Vera Morgana’s Magazine

What's in my Camera Bag?

The obvious choice

The most common question every photographer hears, regardless of what kind of photography they do. There are many ongoing debates on what is ‘right’. The all-famous Canon vs Nikon, or the specialized prime lens vs zoom lens. You may think some are better than others, but for me, it’s basically what is most comfortable.

 

Me, I do both digital photography as well as film photography, so in this blog, I will talk about digital-only. For my film photography bag, do check out this post instead.

 

My camera bag consists of:

I was sworn by Canon for two reasons: it is the first camera I used and got used to, and I have invested quite a lot into the gear to make the switch. Frankly, I have no intention to make any brand switches either.

Canon 5D Mark IV

The bodies used are 5D Mark IV. I keep two of them with me at all times. Unlike most photographers, I love using both prime and zoom lenses for different purposes. For weddings, I prefer using zoom (give reason) while during pre-wedding and other personal photoshoots, I prefer using primes instead.

 

Primes: Sigma 35mm, Canon 50mm, Sigma 85mm, Canon 100mm

Zoom: 18-35mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm

 

Right now, everything is going into mirrorless, so I may consider moving into that technology soon!

Canon 50mm 1.8L

Canon 50mm1.8L is one of the most versatile lenses out there with an aperture of f/1.8. This one is great for shooting in lower-light situations and has a cinematic shallow depth of field to it. This lean is great for darker rooms when necessary and perfect to shoot in the evening or night.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/4 L IS USM

This one is perfect for general-purpose photography as it covers the perfect focal length. It makes a great portrait lens and its full-frame body works best for the group, environmental, and moderately tight portraits.

Canon 70-200mm 2.8L

Canon 70-200mm 2.8L is a must-have zoom lens for any wedding and gets me that ninja shot without any interruption. This lens is mostly used during ceremony and reception time and gets a close couple of shots. This lens is also great to capture the candid reaction of the day, that one genuine emotional moment as approaching the couple with a big lens can divert them from that candid moment. This lens gives that advantage.

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM (Art)

Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM (Art) is everything! It is an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor photography and delivers exceptional image quality, ultrasonic focus, and a fantastic performance at f/1.4.

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM (Art)

Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM (Art) is a great pick to capture a crisp image with its wide maximum aperture that is also perfect in low light.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM (wide angle)

This wide-angle lens has that perfect focus and wide-angle and is at the top of my list. This lens delivers prime-grade image sharpness with an overall performance that is speedy and accurate.

Film Photography: A Timeless Classic

EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is versatile! It is great for close-up shots with its excellent image quality and a useful focal length. It is also lightweight and has great image stabilization.

Lighting

Every photographer has to learn how to add lighting to their shoot. Sure, we don’t always need it, for example, at an outdoor photoshoot at 7 am, but for most indoor weddings, you will most likely never see a photographer without one. For me, I chose to invest in Godox and have never looked back or regretted it. My gear includes 2 x AD200pro and 2 x Godox V1.

 

Godox V1 is that perfect flash lens for night events and receptions. It has a battery pack that delivers 480 full power shots per charge making it stable with its power delivery.

Other Additional Gear

There are other items in my bag, which varies depending on which shoot I go for. Some items include tripod and lighting stands, MagMod modifiers, Spider Dual Camera Holsters, and a utility belt. Smaller things I keep in the utility belt include extra batteries (including chargers) and more than enough SF and CF cards to last more than a day.

some other essentials: A Bridal Touch Up Kit

As a photographer, I am alone with the bride and groom many times as the weddings last for a long time. So I carry essentials such as bobby pins to fix any fly-away hair and a sewing kit that often comes in handy for busted jackets. Mask and sanitizer are also a must, given the post-covid situation.

some other essentials: A Styling Kit Or Prop Kit

I also like to carry silk ribbons, styling acrylics, pretty dishes, and high-end mats as they can make a huge difference in your photography.

Water & Snacks

When you have a 12-hour plus shoot you have to manage your food and water. I always have a bottle of water and snacks for myself and my team. Low energy and a growling stomach are not a good combination and can impact your photography.

 

So there you go! This should give you an inside of what you would find in my bag. To find out more about my film photography gear, do check out this post.

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