What if I told you that all you really need to start—or even succeed—at landscape photography is incredibly little? It might be hard to believe, considering the most popular photography content is centered around cameras, lenses, and gear. It can send the wrong message to new photographers: that you need a bunch of expensive things to make great images—you don’t, and I’m going to prove it to you.
This guide was inspired by trips I took in 2018 and 2024, where I could only bring what I could carry onto a flight, including clothes. This really pushes you to shed what you don't need, and the reality is that landscape photography is likely the most accessible genre of photography you can get into. You don't need heavy, expensive lenses with wide apertures; you don't need cutting-edge autofocus technology; and sensor technology hasn't really improved all that much in almost a decade for image quality.
In this video, I cover a range of questions you might run into when purchasing your first camera, such as sensor size, camera brand, apertures, prime or zoom lenses, whether you need a tripod, filter selection, and essentially encourage you to start with very little. So much of modern camera technology is centered around improving video features and autofocus that landscape photographers have more options than ever when it comes to budget.
I'd love to know your thoughts or if you have suggestions for great budget options in the used or new gear markets down below. I couldn't possibly cover or know it all, so your help is welcomed!
A great no nonsense video! Two thumbs up
I am glad to see someone who gives the same advice as me when it comes to buying a camera. Get what fits in your hand. All brands are good. Great video!
Watch and WATCH again! Yes, older cameras were great great when they came out and were at the time top of the line!!! For those starting out or the seasoned photographer. I have been at the digital camera word from the 2000's with point and shoots to 2010 with DSLR's of Canon T2i to 2014 mirrorless of the new, then, Sony A7SM1 (no IBIS) to 2017 Sony A7RM2 and then on and on. For those who want a good brand to grow on, meaning lenses are forever and as cameras grow with more functions and you may want to go further you will get to build your lens collection also. Example when Nikon and Canon went mirrorless they needed mirrorless lenses and those wanting to go mirrorless had to also get the new and sell the old.
When I went Sony from Canon in 2014 and Sony had few lenses the carrot was adapters for other camera makers lenses and at $30 or less. I had/have both Canon APS-C lenses and old film Canon FD lenses, a bag full - still today, again lenses are forever and film lenses are what all call "FAST GLASS"! But are unchipped meaning no contacts on back of lens to transfer lens info like F number the aperture value and lens millimeter and even today low coast lenses are made without being chipped or without contacts. To help you with unchipped lenes there is a program you can add to Lrc and other editing programs called "Lens Tagger" where you can add to the Metadata of the image the Aperture and Lens Millimeter as well as lens Serial Number all if you do like in the film days keep a log of lens info for every capture you can refer to years later when you forget that info.
IBIS, In-Body Image Stabilization, that came out in 2003 and was in most point and shoot camera models and many film lenses IS/OSS of the late 1990's (something to look for in older lenses.
The first mirrorless cameras of Sony were the model model two's A7, S, R's Mod 2 and yes Sony bought Minolta that had it in their APS-C Mirrored cameras (still great cameras). The A7M2 came out in November 2014 that is 10 years ago and still selling new but low prices on the used market.
A little share, Yes I went Sony A7SM1 in August of 2014 before the mod 2's and it was a paper world then, it worked great and most fun for Astro Milky Way but add older lens of 2003 the APS-C E 10-18mm F4 OSS a 15-27mm in 35mm was able to be used at 12-18mm in full frame mode and the Sony cameras had buttons to assign so a push of a button you could go Full Frame or APS-C mode, but at 12mm you could go wider than other camera maker and with IBIS and a lens that is IS/OSS combined you can capture hand held at slower shutter speeds.
When I went A7RM2 in 2017 and was on a tour of Antilope Canyon in Az. I forgot my camera plate for my tripod, it was a low light place so a need to do long exposures but I first did a single capture that was great next I did a bracketed 3 at +/- 2EV and all three images looked great and if not I had three images to play with in post and using the new FE 12-24mm F4 G (no IS/OSS) even greater for there were no other makers of a 12mm lens so images wider than those of others.
Also used at Horseshoe Canyon with a Voigtlander FE 10mm f/5.6 Sony Chipped but no AF or IS but I capture in a single image what other photographers at the very edge using again tripods in windy condition doing multirow panoramas and yes a F/5.6 but at f/11 great captures. Also great at Astro Milky Way's.
The point is now the old cameras and lenses are still great and today not expensive or what all say are "Cheep", Lenses are never Cheep or for that matter neither are the cameras.
Lastly post processing software can do way more than in the past, I lived it and know the frustrations of noise and dust spots even with a pro SW of Capture One again afford to Sony users of 2014 for just $20.
Another gold mine item to look for in Sony Mod 1's and 2's both of which still sell new today are are on camera apps, no longer available or down loadable from https://www.playmemoriescameraapps.com/portal/
Look what could be on that old camera you may be looking at just a few that could make it more golden. The main one to look for is "Digital Filter" it lets you do a capture in tree sections using any and all camera settings each processing in camera and sending to the SD card in Jpeg or RAW and able to see and adjust the areas selected up or down before sending to SD card, Meaning if doing landscapes no need to carry filters or holders in your already heavy bag.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUbmMIq7vDI
News flash: ALL your Canon EF/ EF-S lenses work perfectly as designed or BETTER on Canon R cameras. In gact the control ring converter gives your EF type lenses RF features. NO other maker comes close thus giving you access to the thousands of EF and EF-S for your Camon R lenses. No need at all to buy new lenses unless you feel the need to burn money.
Unlike Nikon that only about 1/3 of the F AF lenses work on Z cameras and just an even smaller amount of F lenses work even though the vaunted F mount was worshipped as eternal and forever compatible.
My thoughts only for me!
I own 30ks (18k usa) worth of GFX gear and use it. And yes I love the images it produces.
I also dont drink alcohol, I dont waste money on junk food. I get a free car with fuel for my day job. I make 30k a year from photography (side business)
Im very smart with money.
Do you need a GFX? NO but its nice to have and I enjoy the experience I get with my GFX cameras. GFX100S ii and GFX 50s ii and XT5.
I'm proud of my gear that I have worked hard for.
Again don't lump me in the GAS syndrome pile...nope
I had my nikon D850 for 5 years before this. So I dont change gear often.
Yes there is so much modern gear thats fabulous and can be affordable.
I also teach photography to youth with anxiety and depression/addictions
I give back.
I love my gear but it makes me money too.
I'm not burning money. I have invested in something that brings me joy and makes momey. How is that bad? 🤔