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Gear Up: Photography Must-Haves.
31
items After much research and using these photography products over the years here are some great options to get started or to add to your photography collection. I hope these items help as they have helped perfect my own photography over the years.
Sections
5
Cameras
Lenses
Image Storage
Printers
Other Essentials
Cameras
A camera is a fundamental device that captures light from the world and converts it into a permanent image, either digitally or on film. Modern cameras, ranging from sophisticated mirrorless and DSLR models to the powerful sensors in smartphones. The...
This is the waterproof and shockproof camera that I have. It takes great pictures and has multiple settings to customize the type of photo you want to achieve. These types of cameras would be a great option for going on vacation to beach destinations...
OM SYSTEM OLYMPUS TG-6 Red Underwater Cam
This is the Sony camera that I own and would highly recommend. The Sony Alpha 9 camera is a powerhouse that blends the portability of a mirrorless system with the speed and reliability demanded by top professionals. I have taken many great pictures w...
Sony a9 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Body
My first DSLR camera was actually the Rebel T6, but I see they came out with the Rebel T7. This was a great beginner camera and got me used to the different lenses that are not attached to the camera, but interchangeable. If you truly love photograph...
Canon EOS Rebel T7 EF-S 18-55mm IS II Kit: 24.1MP Digital SLR with Wi-Fi & 1080p HD Movie
Lenses
Camera lenses are the optical core of any photographic system, serving as the crucial intermediary that gathers and focuses light onto the camera's sensor. They are categorized based on their characteristics—such as prime lenses offering fixed focal ...
My first telephoto lens. I wanted a lens that reaches a long distance away and this one fit my desires. If you have a Sony camera this one is a must if you want to achieve those far away shots, but have it look as if you are right in front of your su...
Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens
Even though this is a Marco Lens, it is my go-to lens for most of my photography. Marco lenses are actually more versitle than I thought and you can use them for most for portraits and everyday photography. Highly recommend this lens if you have a So...
Sony SEL90M28G 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens
I wanted to invest in a premium telephoto zoom lens that was a little lighter. The clarity and sharpness are genuinely breathtaking and gives me complete confidence when shooting portraits or distant subjects. Like all Sony lenses this is compatible ...
Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens
The Sony 100-400mm GM lens is a phenomenal piece and perfect companion for anything requiring significant reach, like wildlife or action sports. Despite its expansive zoom range, the optical stabilization and incredibly fast, accurate autofocus syste...
Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5–5.6 GM OSS White
This lens I actually saw on a review of if the photographer had to pick out a lens for the first time again this would be one of them, as it is versatile and everything you need for a practical lens. I wanted something that other photographers love a...
Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II Lens Black
Another lens I saw on a review of if the photographer had to pick out a lens for the first time again this would be one of them, as it is versatile and everything you need for a practical lens. I wanted something that other photographers love and a l...
Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM II
Image Storage
You are always going to want storage devices for your camera on hand, if it be a flash drive or the SD card (needed to capture and save the picture from your camera). These are a few of my favorites.
This is a great flash drive! The drive offers fast read speeds. It has a rugged metal design and sleek metal body that is durable. It is also know to be waterproof, shock-proof, magnet-proof, temperature-proof, and X-ray-proof, offering peace of mind...
SAMSUNG BAR Plus 64GB USB 3.1 Flash Drive
Although this is a little flash drive, it can hold a lot of storage. Another reliable storage device.
Samsung 256GB USB-C Flash Drive, 400MB/s, Blue
This is a great storage device, and you can even plug it into your iPhone to save your documents and pictures.
Flash Drive for iPhone iPad, Photo Stick USB
They even have this flash drive available for Type C USB port phones.
MFi 512GB 3-in-1 Type-C USB Flash Drive
My go-to SD Card for years. SanDisk has been very reliable, and the brand has a generous variety of GB SD Cards to choose from. You will also want to purchase multiple SD cards. Storage space can get eaten up quickly on an SD card if you are at a pho...
SanDisk 128GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I Memory Card
Printers
Printers may be more of a fundamental investment, or maybe you don't really want to print out your photos, which is fine. You may be a professional photographer and want to sell your prints. I have listed the printer that got me started and the print...
This is the first printer I started out with printing my photos. It prints decently for the beginning photographer, or if you are just trying to print some family pictures to put on the wall or a picture album.
HP ENVY 6055e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer
This is the ink I use in my HP Envy printer. I feel you can save a little money on getting the variety pack vs buying them separately.
HP 67 Black/Tri-color Ink Cartridges for HP Printers
I still use this picture paper to print my photos on. It is a decent price, and my photos always turn out great!
HP Advanced Glossy Photo Paper 8x10 25ct
I still use this picture paper to print my photos on. It is a decent price, and my photos always turn out great!
HP Everyday Photo Paper Glossy 5x7 60ct
I still use this picture paper to print my photos on. It is a decent price, and my photos always turn out great!
HP Everyday Glossy Photo Paper 4x6, 100ct
I had to upgrade at some point, with lots of research this seemed to be the best printer and in my budget range. It prints excellent pictures, keeping the photo true to its coloring and vibrance. It prints on borderless printer paper up to 13”x19” or...
Canon PIXMA PRO-200 Wireless Photo Printer
This printer paper works really great, as well. I use this printer paper as well as the HP printer paper.
Canon LU-101 13x19 Luster Photo Paper (50)
This printer paper works really great, as well. I use this printer paper as well as the HP printer paper.
Canon LU-101 Luster Photo Paper Letter 50
Investing in the Canon CLI-65 Professional Ink tanks for my PIXMA PRO-200 printer is absolutely worth the cost. The eight-color ChromaLife 100+ system consistently delivers rich, archival-quality prints with incredibly smooth gradations and spot-on c...
Canon CLI-65 8 Color Pack for PIXMA PRO-200
Other Essentials
Here are some other photography essentials I own and have added to my photography collection over the years that I would highly recommend if you are looking for some of these items.
This is a sturdy and durable tripod. A Tripod can be an essential item you will most likely want to purchase, if it be right away or down the road. Tripods can come in handy when doing a photoshoot or when using a heavy lens to lessen shakiness and a...
INNOREL RT75C Carbon Fiber Tripod Monopod
Here is the case that I have for my Olympus Tough TG-6 camera. The camera fits great, it is a hardshell case, and it has a storage pouch inside to put your camera charger, extra batteries and SD cards.
Aproca Camera Case for Olympus Tough TG-7/TG-6
These worked great for when I was taking pictures in the ocean and pool. They helped my camera stay afloat so it did not sink to the bottom. Highly suggest getting these if you have an underwater camera.
Nordic Flash Waterproof Camera Floaty 2-Pack
Every camera owner needs a reliable blower bulb, and this one is an essential piece of kit. It’s simple, rugged, and far safer than using compressed air, providing a powerful, targeted blast of air to clear dust and grit from lenses, sensor shields, ...
Soft Tip Silicone Air Blower with Cloth
This is my camera bag. It has enough space for my camera and a couple essential lenses as well as space for my SD cards, extra batteries, cleaning supplies and much more. There are even a couple of straps on the side to hold your tripod. The compartm...
G-raphy Large Camera Backpack for DSLR
An extra battery for your Sony camera to add to your camera bag. You will want to purchase multiple batteries, in case your battery gets low or dies. That way you can quickly replace the dead battery with a new one and continue to photograph. Compati...
Sony NPFZ100 Battery for Alpha A7 III/A9
The Digital Photography Complete Course is the ideal 20-week learning program for anyone starting out in photography, designed to quickly turn beginners into knowledgeable experts. This comprehensive book simplifies complex technical concepts using e...
Digital Photography Complete Course - 20 Weeks
You may want to purchase a flash device as well. Some cameras come with one built in, but from what I noticed, the more expensive camera’s that accessory you will have to purchase separately. This is the one I use with my camera, and it has multiple ...
Sony GN60 Wireless Radio Control Flash Black