Complete guide to essential gear for outdoor photoshoots!
6/25/2024

Complete guide to essential gear for outdoor photoshoots!

Here are the essential gear we bring along for our outdoor photo sessions, whether with clients or for casual photography in Singapore. This includes details on the camera we use, the lenses we rely on, and essential accessories.

Introduction

Welcome to "The complete guide to our essential photoshoot gear!" Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, the right equipment can truly elevate your shots. Join me as we detail the gear we rely on for every shoot, including favorite cameras, lenses, and accessories. This collection ensures we're ready to capture stunning images in any setting. Let's dive in!

What's In My Bag?

These are what we bring to client's photoshoots or casual street photography. Details of specific gears are written below.

1. Camera — Sony A7RIII, Pixel 8 pro  
2. Lenses —
Sigma 24-70mm F2.8, Sony 85mm F1.8
3. Flash/speedlite —
Godox TT350 Sony edition
4. Tripod —
Benro collapsible tripod
5. Accessories

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1. Camera — Sony A7RIII, Pixel 8 pro  

As mentioned we're using the Sony A7Riii as our daily driver because the detailed images produced by a 42 MP camera make it versatile across various genres of photography, including landscape, architecture, products, and studio portraits. It also has the flexibility to crop because of the abundance of pixels which in return maintains sufficient resolution after cropping.

Image source: https://alphashooters

It also has better low light performance because of it's high resolution sensor which improves light sensitivity and reduce noises in darker conditions. A 42 MP camera is often associated with professional-grade cameras, offering advanced features and image quality suitable for commercial and professional photography applications.

✦ Higher resolution sensors tend to have a longer shelf life in terms of technological relevance, ensuring your camera remains competitive in the market for years to come.

We also carry the Pixel 8 Pro as our compact point-and-shoot camera for capturing moments instantly or for framing our subjects.

2. Lenses — Sigma 24-70mm F2.8, Sony 85mm F1.8

https://www.tradeinn.com

We currently own 3 lenses; Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 (most used) Sony FE 85mm F1.8 & Sony kit lens 28-70mm F3.5-6.3, with the Sigma 24-70mm being our main everyday choice.

✦ The 85mm prime lens is perfect for portraits, offering exceptional image quality, beautiful bokeh, and excellent low-light performance, making it a versatile and essential tool in our collection.

The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 lens is an exceptional all-rounder and our most frequently used lens. Its versatile focal range enables us to handle a wide variety of shooting scenarios, while the f/2.8 aperture allows for low-light shooting and beautiful bokeh, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of our images with dreamy background blur. As our primary lens, we prioritized both top-notch quality and value for money, which led us to choose the Sigma series.

3. Flash / Speedlite — Godox TT350 Sony edition

https://www.carousell.sg/

The Godox TT350 speedlite is a compact, lightweight, and versatile flash compatible with various camera brands, offering TTL functionality, built-in 2.4G wireless transmission, adjustable power from 1/1 to 1/128, high-speed sync up to 1/8000s, rechargeable battery operation, and a flexible head for bounce flash and creative lighting angles, making it ideal for both outdoor and night photoshoots!

4. Camera Tripod — Benro Collapsible Tripod

https://www.foto-erhardt.com/

The Benro TSL08AN00 Slim Aluminum-Alloy Tripod is a lightweight, portable, and sturdy option with quick setup, versatile height adjustment, and an included ball head, offering excellent value for professional photographers. It even has an extendable hook below the ball-head, giving you the option to add free weights to balance the centre of gravity of your camera.

5. Accessories

https://www.renticulous.com/

And lastly, essential camera accessories to go with my setup. These are my must-haves because they give me added confidence and preparedness for a photoshoot, especially in an outdoor setting where every shot counts and running out of battery or memory space is not an option.

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Camera batteries - NPFZ-100

Bringing extra camera batteries to shoots ensures that you don't run out of power during critical moments, allowing for uninterrupted shooting and giving you peace of mind, especially during long sessions or in remote locations where recharging isn't an option.

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Camera straps - Peak design wrist & neck strap

Camera straps are essential for providing comfort and security while shooting, as they help prevent accidental drops, distribute the camera's weight evenly across your body, and keep your camera easily accessible for quick shots. We recommend Peak Design straps for their versatility and adaptability, allowing for quick and easy action changes with their interchangeable design, making it simple to unclip and secure your camera during photoshoots.


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Sd cards - Sandisk sd card

Having two SD cards when shooting is crucial for backup, extended storage, different file formats, and flexibility, ensuring you can capture every moment without interruption. We are using the SanDisk 128GB 200mb/s read speed SD cards and will be upgrading to the 512GB in the near future!

Conclusion

The effectiveness of a photoshoot is not solely determined by the cost of your gear, but by the function and role of each piece of equipment you bring along. Having a variety of equipment helps you stay versatile, increases your readiness for diverse shooting conditions, and ultimately aids you in capturing "the shot." I hope this guide has helped you in your personal photography journey. Personally, I feel grateful and fortunate to own and utilize my equipment to my advantage.

And remember, fancy gears are nice to have but not needed. Photography can start with a smart phone—so have fun going beyond the naked eye!

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