What’s the best camera? “The best camera is the one you have with you”. That’s how I answer this often asked question. Of course our smart phones now belong in this category too. A colleague of mine recently sold his gear, except for a GoPro and his iPhone. It’s all he uses to capture his life-after-full-time-photography adventures. I don’t have a GoPro, but have left bags of gear behind on several personal trips, taking only the phone.
Cameras are tools. Extensions of the eye/brain, used to capture the images the photographer sees in their mind. I can operate the cameras blindfolded, giving me the freedom to be ready to catch the emotions and the decisive moments as they happen.
Having said that here’s my current preferred list of equipment:
• Panasonic Lumix Mirrorless Camera System ~ with Leica Prime Glass (the 15mm f/1.7, the 25mm f/1.4, and 42.5mm f/1.2) and Lumix zooms (12-35mm f/2.8, 35-100 f/2.8, and 100-300 f/4). This system rocks for both videography and still shooting! The prime glass works especially well in filmmaking and portraiture.
• Great audio ~ recorded thru Pre-Amps with XLR balanced shotgun microphones and wireless lavaliere mics.
• LED Light Panels.
• Flash (when needed) ~ Studio Strobes, Speedlites.
• The best backdrops anywhere ~ from now defunct Silverlake Photo.
• More light modifiers and accessory gear than you can shake a stick at.