Recommended gear guide for creative photographers
Creative photographers are the rule breakers of the photography world. We thrive on experimentation and use our gear's limitations to our advantage. But even us rule breakers benefit from some essential pieces of kit.
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Prices are in USD.
These recommendations are based on the gear I personally use as a Canon shooter. When purchasing gear, use these suggestions as a guide only to help you find similar products specifically for your own camera brand, lenses and needs. Items with an asterisk * are not ones I have personally used.
Cameras
The Canon cameras I use (note, you do not need expensive cameras for creative photography):
Lenses
(These are specifically Canon lenses)
Wide angle lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM
Zoom lens: Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
Telephoto lenses:
(These are specifically Canon lenses)
Nifty Fifty: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
Macro: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro
Fisheye: Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM Ultra-Wide *
Tilt shift: Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II Ultra Wide Tilt-Shift *
Lensbaby: Lensbaby Composer Pro II with Sweet 50 Optic for Canon EF *
Tripods
MeFoto RoadTrip Lightweight 61.6" Carbon Fiber Tripod w/Arca Swiss Plate
Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB 100 Aluminum Tripod (with adjustable centre column for parallel photos)
L bracket: 3 Legged Thing Roxie L-Bracket for R5 & R6 Mirrorless Cameras - Arca Swiss Compatible
Remotes
Basic: Foto&Tech 1 Piece FTRC-6 IR Wireless Remote Control
Long distance: Pixel 2.4g Digital Wireless Remote Shutter Switch
With intervalometer: Vello Shutterboss Version II Timer Remote Switch
Filters
Make sure to get the correct size for your most suitable lens!
Filter starter kit (UV, ND8, CPL): Hoya 77 mm Filter Kit II - ND8 blocks 3 stops of light, I prefer ND64 which is 6 stops
ND64: B+W 77mm 1.8-64x Multi-Resistant Coating Nano Camera Lens Filter
Variable ND: Hoya 77mm Variable Density Screw-in Filter
Rectangular graduated ND set: LEE Filters 100mm Graduated Neutral Density Soft Edge Filter Set (0.3, 0.6 and 0.9) *
Filter holder for the above set: LEE Filters LEE100 Filter Holder 100mm *
Infrared Filter: Hoya 77mm R-72 Infrared Filter *
Macro accessories
Make sure to get the correct size for your most suitable lens and brand
Extension tubes: Kenko Auto Extension Tube Set DG 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm Tubes *
Reverse mount adapter: 49mm Filter Thread Macro Reverse Mount Adapter Ring for Canon *
Close up filters: Hoya 1286 49 mm HMC Close-Up Filter Set
Focusing rail: Neewer Pro 4-Way Macro Focusing Rail Slider *
Accessories
Camera strap: JJC DSLR Camera Neck Strap, Soft Neoprene Shoulder Belt for Canon
Cleaning kit: Professional Camera Cleaning Kit for DSLR Cameras
Rainsleeve: OP/TECH USA 9001132 Rainsleeve - Original, 2-Pack (Clear)
My backpack: Lowepro Pro Runner 200 AW DSLR Backpack - Pine Green (no longer in stock)
Tether cable: Tether Tools TetherPro USB 2.0 to Mini-B 5-Pin Cable, 15' (4.6m) *
Prism: Amlong Crystal 6 inch Optical Glass Triangular Prism
Lensball: Original Lensball Pro 80mm
Lensball stand: Original Lensball Stand *
Water drop kit: MIOPS Splash
Lightning (and other) trigger: Pluto Trigger
Fog/smoke machine: AGPTEK Fog Machine *
Ring of fire: Supply Giant DDDM0150 Straight Copper Coupling With Sweat Sockets And Without Tube Stop, 1-1/2 Inch
Hand warmers: HotHands Hand Warmers (5 Pack with 2 Warmers per Pack)
Keychain light: Uniclife 5 Pack Mini Keychain Flashlight
Bubbles ingredient: Finish Dishwashing Rinse Aid
Steel wool: Steel Wool, 0000 Super Fine
Magnesium strips: RUICHI Magnesium Ribbon High Pure 99.95% 1 Rolls 25g
Lighting
Speedlites:
Yongnuo YN-560 IV Flash Speedlite *
Godox V860II-S Flash Speedlite
Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT (used version as it's no longer manufactured)
Triggers:
YONGNUO Upgraded YN560-TX II LCD Flash Trigger Remote Controller for Canon *
Godox X2T-C E-TTL II Wireless Flash Remote Trigger
Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT (Ver.2) (no longer available)
Lighting modifiers
Speedlite modifier: MagMod Starter Flash Kit 2 *
Umbrella: Westcott 2016 45-Inch Optical White Satin with Removable Black Cover Umbrella
Softbox: Godox S2 Speedlite Bracket 32"x 32" 80cmx80cm Softbox Grid Kit
Stripbox: Godox 9"x 35" 22x90cm Honeycomb Grid Strip Softbox
Beauty Dish: Neewer Photo Studio 16 inches/41 Centimeters Beauty Dish *
Snoot: Neewer Large Aluminium Alloy Conical Snoot Kit with Honeycomb Grid *
Reflector: Neewer 43 Inch/110 Centimeter Light Reflector 5-in-1 Collapsible Multi-Disc with Bag
Scrim: Westcott Scrim Jim Cine Seamless Full-Stop Diffusion Fabric, 6'x6' *
Lighting accessories
Grey card: Lightdow 12 x 12 Inch (30 x 30 cm) White Balance 18% Grey Card *
Light stand: Neewer Heavy Duty Light Stand, 3-6.5 feet/92-200 Centimeters *
Light stand and boom: JINBEI 16.4FT 500cm Heavy Boom Arm (no longer available on Amazon)
Bowens mount: Godox S-type Bracket Bowens Mount Holder
Speedlite gels: Selens Universal Flash Gels Lighting Filter SE-CG20-20 pcs Combination Kits *
Light tent: Neewer Photo Studio Light Box 16inches/40cm Shooting Light Tent *
Light blaster: Spiffy Gear Light Blaster Strobe Based Projector for Canon EF/EF-S Lenses
Backdrop accessories
Backdrop stands: Emart 10Ft Adjustable Background Stand Backdrop Support System Kit with Carry Bag *
Paper backdrop: Savage Seamless Paper Photography Backdrop - #1 Super White (86 in x 36 ft)
Chromakey backgrounds: Fotodiox Pro Collapsible Background - 5x7’ Chromakey Green/Chromakey Blue
Extra sandbags: ABCCANOPY Sandbag Saddlebag Photography Weight Bags for Video Stand, 4 Packs *
Extra clamps: Cheaplights - Heavy Duty Muslin Clamps 4 1/2 inch 6 Pack
Cheap backdrop alternative - try something similar to these roller blinds
