If somebody gave you $1,000 and informed you to purchase a digital camera and lens combo, what would you do? Yes, it’s onerous to get a very good package for comparatively little cash. Yet, there are some hidden gems which might be nice to kickstart your profession and provide an enchancment over current gear. When I began out taking photos, at about 15-years-old, I couldn’t actually afford to purchase a digital digital camera or something of that kind. I needed to make do with what I had: a movie digital camera and lens I took from my dad. Being fairly younger, I didn’t begin pictures within the good previous days. I began capturing movie and needed to be taught quick what to do and how you can do it. Eventually, I managed to avoid wasting up and I purchased a digital digital camera: Canon 1D Mark II. Then, I saved up much more and offered my 1D Mark II for greater than shopping for it, I purchased a 5D Mark II. Paired with a very good zoom lens, it was a tremendous digital camera I shot loads of jobs on. That was in 2019, after the discharge of the EOS R. A decade after the 5D Mark II was launched, it was nonetheless an in a position digital camera that delivered.
Now, I like to recommend this combo to each single newbie photographer, virtually no matter what their style is. Camera expertise, normally, has improved lots prior to now decade, however to be sincere, it’s a marginal enchancment yearly. Long story quick, there hasn’t been a foul digital camera since 2010. Lenses have additionally improved lots; new glass is sharper, flange distance is shorter, and parts are higher. Does that make a distinction? If you’re a pixel-peeper sure. I shoot a 24-70 from 2007 on a Canon 5Ds physique, and no person has complained. So a lot so, that no person notices me swap from a 5D Mark IV to a 5Ds and vice-versa.
So, let’s see why I believe the 5D Mark II and a 24-105 f/4 IS is the very best digital camera and lens combo beneath $1,000
Canon 5D Mark II ($300-400)
Released in 2009, this digital camera is a real legend. The specs are nothing particular in 2022, however they have been the most recent and biggest in 2009 when the digital camera first got here out. In a nutshell, right here is the rundown of the specs of the famed Canon 5D Mark II.
Sensor-wise, you’ve got 21MP to work with. It is similar to the Canon 1Ds Mark III, which was a digital camera made particularly for studio work. Personally, until you’re capturing massive campaigns, you don’t want a higher-resolution sensor. From private expertise, my shoppers additionally didn’t actually discover me swap from a 20 to a 30 and to a 50-megapixel sensor. The ISO goes from 100 to six,400, which might be expanded to 50-25,600. This isn’t something spectacular, however in case you’re capturing at ISO 6,400 on a regular basis, it’s possible you’ll need to take into account a special digital camera. For easy of us who work within the vary of 100-3,200, this will likely be excellent. The digital camera begins performing up previous 1,000 ISO, so that you need to watch out with that. Still, the grain is quite nice and nothing horrible.
Some notable options embody stay view, which does appear normal now, however was a large change for me coming from a movie and 1D Mark II background. On the unhealthy aspect, the autofocus is horrible, and you possibly can solely depend on a single heart level. This isn’t so unhealthy in case you’re working with a largely nonetheless topic, however as quickly because it begins shifting quick, it’s possible you’ll need to look within the course of the Canon 1D Mark IV, or the 1Dx. If you’re into video, you will not be too happy, because the 5D Mark II is primarily a stills digital camera. I’ve shot very very small video tasks on the 5D Mark II, and it carried out okay, however there is no such thing as a method I’m bringing it to something severe. It makes far more sense to lease a Blackmagic for video tasks.
24-105 f/4 ($300-400)
This will not be a particular lens, you may say. It’s a really particular lens, I reply. The 24-105 f/4 IS is a low-cost skilled possibility that may fit your wants for most capturing. Especially in the beginning of your profession, if you end up unsure concerning the focal lengths that you just desire, the 24-105 will present ample selection in pictures. From mid-telephoto to mid-wide-angle, this lens could be very a lot “mid”. It gained’t offer you a loopy zoom, or loopy bokeh, it should nevertheless offer you a secure and dependable lens that takes sharp photos. It’s kind of a package lens on steroids. And an excellent one certainly. Featuring picture stabilization, it is going to be excellent for those that need to take their shutter speeds somewhat down. Compared to model II, the unique one is lighter and smaller. The solely enchancment the newer, costlier lens has is the nook brightness, which might be mounted in submit. Go determine which one you have to.
What About the 24-70 f/2.8?
An attentive reader will ask why I shoot on the heavier 24-70 f/2.8? And the reply is quite easy, simply because that’s the lens I purchased, and obtained caught with utilizing. At the identical time, having shot work on a 24-105 as properly, I might completely advocate it to anybody who needs an honest zoom however doesn’t need to spend ridiculous quantities of cash. If you discover a whole lot, and really feel that you just don’t want something past 70mm go for the 24-70, however be ready to lose sharpness at wider apertures, in addition to use an even bigger and heavier piece of glass. Coming from somebody whose arms harm after a capturing typically, it is a very actual concern.
Closing Thoughts
So, there you’ve got it, the Canon 5D Mark II, paired with a 24-105 f/4, or a 24-70 f/2.8 is a superb beginning combo for virtually any skilled photographer. Costing beneath $1,000 used, this gear might be bought off Facebook Marketplace, numerous teams, in addition to web sites. I might strongly recommend shopping for the gear in particular person as typically distant purchases can result in frustration and poor decisions.
https://fstoppers.com/gear/best-full-frame-camera-and-lens-combo-under-1000-professional-photography-611305
