Photo Equipment
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame DSLR Camera with EF 24-105mm Lens
This is the camera I'm currently shooting with, and it is beyond a dream. There is so much incredible functionality (of which I've barely scratched the surface I'm sure) that you can navigate through quickly and intuitively with the touch screen LCD. As a full-frame, you get a magnificent wide-angle feel in your shots. It is definitely a beefy body, however, at 1.76lbs (not including a lens)...but the end result more than justifies the weightiness. Since I shoot a lot of action shots of my wife (@flyingdawnmarie), the continuous shooting with the super powerful processing speed is extremely valuable. And with the 30.4 megapixel full-frame sensor, the definition of your final images are incredibly crisp and allow for large prints. From everything that I've read online and heard from fellow photographers, this is the gold standard in terms of Canon DSLRs.
As for lenses, I went with the EF 24-105mm...it adds a bit more length than the 24-70mm, but it's been really versatile and I'd highly recommend it.
Below are some shots taken with my 5D Mark IV with EF 24-105mm lens.
Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm and EF 75-300mm Lenses
This is the camera and lens kit I started off with. If you're looking for a DSLR to learn on, I'd highly recommend one of the Canon Rebels. They are lightweight, and the functionality is pretty straightforward. With an 18 megapixel APS C image sensor, the images you end up with are great quality, especially for the low price tag!
And for those of you that have no idea what APS C means, you're not alone...I didn't either when I was first starting off. APS stands for Advanced Photo System, and the C stands for Classic. There's a really helpful article that puts everything in laymen's terms here if you're interested. In short, APS means that your field of view is a little smaller than a "full-frame" camera (such as the 5D Mark IV)...which in turn means your shot will be cropped a little smaller as well. However, this does allow for better portability due to a more compact size and lighter weight. Truthfully, if you're starting out you won't even notice the smaller field of view, and you'll be more than happy with the results you get.
If you are indeed new to DSLRs, I'd highly recommend starting off in "manual" mode right off the bat. It'll take some getting used to (and may be a bit frustrating) as you learn how to control the ISO, aperture, shutter speed, focusing, etc...but you'll be glad you did down the road.
Below are some shots taken with my Rebel T6 with EF-S 18-55mm lens.
Incase DSLR Slingpack with Woolenex
There are a plethora of options out there when it comes to camera bags. I’ve used this one for about a year now, and overall I’m very pleased with it. It’s large enough to fit my full-frame DSLR, as well as an extra lens and the other smaller essentials when you’re out seeking that perfect shot. The main compartment is completely customizable with velcro dividers, which allows you to create a perfect snug fit for your expensive pieces of equipment without them rubbing up against each other. There are also plenty of small compartments for SD cards, cleaners, batteries, etc. It also has exterior adjustable loops on the bottom that are great for cinching in a tripod.
I personally like the sling style because I can quickly slide the bag around front and pull out my camera without having to take the bag off. And since it’s a sling, I can freely use both hands to shuffle through my stuff without worrying about it falling off my shoulder.
The only negative for me is the laptop compartment. The description on Amazon incorrectly says it’ll fit a 15” MacBook Pro…which it certainly does not. If you have a 13” or smaller, you should be fine. This wasn’t the reason I got this particular bag, so it wasn’t a deal breaker for me.
When it comes to short day adventures, I would definitely recommend it. However, if you’re looking for something that has space for larger telescopic lenses, or if you need something with a lot of additional space for non-photo equipment, I’d recommend a larger backpack solution.