ASK EMILY | CANON EQUIPMENT

Dear Emily,

I know you shoot with Canon equipment, what camera and lenses do you use and why? Thanks!

-G

So I'm not about to write a blog post bad mouthing Nikon or trying to prove that Canon is better (so if you were looking for some drama find a different blog!) Adrienne shoots with Nikon and I occasionally use her equipment during weddings and other shoots, and in a past photography job I shot only with Nikon because it's what the company used. So I've experienced both brands and I've never had bad experiences with either. But when it came to choosing my personal equipment I went with Canon. I guess part of it was because my very first camera was a Canon AE-1 

I currently own a Canon 70d, a Canon 50mm 1.8 lens, and a (broken) 18-135 mm 3.5 lens. Since my 18-135mm is broken I'm saving up for a Canon 24-70 2.8 lens. Eventually I will be upgrading to one of the Canon 5d bodies because they are full frame cameras which are better for professional photographers. 

I love the swivel screen on the 70d! I can get some cool shots in situations I might otherwise miss because I have to hold the camera in a way where the screen may not be visible. 

The 24-70 2.8 is a great lens! As part of Canon's line of "L brand" lenses it's made with top quality glass which translates to sharper images. It's zoom covers a good range which is why most wedding photographer's keep this lens in their equipment arsenal throughout their career. 

I just have to mention one particular thing I've always liked about Canon, and that is their menu design. I know, I know! That sounds like such a simple, kind of lame thing to use as a decision maker but it makes a big difference when I'm trying to quickly change a setting! Their menus are organized and easy to navigate. \

My current "Must Have" list of Canon equipment includes

  • 24-70mm 2.8 lens
  • A Canon 5d body
  • 100mm 2.8 (good for shooting small things like the wedding rings)
  • 50mm 1.2
  • 85mm 1.2

Overall, choosing Canon was just a personal choice. Nikon has its positives and negatives and I'm sure Canon does too. Everyone I ask seems to choose one system over the other purely because it works best for the way they work or what they shoot. So if you're buying equipment I recommend trying out both and looking at what they offer for equipment before you decide!

-Emily