My Canon Accessories
I’ve been using Canon camera gear from the time that I purchased my first Canon DSLR before college. Since then, I’ve moved through at least a half dozen of Canon’s digital cameras as technology advanced, most recently transitioning into the Canon mirrorless bodies. I’ve always held an “evolve or die” philosophy. That is why I was an early adopter of the digital technologies when many of my mentors were still shooting on film. There is an irreplaceable aspect to film, darkrooms, that unique chemical smell and the magic that ensues afterward. However, the future will always win.
As soon as Canon began launching their R series bodies, I knew I had found the next camera systems I wanted to transition to. I purchased the Canon R and began practicing with the mirrorless body, before making that my backup, and springing for the Canon R5. Next came the investment in the new lenses and Canon accessories. But before I go into those exact details, I just want to remind aspiring photographers of the rule I live by, which is “one is none.” If you’re main camera body goes down, and you don’t have a backup, you don’t have a job.
Also, if you’re not sure what is the best Canon camera for photography business, I’m here to help! You can always drop me a comment or email. I’ll respond to answer any questions for you as best I can. Let me give you the overall rundown of everything in my camera bag. Then I’ll go into more detail about each piece of gear. I always carry two cameras, the Canon R (backup) and Canon R5 (main). I have the following Canon RF lenses: 15-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8, 35mm Macro, 85mm f/1.2, 800mm f/11 and the RF 2x Extender. All of these lenses have specific purposes and assist me to make the best images possible in any given situation.
Why I use Canon R5 lenses?
Simply put, I love shallow depth of field. I generally try to purchase Canon R5 lenses with at least a 2.8 aperture for that very shallow depth of field capability. These lenses are generally the L series in the “professional” end of the spectrum and therefor are more expensive. For me the cost is easily justified, as the L series lenses allow me to shoot in almost any lighting condition. The only lens I own that is an exception to this rule is the 800mm f/11, but more on that in a little bit.
If you’re thinking about a wide-angle lens with a bit of zoom, the 15-35mm f/2.8 is a no-brainer. There is rarely a situation where the 15mm isn’t wide enough to capture whatever it is your photographing, so it’s great for shooting in tight places. It can even be used creatively to distort subjects and works brilliantly to shoot wide-angle landscape photography without distortion. I was always a fan of the Canon 16-35mm, but this new Canon RF lens stepped it up another notch.
Canon Lenses for Portraits and Headshots
The truth is my photography kit would never be complete without the 85mm f/1.2. I fell in love with this lens back in 2006. I have used it as an essential (like toilet paper) ever since. It’s a dream portrait lens that delivers the sharp details in your subjects along with the most beautiful out-of-focus background elements you can imagine. The shallow depth of field works great for more than just portraits too. Almost any image shot on this lens is eye-catching. The new focusing on the RF version is superior to the EF version. You won’t struggle with backlit subjects or a delayed focus. This lens is one of the best Canon lenses for portraits.
Best Walk Around Lens for Canon
If I had to choose only one lens to leave home with when heading out to wonder around a city, my favorite would be the 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens. It’s terrific for having the ability to capture a fairly wide angle but also zoom up to 70mm for portraits, all while keeping that shallow depth of the field. This is a great lens combining the ability to shoot landscapes and portraits.
Should you be looking to walk around and create slightly more abstract photos, I love the Canon 35mm f/1.8. This lens brings you the ability to shoot within 6 inches of your subject with a razor-thin depth of field. The effects can be stunning.
Best Zoom Lens for Canon
On the longer side, I prefer to shoot with the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8. It allows you to be removed from the scene if you’re working in a busy environment, sporting event or even shooting landscapes from a distance. This lens also doubles as a great headshot must-have. There is a superior bokeh effect when shooting subjects up close and personal. This zoom lens for Canon is a 10 out of 10, and a great addition to any photographer’s kit.
Another new addition to my kit is the 800mm f/11. This is a specialized lens I purchased for shooting wildlife and the moon specifically. Shooting from great distances, especially when coupled with the RF 2x Extender, takes a lot of practice and getting used to, but I’ve been happy with outcome every time. The lens is very sharp when shooting in daytime, and requires a tripod for night time shooting. It definitely raised the bar for my astronomic photography work, which I am keen on exploring further.
Canon Camera for Instagram
I get a lot of inquiries from people who are following me on Instagram. Many of them ask me which Canon camera I use to shoot my Instagram photos. As you know now after reading this post, I use the Canon R5 camera body. In addition to that, I use a collection of different lenses depending on the subject matter I’m shooting.
When preparing and optimizing images for my Instagram page, I always use relevant Canon hashtags. My hope is to get featured on some of the Canon social media pages. It’s a difficult task since there is a lot of competition, but don’t let that discourage you. Getting featured on verified accounts on Instagram is all about posting original and engaging content, with just a sprinkle of luck to get noticed.
Hopefully this has given everyone a little insight into my choices when packing my camera bag with gear before a shoot. If you have any questions regarding Canon cameras, lenses or accessories, I’m happy to help. Feel free to leave a comment below or shoot me an email!
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