My Camera

My Canon EOS 5D Mark II by Carin Olsson (Paris in Four Months)

So here’s the first post as a result from your wishes that I previously asked about. A lot of people ask me about what kind of camera gear I use for my photos on the blog so here we go:

When I first moved to Paris (in February 2012) I used a Nikon D3100 with a 35mm f/1.8 lens. So all the photos taken between the period of February 2012 to January 2013 are taken with that camera and lens unless stated otherwise. For beginners in photography (or for someone who don’t like to lug around a super heavy camera but still want good photos) I can really recommend this camera.

I got my new camera (which is the one I use today), a Canon EOS 5D Mark II in November last year for my birthday and have shot all my photos with this one since I arrived in January 2013. I got this camera since I’ve evolved as a photographer but also since I’ve started to do photography on a professional level. No, it’s not the most handy camera out there I’m afraid (I wouldn’t recommend it to beginners), it weighs a lot and it’s really big to lug around town but now that I need it, I don’t mind all that much. Although I would looove to be able to wear smaller bags sometimes… With this camera I use three different lenses: a 35mm f/2.0, 50mm f/1.4 (which I use for most of my photos) and a 85mm f/1.8.

When talking about camera equipment and photography I can’t help but to mention this little story that I found through Carla: “A photographer went to a socialite party in New York. As he entered the front door the host said ‘I love your photos — they’re wonderful; you must have a fantastic camera.’ He said nothing until the dinner was finished, then ‘ That was a wonderful dinner; you must have a terrific stove.” - Sam Haskins

So many people think that just because you’re buying a certain camera your photos are suddenly going to come out gorgeously perfect. And that’s not the case. It takes practice just like with anything else. I have the same camera now as many of my absolute favourite photographers but that doesn’t mean I can take the same amazing photos. There’s so much more to the story. So if you’re looking for a new camera I would suggest doing some research to find the camera that suits you the best!

March 17 2013 34 comments

lisa zhang

such true words!
I love your photos, you have such a great eye and the colours are just so vibrant and stunning!

x

http://www.devious-studios.blogspot.com
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Thank you so much, that’s so sweet of you to say
http://twitter.com/ladynetdoma Mary

So much word! It’s like people think that an expensive camera automatically makes you a pro. I wish it were that simple. Oh well…Although to be fair a good camera does make it easier if you can handle it.
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Exactly, you’re so right
Quiqui

Love this post! So true! And that quote is really true! Sometimes I caught myself thinking like that. But it is the photographer that makes the photo beautiful, right? Thanks for the tip!
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Thank you! And yes, I absolutely think so.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Anastasia-Povoroznyuk/1332587478 Anastasia Povoroznyuk

I stumbled upon this quote some time ago, it’s wonderful
I have Nikon D90 and even though the quality of the photos is amazing (comparing to the quality of photos taken by a regular digital camera), I know it’s not enough to have a good camera to take truly stunning pictures. My brother, who is a professional photographer, takes fantastic picturer using just an iPhone – and my mom is so bad in photographing, it takes ages for her to take a good photo even with this Nikon ;p

I have a question. How do you carry your camera? In a special bag or in a regular bag? Because I’m so used to carry it just over my shoulder, but after being robbed in metro in Rome last week, I think I should think about safer ways to carry it…

http://www.thefashionarium.blogspot.ru/
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Haha yes exactly! That’s so true I usually carry the camera in one of my normal, “regular”, bags. I know, I should have a camera bag but they’re not very pretty… Or handy. When I carry the camera in my hand I always wrap the strap around my wrist a couple of times.
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Anastasia-Povoroznyuk/1332587478 Anastasia Povoroznyuk
    
    Wrapping the strap around a couple of times sounds like a good idea! Thank you!
Paprika

This is really useful, especially as your photos are so beautiful, I’d love to learn to photograph like you doxx

http://paprikapassion.blogspot.co.uk/
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Thank you so much
http://www.facebook.com/craig.davies.5437 Craig Davies

I really like the quote about the stove at the end of your piece. A good camera is helpful and it’s alway interesting to know what someone is using if you like their work. I like your work but the camera you use is not nearly as important as how you see the world.
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Yes, I always find it interesting to know what people are using Thank you so much, that’s so kind of you to say.
Rob J.

Your quote sums up so much. As a serious amateur photographer I am asked all the time about my camera (I currently use a Pentax K30) and while I love talking about my camera, I am quick to point out that the camera is just a tool, the knowledge and skills belong to the person and must be learned as everything must. Your skills and knowledge show through in your photos, please keep them coming.
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Exactly, and many people don’t get that. It’s a skill and takes practice just like anything else Ah, thank you so much!
- Vanessa
  
  I have to second that! Your pictures are the mirror of your passion and dedication to your work
  - http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
    
    Ah, thank you so much You’re both so kind!
http://www.rachelphipps.com/ Rachel Phipps

Ahh I feel you about the bag thing – I got a new Vivienne Westwood clutch last May and I still have not used it as I rarely don’t have my DSLR with me; luckily around that time last year I also got a lovely and small-ish Chloe evening bag (http://www.rachelphipps.com/2012/07/whats-in-my-handbag-chloe-evening-bag.html) that is just about big enough to fit my essentials and my DSLR while still looking rather small!
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Haha yes, it’s so frustrating! That Chloé bag looks so cute though
http://twitter.com/jenn976 jenn976

You’re right about practice, practice, practice. Sometimes it takes many years. But you’ve got a good tool, a very good tool. And your photos already look marvelous.
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Exactly Good tools and a lot of practice is a good combination. Thank you so much!
Snappystreet

Yes! I can relate too For my birthday last year I was lucky enough to receive a Canon 5D Mark II with a 50mm f/1.2 and you’re so right – it takes so much practice and learning how to make the camera work ‘with’ you, not for you. I adore your blog and it is truly inspirational!
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Ah, I would love to have that lens You’re certainly right. I’m still learning the camera! Thank you so so much.
http://www.collarcitybrownstone.com/ Xenia

You have a really great camera. I took a class a week ago about the basic photography for bloggers. The instructor is a professional photographer. One of the students asked her what brand camera is the best. She said they are all good but from her personal experience the Canon EOS was the best. That really made me happy because I purchased a Canon Rebel two months ago. It was only $400., but the instructor said that the lens is the part of the camera that you invest most of your money in; not the body of the camera. It also takes practice, practice, practice.
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Yes, well everybody has their own favourite. Some people prefer Canons and some prefer Nikons. It’s very personal in my opinion. That’s very true! The lenses are the most important thing (and practice of course)
yenifer_minerva

I’m a new reader and your blog makes me miss roaming the streets of Paris SOOOO much!!!! Great photos!!!
girlwiththerougelips.blogspot.com
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Well welcome here first of all And thank you so much.
http://www.facebook.com/virginiakelserjones Virginia Kelser Jones

Well mine’s a Canon Rebel XTI that is five years old. My fav lens is an 18-200 for street use and I too have a 50mm that I pop on for low light situations. I love your work a lot. Would you mind sharing what if any post processing you do? Your images have a pale, soft look that I really really like. V
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  Thank you I do everything in Photoshop, if it’s needed.
http://www.facebook.com/ChichiMelgar Julieta Melgar Luna

I’m not sure how I ended up reading your blog, but I’m so glad I did. I love every single one of your pictures! Thank you for sharing them. If possible, could you take some pictures of flower shops in Paris. I’ve never been there but I dream of patisseries and flower shops.
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  I’m so happy you found your way over here Thank you so much. I’ll have that in my thoughts for future posts
http://makeupmorsels.wordpress.com Makeup Morsels

Ah yes, this is so true. I do believe that it’s easier to get relatively polished pictures with an expensive camera without really knowing what you’re doing, but to get really good pictures it’s up to the photographer, not the camera. And your pictures are gorgeous, it goes without saying. I love the look that Canon cameras give, I find they shoot a tinge warmer than Nikons. I’ve debated with upgrading my camera and/or lens (I’m shooting with the Canon Rebel XSi and an 18-55 mm kit lens right now) but can’t justify it because I’m not looking to be a pro photographer and have actually grown quite attached to my little (well, relatively speaking) DSLR. Lovely post!
- http://www.parisinfourmonths.com/ Paris in Four Months
  
  That’s so true. Thank you so much I think you could invest in a relatively inexpensive lens if you want to upgrade. The 35mm 1.8 lens that I had on my Nikon was the best purchase I’ve ever made. Made the photos look so much more professional without spending a fortune!
http://www.facebook.com/ellen.carr.754 Ellen Carr

Your photos are absolutely beautiful. Can I ask if you use a editing program??