Awesome video. Who goes out and buys a budget used camera to answer somebody's question? I'll tell you who... someone who cares about his fans and tries to help them with the correct answers instead of just ignoring them. Thanks for being the person who encourages us to get out and shoot no matter the equipment we own.
If you really believe he went out and spent his own money on that gear you need to take a reality check. It's called marketing I work for one of the biggest marketing companies in the UK we facilitate this kind of thing every day of the week. When a company of an individual who has a high profile it's called a win, win situation for MPB will make thousands of all the advertising this is giving them.
Very good video Tom. Something I like to keep in mind: If a camera was considered very good 10 years ago, just because new stuff comes out doesn't mean its no longer a very good camera 📸📸
After almost losing my eyesight twice, I am now a photographer. I feel as I was given a gift after gaining back my sight and people started taking notice of my photos. Photography has helped me get somewhat out of depression and it's my passion now...I have an emotional and spiritual connection to it (probably sounds silly but that's how I feel about it). I feel like it gave me a brand new perspective at just how much beauty there is in life and once I started making TH-cam videos about my travels it helps me even more. I've been at it for a little over a year and I've sold a couple of calendars and had someone in the UK actually order a couple of enlarged prints. While I haven't got the funds to go out and buy these expensive cameras I have been using my cameraphone only and it seems to work good enough so far. Luckily, a friend on facebook who is also a photographer gave me for FREE 2 digital canon cameras. I have NO IDEA how to use them as of yet and when I look at manuals I'm totally lost. I am excited, once the weather cools off (I"m in Phoenix,AZ) to get out there and start taking probably even more quality photos...I think I will be doing this for the rest of my life and I am in love with landscape photography!
I started watching you in 2017, when you were shooting with your Canon 5D and solo camping with a tent. Even though I've owned cameras for decades and photographed my children growing up, vacations and other portraits, you made me fall in love with landscape photography. I started going out with my little dog, who I just recently lost about three months ago, and camping overnight to shoot waterfalls, creeks and mountains. You may not realize how much that meant to so many, including me. The beauty was in the adventure of it, and the communion with nature. The gear is important up to a point to meet weight, resolution needs and so forth, but the real importance is in the experience. You gave us all that experience, Thomas. Thank you so much for that, friend.
One of the reasons I love this channel (apart from the massive amount of talent that you display) is that, even when you have all the cool stuff and all the newest toys, you keep reminding us that the core of landscape photography really is the landscape and the photographer… it’s cool to have a nice piece of gear, of course, but ultimately the great satisfaction comes from finding a composition and just shooting it with whatever you have
@4th_Lensman_of_the_apocalypse Or, far too frequently, "The best camera is the one you left at home!" 🙂As the user of some lower-end gear I really appreciate videos like this one.
100%… I own a Nikon Z7ii and D850, but very often shoot old cameras for creativity and the challenge. My favourite image of 2022 was shot with Nikon F3HP and Kodak Gold 200.
For a bit of fun, I've just been on MPB' site to see what I could get. Canon: EOS 50D £77.00, Sigma 17-35mm F2.8-4 £124.00. Nikon: D3100 £79.00, Sigma 17-35mm F2.8-4 £93.00. Manfrotto 190MF3 carbon fibre tripod £94.00. Basics of a kit for between £250 and £300. Plenty of spare cash for filters etc. Fellow youtuber Gary Gough did some videos about a year ago using an EOS 350D he was lucky to get for £19. Keep up the good work on these vids.
I have been a destination wedding photographer for more than a decade and have been working on the now 12 years old Fuji XPro1. Prints large, sharp, and way enough for fine art and luxury events. Gear is just gear and you’ve shown in this video that nothing beats light and composition ! You’re a true master Tom !
For this "gear" video you are forgiven! Excellent points, I stopped daydreaming about multi-megapixel mirrorless gear and settled down to enjoying my 10-year old DSLR and inexpensive lens collection because I'm finally making images with it I enjoy and because I'm not going to print A2 or larger. I might buy a more modern one some day, but this channel and others have shown how much it's to do with getting out there, using your eyes and printing the best ones. Cheers!
I have printed 5D MkII pictures at 60x90cm without any problems. (and at such a size you won't go closer than half a meter to the print anyway) You can also consider buying a prime lens like Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG HSM Art (less than 700€ and sharp as hell) and create panoramic shots (stitching the files together with software) which have insane quality beyond 100MP if you want.
I answered just this question for a friend recently. I recommended an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark ii with an Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Cost from MPB £294 for the body, £134 for the lens. This is a killer package for the money. He loves it and is enjoying the photography life now. It was fun trying to find gear in his budget but really pleasing to know there are options at this budget. The other option I put together for him was a Fuji X-T-1 with a Fuji XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 LM OIS lens. Cost from MPB £319 for the body, £289 for the lens. A bit over 500 but still amazing value.
I managed to get a Pentax K-1 for £500, with only 4,000 clicks on the shutter. 36mp landscape monster of a camera, fully weathersealed and with an articulated rear screen. I love it.
Thank you for putting this video together. I am in the position of working at Subway but have a passion for landscape photography so like you suggested I have to do it on a budget and it is a small budget. I shoot with the Canon 5D2 for two reasons one it’s at the point I can afford. The second reason is if something happens to it it’s a lot easier to replace at the lower price point. The images are great especially if you bracket your shots. I paired it up with two older lenses the 24-105 f4, and the 17-40 f4 and man oh man I love that setup for getting the shots. You just proved my point I have been saying that you don’t need the latest or greatest if you truly want to shoot you will find a way to make it work.
I've never sold any of my camera kit, since I started in 1976. I could easily sell it all, except my Z mount lenses, and get me a Z8. Won't do it. My last camera purchase was a D800 from your sponsor's USA competition. Last lens was a Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 G to put on it. I have Z system equipment, but the old DSLR just feels right. BTW, I still shoot film with the camera that started it all, the Yashica FX-2... and 7 C/Y mount lenses. I can't get rid of the old stuff. It's still fun to shoot with. My heirs will sell all this stuff to MPB or the "USA competition" in Georgia, USA. They don't love it, but there's a bunch of old stuff, in excellent condition for you youngsters in the future.
The 5Dii was my first full frame body and it was at this point when looking online for information about it, that I came across your channel all those years ago when you were using the 5Div and the rest they say is history. Forever grateful for you igniting that flame Thomas that burns fiercely in me today
I picked up a Canon 6D several years ago when $495 was a great deal. Now they are running around $250 or so it seems. Still a fantastic camera and mine is staying as other cameras go. Some decent glass on it and if you can't make great images, it's you, not the camera. Someone starting out or on a very tight budget (still there) can do their photography much good by getting an older, solid, higher-end camera and decent lens and using it well. Props to you for taking the time and spending the money to show that to those starting out or moving up from their smartphone.
As always a great video. Regarding the budget: I started with a used APS-C Sony Mirrorless. Bought it used and picked it up in mint condition from the guy. He just took some snapshots with it in his vacation. The tip I can give as I was in the same boat with budget: Buy an aluminium tripod. No Travelstuff with Flip-Up Legs. A normal one with 3 sections. Not more. They are sturdy. They weigh a BIT more, but are good. Get one where you can remove the center column or get one with a short one. Ballhead / 3way head. All is fine. They work. Carbon Fiber is nice and I upgraded to one - 6 years later. My aluminium tripod was a Cullmann one. Great thing. For filters: Stick with Round screw ons for the beginning. They are dirt cheap (a pair of 3 costs around 50 bucks) and a polarizer an additional 20. But a "middle of the road" brand. I bought "Haida" Filters. They are not TOP of the line but they are no garbage with a tint. Just decent and do the job. Graduated filters are usually doable with Lightroom Postprocessing IF you are shooting RAW. I like big filters and I can understand grads. But for starting and to get a feel on how much you use them, get round ones and skip Grad filters. This was my entry into Amateur and hobby photography and 7 years down the road I could barely justify a Carbon Fiber Tripod. I bought larger Roundfilters and skipped Square ones again - They are just too expensive for my usage. Edit: Always pick the LARGEST Filter size for the lens you own or you know you will probably own and buy adapter rings for it. It's 2-4 times cheaper than the Square Filters and Brackets.
Not a bad recommendation. Lenses are what really gets you the camera is less important but if you want to get started I would really recommend a full frame camera something like the 5D2, 6D or 5D3 used. The 50mm lens is a very good one to practice with. You could also get an adaptor and use old manual lenses as a way to practice balancing exposure, shutter and aperture without the camera doing it for you.
Most videos out there are about the latest gear, thank you Mr. HEATON for thinking of the beginner and people who just can’t afford the ‘latest and greatest’🙏🏽
I’ve always said it’s 90% location, 5% equipment and 5% skill. You can have the latest £40k phase one digital camera but if you're pointing it at a pile of bricks then you might as well be using a disposable camera. It’s the location/conditions that makes an image
Interesting video. The camara is only a tool to get you out there. It's being out at crazy times of day in all weathers and that experience which I've always enjoyed. My first camara was a nikon D3200, loved that camara. Why did I get it. Well I remember sitting in the garden and my daughter saying to me you never go out anymore. I didn't see the point I live in the middle of a field serounded by all I need, so I thought. I got this camara from a secondhand shop for £100, then bought a couple of used lenses. This camara gave me so much joy and I didn't realise how unfit I was just pottering about at home. I was going places locally, up hills, walkies deep in the forest, exploring rivers etc, , building up my physical health. Now I have the nikon D7500 along with 3 lenses and filters. Gifted to me. So I simply gifted away my nikon d3200 to a young person wanting to learn photography on a local photography fb site. I do miss that little camara at times. It's nice to just get out and it's nice to be kind..... Bb
This is a great video Thomas. I was at the Wildlife Photographer of The Year competition exhibition last weekend and took a lot away from the fact that some of the photos had been taken on cheaper cameras - one on a Rebel T7i and one on a 30D (you can pick one of these up for around £30 second hand at the moment! Really made me think about the whole “does gear matter” question. I’m still of the belief that it’s about the glass in front of the camera and even more so the person behind it!
This film is a wonderful demonstration of why I started following you many years ago, it has nothing to do with cameras, lenses or any other gear, it’s a wonderful demonstration of your enthusiasm, in fact for me your genuine enthusiasm makes your films unmissable! Good one mate! 👏👍😀
My first DSLR was a Nikon D80 I bought used. I have looked at many of those old images and had to confess it was a great camera with just a kit lens. My first DSLR shots were with my son’s Nikon D50 using a Nikkor 20mm prime lens. Those images were sharp and rich in color. The real things that have improved my photos are lessons from you and others sharing your insights and experience. I now have pro-level gear, but if I don’t use it properly, the photos are lackluster and disappointing. This video was an excellent topic to produce and share.
Oh man, I can totally relate to that 350 D, also known as the rebel camera. It holds a special place in my heart as it was my very first camera almost 20 years ago. It's crazy to think how back then, camera gear wasn't really a top priority for us. I have vivid memories of those early morning walks in the field, where the scent of hay filled the air and every dew-covered spiderweb seemed like a magical creation straight out of Walt Disney World. Even now, as photography has become my profession, I find myself longing for the simplicity of those days. It was all about exploring the world, playing with light and composition, without worrying about the quality of the camera, lens, or accessories. I guess what I'm trying to say is, as you mentioned in the video, that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you spot the perfect light in the distance, but you're unable to reach it in time to capture the shot... it's a feeling that still resonates with me. Thanks for reminding me of that! ✌
I actually got my gear from the same 2nd hand place, a canon 760D (I like old mirror DLSR), with a canon 24-105 f4 L IS USM and 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS II USM lenses (I have an old canon 10-22 that I seldom use). This was replacing my old canon 350D, which was my first DLSR too. I do live my best life with this gear 😁 I just recently got an old Semflex medium format TLR for about 50€ and couple of film rolls, and this is pure joy. Great message you send here ! Cheers from France !
For a good photograph two things are important: 1) be in a good spot and open to capturing the beauty of it (by that I mean get there!!!) 2) have A camera with you - any of todays camera will do great for most applications! All the talk about gear is procrastination and discracting from the main aspects. And I am guilty of that as well. So I applaud this video and the emphasis on what it really takes! Get out and shoot!
Great video . This is exactly what I have done. Just over a year ago I bought a 5 D ii with a very low shutter count off eBay for £425.00 and a Nifty Fifty lens ( new ) all together it came to just over £500.00. I have since bought some second hand L lenses to increase the variety of what I can do also have a couple of old EF mount kit lenses from previous cameras. I love the Canon 5D ii and I'm enjoying experiencing my new hobby of landscape photography . The image is just the end product of the experience of the shoot. Keep it coming Thomas I love your stuff !! Cheers John
Traded in a mint D700 (25K actuations) with MB-D10, two batteries, two 32GB express cards and some small items. They gave me €300. Add a 35mm and 50mm AI-S lens for less than €75 each, add a ton of enthusiasm for free and your set.
The D700 is more capable, but the 5D2 has higher resolution - closer to what we are used to today (12 vs 21mpx). For landscapes the Canon beats the Nikon. For action I’d pick up the Nikon. For portraits, hmmm… hard choice, AF vs Mpx Nikon vs Canon color science. The Canon has more room for cropping. OTOH if you don’t print BIG the Nikon used to be pro-grade…so they managed. 😊
I’m someone who is new new to photography, but Thomas has inspired me to get out and give it a go. I love this channel and appreciate all that goes in to making it something that people love to watch. Subscribed!
This is exactly how I've rekindled my love of photography. I bought a used Canon 6D and a used Sigma 20 f/1.4 and it's cost me just over 500, luckily I still had an old tripod kicking about. This gives me the opttion of landscape and a bit of astro, feels great to be out shooting again! Great video as always ::)
Pause for thought, Mr Heaton.... What you've done in making this video is immensely valuable to many people. You've shot gorgeous images in a way that is accessible for many, and you've conveyed the sheer pleasure you had in the process. I struggle to think of anything that could be more 'relevant'. I'd love to see you do more in this vein. As an aside... i was at a similar location in similar conditions yesterday morning. I took my E5 w the 12-60 because i suspected things could get messy. I was on my knees using some rocks with waves breaking over them as a foreground. Beware the seventh wave in the set... the only time both i and the camera got submerged. The image i got in the instant before the wave hit me is the best i have had all year. 24 hours later and me and that old Olympus have dried out and we're both back to functioning normally. We have days like that - Arctic fox moments - and i'm not sure there's anything better. All the best from a cabin in a swamp in a rainforest in New Zealand.
@@ThomasHeatonPhoto I've given you the idea - the raw material - get thee out there - you show me yours then i'll show you mine! (Man, i can't wait for the video of this). 🤣
Tom, I may have you beat. 1) I only buy used gear. 2) I have tons of gear and I have found out what is good and what isn't. For $321 US I recently got a Nikon D300 $125, a Tamron 18-270mm VC $93 and a Sigma 10-20mm $103 This set up is remarkable as the D300 is a pro level APSC body. The Tamron 18-270mm is an amazing lens for what it is and at 270mm is sharper and more contrasty than the Nikon 70-300mm VR. The Sigma 10-20mm is one of the very few Sigma lenses worth buying. Sharp, good contrast and good color. As for MPB. they are better than KEH but Used Photo Pro is my go to for 95% of my used gear. Now, as for what the prices would be in LB vs USD. I spent 35 years in the currency futures market and when I retired I swore I would never look at an exchange rate again. Sorry. I'm retired and spend most of my time shooting photographs and trying to put all of my gear through their paces. I through together this latest bit of kit for a political fund raiser I'm being paid to shoot and it was an excuse to get more gear.
The Canon 5D Mk.2 feature-wise was so revolutionary when it came out! And when I go through my old digital photos today, I always have that feeling that the 5D2 was my oldest digital camera where the files still feel like "current quality" when I re-edit them today!
Now that is a great video. I keep telling my clients exactly this. Well illustrated and entertaining, nobody needs a new camera for landscape photography. An old 5DII or a D750 will do the trick no questions asked.
I always liked this Heaton. It's good to see him back. OK, so it's because its an ad for MPB (a great company. I have used them many times. Indeed I just bought a camera and lens from them for less than it was selling on eBay) but good to see you back like this. I hope that this gets tons of views and encourages more like this. There is a desperate need for this sort of "budget" oriented content and no one is really doing it. However, you manage to get good images no matter the kit. Throw in some wild camping rather than the old pervs camper van, and it would be fun again :)
The 5D MkII was a ground breaking camera in it's day and I still have mine as a back-up. I have also had a hand shot pano blown up to 2.4m x 1.2m and it looked great!
I was so pleased when you said what camera you chose as that’s what I brought 3months ago because of the reviews that still show it’s awesome when on a budget. Thanks
Great video! Lots of people do not understand that you can do great photos with older/less expensive gear. It is all about waking up early, find the light, look for the subject....
Another great video Thomas. It will be very encouraging to a photographer on a budget. I know it is not just the camera that make a great photo, but anyone who watches your videos regularly will know the quality of the work you produce and the image on this one are up there with your best.
It is DAMN HARD not to want to purchase the absolute top-of-the-line gear that's available because we feel it's necessary to create the absolute best images we can. Camera manufacturers tout their new technological advancements as must-have gear and why not? It is important after all. But passion and experience are more important. I mean, just because a Nikon D700 is an "old" camera doesn't mean it's impossible to get great images with it. Photographers sure did when it was one of the "must-have" cameras a decade ago. A great video with a great lesson Thomas!
My budget setup from 5 years ago was a Fuji xe1 with the kit lens and a few manual lenses with adapters that I bought before a road trip. All that and a cheap tripod for less than $500 and I learned a lot using those old lenses.
Absolutely! You are correct. Also good to invest small when just beginning. Find out what you can do with less. Grow your gear as you grow your interest, ability, and desire to do more.
I've been watching your videos for a few years now and I loved today's return of 'Tom gets out there and complains about the weather.' It's what brings this Aussie back each week for more. 🙂 Oh yeah, and your photography. I come back for that as well.
Another great alternative is the Nikon D600 or D610. The advantage with this choice is the great Nikon D series glass. It's autofocus, but the autofocus isn't fast. You'll probably be over $300 for the camera, but you can find great old Nikon glass at ridiculously low prices, if you know where to look.
If you don't care about the sensor size, you could have gone with a nikon 1 j5; it's a 20 megapixel bsi 1inch sensor. I just picked one up for 'like new' with a 10-30mm (27-82 equivalent) and a f/1.8 18.5mm (50mm) for $350. I literally just received the camera so I can't 100% say that it's great camera for landscape; but the little that I have used of it seems OK and fun to use. The downside is that the glass is not to the high standard of the Z lenses like my 14-30 or 24-120, but I think it compares well to the old f mount 24-120. However, lenses are not why I got the camera, my plan is to also get the ft1 adapter and mount my old 80-400 lens with a solar filter on; at 2.72 crop factor that'll get me the equivalent of 1088mm. The 80-400 was originally going to go with my zfc but now that I will hopefully be getting the new 180-600 before the October eclipse to do my practice run for the main event in April.
Indeed that’s what I had for 6 years until I dropped it and broke the frame. Can’t get better image quality for the price, plenty of older lenses to choose from too.
One can buy an Olympus OM D E - M1 for around $259 with a Zuiko 12-50 mm zoom for $169 which puts the gear under the £500 budget which leaves room for an inexpensive tripod. I have one of these cameras. It was very high tech in its time and is still complicated to use but it's a great camera which proves your point.
Been using an elderly Nikon D40x with kit lenses for the first couple of years and have recently “upgraded” to a Nikon D3300 😂 sometimes when I get things right it blows my mind with the quality and this with a camera that is probably 10 years old 🤔 Photography is a steep learning curve and when you are a beginner why spend a fortune on gear, it’s not likely to improve your images IMO. Learn the basics, improve your skills and upgrade when you feel the time is right 😉 good of you Thomas to show that good images can be got from reasonably priced kit 👍
Another cracking video. I use to use the 5D MKiii, a great camera. Unfortunately, its part of the learning curve to 'think' you need better gear for better results. Whereas, what you really need is to be out more with your gear. I would also add, that if you want greater megapixels but have a limited budget, don't be afraid to use pano's, vertical and horizontal, that will give you a greater resolution.
Greetings from New Zealand. Great video Thomas, thank you, and probably the first time I've felt convicted to comment in a very long time! I've had my Sony A99 Mk1 (24mp) for 11 years now and is accompanied by an array of 2nd hand lenses built up over that time. Never bought new in my life. I can comfortably print landscapes A2+, stitch my panoramas (comes with practice) and now with built in AI in Adobe, I have help controlling excessive noise. Dont see myself upgrading anytime soon. Using my gear is like putting on favourite clothes... oh so very familiar and comfortable and immediately brings a peace when holding it in my hand! Thanks again and take care.
Nice Video. I would go for Nikon, depending on wether you want full frame or APS-C I would either choose a D600 and a Sigma 2,8/24-70 oder D7100 and either a Sigma 2,8/17-50 or a 18-105 Nikkor.
Totally agree Thomas, I recently acquired a Nikon D700 with a 28-80 Nikon kit lens (all up $450 AUD) and am very happy with the image quality, even when compared to my 24 MP Pentax K3.
Good message. All true. A man I used to work with lived on an island alongside the canal where all the boats came and went. He said the guys with the cheapest boats caught the most and best fish. It's not all about the gear, in anything.
Olympus OM-D E-M1 for $239, m.Zuiko 14-42 for $86, m.Zuiko 40-150 for $89. Won't be much good for low light or action photography but fine for landscapes. Leaves some money left for tripod and filters also.
Great advice mate If someone is looking for Nikon gear I’d go with the Nikon D600 and the 16-35mm F4 used This is how I got into full frame cameras buy buying secondhand gear
Beautiful display of that it's not the camera, but the man behind it that's responsible for the outcome. And 500 bucks is absolutely reasonable to get your feet in the waters. I'm not saying it's not possible to find a horrible camera if you really try to, but it's getting easier and easier to find modest ones. I took some of my absolute favorite images with a Nikon D90 with 18-55 kit lens. High dynamic scenes as well and yes, it did lack the required dynamic range - to grab the shot in one exposure. But I knew about exposure blending by then (and thanks to you, to a fair amount, so thank you!), so I could work around the camera's shortcomings. The camera's a tool after all, and good tools make the job easier. But cheap tools can still get the job done if you know how to use them. Thank you for this video!
I bought a Nikon D3400 with 18-55 mm kit lens a few years ago for AUD $750. Since bought a 70-200 mm zoom to go with it. Love the results I get. A friend gave me his Nikon D3000 with the same kit lens. Both produce good results If you are careful with you composition
I love your videos when you show how you print your photos. 😍 There is something amazing about seeing your own work being printed in front of your eyes. For a very long time I was dreaming that one day i will sell prints, but somehow that never happened. I find it very “intimidating” to start printing at home. I don’t know why exactly, I guess because I don’t know that much about printing photos. Yes of course just press print, but what if the printed colors don’t match the colors I actually see on my computer? What do I need to do in that situation? How much test prints do I need to do first? Which printer do I need? How much money do a printer costs? What paper is the right paper? How much does it cost the cartridges for the printer? How much photos kann I actually print before changing the printer cartridges? I know I overthink it… 🙈 There are a ton of photographers on TH-cam teaching everything about photography, but to little who teaches everything about printing. Or at least I didn’t find one yet to answer all my questions. 😬
Very inspirational video for me. Started liking photography when a family member offered me a Canon 4000D with a 18-55mm kit lens. Is still the only camera I got, bought a cheap 55-250mm lens and that’s all I got. Lots of fun. Thanks for this.
Starting with a less expensive used camera like the 6D or 5D2 is an excellent way to start. They might not have all the bells and whistles of a new mirrorless, but they make great photos!
Starting out in bird photography I used an Olympus OM-D Em5 and an adapted (MF and f stop) Tamron 70-300 f4-5.6 LD lens. The camera and lens cost less than 150usd (116gbp) altogether. Small light gear to take out to the fields and occasionally capture a nice image. There are some free software programs to help you clean up your photographs, so expensive software isn't a necessity. Wildlife photography isn't only for those who can afford $6,000 cameras and $20,000 lenses.
Still using Nikon D7200 and Sony A6300. Shot a wedding last weekend first one in a while and found I used the Nikon with Sigma 17-55 f2.8 for most of the day. Love the little Sony for landscapes just cant justify spending ££££ on new gear. Would love a Sony a7r4 or nikon z6ii but its a lot of cash and i still get stunning results with what i have. Glass and conditions is more important. Great video Thomas
Great video for anyone. There is a minimum quality one needs in gear (especially lenses) for good photos. But the real key is the person behind the camera and their knowledge, skill, and effort to go out and get the photos.
I recently purchased a Canon 7D Mark II for wildlife and landscapes. It came with a 18-135mm lens. Later I purchased a used Canon 100-400 zoom lens. I could not be happier. I did spend more than $500 but it's a great place to start as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for letting us newbies know that good gear does not have to require going deep into debt!
I started with a 350d after getting it as a hand me down from my dad, now using his 7D that i enharated from him and still gets me realy good resluts for both landscapes, wildlife and aviation. love using it every time because of the conection it has with my dad after his passing. Still use his 100-400 most of the time and recently added a sigma 24mm f1.4 to my kit, second and from MPB. finding the limits of the camra now when it come to AF so feel it time to upgrad now but still with a 14 year old set up i get so many photos that i am happy and proud of. the main thing i have found to progess my photography has been just getting out and taking more photos as well as learing how to edit them.
Great video. So refreshing to watch a film that's promoting reasonably cheap used gear instead of megabucks new stuff. And demonstrating their value with crisp, clear prints. As always, well done Mr Heaton!
Great video Thomas. I recently picked up a used Nikon Coolpix A. 18MP APS-C sensor. I’m absolutely blown away by the detail it captures in a tiny point-and-shoot from 2014. It’s not the camera but the person with the vision for a beautiful photograph. Cheers!
I have been encouraging my(4 3/4 ) grand-daughter to enjoy photography. She was bought a camera that instantly prints out a paper copy. this was relatively inexpensive to use but the results although instant were poor. MPB and companies like them must have thousands of 10/12 mp cameras that probably will never be sold. I did suggest to them to put a camera and lens package together so that grandchildren everywhere may take there photography to the next level. Obviously these packages would need to be priced at an affordable level. If they did they would probably have lifelong customers. Unfortunately MPB never responded. Good video Tom with a great ethos.
As a Nikon shooter I’d suggest a D7100 with a Sigma 17-50. The 7100 was a very popular camera in its day and the 17-50 was a great value for the money. The most important thing is just having something to learn on. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to do that.
@4th_Lensman_of_the_apocalypse with Nikon take a look at a D800/810 for a similar price used (seen the body only for ~£300). I use to have a D7100 and found the grip and focus system on the D810 is much better.
@@Ed_Robson_1970 I never owned the 7100. I had the 7200 which is very similar but wouldn’t fit the budget specified. I always wanted a D500 but it was always more camera and $ than I actually needed. My upgrade path actually took me into Mirrorless.
On MPB US you can pick up a Pentax K70 with Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 for around your price limit. Yes, it's APSC, but that still a pretty good kit for the price.
Thanks for that. It's easy to get carried away with jealousy watching TH-camrs when that's not what it's about. I'd love to see more videos with you using that camera. My budget setup is a D7200 with a 35mm dx prime and 55-300mm zoom which in total is around 600 quid in total I think. I'd like more zoom on the lower end but will save up for a good one. The main thing stopping me from taking good pics at the moment is a 10 month old and 2 1/2 year old. I've just not got the time, but that will come.
Agree with every word. I have switched from Nikon d70s to d200 only because of faster fps for my air show photos. And kept the camera until d750 came out. Switched only because of better auto focus and sensor (dynamic range). Now I switched to z6ii, only because I could and in my opinion auto focus is even better, than that of d750. But for landscape photography AF doesn’t matter. Mostly the sensor’s dynamic range and mega pixels for pixel peeping/cropping/printing large. All the other gear matters more too for landscapes, like sturdy tripod, filters and such.
I love that description of missing shots because you are driving, or in a position of being unable to stop and get the shot. Last year I saw one of the most amazing images I could have ever captured during a drive between Barnard Castle and Middleton in Teesdale, but I had my mother in law in the car, and was unable to pull over hook my gear out of the boot and take what I had spotted. Shame, I have since driven by the same spot twice and nothing of the same quality.
I’ve got 5 figures worth of gear. I don’t make money off of my photography though. Just an occasional sale. I started out with Canon T3i, went to a6000, loved it so much I bought another one back then. Got a7ii, then a7iii tried a Nikon Z6ii, and Olympus, then Fuji xt4, and then made it back to Sony a7iv which I love. Have bought lots of bells and whistles, lenses, filters, bags, etc., and almost have everything I need except one more lens. Thinking of getting a6600 or a small Fuji as a back up or for street photography. Amazing how it all adds up to thousands of dollars, but I did it by using the camera, enjoying it, selling while it was still in good shape and current, adding a bit more money to upgrade at times, buying stuff only after I sold something, and here I am with a great set up that I have no plans on changing any time soon. With the exception of a small back up camera and a nice wide angle lens, I’m done here for a bit lol.
Any Camera from the last 5 years will be fine - besides FX also APS-C and MFT. My wife‘s Nikon D3500 with 18-55mm kit lens (419€ new three years ago) will produce the same picture. For wider angles the fabulous 10-20mm (250€ used) is all you‘ll need.
This is a great video Thomas! I posted a link to this on DPR as I've seen so many budding photographers ask this same question and where the avalanche of answers often turns into an ugly slugfest between voices espousing their gear as the best option (regardless if their lenses are all Leicas, etc.!). You've done us a great service and I plan on sharing this video to anyone who asks this question in the future. We should always remember that when we were beginners we were often afraid to ask these questions. Well done!!
I upgraded my gear last year to go mirrorless but I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of the 5D ii Traded all my other very heavy L lenses (MPB) for a Z7 but kept the 50mm 1.4. I still use it a lot, mostly in monochrome and love it.
For Landscape photography, I totally agree that a solid tripod and some good filters are are kind more important than the Camera. I used to shoot with a Canon 6d which I really liked. And since you can take the cheaper f4 lenses for landscape anyway, the glas is kind of affordable too. But please, spend more on the glas than on the body. Regarding landscape, I only missed a flippy tilty screen tbh. But I finally sold the camera because I really wanted eyeAF for portrait photography.
Gosh. I´m feeling so relieved by now... My first camera was a Canon EOS 750D and I still love it. Now I am in need for a new one and I think I´ll make the "jump" to much more expensive gear. But I had learned a lot of things with my old camera and it was definitley a good choice though. I really have to thank you for this video, because sometimes I just got the feeling that equipment is the only thing that counts (it is with working for a lot of companies...) but for photography as an art the eye and creativity of the photographer is so much more. So this video transports an important message to me... it is important to go back to the basics sometimes
If you are going to do a gear video, I would much rather it to be this way than quibbling about the high end gear. It's about getting out there and experiencing the world you are observing. Great step forward!
Great shots, not getting into the feeding frenzy of gear buying is difficult. I have a 5d MK4. It's now old hat but circumstances forced me to keep it and you are right Tom. You don't need the latest kit. I'm so glad I hung onto the 5d it's going to be worth pennies soon and so what? It's a better camera than I am a photographer, produces superb results and if anyone tried to mug me would make a great club😏
Thomas I feel this is an episode many people can relate to, I loved it and thought it is one of your best in a while, some cracking images too. Thanks as always for sharing.
I started with the sony a6000 and the kitlens 16-50mm. I bought in used for 350€. So it is realy cheap and yes the lens isnt good, but for the beginning to learn landscapephotografie its enough. The a6000 have a excellent quality and you have no issues to upgrade to better lenses in the future.
I've just been watching some videos you made 5 yrs ago with what would now be deemed 'antiquated' equipment. Yet those images are still world beaters. As we all know, technology has moved on, it's made the process easier but it hasn't replaced the talent behind the viewfinder.
Awesome video. Who goes out and buys a budget used camera to answer somebody's question? I'll tell you who... someone who cares about his fans and tries to help them with the correct answers instead of just ignoring them. Thanks for being the person who encourages us to get out and shoot no matter the equipment we own.
It's sponsored by MPB, a used gear platform. They probably lent or provided him the camera. Still a great video!
@@Stainless404 northrups did one very similar with the same concept but their's was so unbearably schilly it was unwatchable.
Ok Stan, gotcha.
If you really believe he went out and spent his own money on that gear you need to take a reality check. It's called marketing I work for one of the biggest marketing companies in the UK we facilitate this kind of thing every day of the week. When a company of an individual who has a high profile it's called a win, win situation for MPB will make thousands of all the advertising this is giving them.
@@Stainless404 No let me correct you, you are correct to a certain extent, read my comment below this will explain better.
Very good video Tom. Something I like to keep in mind: If a camera was considered very good 10 years ago, just because new stuff comes out doesn't mean its no longer a very good camera 📸📸
After almost losing my eyesight twice, I am now a photographer. I feel as I was given a gift after gaining back my sight and people started taking notice of my photos. Photography has helped me get somewhat out of depression and it's my passion now...I have an emotional and spiritual connection to it (probably sounds silly but that's how I feel about it). I feel like it gave me a brand new perspective at just how much beauty there is in life and once I started making TH-cam videos about my travels it helps me even more. I've been at it for a little over a year and I've sold a couple of calendars and had someone in the UK actually order a couple of enlarged prints. While I haven't got the funds to go out and buy these expensive cameras I have been using my cameraphone only and it seems to work good enough so far. Luckily, a friend on facebook who is also a photographer gave me for FREE 2 digital canon cameras. I have NO IDEA how to use them as of yet and when I look at manuals I'm totally lost. I am excited, once the weather cools off (I"m in Phoenix,AZ) to get out there and start taking probably even more quality photos...I think I will be doing this for the rest of my life and I am in love with landscape photography!
Thanks a lot for taking the time to leave such a great comment. I wish you all the best going forward with your photography 👍👍
nothing like almost losing something to appreciate it.
I started watching you in 2017, when you were shooting with your Canon 5D and solo camping with a tent. Even though I've owned cameras for decades and photographed my children growing up, vacations and other portraits, you made me fall in love with landscape photography. I started going out with my little dog, who I just recently lost about three months ago, and camping overnight to shoot waterfalls, creeks and mountains. You may not realize how much that meant to so many, including me. The beauty was in the adventure of it, and the communion with nature. The gear is important up to a point to meet weight, resolution needs and so forth, but the real importance is in the experience. You gave us all that experience, Thomas. Thank you so much for that, friend.
One of the reasons I love this channel (apart from the massive amount of talent that you display) is that, even when you have all the cool stuff and all the newest toys, you keep reminding us that the core of landscape photography really is the landscape and the photographer… it’s cool to have a nice piece of gear, of course, but ultimately the great satisfaction comes from finding a composition and just shooting it with whatever you have
Yeah, for sure. Gear is nice, it really is, but it's useless without everything else such as timing, light, creativity etc 👍👍
@4th_Lensman_of_the_apocalypse Or, far too frequently, "The best camera is the one you left at home!" 🙂As the user of some lower-end gear I really appreciate videos like this one.
100%… I own a Nikon Z7ii and D850, but very often shoot old cameras for creativity and the challenge. My favourite image of 2022 was shot with Nikon F3HP and Kodak Gold 200.
Can't agree more! Getting to the location at the right condition is the core of landscape photography.
For a bit of fun, I've just been on MPB' site to see what I could get. Canon: EOS 50D £77.00, Sigma 17-35mm F2.8-4 £124.00. Nikon: D3100 £79.00, Sigma 17-35mm F2.8-4 £93.00. Manfrotto 190MF3 carbon fibre tripod £94.00. Basics of a kit for between £250 and £300. Plenty of spare cash for filters etc. Fellow youtuber Gary Gough did some videos about a year ago using an EOS 350D he was lucky to get for £19. Keep up the good work on these vids.
I have been a destination wedding photographer for more than a decade and have been working on the now 12 years old Fuji XPro1. Prints large, sharp, and way enough for fine art and luxury events. Gear is just gear and you’ve shown in this video that nothing beats light and composition ! You’re a true master Tom !
As I am on a budget I used a Sony a6000 with old vintage manual lenses. Perfect for landscapes as you don’t need any autofocus.
I've been shooting on an a6000 while my primary camera is in for repairs, and I had forgotten how lovely they were to use.
I have two a6000 bodies - spend money on lenses to improve.
For this "gear" video you are forgiven! Excellent points, I stopped daydreaming about multi-megapixel mirrorless gear and settled down to enjoying my 10-year old DSLR and inexpensive lens collection because I'm finally making images with it I enjoy and because I'm not going to print A2 or larger. I might buy a more modern one some day, but this channel and others have shown how much it's to do with getting out there, using your eyes and printing the best ones. Cheers!
I have printed 5D MkII pictures at 60x90cm without any problems. (and at such a size you won't go closer than half a meter to the print anyway)
You can also consider buying a prime lens like Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG HSM Art (less than 700€ and sharp as hell) and create panoramic shots (stitching the files together with software) which have insane quality beyond 100MP if you want.
I answered just this question for a friend recently. I recommended an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark ii with an Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Cost from MPB £294 for the body, £134 for the lens.
This is a killer package for the money. He loves it and is enjoying the photography life now. It was fun trying to find gear in his budget but really pleasing to know there are options at this budget.
The other option I put together for him was a Fuji X-T-1 with a Fuji XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4 LM OIS lens. Cost from MPB £319 for the body, £289 for the lens. A bit over 500 but still amazing value.
MFT is an awesome option for those starting out.
Was going to suggest the same. MFT lenses alone are such a massive saving, and the em5 mkii is a cracker.
When it was time to upgrade to a pro camera I nearly chose this camera. My wife shoots Olympus and the color is beautiful.
I managed to get a Pentax K-1 for £500, with only 4,000 clicks on the shutter. 36mp landscape monster of a camera, fully weathersealed and with an articulated rear screen. I love it.
Thank you for putting this video together. I am in the position of working at Subway but have a passion for landscape photography so like you suggested I have to do it on a budget and it is a small budget. I shoot with the Canon 5D2 for two reasons one it’s at the point I can afford. The second reason is if something happens to it it’s a lot easier to replace at the lower price point. The images are great especially if you bracket your shots. I paired it up with two older lenses the 24-105 f4, and the 17-40 f4 and man oh man I love that setup for getting the shots. You just proved my point I have been saying that you don’t need the latest or greatest if you truly want to shoot you will find a way to make it work.
I've never sold any of my camera kit, since I started in 1976. I could easily sell it all, except my Z mount lenses, and get me a Z8. Won't do it. My last camera purchase was a D800 from your sponsor's USA competition. Last lens was a Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 G to put on it. I have Z system equipment, but the old DSLR just feels right. BTW, I still shoot film with the camera that started it all, the Yashica FX-2... and 7 C/Y mount lenses. I can't get rid of the old stuff. It's still fun to shoot with. My heirs will sell all this stuff to MPB or the "USA competition" in Georgia, USA. They don't love it, but there's a bunch of old stuff, in excellent condition for you youngsters in the future.
The 5Dii was my first full frame body and it was at this point when looking online for information about it, that I came across your channel all those years ago when you were using the 5Div and the rest they say is history. Forever grateful for you igniting that flame Thomas that burns fiercely in me today
The old adage: “The best camera is the one you have with you “… applies here too… excellent and well observed Thomas… D7000 for me… love it….
I picked up a Canon 6D several years ago when $495 was a great deal. Now they are running around $250 or so it seems. Still a fantastic camera and mine is staying as other cameras go. Some decent glass on it and if you can't make great images, it's you, not the camera. Someone starting out or on a very tight budget (still there) can do their photography much good by getting an older, solid, higher-end camera and decent lens and using it well. Props to you for taking the time and spending the money to show that to those starting out or moving up from their smartphone.
Finally!!! A video that normal budgets can relate to. Thank you 👍🏆
As always a great video.
Regarding the budget:
I started with a used APS-C Sony Mirrorless. Bought it used and picked it up in mint condition from the guy. He just took some snapshots with it in his vacation.
The tip I can give as I was in the same boat with budget:
Buy an aluminium tripod. No Travelstuff with Flip-Up Legs. A normal one with 3 sections. Not more. They are sturdy. They weigh a BIT more, but are good. Get one where you can remove the center column or get one with a short one. Ballhead / 3way head. All is fine. They work. Carbon Fiber is nice and I upgraded to one - 6 years later. My aluminium tripod was a Cullmann one. Great thing.
For filters: Stick with Round screw ons for the beginning. They are dirt cheap (a pair of 3 costs around 50 bucks) and a polarizer an additional 20. But a "middle of the road" brand. I bought "Haida" Filters. They are not TOP of the line but they are no garbage with a tint. Just decent and do the job.
Graduated filters are usually doable with Lightroom Postprocessing IF you are shooting RAW. I like big filters and I can understand grads. But for starting and to get a feel on how much you use them, get round ones and skip Grad filters.
This was my entry into Amateur and hobby photography and 7 years down the road I could barely justify a Carbon Fiber Tripod. I bought larger Roundfilters and skipped Square ones again - They are just too expensive for my usage.
Edit: Always pick the LARGEST Filter size for the lens you own or you know you will probably own and buy adapter rings for it. It's 2-4 times cheaper than the Square Filters and Brackets.
Not a bad recommendation.
Lenses are what really gets you the camera is less important but if you want to get started I would really recommend a full frame camera something like the 5D2, 6D or 5D3 used. The 50mm lens is a very good one to practice with. You could also get an adaptor and use old manual lenses as a way to practice balancing exposure, shutter and aperture without the camera doing it for you.
Most videos out there are about the latest gear, thank you Mr. HEATON for thinking of the beginner and people who just can’t afford the ‘latest and greatest’🙏🏽
I’ve always said it’s 90% location, 5% equipment and 5% skill. You can have the latest £40k phase one digital camera but if you're pointing it at a pile of bricks then you might as well be using a disposable camera. It’s the location/conditions that makes an image
Interesting video. The camara is only a tool to get you out there. It's being out at crazy times of day in all weathers and that experience which I've always enjoyed.
My first camara was a nikon D3200, loved that camara. Why did I get it. Well I remember sitting in the garden and my daughter saying to me you never go out anymore. I didn't see the point I live in the middle of a field serounded by all I need, so I thought. I got this camara from a secondhand shop for £100, then bought a couple of used lenses. This camara gave me so much joy and I didn't realise how unfit I was just pottering about at home. I was going places locally, up hills, walkies deep in the forest, exploring rivers etc, , building up my physical health.
Now I have the nikon D7500 along with 3 lenses and filters. Gifted to me. So I simply gifted away my nikon d3200 to a young person wanting to learn photography on a local photography fb site. I do miss that little camara at times.
It's nice to just get out and it's nice to be kind..... Bb
This is a great video Thomas. I was at the Wildlife Photographer of The Year competition exhibition last weekend and took a lot away from the fact that some of the photos had been taken on cheaper cameras - one on a Rebel T7i and one on a 30D (you can pick one of these up for around £30 second hand at the moment! Really made me think about the whole “does gear matter” question. I’m still of the belief that it’s about the glass in front of the camera and even more so the person behind it!
This film is a wonderful demonstration of why I started following you many years ago, it has nothing to do with cameras, lenses or any other gear, it’s a wonderful demonstration of your enthusiasm, in fact for me your genuine enthusiasm makes your films unmissable! Good one mate! 👏👍😀
Thanks a lot. I appreciate it.
My first DSLR was a Nikon D80 I bought used. I have looked at many of those old images and had to confess it was a great camera with just a kit lens. My first DSLR shots were with my son’s Nikon D50 using a Nikkor 20mm prime lens. Those images were sharp and rich in color. The real things that have improved my photos are lessons from you and others sharing your insights and experience. I now have pro-level gear, but if I don’t use it properly, the photos are lackluster and disappointing. This video was an excellent topic to produce and share.
Those were beautiful CCD sensor cameras, more film like saturated images
Oh man, I can totally relate to that 350 D, also known as the rebel camera. It holds a special place in my heart as it was my very first camera almost 20 years ago. It's crazy to think how back then, camera gear wasn't really a top priority for us. I have vivid memories of those early morning walks in the field, where the scent of hay filled the air and every dew-covered spiderweb seemed like a magical creation straight out of Walt Disney World.
Even now, as photography has become my profession, I find myself longing for the simplicity of those days. It was all about exploring the world, playing with light and composition, without worrying about the quality of the camera, lens, or accessories. I guess what I'm trying to say is, as you mentioned in the video, that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you spot the perfect light in the distance, but you're unable to reach it in time to capture the shot... it's a feeling that still resonates with me. Thanks for reminding me of that! ✌
I actually got my gear from the same 2nd hand place, a canon 760D (I like old mirror DLSR), with a canon 24-105 f4 L IS USM and 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS II USM lenses (I have an old canon 10-22 that I seldom use). This was replacing my old canon 350D, which was my first DLSR too.
I do live my best life with this gear 😁
I just recently got an old Semflex medium format TLR for about 50€ and couple of film rolls, and this is pure joy.
Great message you send here ! Cheers from France !
For a good photograph two things are important:
1) be in a good spot and open to capturing the beauty of it (by that I mean get there!!!)
2) have A camera with you - any of todays camera will do great for most applications!
All the talk about gear is procrastination and discracting from the main aspects. And I am guilty of that as well.
So I applaud this video and the emphasis on what it really takes! Get out and shoot!
Great video . This is exactly what I have done. Just over a year ago I bought a 5 D ii with a very low shutter count off eBay for £425.00 and a Nifty Fifty lens ( new ) all together it came to just over £500.00. I have since bought some second hand L lenses to increase the variety of what I can do also have a couple of old EF mount kit lenses from previous cameras. I love the Canon 5D ii and I'm enjoying experiencing my new hobby of landscape photography . The image is just the end product of the experience of the shoot. Keep it coming Thomas I love your stuff !! Cheers John
Nikon D700 or Canon 5D II, either can make top notch images and are both really tough. Fair play on the lens! Great video once again Thomas
I've just bought a D700 with an 80-200mm 2.8 for £400 together. I cannot wait to use them tomorrow 👍👍
Traded in a mint D700 (25K actuations) with MB-D10, two batteries, two 32GB express cards and some small items. They gave me €300. Add a 35mm and 50mm AI-S lens for less than €75 each, add a ton of enthusiasm for free and your set.
The D700 is more capable, but the 5D2 has higher resolution - closer to what we are used to today (12 vs 21mpx).
For landscapes the Canon beats the Nikon. For action I’d pick up the Nikon. For portraits, hmmm… hard choice, AF vs Mpx
Nikon vs Canon color science. The Canon has more room for cropping. OTOH if you don’t print BIG the Nikon used to be pro-grade…so they managed. 😊
This hearkens back to the early videos I used watch on your channel. Really enjoyed the content on this one. Cheers.
I’m someone who is new new to photography, but Thomas has inspired me to get out and give it a go. I love this channel and appreciate all that goes in to making it something that people love to watch. Subscribed!
This is exactly how I've rekindled my love of photography. I bought a used Canon 6D and a used Sigma 20 f/1.4 and it's cost me just over 500, luckily I still had an old tripod kicking about. This gives me the opttion of landscape and a bit of astro, feels great to be out shooting again! Great video as always ::)
Pause for thought, Mr Heaton.... What you've done in making this video is immensely valuable to many people. You've shot gorgeous images in a way that is accessible for many, and you've conveyed the sheer pleasure you had in the process. I struggle to think of anything that could be more 'relevant'. I'd love to see you do more in this vein. As an aside... i was at a similar location in similar conditions yesterday morning. I took my E5 w the 12-60 because i suspected things could get messy. I was on my knees using some rocks with waves breaking over them as a foreground. Beware the seventh wave in the set... the only time both i and the camera got submerged. The image i got in the instant before the wave hit me is the best i have had all year. 24 hours later and me and that old Olympus have dried out and we're both back to functioning normally. We have days like that - Arctic fox moments - and i'm not sure there's anything better. All the best from a cabin in a swamp in a rainforest in New Zealand.
Now I want to see that wave image!!
@@ThomasHeatonPhoto I've given you the idea - the raw material - get thee out there - you show me yours then i'll show you mine! (Man, i can't wait for the video of this). 🤣
Tom, I may have you beat. 1) I only buy used gear. 2) I have tons of gear and I have found out what is good and what isn't. For $321 US I recently got a Nikon D300 $125, a Tamron 18-270mm VC $93 and a Sigma 10-20mm $103 This set up is remarkable as the D300 is a pro level APSC body. The Tamron 18-270mm is an amazing lens for what it is and at 270mm is sharper and more contrasty than the Nikon 70-300mm VR. The Sigma 10-20mm is one of the very few Sigma lenses worth buying. Sharp, good contrast and good color. As for MPB. they are better than KEH but Used Photo Pro is my go to for 95% of my used gear. Now, as for what the prices would be in LB vs USD. I spent 35 years in the currency futures market and when I retired I swore I would never look at an exchange rate again. Sorry. I'm retired and spend most of my time shooting photographs and trying to put all of my gear through their paces. I through together this latest bit of kit for a political fund raiser I'm being paid to shoot and it was an excuse to get more gear.
Just checked the price of a Nikon D610 on your sponsor's site and it's down there if anybody needs a solid DSLR, I still shoot with mine.
And here I am with my Canon M50 with the 15-45 kit lens… Small, lightweight and good enough for my level of photography!
The Canon 5D Mk.2 feature-wise was so revolutionary when it came out! And when I go through my old digital photos today, I always have that feeling that the 5D2 was my oldest digital camera where the files still feel like "current quality" when I re-edit them today!
Now that is a great video. I keep telling my clients exactly this. Well illustrated and entertaining, nobody needs a new camera for landscape photography. An old 5DII or a D750 will do the trick no questions asked.
I always liked this Heaton. It's good to see him back. OK, so it's because its an ad for MPB (a great company. I have used them many times. Indeed I just bought a camera and lens from them for less than it was selling on eBay) but good to see you back like this. I hope that this gets tons of views and encourages more like this. There is a desperate need for this sort of "budget" oriented content and no one is really doing it. However, you manage to get good images no matter the kit. Throw in some wild camping rather than the old pervs camper van, and it would be fun again :)
The 5D MkII was a ground breaking camera in it's day and I still have mine as a back-up. I have also had a hand shot pano blown up to 2.4m x 1.2m and it looked great!
I was so pleased when you said what camera you chose as that’s what I brought 3months ago because of the reviews that still show it’s awesome when on a budget. Thanks
Great video! Lots of people do not understand that you can do great photos with older/less expensive gear. It is all about waking up early, find the light, look for the subject....
Another great video Thomas. It will be very encouraging to a photographer on a budget. I know it is not just the camera that make a great photo, but anyone who watches your videos regularly will know the quality of the work you produce and the image on this one are up there with your best.
It is DAMN HARD not to want to purchase the absolute top-of-the-line gear that's available because we feel it's necessary to create the absolute best images we can. Camera manufacturers tout their new technological advancements as must-have gear and why not? It is important after all. But passion and experience are more important. I mean, just because a Nikon D700 is an "old" camera doesn't mean it's impossible to get great images with it. Photographers sure did when it was one of the "must-have" cameras a decade ago. A great video with a great lesson Thomas!
My budget setup from 5 years ago was a Fuji xe1 with the kit lens and a few manual lenses with adapters that I bought before a road trip. All that and a cheap tripod for less than $500 and I learned a lot using those old lenses.
Now Xe1s get posted for $600 alone
@@isaiahherve really? That’s crazy. I think I paid less than $200 for the body with a couple batteries
I totally agree Tom, people tend to invest to much in gear and not enough in skills and experience.
Completely right.
Absolutely! You are correct. Also good to invest small when just beginning. Find out what you can do with less. Grow your gear as you grow your interest, ability, and desire to do more.
I've been watching your videos for a few years now and I loved today's return of 'Tom gets out there and complains about the weather.' It's what brings this Aussie back each week for more. 🙂
Oh yeah, and your photography. I come back for that as well.
Another great alternative is the Nikon D600 or D610. The advantage with this choice is the great Nikon D series glass. It's autofocus, but the autofocus isn't fast. You'll probably be over $300 for the camera, but you can find great old Nikon glass at ridiculously low prices, if you know where to look.
I almost went down the Nikon route, but couldn't find a combo that would come in at less than £500.
If you don't care about the sensor size, you could have gone with a nikon 1 j5; it's a 20 megapixel bsi 1inch sensor. I just picked one up for 'like new' with a 10-30mm (27-82 equivalent) and a f/1.8 18.5mm (50mm) for $350. I literally just received the camera so I can't 100% say that it's great camera for landscape; but the little that I have used of it seems OK and fun to use. The downside is that the glass is not to the high standard of the Z lenses like my 14-30 or 24-120, but I think it compares well to the old f mount 24-120.
However, lenses are not why I got the camera, my plan is to also get the ft1 adapter and mount my old 80-400 lens with a solar filter on; at 2.72 crop factor that'll get me the equivalent of 1088mm. The 80-400 was originally going to go with my zfc but now that I will hopefully be getting the new 180-600 before the October eclipse to do my practice run for the main event in April.
Indeed that’s what I had for 6 years until I dropped it and broke the frame. Can’t get better image quality for the price, plenty of older lenses to choose from too.
This experience is more down to earth, Thomas - A reality check and more relevant
One can buy an Olympus OM D E - M1 for around $259 with a Zuiko 12-50 mm zoom for $169 which puts the gear under the £500 budget which leaves room for an inexpensive tripod. I have one of these cameras. It was very high tech in its time and is still complicated to use but it's a great camera which proves your point.
Great to see landscape photography TH-cam videos with budget gear.
Been using an elderly Nikon D40x with kit lenses for the first couple of years and have recently “upgraded” to a Nikon D3300 😂 sometimes when I get things right it blows my mind with the quality and this with a camera that is probably 10 years old 🤔 Photography is a steep learning curve and when you are a beginner why spend a fortune on gear, it’s not likely to improve your images IMO. Learn the basics, improve your skills and upgrade when you feel the time is right 😉 good of you Thomas to show that good images can be got from reasonably priced kit 👍
Another cracking video. I use to use the 5D MKiii, a great camera. Unfortunately, its part of the learning curve to 'think' you need better gear for better results. Whereas, what you really need is to be out more with your gear. I would also add, that if you want greater megapixels but have a limited budget, don't be afraid to use pano's, vertical and horizontal, that will give you a greater resolution.
Just proves it’s the photographer not the camera, nice one Thomas 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Greetings from New Zealand. Great video Thomas, thank you, and probably the first time I've felt convicted to comment in a very long time! I've had my Sony A99 Mk1 (24mp) for 11 years now and is accompanied by an array of 2nd hand lenses built up over that time. Never bought new in my life. I can comfortably print landscapes A2+, stitch my panoramas (comes with practice) and now with built in AI in Adobe, I have help controlling excessive noise. Dont see myself upgrading anytime soon. Using my gear is like putting on favourite clothes... oh so very familiar and comfortable and immediately brings a peace when holding it in my hand! Thanks again and take care.
Great video with a message that should be broadcast more.
Loved the shots especially the one you printed.
Nice Video. I would go for Nikon, depending on wether you want full frame or APS-C I would either choose a D600 and a Sigma 2,8/24-70 oder D7100 and either a Sigma 2,8/17-50 or a 18-105 Nikkor.
Thanks for always shooting us straight Thomas.
Totally agree Thomas, I recently acquired a Nikon D700 with a 28-80 Nikon kit lens (all up $450 AUD) and am very happy with the image quality, even when compared to my 24 MP Pentax K3.
Agreed
I bought a D700, as a knockabout, shooting with 28 & 50mm AIS lenses and loving it !
Good message. All true. A man I used to work with lived on an island alongside the canal where all the boats came and went. He said the guys with the cheapest boats caught the most and best fish. It's not all about the gear, in anything.
I’d be lying if I didn’t give out a little “chuckle” seeing you shoot with that Canon. Really brought me back when I first subscribed to this channel!
Olympus OM-D E-M1 for $239, m.Zuiko 14-42 for $86, m.Zuiko 40-150 for $89. Won't be much good for low light or action photography but fine for landscapes. Leaves some money left for tripod and filters also.
Great advice mate
If someone is looking for Nikon gear I’d go with the Nikon D600 and the 16-35mm F4 used
This is how I got into full frame cameras buy buying secondhand gear
Beautiful display of that it's not the camera, but the man behind it that's responsible for the outcome.
And 500 bucks is absolutely reasonable to get your feet in the waters.
I'm not saying it's not possible to find a horrible camera if you really try to, but it's getting easier and easier to find modest ones. I took some of my absolute favorite images with a Nikon D90 with 18-55 kit lens.
High dynamic scenes as well and yes, it did lack the required dynamic range - to grab the shot in one exposure. But I knew about exposure blending by then (and thanks to you, to a fair amount, so thank you!), so I could work around the camera's shortcomings.
The camera's a tool after all, and good tools make the job easier. But cheap tools can still get the job done if you know how to use them.
Thank you for this video!
I bought a Nikon D3400 with 18-55 mm kit lens a few years ago for AUD $750. Since bought a 70-200 mm zoom to go with it. Love the results I get. A friend gave me his Nikon D3000 with the same kit lens. Both produce good results If you are careful with you composition
I love your videos when you show how you print your photos. 😍 There is something amazing about seeing your own work being printed in front of your eyes. For a very long time I was dreaming that one day i will sell prints, but somehow that never happened. I find it very “intimidating” to start printing at home. I don’t know why exactly, I guess because I don’t know that much about printing photos. Yes of course just press print, but what if the printed colors don’t match the colors I actually see on my computer? What do I need to do in that situation? How much test prints do I need to do first? Which printer do I need? How much money do a printer costs? What paper is the right paper? How much does it cost the cartridges for the printer? How much photos kann I actually print before changing the printer cartridges? I know I overthink it… 🙈 There are a ton of photographers on TH-cam teaching everything about photography, but to little who teaches everything about printing. Or at least I didn’t find one yet to answer all my questions. 😬
Very inspirational video for me.
Started liking photography when a family member offered me a Canon 4000D with a 18-55mm kit lens.
Is still the only camera I got, bought a cheap 55-250mm lens and that’s all I got.
Lots of fun.
Thanks for this.
Starting with a less expensive used camera like the 6D or 5D2 is an excellent way to start. They might not have all the bells and whistles of a new mirrorless, but they make great photos!
Starting out in bird photography I used an Olympus OM-D Em5 and an adapted (MF and f stop) Tamron 70-300 f4-5.6 LD lens. The camera and lens cost less than 150usd (116gbp) altogether. Small light gear to take out to the fields and occasionally capture a nice image. There are some free software programs to help you clean up your photographs, so expensive software isn't a necessity. Wildlife photography isn't only for those who can afford $6,000 cameras and $20,000 lenses.
Still using Nikon D7200 and Sony A6300. Shot a wedding last weekend first one in a while and found I used the Nikon with Sigma 17-55 f2.8 for most of the day. Love the little Sony for landscapes just cant justify spending ££££ on new gear. Would love a Sony a7r4 or nikon z6ii but its a lot of cash and i still get stunning results with what i have. Glass and conditions is more important. Great video Thomas
Great video for anyone. There is a minimum quality one needs in gear (especially lenses) for good photos. But the real key is the person behind the camera and their knowledge, skill, and effort to go out and get the photos.
I recently purchased a Canon 7D Mark II for wildlife and landscapes. It came with a 18-135mm lens. Later I purchased a used Canon 100-400 zoom lens. I could not be happier. I did spend more than $500 but it's a great place to start as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for letting us newbies know that good gear does not have to require going deep into debt!
How are tou enjoying the battery error? Not yet there? Just wait...
I started with a 350d after getting it as a hand me down from my dad, now using his 7D that i enharated from him and still gets me realy good resluts for both landscapes, wildlife and aviation. love using it every time because of the conection it has with my dad after his passing. Still use his 100-400 most of the time and recently added a sigma 24mm f1.4 to my kit, second and from MPB. finding the limits of the camra now when it come to AF so feel it time to upgrad now but still with a 14 year old set up i get so many photos that i am happy and proud of. the main thing i have found to progess my photography has been just getting out and taking more photos as well as learing how to edit them.
Great video. So refreshing to watch a film that's promoting reasonably cheap used gear instead of megabucks new stuff. And demonstrating their value with crisp, clear prints. As always, well done Mr Heaton!
Great video. Very honest work. In the end, photography is all about love, not money 😊
Great video Thomas. I recently picked up a used Nikon Coolpix A. 18MP APS-C sensor. I’m absolutely blown away by the detail it captures in a tiny point-and-shoot from 2014. It’s not the camera but the person with the vision for a beautiful photograph. Cheers!
Excellent video. Absolutely love my Nikon D700 with the Tamron 24-70 f2.8 and Tamron 70-200 f2.8. That’s all the kit I need.
I have been encouraging my(4 3/4 ) grand-daughter to enjoy photography. She was bought a camera that instantly prints out a paper copy. this was relatively inexpensive to use but the results although instant were poor. MPB and companies like them must have thousands of 10/12 mp cameras that probably will never be sold. I did suggest to them to put a camera and lens package together so that grandchildren everywhere may take there photography to the next level. Obviously these packages would need to be priced at an affordable level. If they did they would probably have lifelong customers. Unfortunately MPB never responded. Good video Tom with a great ethos.
As a Nikon shooter I’d suggest a D7100 with a Sigma 17-50. The 7100 was a very popular camera in its day and the 17-50 was a great value for the money. The most important thing is just having something to learn on. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to do that.
That was my setup for about 5 years, and when I upgraded it was to a D500
@4th_Lensman_of_the_apocalypse with Nikon take a look at a D800/810 for a similar price used (seen the body only for ~£300). I use to have a D7100 and found the grip and focus system on the D810 is much better.
@4th_Lensman_of_the_apocalypse That’s a bummer. You must be very limited as to what feels comfortable to you then.
@@Ed_Robson_1970 I never owned the 7100. I had the 7200 which is very similar but wouldn’t fit the budget specified. I always wanted a D500 but it was always more camera and $ than I actually needed. My upgrade path actually took me into Mirrorless.
I bought my daughter a Nikon D700 this summer and it's brilliant.
On MPB US you can pick up a Pentax K70 with Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 for around your price limit. Yes, it's APSC, but that still a pretty good kit for the price.
wow, 8:04 a stunning landscape verging on a simple 3 textures abstract, Great Video, Good to see you using a canon again!
I imagine Thomas thirthy years on still having this enthusiasm on this location!
Thanks for that. It's easy to get carried away with jealousy watching TH-camrs when that's not what it's about. I'd love to see more videos with you using that camera.
My budget setup is a D7200 with a 35mm dx prime and 55-300mm zoom which in total is around 600 quid in total I think. I'd like more zoom on the lower end but will save up for a good one.
The main thing stopping me from taking good pics at the moment is a 10 month old and 2 1/2 year old. I've just not got the time, but that will come.
Agree with every word. I have switched from Nikon d70s to d200 only because of faster fps for my air show photos. And kept the camera until d750 came out. Switched only because of better auto focus and sensor (dynamic range). Now I switched to z6ii, only because I could and in my opinion auto focus is even better, than that of d750. But for landscape photography AF doesn’t matter. Mostly the sensor’s dynamic range and mega pixels for pixel peeping/cropping/printing large. All the other gear matters more too for landscapes, like sturdy tripod, filters and such.
I love that description of missing shots because you are driving, or in a position of being unable to stop and get the shot. Last year I saw one of the most amazing images I could have ever captured during a drive between Barnard Castle and Middleton in Teesdale, but I had my mother in law in the car, and was unable to pull over hook my gear out of the boot and take what I had spotted. Shame, I have since driven by the same spot twice and nothing of the same quality.
I’ve got 5 figures worth of gear. I don’t make money off of my photography though. Just an occasional sale. I started out with Canon T3i, went to a6000, loved it so much I bought another one back then. Got a7ii, then a7iii tried a Nikon Z6ii, and Olympus, then Fuji xt4, and then made it back to Sony a7iv which I love. Have bought lots of bells and whistles, lenses, filters, bags, etc., and almost have everything I need except one more lens. Thinking of getting a6600 or a small Fuji as a back up or for street photography. Amazing how it all adds up to thousands of dollars, but I did it by using the camera, enjoying it, selling while it was still in good shape and current, adding a bit more money to upgrade at times, buying stuff only after I sold something, and here I am with a great set up that I have no plans on changing any time soon. With the exception of a small back up camera and a nice wide angle lens, I’m done here for a bit lol.
Any Camera from the last 5 years will be fine - besides FX also APS-C and MFT. My wife‘s Nikon D3500 with 18-55mm kit lens (419€ new three years ago) will produce the same picture. For wider angles the fabulous 10-20mm (250€ used) is all you‘ll need.
This is a great video Thomas! I posted a link to this on DPR as I've seen so many budding photographers ask this same question and where the avalanche of answers often turns into an ugly slugfest between voices espousing their gear as the best option (regardless if their lenses are all Leicas, etc.!). You've done us a great service and I plan on sharing this video to anyone who asks this question in the future. We should always remember that when we were beginners we were often afraid to ask these questions. Well done!!
I upgraded my gear last year to go mirrorless but I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of the 5D ii Traded all my other very heavy L lenses (MPB) for a Z7 but kept the 50mm 1.4. I still use it a lot, mostly in monochrome and love it.
For Landscape photography, I totally agree that a solid tripod and some good filters are are kind more important than the Camera.
I used to shoot with a Canon 6d which I really liked. And since you can take the cheaper f4 lenses for landscape anyway, the glas is kind of affordable too.
But please, spend more on the glas than on the body.
Regarding landscape, I only missed a flippy tilty screen tbh.
But I finally sold the camera because I really wanted eyeAF for portrait photography.
Gosh. I´m feeling so relieved by now... My first camera was a Canon EOS 750D and I still love it. Now I am in need for a new one and I think I´ll make the "jump" to much more expensive gear. But I had learned a lot of things with my old camera and it was definitley a good choice though. I really have to thank you for this video, because sometimes I just got the feeling that equipment is the only thing that counts (it is with working for a lot of companies...) but for photography as an art the eye and creativity of the photographer is so much more. So this video transports an important message to me... it is important to go back to the basics sometimes
If you are going to do a gear video, I would much rather it to be this way than quibbling about the high end gear. It's about getting out there and experiencing the world you are observing. Great step forward!
Great shots, not getting into the feeding frenzy of gear buying is difficult. I have a 5d MK4. It's now old hat but circumstances forced me to keep it and you are right Tom. You don't need the latest kit. I'm so glad I hung onto the 5d it's going to be worth pennies soon and so what? It's a better camera than I am a photographer, produces superb results and if anyone tried to mug me would make a great club😏
Thomas I feel this is an episode many people can relate to, I loved it and thought it is one of your best in a while, some cracking images too. Thanks as always for sharing.
Totally agree with you - an important episode delivered well.
I started with the sony a6000 and the kitlens 16-50mm. I bought in used for 350€. So it is realy cheap and yes the lens isnt good, but for the beginning to learn landscapephotografie its enough. The a6000 have a excellent quality and you have no issues to upgrade to better lenses in the future.
I've just been watching some videos you made 5 yrs ago with what would now be deemed 'antiquated' equipment. Yet those images are still world beaters. As we all know, technology has moved on, it's made the process easier but it hasn't replaced the talent behind the viewfinder.