A Beautiful Mess Camera Gear List

It's been a few years since I shared my favorite camera gear. Emma and I get a lot of e-mails asking for advice about camera and lens purchases. We keep a pretty simple lineup of gear around here. We don't have a ton of fancy equipment, and we use everything we own almost every day. So without further ado, here's what we use and why we love it!1. Canon EOS 60D I've been using my Canon 60D for the past year. Emma recently upgraded to the same camera and is loving it. I love this camera, because it's high quality but isn't crazy expensive. We actually used this camera to shoot our entire photography book earlier this year. I always travel with it. In my opinion it's a good mix of practical and professional. I would highly recommend this camera to anyone shopping for a solid digital SLR.2. Canon EOS 5D Mark III I had toyed with the idea of upgrading to a full frame camera for the past few years. I finally decided to take the plunge, because I felt we needed a full frame camera for indoor photos. When you are dealing with smallish rooms and limited space, the extra frame space is needed. I am in love with this camera. I've only been using it for about a month (mostly indoors), and it has made a world of difference in my home photos. I love that both our cameras can share lenses, but they capture such different images. If I would have known how helpful a full frame camera would be, I probably would have invested in one years ago.3. Canon EF 35mm f/2 I use this lens most often. If you only want to invest in one lens, I would recommend this one. It's versatile and works great for indoor and outdoor photography. Sometimes it stays on my camera for weeks at a time. It's a staple!4. Canon 40mm EF f/2.8 The 40mm is my newest lens. It was an impluse buy. I think it's great, especially for the price (which is awesome). I don't have as much to say about this lens, because I've only been using it for a few months. If you have notes feel free to add them in the comments. :)5. Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 We love our 50mm lens for portraits, usually outdoor. It produces the most beautiful bokeh and flattering blurred backgrounds. It's also really nice for low lit photos. 

*I also own (and love) this wide angle lens Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5. Before I owned a full frame camera, this lens was my only way to capture full room photos inside our home. It is also helpful for arm's length self portraits, although I usually crop out a lot of the distorted edges! 

6. Camera Remote When we don't have someone available to take photos for us, we use a camera remote. It's great for self portraits or group photos when you want to include everyone in the frame. Of course, there is always the self-timer too, but the camera remote really speeds things up! 

7. Wacom Bamboo Tablet Alright, now I am branching out from actual photography gear to other items that make our images possible. I have blogged about the tablet in the past (here + here). I use my tablet daily to edit photos, add handwriting and make collages.  

Other stuff we use and love: The iPhone. Honestly, I LOVE iPhone photos. If anyone ever asks me which point & shoot camera I recommend I always tell them to just buy an iPod touch (or iPhone). The photo quality is great and the editing options that apps can offer are truly amazing! Photoshop CS (we use CS5 and CS6). We sometimes use actions. We like Totally Rad Actions! as well as Formula Actions. These are mostly used to quickly tweak color in our images. My favorite toy cameras are the Fujifilm INSTAX Wide , the Fujifilm Instax MINI and the Golden Half Camera.

Let me know if you have any other photography related questions, and I will answer you in the comments section! xo. Elsie 

Comments

[Jane @ Shady Baker]

This is a great list and very helpful, thank you! Can you please give me a brief description on the difference between a full frame camera as opposed to the 60D? Thank you.

[Jane @ Shady Baker]

PS I adore your photo wall x

[Katie]

What camera remote do you use? I'm looking to get one but have NO IDEA which ones are good/bad! :-P

[Miss Foodie Fab]

So I just purchased my first eve DSLR, a Canon T4i and I see this post in my BlogLovin feed. Look at God! Thank you!

[Kelley M.]

Thanks for sharing! I also have the EOS 60D and absolutely love it. It's an amazing camera. I was trying to decided btw the 60D and one of the Rebel models and went with the 60D because I really feel like I won't grow out of it. It is an investment but totally worth it. My next purchase is the EF 50mm f/1.4 to use for photos for my blog! : )

[Bianca]

Hugely insightful post! I'm saving up for a nice camera (currently using a gifted & used but new-to-me, point & shoot) and it's really good to know what some of my favorite bloggers use for their beautiful photos!

Also! Got a Bamboo tablet for Christmas and your posts gave me great tips for improving my own blog posts, obsessed!

http://stylemesweetly.typepad.com

[Celina]

I've been on the hunt for a good SLR after putting it off for 2 years now and I've had my eye on the 60D. Knowing that both of you use this camera and love it, I definitely want to get it!

However, I am curious to hear your thoughts on the video function, if you use it. Just the general quality and functions, really. Thanks in advance! :)

[Vannesa]

I loved this!! I´m actually more of a Nikon girl, but I love the honest feel this post gives. Also I always admire your photography :)

[Jean]

If and when you do self portraits/group shots, do you use a tripod? If so, which one? Thanks in advance.

[Carlee]

Great equipment! I use Nikon camera. Also lovely photos.
Carlee
http://almostendearing.blogspot.com/

[Tina]

Here is a photog question but not an actual hardware question. I need to learn product photography and the "clean up" (photoshop, etc) actions that go along with it. Any ideas where I can begin my search to find resources to learn?

I would like to get in depth with all aspects of it. lighting, placement, photo light boxes, editing, etc.

[TheDressyChick]

I'm saving up for my 50mm, getting it soon, can't wait! Thanks for sharing :)
http://thdressychick.com

[Melanie]

Love this :) Thanks for all the info!

[Carly @ Ecru Designs]

Oh wow, love that you shared these.... thank you. The funniest thing - I just posted MY camera gear post today :)

[Chianne Hood]

So helpful! Thank you for posting this! xx

http://thehonestfox.blogspot.com

[Lena]

Hi Elsie! How do you feel about the Canon Rebels? I feel like they get so much hype, but I don't know how they measure up to the ones you have.

Thank you! :)

Lena
http://sincerelylena.wordpress.com/

[Kate]

I've heard so many good things about the Canon EOS 60D - I might have to start saving pennies. Ever since I started blogging I find myself taking more pictures. My current DSLR is a Nikon P90, which isn't much more than a larger point-and-shoot - you can't switch out lens or anything. Not really what I wanted when I asked for a DSLR but oh well.

And I totally want a camera remote! My blog, http://crazylovelyme.com, is relatively new, and I'd like to start doing some more self-portrait type of shots for fashion posts. I may have to go buy one of those!

[Rachel]

Yay, this is great! No questions here...I'm getting a Canon 5D Mark II in the next couple of weeks, and I can't WAIT! I wanted the Mark III...but $$$. That 40mm looks intriguing...

[Marilyn & Kaleb]

Thanks for sharing! We are so excited about getting more into photography. This info really helps us on what to purchase next. :)

[Emily @ Hungry Delights]

I have been wondering if I should buy a 35mm lens but thought it might be too similar to the 50mm I think I might get it now though.

xo Emily @ http://www.hungrydelights.com/