The benefits of cheap kit?

There may be some benefits of spending less on equipment

by Jon Mitchell

For most photo-journalists and stock photographers, photo equipment and computers are a big outlay. As professionals, we assume that we need the top of the range digital camera and the latest this, that and the other.

In reality, some of us probably spend too much on camera equipment and lenses. This is especially true in the digital age which is now upon us.

One of the easiest ways to save money on equipment is to buy it all second-hand. Another is to select your main telephoto lens with care. Many photo-journalists like the 70-200mm f2.8 zoom, which made a lot of sense in the film days, though as digital copes much better with high ISO shooting, then a 75-300mm f4-5.6 APO lens may be a better choice and you'll be able to buy a few drinks afterwards! The other advantage on a mid-range DSLR and 75-300mm combo is your focal length is increased to 480mm at perhaps f5.6, which with a high ISO setting is worth it's weight in gold.

I recently used on of these lenses on a DSLR and was happy with the results. One photo-journalist I know says he likes the f2.8 as it gives a "zing" on the depth of field. This is probably so, but is it worth the extra money? Perhaps not for some.

Of course, everyone wants great lens quality and it is better to buy the APO (which corrects Aspherical lens distortion) types. Though if you can't do not worry, as even cheap lens these days produce good quality images that are fine for editorial use. I have never heard of a picture editor or researcher saying; "oh, I am not buying that as it was not shot with such and such a lens."

Conversely, the argument for buying a better camera body is stronger than that of purchasing more expensive lenses. The reasons for this are many, though on a DSLR, buying a Canon 30D for instance, over a 400D - does have distinct advantages (though the 350D and 400D are fine cameras), mainly on better handling of photos shot at 800 ISO and above. Another is that if you buy a new Leica M8, then you may have a nice existing set of lovely lenses to put on the front of it, making great savings.

Some may also still consider using film for some jobs and particularly with medium format, as these cameras can sometimes be had at bargain prices, as their professional users turn digital.

In some places, Hasselblads are cheaper than ever and even Rolleiflex TLR cameras with a f2.8 lens can be bought for much less than before. I still shoot sometimes on a Yashica 636 medium format TLR and nickname it my 50MP digital camera. Charmingly, many Nepalis here in Kathmandu ask me to have a look at the images on the screen!

Recently, I saw an EOS-1n going for about £450 and I am sure there are many good deals on Nikon F5s, Canon EOS 1s and the like. Only the old FM2 and Leica 35mm seems to keep something near it's former market value.

Scanners of course, are cheaper than ever, with a 4,000dpi film and print scanner which can handle 35mm to 10x8 inch plates selling new for about £150 and producing very good quality scans.

Digital compacts can be a good bet too, if you cannot quite aford a DSLR. Many rangefinder-style (i.e. like a Leica to shoot with) digital compacts have great features and shoot very high quality images, though with some limitations.

I shot a lot of stock material here in Kathmanduj with an S70 7.1MP digital compact. No complaints from my agency and it's portability led to me shooting pictures I may not normally take.

Of course, many of these cameras are not so hot at shooting riots or sports, though they can at least provide some means of producing a digital image, which is useful if your equipment has been damaged or otherwise.

Leica / Panasonic and Canon seem to make some of the best in this regard. The Canon G7 is a very nice 10MP compact camera and even has an optical zoom lens to a 35mm equivalent of 200mm.

So next time you pass that camera shop full of second-hand stuff, go in and look around, you may find that you can spend less on photo equipment if you apply a bit of intelligence.