setup.
@@7784000 Thank you for the reminder to not have it too hot. I tried your advice immediately but I think 70°C was too much so I now have some weird lens aberrations and flares. I will try to use my screwdriver to pop the glass lenses out and clean it more thoroughly. Will report on further progress.
This video will kick start new photographers to get the looks they want in camera faster than anything I've seen so far. Thank you for the wisdoms as always.
I was very surprised the day I switched from the 18-55 kit lens to a 50mm 1.8. The difference was quite significant. Thank you very much for your explanations.
I just recently got a 50mm 1.8, and I was blown away when a test shot I took with mediocre composition looked far more "professional" than most of my kit lens shots. It's such an amazing upgrade when all you've ever used is the kit lens.
As always, great video Simon! One way to get faster lenses might be collecting vintage lenses, especially if you are using a mirrorless setup. You sacrifice autofocus but get a much faster lens and sometimes it renders authentic results.
That's very true. But you need time to manual focus, set manual exposure and can't rely on lens IS for hand held slow shutter speeds. Again, it depends what shots you are taking. For posed etc - great idea. For grab shots, err . . . you missed it!
As a beginner in enjoying wildlife and photography in general, I cannot say how much your videos help me. I am using a Panasonic M43 camera, and a big reason for this is the price of the lenses (and size/weight). Right now, I just got a 14-140mm (or 28-280 mm in FF) and still got some shots I really like. Still dreaming of that Panasonic Leica 100-400mm lens though.
@@bernym4047 yeah, I will definitely buy used. It's about 900-1000€ used in my region. The 100-300 is tempting because it's half the price, but I already feel like I would miss out a bit on IQ and reach. Would be my by far most expensive lens so far.
I've been using a Panny too with the 100-300 for a few years now. It's sufficient enough for my current level of wildlife photography, but new gears have been really tempting me to upgrade. The only thing holding me back is my wallet 😂
With respect to value for money, my Panasonic Lumix G85 has been even better than I hoped for. It's not perfect, but it's a lot of camera for the money. Simon helped me to realize that a 16 MP camera can still capture great photos, provided I use good technique and don't over crop. Basically, I need to spend a little extra time composing photos because I can't afford to lose too many pixels when editing - for a beginner photographer, that's probably a good thing!
Hi Simon. I loved this video. I've recently got my first ever camera. Guess what? I was looking at very expensive top notch gear such as mirrorless full frame, but I decided to go the very opposite direction and give it a go with the lowest budget possible. So here's some of my background. I've been shooting amazing photos since I got a pro iPhone, which impressed most of my family and friends in many different occasions (moon, landscape, portrait, etc). So I thought that having a great camera would make a huge difference, and so there I was doing all this research and figuring out how to fit the new camera to my real budget. I simply turned to a 2014 NIKON D3300 and I couldn't be happier. It came with the standard 18-55 lens and for my amusement, after taking a "crash UA-cam photography course on how to shoot manual", I've taken some delightful photos that led people asking me to shoot them in a near future business wise. So, to reinforce your arguments, it's not the gear, it's how you use it. Btw, I've just ordered a pair of lenses, 50mm and 200mm since I always wanted to shoot wildlife. Anyway, If you would like to see any of the pictures I have been taken I'll follow you on Instagram, because I should have done it already LOL, and if you feel free to do so, give me some feedback on my work. Keep up the good work, and who knows we'll meet in Canada someday, or in Galicia if you wish to visit this beautiful Spanish Northern corner. See you around.
I am glad you point out the idea that the genre of photography matters as well. I think some people apply a blanket "spend more get more" attitude to gear. But every genre has a different sweet spot. Not only that, but if you learn the limitations of what you have, you can consider that when developing your style. Those limitations can be transformed into creative elements. For example, I mostly shoot street scenes. I WANT noise and softness. I don't need the best dynamic range. I don't mind blown street lights, lost shadow detail, or perfect colour reproduction. I want my images to evoke feelings and mystery, not just document what a space looks like. And to get there I actually invested in "lesser" gear, and even then have to pull the quality back quite a bit in post.
Very true all your points, as always, Simon 😇! Yesterday I went out for a walk in the nearby forest, only equipped with my beloved Nifty Fifty on the Canon R6 Mk II, a F/1.8- lens I bought for ridiculous 120 Swiss Francs. Back at home I was excited about the results! The gap does nearly disappear in so called "environmental portraits", when you want to show the environmental of a person (or animal as well) and therefore have do shoot at f5.6 or even smaller. By the way: The biggest gaps exist between the persons behind the cameras 😂
Great video. The comment at the end about upgrading your lens before your camera was exactly what I did. I was doing bird photography with a Sony A7RII and an adapted sigma 150-600 lens. It was fine for still birds but focusing was kinda slow and it would hunt. Upgraded to a native Sony 200-600 and the AF felt like it had a huge upgrade. Waited at least 2 more years before I upgraded the body.
Simon neglected to mention crop factor as an equalizer. The 100-400mm lens crops to 600mm full-frame equivalent, when mounted on an APS-C body, or 800mm on a micro four-thirds body. Mounting a full-frame lens on an APS-C body is like using a 1.5x teleconverter.
Lens first, then camera. I'm still a beginner, but I'm so glad that I made that choice. Went from 55-250mm to 150-600mm, and then from an old entry level dslr to a 80d. Both jumps were HUGE, especially for wildlife photos, but every time I try to shoot on the 80d with the old lenses, it just feels so bad. The AF motors are slow and the reach is just so lacking.
Yep. As I commented elsewhere, changes in technology is also a factor. Simon's comments hold true for same era gear. This is an extra consideration for old era gear.
I agree completely that skill and technique is what matters most. Case in point, i am a brand new photography enthusiast who has only been learning the basics since July. I bought a R6M2, RF 85 1.2 and an RF 70-200 2.8 and am JUST now beginning to see decent results….not from the expensive gear but through learning how to PHOTOGRAPH. huge difference. Videos like yours are a huge help. Not only for the obvious reasons, such as lighting and other techniques, but more importantly, encouragement. It can be frustrating and can also make a person stop trying. Videos like yours teach a fledgling photographer to not give up,but rather learn WHY I’m not getting the desired results instead of pushing for more expensive gear. Hiigh end cameras and lenses don’t make one a pro… technique,experience and execution do.
It's great you are investing time and effort on improving yiur skill and knowing your gear. In casole nobody has said it before, welcome to this world.
My philosophy, getting the most out of any gears in hand. I have been exploring, you give great enlightenment. Your French toned English pleases me most.
Thank you. This is a very instructive video even for seasoned amateurs with a good gear. I didn't expect so many valuable advises packed in a short video, and bird photography tips were especially handy.
"Thank you, Simon, for creating this helpful video. As a beginner photographer, I appreciate your guidance and the way you encourage us to capture great shots with basic equipment. Your videos have made a significant impact on how I approach photography and have given me confidence in my abilities."
This is all solid advice. Now that I feel I'm getting everything my sigma 70-300 f5.6 can possibly achieve, I feel I'm ready to move up, but I'm glad I learned the right techniques first, it means I can get a lighter super Tele (for m43) and compromise so I use it more, rather than quality and sharpness over everything thinking I need it
I absolutely agree with you! my only issue is audio, which I can not find on a budget. I want to develop my skills so much so I can photograph night sky and stars
Hi Simon, this video was very relatable to me as i have a Nikon d3100 camera and the lens that i choose makes a big difference. It's true what you say Simon it's better to have a good lens and an average body. When i use my 50mm F/1.8, or my 35mm F/1.8 or my 40mm F/2.8, i get great image results compared to my 18-55mm kit lens, what a difference the lens makes. For shooting Birds, Planes, and fast action i use my Nikon 80-400mm and in good light the image is sharp. When my Niece got married the professional photographer said he could've done the wedding with my camera. Great examples you gave Simon to get the best out of an entry level camera. This video was so helpful to me having an entry level camera. Thank you. 😊
I have an M50 as my every-day-carry camera, and I have that 30mm Sigma mentioned at 14.05 on it most of the time (that or 22mm f2 Canon). Epic bokeh + great image quality + classic 50mm -equivalent FOV makes for a street photography monster!
It's finally out, a very important video for those who are just starting out, or who haven't managed to buy better equipment yet. Congratulations Simon, perfect video
I recently upgraded to a pro setup last year, my niece is running track and field at her university and going to take photos of that last season really exposed the limitations of my gear and gave me the justification to upgrade. I gifted my last kit to my friends daughter, she's only 14 but loves photography and is quite the talent! It's a huge upgrade for her as she was shooting on a bridge camera from the mid 2000's. I do have to say though, my last setup was much better for street photography so it's not all sunshine and rainbows.
When I can't get good auto-focus, I use this life hack. I learned it from my father 35 years ago when he trained me how to take photos on his F2. My one simple trick? I manually focus.
This is an amazing video for those starting out. Real useable and simple techniques to get near pro-level results. Starting out myself I knew some of these and it worked well but of course I still learned a lot from this video!
Very good framing of the answer. For example, my son and I tried shooting birds in flight with a camera from 2016 and it was extremely frustrating. This year we bought OM1’s and red dot sight and birds in flight is now Childs play… so easy. The gear made all the difference!!! For landscape, the gear made almost no difference. 50mpx high res shot is nice and so is live ND, but neither really give us better pictures.
Gear matters! This may sound weird coming from a professional photographer who uses budget gear. I shoot on a Canon M50ii with a variety of lenses Tamron 24-70 f2.8, Viltrox 33mm f1.4 (the best lens on the planet 😊) and a nifty 50. I found that understanding photography techniques, editing and your photographic perspective makes the difference. However I’m aware of my limitations as my budget doesn’t allow for a full gear upgrade at the moment. So my photography falls within my ‘limits’ I WILL upgrade to a Cannon R I’m thinking the R7 (that’s me manifesting better gear) I am a freelance photographer from Jamaica.
An inexpensive prime is a great upgrade to the kit lens. I got a used Lumix 20mm for my EM10 and it is an amazing upgrade. And it's a pocketable camera.
This is the video that people should watch. You really can make good photos with good, lower priced lenses. My highest priced lens is a Tamron EF 24-70 f/2.8. I got it for $500, others in that class are at least $1k.
For genres like street photography, portrait, architecture … there are also great low-cost lens options with the all-manual lenses from companies like 7Artisans or TTArtisan. f0.95 lenses for less than 300 USD with great optical and build quality? You got it! All manual of course, but just just those like in Av mode. Manual focus with a modern mirrorless camera is nothing like an old manual SLR - the information those cameras give you in the viewfinder are so helpful that even with AF lenses I sometimes prefer manual focusing.
This is so helpful! I would add M50 to the video description because so many people have that one as a started camera and it would help find this video. Not that you need the views, but the users might find this helpful.
Thanks for another great video Simon! I have myself pretty well covered in the budget world right now with a Canon EOS 70D camera body, Canon 10-18mm Ultra wide, Canon 18-135mm, and a Tamron 70-300mm lenses. The Tamron is old and cost very little money but is in new condition and will get 1:2 close ups which is fun even though it's not true macro. I'm getting some fine images by following your advice!
Simon I really enjoy your uploads, and you have a way of explaining your extensive knowledge in an understandable way. My kit is a Nikon D5300 with just a few budget lenses to cover most needs, and your knowledge helps me get more from my humble setup.
Hi Simon. Enjoyed the video greatly. I too, own an M50. I bought it for some video work. However, I'm completely amazed on how good and versatile this camera really is. While not my go to camera, I really appreciate its light weight, since I'm not getting any younger. It's a shame that Canon has decided to drop this line. I'll take another look at a lens adapter /Sigma combo. Thanks!
It’s like the entry level gear forces us to become better photographers. Then when we’re ready, we’ll have the experience to make the most of the more advanced gear.
Very well covered Simon! I am always surprised how soo many gear videos focus on the difference in image quality, where as, in reality the more important benefits focus on making it easier to get a shot, or have to compromise in less situations!
I have watched many of these videos. They all repeat the same theme. Most of us who struggle have flawed techniques and not enough knowledge. If you have higher-grade equipment, you will have better chances of getting that "shot," but most of us leave a lot of the performance of our gear on the table, regardless of its relative grade. Before digital cameras took over all aspects of photography, I remember belonging to a photography club. We would meet every other week at locations around our hometowns to share knowledge, techniques, and samples of our work. Thirty years have passed since then, and I find that most clubs have moved to online platforms. These new clubs usually deteriorate to just people showcasing their work. Thank you.
I Love this Simon Sir! I am getting my best bird photos with my 70mm to 300mm lens on the Nikon D5300 instead of the Sony A73! Reason is I don't have the proper lens with the Sony. I get such beautiful boca with the Nikon with the right settings! I even put this camera on the action shot auto button for fun today...got very clear shots of birds?? I would never have thought I would get them and they beat the Sony with the 210 lens it has. I went outside and sat on a chair.....then was able to get a great shot of bird in the rhodie bush that is fully bloomed. Tomorrow morning out with coffee and I will try it again....
Nice video! I just started shooting wildlife using a budget zoom lens on a micro 4/3 system. This setup provides a bit more reach by effectively doubling the available focal length. Still learning, but getting a few good shots in the process.
Salut Simon, I really enjoy watching your videos. I like shooting nature, birds and astrophotography. ALL your vids are really helping me. A big thank you for your work and dedication!
For anyone interested in car photography genre, what I've noticed as my gear got better is your main full car pictures, like a 3/4 shot don't necessarily get that much better, but better gear makes detail shots of the car, as well as dynamic situations like roller pics, come out substantially better
I love your content! You always deliver reeeeally good tips i've never heard in another videos and your nice attitude makes it even better. Keep the work, man. Great images by the way💯👌🏻
Great video!! Your points at the end about adding superior lens to budget cameras definitely I agree with. I used the M50 for 2yrs and as I upgraded my gear to EF L glass I saw dramatic improvements. Recently I've upgraded to the r6mk2 but I'm sure all the skills I learnt pushing myself with an inferior camera will help hugely now I have this.
I bought a Canon EOS 1N-RS for $300 and a Gen III 35-85mm f4.0-5.6 for $25 and the pictures I'm getting with it are amazing, you really don't need a lot of money to get great photos
As always, thanks for your wisdom Mr. D'entremont. I'm saving to buy a pro camera right now (my father reccomended me a sony a57 for now), and my principal genres are concert and tribal dance photography. And many told me, the lenses are the difference to everything, and you just confirm it. cheers!
Great content. You got me to check my gear! I shot a 70-300 and get great results from it. It’s one of my keeper lens’s. But when I checked it , it is also a canon L series Invest in the best glass you can afford. And then someday down the line, replace the body. Best advice to share
My tip is to actually test your budget gear. I got a LUMIX GX85 a few weeks ago for a small budget kit to take for personal use when I travel for work. I was resigned that I needed to start immediately looking for good used lenses. But I tested the two kit lenses in my bedroom by lamplight to see the limit I could handhold and was shocked at how well they did. The image stabilization, bracketing and post focus each took those lenses much further than I expected. They’ll do fine for now. Find your failure point before you start shopping. It might be much higher than you think.
Great content, Simon. I had a box full of professional camera gear stolen when I was moving across the country. I wasn’t working at the time, so instead of replacing the gear, I used the insurance money to live on. Fast forward a few years, and I get the bug to start shooting again, but since I’m not making money from my photography anymore, I couldn’t justify several thousand dollars worth of camera and lenses. I ended up buying a Panasonic FZ300, a 8 year old small sensor superzoom with with a very nice Leica lens. I got it used for $350. It’s actually…okay. Of course it isn’t as good as my D800. The main thing I notice is the dynamic range isn’t as good as my full frame Nikon gear, so I have to be careful with exposure and contrast. Handled carefully though, in the right lighting conditions, I can make decent sized prints that are indistinguishable from what I used to get with much more expensive gear. The bonus is that it fits in a small bag, and my shoulders aren’t aching from humping a lot of heavy gear around.
Budget gear can also be what once was, and maybe still is , pro gear. I have the same 70-300 lens, and got since a month the Canon 6d (classic) plus the tamron 28-75 f2.8, for a total price of €450 ($485). This camera is an absolute champ when it comes to low light!
I just started with photography. My wife and mother are into it. My mom gave me a cannon eos r camera and I just bought that same 70-300 lens at the local camera store for $150. After the adapter it seems to work great. Anyway big fan of your work and channel. Thank you for the advice
I have that same 70-300 zoom and I too bought it used. It does exactly what I expect it to. Okay, it doesn't have to glass in a L series. But in good light for a suitable scene, such as something with a deep background, it does a very fine job.
What budget piece of kit were you able to get great results from, punching above it’s weight? Let me know!
I used an old(er) used Nikon d7100 ($350) with the new(er) used DX af-p 70-300mm ($150) for a while, it was a great budget setup! It really surprised me sometimes!
As I said in a previous comment, I use an EOS R10 with an EF-S 55-250mm, with crop factor it gets to 400mm equivalent, this is one of the reasons I don't want to switch to FF, I want as much reach as I can without breaking the bank
An old Vivitar 100-200 mm zoom lens that I got along with another lens for a grand total of €10. I was pleasantly surprised by this one as it wasn't very well photographed by the seller but it's in a mint condition and produces images which are a lot better than I expected.
I'm a novice photographer, so I say with humility that my Panasonic Lumix G85 takes great photos in most conditions. I would say that it's auto focus is just OK and it's not the best in lower light conditions. However, as a hiker I take mostly landscape photos and for that the 12-60mm kit lens, along with the 45-150mm lens I purchased is all I need. The camera body is nice and light, it's weather resistant, and the lenses are both compact and lightweight.
Either my Raynox DCR2020 or a cheap set of extension macro rings.
Hey folks. Hope you enjoy the video. Sorry I can’t comment much, but I recorded this in advance to play while I was in Kenya. I’m in Amboseli right now. Enjoy!
Simon, this is one of your best videos, and worth watching over and over again. There is so much gold here.
Hope you're having fun while also crafting some beautiful photos. 🇨🇦
Safe travels. I can't wait to see your photos.
Have an awesome trip!
Travel safe and good hunting! 😎
Finally, an expert that shows me why I am an amateur - but gives me the tools to improve with what I have today. Top Shelf information.
Glad to help
Finally my aka 'poor man's wildlife photography vid' is here, I was waiting for this for a long time😅😂
I thought that I appreciated the angles needed to produce quality, first class, wildlife photos until I watched this video 👏🙌
I saw a video where someone was asking should I get a budget camera and his advice was eh just use your phone. Unless you have 1500$ dollars Instagram filters will be enough. Like why would you do that? I respect everyone who wants to make the field more accessible.
Recently, I was on the fence for a new purchase: The Nikon 180-600, or a more expensive, 'S'- series prime from Nikon. I couldn't choose - until I watched Morten Hilmers' Osprey video. In that video, he was using the 180-600, and it made me realize that all this too-and-from I was doing in my head was mental. If a 180-600 is good enough for Morten Hilmer, it's good enough for me. I'm glad I didn't choose to go for the more expensive lens, as that money I saved enables me to go on a trip to actually take pictures --- which is the entire reason we are in this hobby in the first place.
Both Sonys 200-600 and Nikons 180-600 are stunning value for money, and youll be hard pressed to find better wildlife lenses without spending WAY more.
600 F6.3 is a awesome sweetspot in Price/Perf. and with the right techniques will net you great images and a lot of fun outside.
I looked at the 180-600 when it was released. But the older 600 f4 vr’s were going for about $1,000 more. I’m glad i put down a little extra cash for the 600 f4 over the zoom. You’re probably a much better photographer than me. I definitely don’t deserve a Z8/600 f4 combo 🤣
I've backed zooms for 40 years and never regretted it. Many, many reasons. Next time, ask a friendly retailer to let you take tests shots on your own gear.
The zoom telephoto range is more versatile than the one focal length 600mm lens. That would be my pick also. Changing focal distance makes it easier to work. I picked up a Tamron 100-400mm lens recently and will also use with APS-C to get 1.5x range, (or just use as is with my full frame). I am mostly a beginner in wildlife and birds coming from other types of photography.
You know what's crazy, after watching your videos sometimes I catch myself repeating your last name, it just sounds so cool anyway thank you for all your teaching moments.
Interesting!
I was just thinking about how sometimes I click on his videos that I’ve seen just to hear him say his last name lol
I repeat his name every time without thinking-such a cool sound!
I repeat his name too! 😂
It’s very easy to be influenced and made to feel inadequate by all the documentaries or social media content about pro equipment. So people end up thinking they aren’t getting the results they want because they don’t have a massive budget for their equipment. People forget to think that pro equipment is most often a business expense and even at that, a kit was built up slowly. Thank you for this, it’s very selfless of you to put all this information out there about skill building and helping folks along the way!!
When people ask me why my photos are sharp I typically say, "Good Light!" because good light brings out the best in both the lens and the subject. I shoot wildlife with a $600 Nikon Zoom lens and often get better results than friends using $12,000 600 mm lenses. As is pointed out in this excellent video expensive gear really helps but good technique can often yield excellent results while using budget gear.
💪 You are never to good to forget the basics
Yep. That's how I could take good photos on my grandfather's folding brownie!
It feels illegal fr me to watch such a beautiful content with top tier info without any subscription… u deserve a lot. Thank you!
I have been following your videos for past few days, and I would say very detailed and to the point clarifications you give. Exactly what we need to know - speaks for your experience in the field.
Simon I have yet to own a starter camera. I most likely in my 50 year photography have always owned what is being called entry-level gear. For me I have never thought of my gear as entry-level. It is what my budget would handle and I have built my skills around the gear I have. I do appreciate your help with information to improve on my skills. Have a great fun time on your trip.
Well, if one looks at all photography, from toy cameras to the latest and most expwnsive mirrorless, any reflex "entry-level" camera is waaaaay up in the top shelf.
It's great you've enjoyed photography for so many years.
I like your videos because you remind me to be kind to ourselves with the photos we take.
This is why your video's are so great. You explain very well why it is not so black and white as some YT-bers make it look like. Some think they have to explain why gear does not matter and they just highlight that side of the story while of course using the best gear themselves. On the other side there are people who exaggerate why you can only make the best pictures if you use the best gear, which is also not true.
Then a bonus tip from me (a very average amateur photographer). If you want to make great extremely sharp pictures of birds, go to a zoo where you have the option to walk between these animals. Think about tropical butterfly gardens. Often they have also other animals there like birds. I made my sharpest bird photo's there with a macro lens. And nobody can see the difference with real wildlife because you can get so close that the whole background is blurred out.
Finally, someone who doesn't say that cheaper gear isn't good becouse its not as sharp as the expensive ones. IT IS STILL GOOD 😅
Very good, informative video again 😁
Equipment can help if you know how to use it.
The appropriate equipment will simplify the task more than universal ones.
But if you don’t know how to use the equipment, then specialized equipment may complicate the task, while universal equipment may work better.
The tool will not work instead of you, it will work for you.
I think you also need to consider your editing software in closing the gap. Modern editing software can minimise a lot of the weaknesses in the cheaper gear, e.g. reduce noise in low light, fix focus issues and improve sharpness. It is considerably cheaper to use an 85mm F2 lens than an 85mm F1.2 lens and then use software to increase the bokeh and reduce noise, which is what I am doing.
I agree with noise, but even then, the pro gear results can be improved too, maintaining the gap.
Agree to certain point:
for me using DXO - for my 11mm pictures for example - the program together with the lens and camera definition in it makes a nice architecture picture a very good one for me. THNX to Viewpoint.
Using: DXO PhotoLab; Viewpoint; PureRaw.
Increase bokeh?
How would you do that?
by adding more blur to the already blurred areas. @@lesath7883
@@lesath7883 Luminar Neo has a Portrait Bokeh function that allows you to adjust the bokeh in portrait photos. It also has a Blur function where you can apply a level of blur to selected parts of your photo. Not as good as an expensive lens but closes the gap from a cheap one. All depends on what result you want and how much money you have to achieve it. My 85mm F2 lens was $AUD650 secondhand. I was offered an 85mm F1.2 lens secondhand for $AUD3,500. That’s a big difference.
This is a 1st! Never have I encountered such a detailed compilation of tips in a single video... usually those are given as a remark here and there in other videos. GREAT ONE! Thanks again, Simon!
Something I always try to remind myself. 2 days inexpensive year would have absolutely blown the minds of people 10 or 15 years ago. And a lot of their photos still hold up really well so I think we're doing okay
Gear does matter, just not the way people think. Great vid. I always tell anyone who asks about buying a new camera to really think about what you're going to shoot. Had I known what I was going to shoot when I first started, I could have gotten buy with 2 lenses and a single body.
Yep - horses for courses. I've only had ONE body and ONE lens for decades. One good zoom fits my travels perfectly. I have a FF body with 24-240 zoom. Recently added an APS-C body and a FF 100-400 zoom. Fully interchangeable with each other. Did 5 weeks in UK. Hardly used the new gear. The FF + 24-240 did all I wanted.
What do you shoot? And what two lenses do you use?
@@bailey2517 I use an RF 28-70 and an old EF 70-200 and that's it.
@@stevemadrid6522 nice. Do you ever wish you had something wider than 28mm?
@@bailey2517 I do have a 16mm in a drawer somewhere, but I seldom use it.
I have a budget camera, canon 550D, and pro lenses from almost 30 years ago, EF 70-200 L and and EF 100-400 L both stabilized. From the relative low use that I've given them so far due to work, just a couple hours they have yelded some amazing fotos. Best money I ever spent in gear, results/budget. Way sharper than everything I ever had so far.
If memory serves me right you already mentioned this in some previous videos.
For wild life photography its a very low frames rate, but it helps honing the skills of when to shoot as opposed to ever growing spray and pray. Good fun 😊
My first video of watching you and now definitely a fan!
With the constant gear wars, it's nice and refreshing to see a great teacher and positive voice in the photography world.
Thanks for the great techniques and hope to see more of your videos.
Welcome aboard!
That's why I love Simons content! Maybe because it reminds me of my everyday issues when dealing with colleagues and customers: a fool with a tool is still a fool. Meaning: If you don't know HOW something works, you can't work with it properly. In this context: If you don't know how better cameras and lenses work - saving you a lot of manual adjustments that you had to do before - you just operate on the level the tool enables you to.
And there are lots of fools using phone cameras who sometimes get lucky. Oh, sometime get AI on their side, I meant! Nothing worse than taking a pic on your semi-pro gear alongside someone on a phone. Sometimes they win!
@@johnwinter6061 Never seen anybody win so far, who competed against someone on the same level.
This video is dripping with fabulous advice, thank you Simon.
Best budget gear? My grandfather's folding brownie! LOL Would now be 100 years old. 2.5" x 3.5" negative film. One ISO setting - the film. One shutter speed. Two distance settings - near and far. Two aperture settings - sunny and cloudy. Took some excellent shots with it and still have them.
Eventually I used the bellows to make a home made darkroom enlarger.
What a great video! The information you provide in this video can be a game changer for everyone
Given that I use an m50 but with better (non-kit) lenses, I very much appreciate this video. The tips to make the m50 shoot better quality were eye opening. Someday I plan to upgrade as I have a very mild tremor in my hand and would love be able to shoot hand held once in a while with IBIS. But until then… thanks for the tips!
Your videos are awesome and full of meaningful methods and tips. At the same time your are not dogmatic at all, gathering the best from all brands and schools of photographic thought, unlike many of your colleagues. As a seasoned enthusiast in the MFT tradition, I consider your work as excellent!
I appreciate that!
These were all excellent points and I wish someone had told me when I started my photography journey. Have a safe trip.
I got my first used DLSR camera in November 2024, your videos have been so helpful with getting started.
That’s awesome!
I love how straight forward you are with your videos. I bought an M50 Mark II since it was much smaller than my pro camera. Ended up loving it so much. I call her my sleeper camera since a lot of people think it’s a very unassuming setup.
Great video! Can you also make a video about cleaning your gear?
Yes please
I believe he did one a few months back
Dishwasher but not too hot. Afterwards it goes to the tumbledryer asap to avoid funghi growth
It's not that complicated. Just lick your finger and give your sensor a good rub with it. You'll be fine
@@7784000 Thank you for the reminder to not have it too hot. I tried your advice immediately but I think 70°C was too much so I now have some weird lens aberrations and flares. I will try to use my screwdriver to pop the glass lenses out and clean it more thoroughly. Will report on further progress.
Before i get past the intro, I believe the photographer is the biggest part of a photograph.
This video will kick start new photographers to get the looks they want in camera faster than anything I've seen so far.
Thank you for the wisdoms as always.
I was very surprised the day I switched from the 18-55 kit lens to a 50mm 1.8. The difference was quite significant. Thank you very much for your explanations.
I had the same experience!
Glad it helped!
I just recently got a 50mm 1.8, and I was blown away when a test shot I took with mediocre composition looked far more "professional" than most of my kit lens shots. It's such an amazing upgrade when all you've ever used is the kit lens.
"Nifty fifty" sure is an institution for a reason. Sure, on a crop sensor Canon 450d it was an 85mm before I learned about crop vs FF. But still.
I'm thinking of getting a 50mm 1.8 for my canon t7. Right now, I have that 18-55 kit
Absolutely fantastic video! I love how welcoming Simon is with these videos. Never understood why some people can be exclusionary with their craft.
As always, great video Simon! One way to get faster lenses might be collecting vintage lenses, especially if you are using a mirrorless setup. You sacrifice autofocus but get a much faster lens and sometimes it renders authentic results.
That's very true. But you need time to manual focus, set manual exposure and can't rely on lens IS for hand held slow shutter speeds. Again, it depends what shots you are taking. For posed etc - great idea. For grab shots, err . . . you missed it!
As a beginner in enjoying wildlife and photography in general, I cannot say how much your videos help me.
I am using a Panasonic M43 camera, and a big reason for this is the price of the lenses (and size/weight). Right now, I just got a 14-140mm (or 28-280 mm in FF) and still got some shots I really like.
Still dreaming of that Panasonic Leica 100-400mm lens though.
I have the Panasonic Leica 100-400mm and am pleased with it. Keep an eye out for reduced prices or 2nd hand versions.
@@bernym4047 yeah, I will definitely buy used. It's about 900-1000€ used in my region. The 100-300 is tempting because it's half the price, but I already feel like I would miss out a bit on IQ and reach. Would be my by far most expensive lens so far.
don't forget used, you may get one for a really good price
I've been using a Panny too with the 100-300 for a few years now. It's sufficient enough for my current level of wildlife photography, but new gears have been really tempting me to upgrade. The only thing holding me back is my wallet 😂
With respect to value for money, my Panasonic Lumix G85 has been even better than I hoped for. It's not perfect, but it's a lot of camera for the money. Simon helped me to realize that a 16 MP camera can still capture great photos, provided I use good technique and don't over crop.
Basically, I need to spend a little extra time composing photos because I can't afford to lose too many pixels when editing - for a beginner photographer, that's probably a good thing!
Hi Simon. I loved this video. I've recently got my first ever camera. Guess what? I was looking at very expensive top notch gear such as mirrorless full frame, but I decided to go the very opposite direction and give it a go with the lowest budget possible. So here's some of my background. I've been shooting amazing photos since I got a pro iPhone, which impressed most of my family and friends in many different occasions (moon, landscape, portrait, etc). So I thought that having a great camera would make a huge difference, and so there I was doing all this research and figuring out how to fit the new camera to my real budget. I simply turned to a 2014 NIKON D3300 and I couldn't be happier. It came with the standard 18-55 lens and for my amusement, after taking a "crash UA-cam photography course on how to shoot manual", I've taken some delightful photos that led people asking me to shoot them in a near future business wise. So, to reinforce your arguments, it's not the gear, it's how you use it. Btw, I've just ordered a pair of lenses, 50mm and 200mm since I always wanted to shoot wildlife. Anyway, If you would like to see any of the pictures I have been taken I'll follow you on Instagram, because I should have done it already LOL, and if you feel free to do so, give me some feedback on my work. Keep up the good work, and who knows we'll meet in Canada someday, or in Galicia if you wish to visit this beautiful Spanish Northern corner. See you around.
I am glad you point out the idea that the genre of photography matters as well. I think some people apply a blanket "spend more get more" attitude to gear. But every genre has a different sweet spot. Not only that, but if you learn the limitations of what you have, you can consider that when developing your style. Those limitations can be transformed into creative elements. For example, I mostly shoot street scenes. I WANT noise and softness. I don't need the best dynamic range. I don't mind blown street lights, lost shadow detail, or perfect colour reproduction. I want my images to evoke feelings and mystery, not just document what a space looks like. And to get there I actually invested in "lesser" gear, and even then have to pull the quality back quite a bit in post.
Yep - horses for courses.
I enjoy Simon's teachings, advice and guidance
Glad you like them!
Very true all your points, as always, Simon 😇! Yesterday I went out for a walk in the nearby forest, only equipped with my beloved Nifty Fifty on the Canon R6 Mk II, a F/1.8- lens I bought for ridiculous 120 Swiss Francs. Back at home I was excited about the results!
The gap does nearly disappear in so called "environmental portraits", when you want to show the environmental of a person (or animal as well) and therefore have do shoot at f5.6 or even smaller.
By the way: The biggest gaps exist between the persons behind the cameras 😂
This man just made me love my m50 even more now.
Thank you
Great video. The comment at the end about upgrading your lens before your camera was exactly what I did. I was doing bird photography with a Sony A7RII and an adapted sigma 150-600 lens. It was fine for still birds but focusing was kinda slow and it would hunt. Upgraded to a native Sony 200-600 and the AF felt like it had a huge upgrade. Waited at least 2 more years before I upgraded the body.
Simon neglected to mention crop factor as an equalizer. The 100-400mm lens crops to 600mm full-frame equivalent, when mounted on an APS-C body, or 800mm on a micro four-thirds body. Mounting a full-frame lens on an APS-C body is like using a 1.5x teleconverter.
Lens first, then camera. I'm still a beginner, but I'm so glad that I made that choice. Went from 55-250mm to 150-600mm, and then from an old entry level dslr to a 80d. Both jumps were HUGE, especially for wildlife photos, but every time I try to shoot on the 80d with the old lenses, it just feels so bad. The AF motors are slow and the reach is just so lacking.
Yep. As I commented elsewhere, changes in technology is also a factor. Simon's comments hold true for same era gear. This is an extra consideration for old era gear.
I agree completely that skill and technique is what matters most. Case in point, i am a brand new photography enthusiast who has only been learning the basics since July. I bought a R6M2, RF 85 1.2 and an RF 70-200 2.8 and am JUST now beginning to see decent results….not from the expensive gear but through learning how to PHOTOGRAPH. huge difference. Videos like yours are a huge help. Not only for the obvious reasons, such as lighting and other techniques, but more importantly, encouragement. It can be frustrating and can also make a person stop trying. Videos like yours teach a fledgling photographer to not give up,but rather learn WHY I’m not getting the desired results instead of pushing for more expensive gear. Hiigh end cameras and lenses don’t make one a pro… technique,experience and execution do.
It's great you are investing time and effort on improving yiur skill and knowing your gear.
In casole nobody has said it before, welcome to this world.
My philosophy, getting the most out of any gears in hand. I have been exploring, you give great enlightenment. Your French toned English pleases me most.
Wow, thank you!
Thank you. This is a very instructive video even for seasoned amateurs with a good gear. I didn't expect so many valuable advises packed in a short video, and bird photography tips were especially handy.
Glad it was helpful!
"Thank you, Simon, for creating this helpful video. As a beginner photographer, I appreciate your guidance and the way you encourage us to capture great shots with basic equipment. Your videos have made a significant impact on how I approach photography and have given me confidence in my abilities."
This is all solid advice. Now that I feel I'm getting everything my sigma 70-300 f5.6 can possibly achieve, I feel I'm ready to move up, but I'm glad I learned the right techniques first, it means I can get a lighter super Tele (for m43) and compromise so I use it more, rather than quality and sharpness over everything thinking I need it
I absolutely agree with you!
my only issue is audio, which I can not find on a budget.
I want to develop my skills so much so I can photograph night sky and stars
Hi Simon, this video was very relatable to me as i have a Nikon d3100 camera and the lens that i choose makes a big difference. It's true what you say Simon it's better to have a good lens and an average body. When i use my 50mm F/1.8, or my 35mm F/1.8 or my 40mm F/2.8, i get great image results compared to my 18-55mm kit lens, what a difference the lens makes. For shooting Birds, Planes, and fast action i use my Nikon 80-400mm and in good light the image is sharp. When my Niece got married the professional photographer said he could've done the wedding with my camera. Great examples you gave Simon to get the best out of an entry level camera. This video was so helpful to me having an entry level camera. Thank you. 😊
I KNEW not to get rid of my M50! Now I need to get that R8. FANTASTIC info Simon, thank you.
Bo
I have an M50 as my every-day-carry camera, and I have that 30mm Sigma mentioned at 14.05 on it most of the time (that or 22mm f2 Canon). Epic bokeh + great image quality + classic 50mm -equivalent FOV makes for a street photography monster!
@lauriveijalainen3869 Yup, GREAT COMBO. I've git 22mm and the Sigma 16mm f1.4
Finally, someone who understands the struggle of working with a tiny budget!
Great video Simon. Bookmarked this one to ensure I grasp all the details you've offered. Very helpful, thank you.🙏
Glad you enjoyed it
It's finally out, a very important video for those who are just starting out, or who haven't managed to buy better equipment yet. Congratulations Simon, perfect video
Glad it was helpful!
I recently upgraded to a pro setup last year, my niece is running track and field at her university and going to take photos of that last season really exposed the limitations of my gear and gave me the justification to upgrade. I gifted my last kit to my friends daughter, she's only 14 but loves photography and is quite the talent! It's a huge upgrade for her as she was shooting on a bridge camera from the mid 2000's. I do have to say though, my last setup was much better for street photography so it's not all sunshine and rainbows.
When I can't get good auto-focus, I use this life hack. I learned it from my father 35 years ago when he trained me how to take photos on his F2. My one simple trick? I manually focus.
This is an amazing video for those starting out. Real useable and simple techniques to get near pro-level results. Starting out myself I knew some of these and it worked well but of course I still learned a lot from this video!
Glad it was helpful!
I think that's the lighthouse from my husband's hometown. Too cool!
Very good framing of the answer. For example, my son and I tried shooting birds in flight with a camera from 2016 and it was extremely frustrating. This year we bought OM1’s and red dot sight and birds in flight is now Childs play… so easy. The gear made all the difference!!! For landscape, the gear made almost no difference. 50mpx high res shot is nice and so is live ND, but neither really give us better pictures.
Gear matters! This may sound weird coming from a professional photographer who uses budget gear.
I shoot on a Canon M50ii with a variety of lenses Tamron 24-70 f2.8, Viltrox 33mm f1.4 (the best lens on the planet 😊) and a nifty 50. I found that understanding photography techniques, editing and your photographic perspective makes the difference.
However I’m aware of my limitations as my budget doesn’t allow for a full gear upgrade at the moment. So my photography falls within my ‘limits’
I WILL upgrade to a Cannon R I’m thinking the R7 (that’s me manifesting better gear)
I am a freelance photographer from Jamaica.
An inexpensive prime is a great upgrade to the kit lens. I got a used Lumix 20mm for my EM10 and it is an amazing upgrade. And it's a pocketable camera.
This is the video that people should watch. You really can make good photos with good, lower priced lenses. My highest priced lens is a Tamron EF 24-70 f/2.8. I got it for $500, others in that class are at least $1k.
Wow! I’m a subscriber and this video didn’t show up till now. But once again, a great education!
Welcome back!
For genres like street photography, portrait, architecture … there are also great low-cost lens options with the all-manual lenses from companies like 7Artisans or TTArtisan. f0.95 lenses for less than 300 USD with great optical and build quality? You got it!
All manual of course, but just just those like in Av mode.
Manual focus with a modern mirrorless camera is nothing like an old manual SLR - the information those cameras give you in the viewfinder are so helpful that even with AF lenses I sometimes prefer manual focusing.
Thanks for the tip on where to place my focus point on an animal!!
This is so helpful! I would add M50 to the video description because so many people have that one as a started camera and it would help find this video. Not that you need the views, but the users might find this helpful.
Thanks for another great video Simon! I have myself pretty well covered in the budget world right now with a Canon EOS 70D camera body, Canon 10-18mm Ultra wide, Canon 18-135mm, and a Tamron 70-300mm lenses. The Tamron is old and cost very little money but is in new condition and will get 1:2 close ups which is fun even though it's not true macro. I'm getting some fine images by following your advice!
Great to hear!
Simon I really enjoy your uploads, and you have a way of explaining your extensive knowledge in an understandable way. My kit is a Nikon D5300 with just a few budget lenses to cover most needs, and your knowledge helps me get more from my humble setup.
Great to hear!
Hi Simon. Enjoyed the video greatly. I too, own an M50. I bought it for some video work. However, I'm completely amazed on how good and versatile this camera really is. While not my go to camera, I really appreciate its light weight, since I'm not getting any younger. It's a shame that Canon has decided to drop this line. I'll take another look at a lens adapter /Sigma combo. Thanks!
The best video on youtube!
It’s like the entry level gear forces us to become better photographers. Then when we’re ready, we’ll have the experience to make the most of the more advanced gear.
So much information in such little time: powerful and impactfully put.
Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you Simon! As always another great video. Safe travels! ✈️
Very well covered Simon! I am always surprised how soo many gear videos focus on the difference in image quality, where as, in reality the more important benefits focus on making it easier to get a shot, or have to compromise in less situations!
Forget the expensive stuff, this is the video I needed.
Simon, as always... another amazing video. You really help the beginner get a better grasp on photography. Thanks, Paul & Wendy.
I learn so much by watching your videos, Simon. Thank you once again for sharing.
I have watched many of these videos. They all repeat the same theme. Most of us who struggle have flawed techniques and not enough knowledge. If you have higher-grade equipment, you will have better chances of getting that "shot," but most of us leave a lot of the performance of our gear on the table, regardless of its relative grade. Before digital cameras took over all aspects of photography, I remember belonging to a photography club. We would meet every other week at locations around our hometowns to share knowledge, techniques, and samples of our work. Thirty years have passed since then, and I find that most clubs have moved to online platforms. These new clubs usually deteriorate to just people showcasing their work. Thank you.
I Love this Simon Sir! I am getting my best bird photos with my 70mm to 300mm lens on the Nikon D5300 instead of the Sony A73! Reason is I don't have the proper lens with the Sony. I get such beautiful boca with the Nikon with the right settings! I even put this camera on the action shot auto button for fun today...got very clear shots of birds?? I would never have thought I would get them and they beat the Sony with the 210 lens it has. I went outside and sat on a chair.....then was able to get a great shot of bird in the rhodie bush that is fully bloomed. Tomorrow morning out with coffee and I will try it again....
Nice video! I just started shooting wildlife using a budget zoom lens on a micro 4/3 system. This setup provides a bit more reach by effectively doubling the available focal length. Still learning, but getting a few good shots in the process.
This channel always makes sense😊
I have a Canon 250D/SL3. I also have a Canon 5D MKII. With good glass, and my experience, you cannot tell a difference.
you are a great photographer and a great teacher! thank you!
You're very welcome!
Salut Simon, I really enjoy watching your videos. I like shooting nature, birds and astrophotography. ALL your vids are really helping me. A big thank you for your work and dedication!
For anyone interested in car photography genre, what I've noticed as my gear got better is your main full car pictures, like a 3/4 shot don't necessarily get that much better, but better gear makes detail shots of the car, as well as dynamic situations like roller pics, come out substantially better
I love your content! You always deliver reeeeally good tips i've never heard in another videos and your nice attitude makes it even better. Keep the work, man. Great images by the way💯👌🏻
Great video!! Your points at the end about adding superior lens to budget cameras definitely I agree with. I used the M50 for 2yrs and as I upgraded my gear to EF L glass I saw dramatic improvements. Recently I've upgraded to the r6mk2 but I'm sure all the skills I learnt pushing myself with an inferior camera will help hugely now I have this.
I bought a Canon EOS 1N-RS for $300 and a Gen III 35-85mm f4.0-5.6 for $25 and the pictures I'm getting with it are amazing, you really don't need a lot of money to get great photos
As always, thanks for your wisdom Mr. D'entremont.
I'm saving to buy a pro camera right now (my father reccomended me a sony a57 for now), and my principal genres are concert and tribal dance photography.
And many told me, the lenses are the difference to everything, and you just confirm it.
cheers!
Great content. You got me to check my gear!
I shot a 70-300 and get great results from it. It’s one of my keeper lens’s. But when I checked it , it is also a canon L series
Invest in the best glass you can afford. And then someday down the line, replace the body.
Best advice to share
Thank you so much! Another excellent video and great explanation, i appreciate your time and your experience 👍🏻
My pleasure!
Another terrific video. My wildlife set up is decidedly entry level (as indeed am I in that genre), so this will help me raise my game.
My tip is to actually test your budget gear. I got a LUMIX GX85 a few weeks ago for a small budget kit to take for personal use when I travel for work. I was resigned that I needed to start immediately looking for good used lenses. But I tested the two kit lenses in my bedroom by lamplight to see the limit I could handhold and was shocked at how well they did. The image stabilization, bracketing and post focus each took those lenses much further than I expected. They’ll do fine for now. Find your failure point before you start shopping. It might be much higher than you think.
Great content, Simon.
I had a box full of professional camera gear stolen when I was moving across the country. I wasn’t working at the time, so instead of replacing the gear, I used the insurance money to live on. Fast forward a few years, and I get the bug to start shooting again, but since I’m not making money from my photography anymore, I couldn’t justify several thousand dollars worth of camera and lenses. I ended up buying a Panasonic FZ300, a 8 year old small sensor superzoom with with a very nice Leica lens. I got it used for $350. It’s actually…okay. Of course it isn’t as good as my D800. The main thing I notice is the dynamic range isn’t as good as my full frame Nikon gear, so I have to be careful with exposure and contrast. Handled carefully though, in the right lighting conditions, I can make decent sized prints that are indistinguishable from what I used to get with much more expensive gear. The bonus is that it fits in a small bag, and my shoulders aren’t aching from humping a lot of heavy gear around.
Budget gear can also be what once was, and maybe still is , pro gear. I have the same 70-300 lens, and got since a month the Canon 6d (classic) plus the tamron 28-75 f2.8, for a total price of €450 ($485). This camera is an absolute champ when it comes to low light!
I don’t think that’s what he’s aiming for her. Even older pro gear can still be exponentially more expensive than budget kit lens gear.
I just started with photography. My wife and mother are into it. My mom gave me a cannon eos r camera and I just bought that same 70-300 lens at the local camera store for $150. After the adapter it seems to work great. Anyway big fan of your work and channel. Thank you for the advice
I have that same 70-300 zoom and I too bought it used. It does exactly what I expect it to. Okay, it doesn't have to glass in a L series. But in good light for a suitable scene, such as something with a deep background, it does a very fine job.
Brilliant video as always!!!