Your camera is an extension of you in your studio. What you shoot with can be just as important as how you shoot. Choosing the right gear to help you perform better during a photo shoot is worth careful consideration. In this article, I will discuss cameras, but go more into depth on lenses, light meters, and care kits for your gear to help give you a better understanding of each and what features to look for when purchasing each component.
Model: Kristin Rutty
Digital Cameras
There are a few different types of digital cameras: point-and-shoot, mirrorless, and DSLR. For the purposes of this article, I'm going to focus on the two most suited to studio work: DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
Essentially, DSLRs embody the features of the classic camera, with an optical viewfinder, substantial body, and moderate weight. Mirrorless cameras are relatively newer, but can offer advantages in size and features since they don't use a mirror and optics for the viewfinder, resulting in an electronic system. You can't go wrong with either these days, and I would recommend reading the Explora article, DSLR or Mirrorless: Which is Best for You?, to help you make a decision.
For studio work, there are plenty of beneficial features that you should seek, such as higher resolution, secure tripod mounts, or additional ports for tethering or connecting lights. Something like the Nikon D850, Canon 5DS R, or Sony a7R III would be ideal, since they each offer more than 40 megapixels of resolution and have speedy USB connections and sync ports for lights.
One thing I do want to mention is format, because you will see options like full-frame, APS-C, Micro Four Thirds, and more when you start browsing the B&H website. Professional photographers tend to opt for full frame because it matches the size and look of traditional 35mm film; or even medium format, which offers even larger sensors—for a price. The larger area generally results in finer image quality in a wider range of situations, with support for a large selection of OEM and third-party lenses. APS-C and MFT generally offer similar features and cost less than medium-format gear. If you are doing studio work where lights are employed, you can create very adequate images just the same.
The major difference between full-frame cameras and the smaller formats is "crop factor," where the image projected by the lens is being cropped by the smaller area of the APS-C or MFT sensor. For example, if you put a 50mm lens on a Canon 7D Mark II, with a 1.6x crop factor, you will have the same angle of view as an 80mm lens on a full-frame camera, but the image will still retain the optical characteristics of the 50mm lens. Format is an important point to consider when you start shopping for lenses. To determine which DSLR camera format will work best for you, read the Explora article, DSLR Camera Buying Guide. For more information on which mirrorless camera system is right for you, read Mirrorless Cameras: A Buying Guide.
It's important to note that a camera and lens share near-equal importance. For cameras, focus on performance features that are important to you. For lenses, invest in high-quality glass if you want high-quality images.
Lenses
Good glass in a lens is important for image quality. There is not a camera out there that will give you great image quality if you mount a low-quality lens on it, unless your goal is a low-tech image. Lenses fall into two basic categories: prime and zoom lenses. Choose a lens based on environment and subject.
Prime Lenses
Prime lenses are a great choice for portraits and static shots, if you have enough room to move around in your studio—prime lenses have a fixed field of view. The focal length you choose depends on the amount of space you have in your home studio. Can you back away a sufficient distance from your subject? If you can, purchase a longer focal length lens. A few good prime focal length options for portraits and headshots in the home studio are the short telephotos: 85mm, 100mm, 105mm and 135mm. If you are short on space, a 50mm lens will also suffice for portraits in the studio.
Shot with a Canon 85mm f/1.8 lens
My personal favorites are manufactured by Zeiss. While they may be a little pricey for some first-time home-studio photographers, the image quality is outstanding. Rokinon lenses, for example, are a good budget option.
Zoom Lenses
A zoom lens provides you with multiple focal lengths in a single lens, allowing you to compose and frame your images with less footwork. These are a good option for subjects such as pets, children, and fashion (subjects who move) in the studio, when you need to work quickly and don't always have time for a lens change. Two good zoom-lens options for home-studio use are the 24-70mm and 70-200mm, although you'd need ample space for the latter lens when fully zoomed-in.
Cleaning Kits
A cleaning kit for your lens is necessary if you want to produce clean pictures. Even a tiny speck of dust can cause headaches for you when you enlarge your photos on your computer or in print.
My favorite cleaning kit is the Zeiss Lens Cleaning Kit, because it comes with wet and dry cleaning options including: a soft brush, air blower, lens-cleaning solution, disposable wet wipes, and microfiber cloth. It stores in a convenient, compact pouch.
Light Meters
When dealing with flash lighting in the home studio, new photographers should consider using a light meter to measure exposure, based on the 18% gray standard. This will provide an accurate aperture and shutter-speed combination for accurate exposures. The Gossen Starlite 2 Universal Exposure Meter is a good choice, because it can measure incident, spot, flash, and photometric light values. Sekonic also makes a terrific line of light meters.
For more information on light meters and their capabilities, check out The B&H Light Meter Buying Guide.
Tying It All Together
Having good, reliable gear in a home studio can mean the difference between a session being a hit or a miss. After you acquire a good camera body, be sure to invest in a good lens or two. Consider a light meter for more accurate exposure of your images. I would also advise a strap or harness for your camera to avoid any drops, and be sure to clean your lenses regularly to avoid dust and dirt spots on your images.
To read more in this series, click here for Part 1, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, and Part 6.
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