h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What are the minimum requirements for photography?

And what are desirable?

And what are a waste of time?

I have a pretty eclectic range of photographic accessories and cameras, but wonder what yo think are the basic requirements, the necessities, and the waste of time?

I'll list my equipment and choices later, but would like your ideas first, so I can do a comparison.



MMF

Hi MMF. I think it depends on your main interest and whether you want to enlarge the images.

Say a basic good DSLR if you're reasonably serious..with 2 or 3 lenses a 50mm, a wide angle and some sort of telephoto..but then if you want extreme close-ups you need a macro.

See it starts to expand..but there's very good 2nd hand.

A tripod is defo an essential.

Dunno what you got already...but if I had to really pare it down I'd go tripod, DSLR, 50mm..get the best lens you can afford..lenses are more important than camera bodies. I also have a Nikon coolpix small dig for internet stuff and playing around..I'd say that's essential...indeed for many people that's all you need..certainly for internet.

For *me* waste of time are a lot of filters..I just have a polarising one..and extreme lenses like 'fish eye'

Weight is a consideration when you're out and about.

it really depends on what you are taking a picture of
I do a lot of product photography so I need a tripod, lights, defuser, reflector, possibly a light box... a back drop

>>What are the minimum requirements for photography?

You can do an awful lot with just the camera on a phone, if it's good enough. I was told that a huge percentage of readers' photos published in magazines were taken on their iphones.

The minimum requirement is an understanding of what makes a good picture. This is something that you can learn, but can't buy. I don't have it - I just snap away.

I have friends, however, who know about light and composition and stuff. They also know a whole bunch of other stuff about focus and depth of field that's specific to their equipment choices, but their pictures aren't good because of their equipment, they're good because they pointed the camera at the right place at the right time.

Once you've got that, you could probably get away with a sheet of light sensitive paper and a shoe box with a pinhole in it. Certainly any modern phone is a good *enough* camera, if you have the eye.

Everything else is gravy.

I don't think a DSLR is an essential.

My ultrazoom camera has a 36-480mm lens which does me for most situations. It has a built-in flash. It can do "macro" - it will focus right down a distance of zero - the lens touching the object.

It's hard to see what more I need.

The essentials for photography these days seem to be big memory cards and lots of batteries. Mine takes 4 x AA rechargeables, and I have another 4 charged up and ready to go.

I have a single digital camera and no extra lenses or bits and bobs. The only think I feel would be good is a tripod, I'm not very good at holding things steady (which is why a cell phone ain't that great either). And an extra battery but only because the camera doesn't give me very good warning of when it's about to run out.

All that and Photoshop or an equivalent (lots of lesser free downloads on the informette). Plus, Effers and I have been talking about panorama stitching programs, again available for free online (for the most part).

I don't necessarily agree that a DSLR is essential. I've recently upgraded to an entry-level DSLR but before that I managed pretty well with a decent compact.

I have my DSLR with kit lens and 70-300mm zoom lens. I plan to get a tripod and I would like a macro lens at some point but I don't think I need anything else.

The reason I ask is I have a variety of cameras, my two main being a Canon dSLR 450D and a Canon Powershot G12. The former serious, with Sigma 80 - 300 zoom, standard Canon lens, Canon macro and Canon wide angle lens. The Powershot is more for candid, or shots I can't get due to disability. It's a reasonable compromise.

I have recently purchased a Gitzo traveller 1 tripod with pan-head. A god-send due to size and weigh, which replace Velbon and Manftrotto tri- and monopod stands.

Filters? Polarising and UV as standard.

CF cards? A variety, but not quite worked them out yet. Brands and C number confuse me.

Flash? Have a basic fixed 4 x AA battery flash. Need to consider.

dSLR has remote, but remote cable? Bearing in mind I am mobility impaired? Suggestions?

I also have a multi-battery base, with 6 batteries for dSLR and 4 for PS. (Ideal for holidays)

Also, Loewepro 200 backpack, and BlackRapid camera strap.

Would Kata or Street and Field harness?

Tere is so much out there.

Bearing in mind my mobility, I am looking for anything that allows me to improve my photography, without compromise, but also make it slightly easier.

Free-standing, or ground-level photography is becoming very dificult, hence the remote facility..

The G12 flip-out screen is a real boon for that reason!

MMF