Camera Gear
Good photography doesn't necessarily depend on the best and most expensive camera equipment, but the photographer behind the camera. However, better equipment helps get great results easier when it's in the right hands. Listed below are the camera equipment I have used and would highly recommend for nightclub and event photography.
Camera Bodies
Lenses
Flashes
Accessories
- Black Rapid Strap
- Hakuba lens pen
- Sto-fen Omnibounce diffuser
- Eneloop AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries
Not sure what photography gear you need for nightclub photography? Let me help you figure it out.
Camera Bodies
Whether you're a newbie researching digital SLR cameras to get into nightclub photography or a seasoned nightclub photographer looking to upgrade your camera body, I hope to cover the basics of what you need to know to help you decide which digital SLR camera body to buy.
Please note that I'm a Canon user, but there's usually an equivalent camera in other brands. When I shot film, I used a Nikon SLR camera body, but I chose Canon when I switched to digital because Canon was the first one to have a digital SLR that cost below $1,000.
The first digital SLR camera that I bought was the original Canon EOS Rebel. I bought it brand new with a kit lens for $950. Looking at it now, this camera didn't have as many features as an entry level digital SLR these days do. I guess one thing to keep in mind is that good photography doesn't necessarily depend on the best camera gear, but the photographer behind the camera. Having better gear does help a lot though!
Basically, there are three levels of camera bodies: pro, prosumer, and entry. With all the different choices and different models, how do you find out which one is the best option for you? Let's figure it out.
Let's take a look at the following factors and see which DSLR would fit your needs the best.
- Price
- Size
- Megapixels
- Sensor
- Speed
- Special Features
Choose a PRO level digital SLR body if:
- you're willing to spend at least $4,000
- you don't mind carrying around 3lbs for long periods of time
- you want a lot of megapixels (16 or more megapixels)
- you want a camera with a 1.3 crop factor or a full frame
- you want a camera with a fast autofocus and burst rate
- you're going to shoot other types of photography professionally
- you plan on keeping the camera for a long time
- you want a rugged camera body with weather sealing
If you're just starting out as a nightclub photographer and you're not doing other types of photography (portraits, weddings, events, sports, etc.) professionally, then I suggest looking at the PROSUMER digital SLR camera body instead.
Pro level DSLRs have a lot of features so the learning curve may be a bit higher than the prosumer and entry level DSLRs. They're very rugged and weather sealed so you don't have to worry about them getting banged up or guests accidentally spilling drinks on them. Since pro level camera bodies don't get a newer model every year, plan on keeping it for a while. It will also take some time before you outgrow a pro level DSLR.
PRO level digital SLR:
Choose a PROSUMER level digital SLR body if:
- your camera body budget is between $1000 and $2500
- you want an average size camera body
- you want a lot of megapixels (15 to 21 megapixels)
- you want a camera with a 1.6 crop factor or a full frame
- you want video and live view
- you're an advanced hobbyist or just starting out as a pro photographer
- you're thinking of upgrading your gear within the next couple of years
A prosumer level DSLR camera body would probably meet all your needs for nightclub photography. It's a nice balance between a pro and entry level DSLR.
PROSUMER level digital SLR:
Choose an ENTRY level digital SLR body if:
- your camera body budget is between $500 and $900
- you want a small and light camera body
- 10 to 18 megapixels is enough for you
- a camera with a 1.6 crop factor is okay with you
- you want video and live view
- you're pretty new to photography
- you're upgrading from a point and shoot
- you don't have much experience using SLRs
ENTRY level digital SLR:
If you have to choose between getting a better DSLR camera body or a better lens, get the entry level DSLR and buy a better lens.
Camera Body Accessories
- Hand Grip
- Black Rapid Strap
- Extra Battery
An accessory I highly recommend is the Black Rapid Strap to replace the neck strap that comes with the camera body. This camera strap is so much more comfortable to use when doing nightclub photography. Get one for yourself and you can thank me later.
Lenses
When you do a search for nightclub photography lens, chances are most of the advice you'd see in the forums suggest using a prime lens because they're fast. Prime lenses are great, but I don't think they're versatile enough for nightclub photography. I prefer not carrying a bunch of prime lenses and I also don't want to change lenses in a packed nightclub where a lot of inebriated people can bump into me. If you accidentally drop a lens, getting it repaired or replacing it won't be cheap.
In a nightclub environment, your lens needs the flexibility to shoot wide shots of big groups and close up shots of one person. I suggest using a zoom lens that at least goes to 18mm on the wide end especially if you're going to be using it on a crop body. Nightclubs can get really packed and there may be not much room for you to move. The telephoto end should go to around 50mm.
The zoom lens should also be fast. The lens should have a fixed aperture of f/2.8 at all focal lengths even though you'd most likely be using f/3.5 to f/5.6 when you're shooting. It's always better to have the option to shoot at f/2.8 if and when you really need it.
To summarize, the ideal lens for nightclub photography is a fast (f/2.8) zoom lens in the 17-50mm focal length for a cropped camera body.
I highly recommend the following lenses for the Canon digital SLRs that are using the APS-C image format.
If you're using a full frame camera body such as the Canon EOS 5D, then the lens of choice would be one of the following:
The best lens for nightclub photography when you're using a 1.6 crop Canon digital SLR body is the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. It's fast and it's in the ideal focal length. It also has image stabilization (IS) that comes in really handy. This is the lens that I always recommend to Canon users!
If the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS Lens is too expensive, my second choice would be the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L Lens. It's not very fast considering it's only at f/4 and it's also doesn't cover as much in terms of the focal length, but I like sticking with the Canon lenses. This is an "L" lens so it's got a pretty solid build. The lens doesn't get longer or shorter when you zoom in and out.
If you're going with a third party lens, then the next obvious choice would be the Tamron 17-50mm F/2.8 VC Lens or the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS Lens. They're both fast and they have vibration calibration (VC) or optical stabilization (OS). They're similar to Canon's image stabilization (IS).
Lens Accessories
- Lens Filter
- Lens Hood
- Lens Pen
Lens Filter
I normally don't shoot using a filter, but I do in nightclubs. There are a bunch of people holding drinks and I have to take that into consideration when I'm shooting. People could accidentally spill their drinks and whatnot on the lens. Using a filter and a lens hood is a way to protect it.
It can also be relatively cold outside and pretty hot inside the club, so the filter would get fogged up when I go inside the club. I would much rather clean the filter with a napkin than clean the front element of an expensive lens with just a napkin. I also don't have to worry about my lens getting scratched accidentally.
In summary, use a filter and a lens hood when shooting in nightclubs to protect your lens. Just make sure you buy a filter that fits your lens. Check your lens for the filter diameter that it accepts.
Lens Pen
When I have to clean any of my lenses, I use the Hakuba lens pen. I think this product is pretty awesome! You'll see what I mean when you use it yourself.
Here's a lens cleaning tip that's pretty helpful if you absolutely have no choice but to use a napkin.
"Stop at the nearest bar, ask the bartender to moisten a clean, soft cocktail napkin with vodka, and proceed as if you had lens cleaning fluid and tissue." -Popular Photography & Imaging
Flashes
If you can afford it, get a Canon Speedlite Flash instead of a third party flash because they work better with Canon camera bodies.
The accessory I highly recommend would be the Sto-fen Omnibounce diffuser. It's small, lightweight, and very affordable flash diffuser. I've tried the Gary Fong diffusers and I found them too big and bulky and the quality of light wasn't all that much better than a Sto-Fen Omnibounce.
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