A super common question I receive from friends who are interested in photography is what camera should they get…what gear should they use? Over the years of photography, I’ve been able to work with a couple of different bodies in between my personal business and for the corporation that I work for. Oddly enough, I have primarily worked with Nikon products…eventually one day maybe I’ll dig more into Canon or Sony but Nikon is home so that is what I have stuck with.
Something I have learned over time, however, is that the body of the camera doesn’t matter as much as the lenses. A good piece of glass is crucial for fantastic photos. So if your interested in upping your game but don’t have the funds, look into lenses before looking into a new camera body. Nice glass makes all the difference in the world.
I got my first camera in high school — a Nikon D3000. They don’t even make those cameras anymore. They now make a Nikon D3500. This is a great little crop sensor camera that is perfect for a beginner in the DSLR world and what I recommend for those who have never had a camera.
I took this picture of a beautiful bird with the Nikon D3000 with slight edit made to the contrast. The lens was a 70-300 mm DX lens.
I still use this camera today for day trips and quick snaps because its weight is easier to tote around than my body for weddings.
Here is a link to the version of the camera you can get today. This bundle is a great holiday gift for a budding photographer: https://amzn.to/2VhUw6a
When my friend asked me to shoot their wedding in 2014, that is when I knew it was time for an upgrade. I graduated from a crop-sensor camera to a full sensor camera: the Nikon D610. Full-sensor camera have a larger field of view than the crop sensor and tend to get a better depth of field performance with a full sensor camera. I feel like any who wants to start taking their hobby a little more seriously should upgrade to a full-sensor. Anyone who wants to be a professional absolutely must have a full-sensor.
All of my weddings to this date have been shot on the D610 with a combination of a 50 mm lens and 24-70 lens. Scroll through that section to see some samples. (Side note, I realllllyyyy need to update my portfolio…I have been a part of so many beautiful weddings that I need to add them to my website! Having a baby really throws things behind. lol.)
Here is the link for the Nikon D610:
Links to lens mentioned
50 mm: https://amzn.to/2nm9b3C
24-70 mm: https://amzn.to/2oXgoY7
Over the years, I have really enjoyed the D610 but it is the “entry level” of the full-sensors. I have upgraded my lenses over time to up my game but I know that I have out grown this camera. The goal is to move on up to a Nikon 810. That camera is so gorgeous. It’s the dream. One day I’ll have the funds to get there!
Happy Snapping,
Taylor
*Candid Crabb Photography is an Amazon Associate and all links are affiliate links.
