When you’re first starting out in photography, it’s easy to quickly get overwhelmed by all the gear options out there. It’s also easy to buy the wrong equipment before you really get started shooting, only to realize you’ve spent your money on something you don’t need and could actually really use something different. However, learning to use the gear you have to the full extent of its ability can help you take excellent photos without overspending your budget. And getting to know the limitations of your current equipment will give you the information you need about the next gear purchase that’s best for you.
My photographic journey dates back to the dinosaur — er, film — days with a Nikon F2 camera and a lens I do not remember. Knowing nothing about using a camera, I learned that by turning a certain knob on top of the camera (shutter speed) or rotating something on the lens (aperture ring), I could position the needle inside the viewfinder in the center and the result would be acceptable. Honestly!
When my home was burglarized and I lost that F2, I visited the local camera store to replace it. I discovered that the Nikon F2 wasn’t manufactured any longer, and the store owner pointed me to a Nikon F3 and a 50mm lens to go along with it. On impulse, I added a 70-210mm zoom lens to my purchase, a move I would learn to regret.
I quickly learned that the 50mm lens was much higher quality than the slow, dark zoom lens. However, it didn’t have the reach (magnification) of the zoom. Learning these facts quickly taught me how to work around my lack of equipment and get the best results I could using what I had.
I photographed everything from tabletop still-life setups to outdoor scenes. In a very short time, I knew exactly how far or close to position myself to fill the frame with that 50mm lens. I happily lent the unused zoom lens to a friend, who eventually purchased it from me. I used the money from selling the “dud” zoom lens as a down payment toward a Nikkor 105mm macro lens.
Once I bought the macro lens, there was no stopping me. I knew what direction I wanted to take and had a new lease on life! My friends called me the “macro maniac” because I saw and photographed everything in close proximity. I had only two choices of lenses, and each had a certain job.
Not being in a position to buy much gear, I allowed myself to make one equipment purchase per year. My next addition to my camera bag was a Nikkor 200mm macro lens, which provided more working distance from my subjects, as well as a softer, more artistic view of the tiny worlds before me. I believed my photos from this lens resembled paintings more than photographs, a look that pleased me.
As time moved on, I eventually bought more gear, but by having limited options, I learned every aspect of each lens that I owned. Each year, I delved into the world of what my latest acquisition could do, and for the next year, I used that lens more often than the rest of what I owned.
My suggestion for photography enthusiasts is to train yourself to know what each piece of your equipment does. For example, know which lens to choose while deciding what to photograph. Your lens choice is the first important decision. If you choose the wrong lens, you could miss an entire photo opportunity of your subject. I try to remain open-minded, though, and keep my options open.
When I pack my bag, I normally choose three lenses. Anything you pack beyond the three choices is a bonus. Consider this: Choose your shortest lens for all-around images, ones where you would include the entire scene in your compositions. Include your longest lens for birds, mammals, and other wildlife. If you think you might be tempted to dive into the close-up world and photograph small, tiny creatures, add your close-up lens and accessories before heading out. (Watch for more information on accessories in next week’s article!)
While photographing in Costa Rica in December, I knew I would try to capture images of the magnificent king vulture (Sarcoramphus papa). I packed my camera bag and hauled my tripod and bag (with the three lenses mentioned above) up the hill to the photo blind. I used only the long lens, which is what I expected to do, but I was prepared for anything else. Back to my story…
By the time I owned two lenses, I had begun teaching photography, and during our field trips, I would demonstrate how to make quick decisions about lens choices. The students would choose a subject for me to photograph and tell me how they wanted it composed (horizontally or vertically, loosely or tightly composed, etc.) Then, without looking through the camera, I would select the appropriate lens and distance from the subject, and set up my tripod and camera. As they took turns looking through the viewfinder, they could see how these decisions helped them achieve their stated objectives. To take the lesson one step further, I would give each one an assignment based on what equipment they carried. For example, if they had a zoom lens, I would tell them how many millimeters to set the lens for the photo. In the process, most discovered that they needed to work harder at becoming familiar with their gear.
These days, people often to buy a camera and a bundle of lenses up front, not knowing what any of it does. Many folks do not find the camera manual useful (or do not even look at it!), so they jump onto their computers, log into YouTube or Google to do a search, and watch whatever they can find that covers their particular gear. Of course, we all know that everything you see or read on the internet is true — not!
I would suggest stepping back, taking an inventory of what gear you own, and paring it down to a bare minimum. Work with one camera and one lens and become intimate, or one, with them. Who knows? You may become a macro maniac or a bird photographer!