Important! Read This Before Building Your Kit


Camera Kit

Photo by kelvin255 on Flickr

I’ve just discovered that LensRentals.com has a blog. And get this… it’s good.

Like this post on the expensive and impulsive way the owner of LensRentals.com built his first photography kit. It’s a funny  story. But here’s the best part- He shares what he would have done differently, knowing what he knows now. Remember this guy owns a lens rental business. He can use pretty much any gear he wants and he gets real feedback from the people who rent his gear. I’d say he knows a lot.

If you’re building your kit, thinking about buying your first DSLR, or upgrading lenses, I really recommend reading this article first.

Here’s the idea:

Buying crap equipment will turn you off of photography and will still cost a bunch of money. But in the first year or two that you own your DSLR, you probably won’t need the fancy features that make top of the line gear cost so freakin’ much.

You’re better off buying good, but not great, gear. By the time you need to upgrade you’ll have  better idea of what you actually need, and what you don’t.

The post goes through gear that makes a good first kit, and it even covers gear that’s great when you’re ready to upgrade. Pretty sweet.

Anyway, I really really recommend reading the whole thing. It’s even made me want to put off upgrading my camera for at least another year and look into getting some other equipment instead.

Here’s the link again:

Lenses: Don’t Collect The Whole Set

Let me know what you think.

*I’m not affiliated with LensRentals.com. I don’t even think they know that I recommend them.

  • Ved

    thanks for sharing. that’s lot of useful info for starters like me who are soon going to be upgrading to DSLRs

  • http://pareandfocus.com Kat Landreth

    Hope it helps! I’m really lovin’ that blog!

  • Ved

    Hey Kat, I need your help in deciding my first DSLR. I have decided to upgrade to a dslr but I’m very confused. The more options I see the more confused I get.  And this Canon or Nikon to start with.
    I have two options so far and both have their valid points.First option, a brand new Canon 1100d with Kit lens plus a 50mm, 1.8 at around $600.  I’m getting this deal with the help of a friend who works with Canon.Second option is a refurbished by Nikon camera, Nikon D3000 body only, plus a nikon 50mm, 1.8. That’d be about $500.  Now first option looks good because it’s brand new tech, longer warranty, everything new but expensive.  Still within the budget I had planned for.Second looks good because some professionals are die hard Nikon fans, the deal is cheap, helps me get better glass and other equipment with the money I save. What’s making me incline to the Nikon option is the fact that both are entry level dslrs and both will probably perform almost at the same level.  so why invest in an expensive option when I will need to upgrade to a bigger camera if I get better eventually.  But then it’s refurbished camera, no warranty.   Risky.  Please let me know your thoughts.  I want to make a decision that helps me stay with one brand forever.  Your thoughts are important to me on this. Please! :)

  • ved

    This post and the link to the blog you gave me above is making me think this much before I shell out any penny and I’m feeling wiser because of the information you have shared. so Thanks for sharing! I hope to hear from you soon and will let you know about my final decision

  • http://pareandfocus.com Kat Landreth

    I would probably go with the $600 Canon kit for two reasons. (Is it really $600? B/c that’s an AWESOME deal!)

    One- You get two lenses with it. The kit lens will come in handy when you need some Zoom, and the 50mm 1.8 should be comparable to the Nikon 50mm1.8. Both 50mm lenses have great image quality for the price.

    Two- Like you said, you get the warranty. After making an investment it would really suck to have the camera malfunction and have to pay out of pocket to fix it.

    Lots of pros are die hard Nikon fans like you said, but lots are die hard Canon fans. I wouldn’t base my decision on that.

    Unfortunately $100 doesn’t go very far in the photography world especially when you’re talking lenses. When you’re ready to invest in Really good glass, it’s going to cost as much or more than the whole kit you’re buying now. So I wouldn’t let the $100 difference between the Nikon and the Canon be a deciding factor either. It’s going to take you a while to save up for new glass anyway, and at least with the Canon you’re starting out with 2 lenses.

    With either camera you’ll probably upgrade camera bodies in 2 years. Just make the most of the camera before you do upgrade. Really learn all of it’s features, and try to get into the habit of using Manual mode. You’ll become a better photographer for it.

    I hope that’s not too long winded :) And I hope it helps some! I’ll be excited to see what you do with whatever kit you decide on.

  • ved

    Thank you so much Kat!

    It’s always great to get an advice from pros like you who know in and out of the trade. 

    You’re right, I should start with a camera that won’t hurt me if it malfunctions before I even get to understand it.  It is indeed a great deal isn’t it :)

    Please check out my photo albums on facebook page I’ve created that’ll give you an idea where I am right now in terms of photography and how soon do you think I might need an upgrade.

    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ved-Upadhyay-Photography/227366763943928?sk=photos

    I have taken these pics with a Sony DSC H20.  Do you think I should stretch my budget a little bit and if I get a 500/550d by paying a little more, should I go for it? Or 1100d will do just fine?

    You’re right when you say it’ll be a while before I buy a better glass. And for the same reason I want to start with a camera that won’t require me to upgrade very soon. Mainly because of the high cost involved.

    Let me know your thoughts. 

    Thanks again for helping me with this! I appreciate it :)  I can’t sleep thinking about this!

  • http://pareandfocus.com Kat Landreth

    It depends on how much more you would have to spend to get the 550D. They don’t look different enough to me to  justify a very large  price difference, especially if you had to give up a lens to get the 550D. If the increase in megapixels is tempting you, don’t let it. With a 12 megapixel camera you should still be able to make good quality prints at 21 x 14 inches. That’s way bigger than anything I ever print!

    Your pictures look great, and I think you’ll be able to make some really nice photos with any DSLR.

    I’ve been reading about how long digital cameras last before they become outdated and broken down. Seems like the lifespan is about two years (Aside from a select few cameras that last longer. I think 5D mk II was one mentioned… I think the 40D might have been as well but you can’t buy a 40D new anymore.) So when I say you’ll be ready to upgrade in two years, it’s just because any camera you get, even if it’s a very advanced camera, won’t last forever and there will be better technology to replace it.  Maybe your camera will last longer. Unfortunately at the consumer end camera makers are less concerned with build quality and more concerned with making cameras easy to use.

    For now if you have extra money, spend it on lenses.

    Get some sleep :)

  • ved

    Excellent stuff.  Thanks Kat, that’s the kind of in-depth help I needed to decide.  I’ll place my order this week and will share the results. Thanks very much again!