Save on Essential Gear for the Aspiring Automotive Photographer and Videographer
Are you an amateur photographer with a passion for automotive photography? Or perhaps you’re an experienced automotive photographer looking to take the next step in upgrading gear. Either way, now is a great time to advantage of some sales. There are plenty of deals currently available and in this guide, we’ll take a look at some of the deals you can take advantage of if you’re an aspiring automotive photographer or videographer.
Table of contents
Cameras
Automotive photography starts with a digital camera, but it's up to you on whether you want to invest into a DSLR or a mirrorless unit. Most professionals will stand by DSLRs for the best quality and versatility, but you may want to sacrifice some of that for portability, which is where mirrorless cameras fit. B&H currently has numerous camera bodies and kits for sale, and we've highlighted some of the great deals below. If you're just starting off, the EOS Rebel T6 Kit and the Nikon D7200 Kit are great places to start. If you're looking to upgrade, the Canon 5D Mark IV is currently on sale.
- Refurbished Canon Rebel T6i with Two Lenses
- Refurbished Canon EOS 77D with 18-135mm Lens
- Refurbished Canon EOS M6 with Two Lenses
- Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera Body
- Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera with Two Lenses
- Nikon D750 DSLR Camera Body
- Nikon D7200 DSLR Camera with Lens
- Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera
Lenses
If you're looking to become a versatile automotive photographer, that means you'll have to invest into a collection of high quality lenses. We believe every automotive photographer should have a 50mm in their collection, as well as a 24-70mm lens, which serves as a great all-purpose daily lens. If you're planning to shoot motorsport events, you may want to invest into a telephoto lens (70-200mm), but those are typically much more expensive and have limited usage compared to other lenses. Take a look below for quick access to both Canon's and Nikon's offerings.
Tripods
Some automotive photographers believe tripods are just too cumbersome to carry around, especially if you're shooting auto shows or motorsports. But it never hurts to have one handy, especially if you're looking to take beauty shots of a particular vehicle. Here are a couple affordable, portable, and lightweight options that can be carried around or even taken with you when you travel.
Flashes
Flashes may not be as important to automotive photographers as other photographers, but they do serve a purpose for interior and engine bay photos. There may even be occasions where you're in low-light situations and a flash helps capture what you need. Below are links to two popular flashes, one from Canon and another from Nikon.
Memory Cards
A memory card is an absolute necessity for any photographer and they have significantly dropped in prices in recent years. You can take advantage of even cheaper memory cards right now, just make sure you're getting the correct type for your camera.
Video Equipment
While some of the fancier and more expensive DSLRs do a great job at capturing video, sometimes you need something more versatile or compact. GoPro has built a reputation for manufacturing devices that make it quick and easy to capture HD video, especially action shots. If you're looking to do something truly unique, take a look at the DJI Mavic Pro, a drone with up to 27 minutes of flight time, 4.3-mile control range, and a 12-megapixel, 4K camera.
Accessories
Being a photographer is more than just being able to take good photos. A well-rounded photographer also needs to equip themselves with the right tools for post processing and editing photos, as well as carrying their equipment around. Equally as important, you'll need a place to store your photos and always have a backup just in case of hard drive failure. Nowadays, you can also use an iPad Pro to edit photos, as they're becoming more powerful and more convenient to use.
We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.
Photo credit: Jason Siu / AutoGuide.com
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
More by Jason Siu
Comments
Join the conversation