My Kit
Thanks for checking out what kit I use. At present, I have a straightforward setup designed to facilitate photography practice.
Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10 Mark II
My latest camera is the Olympus OMD E-M10 Mark II, which I acquired from mpb.com by trading in my old Canon EOS 5D Mark III. There are several reasons why I opted for the E-M10. Firstly, I was definitely influenced by a few YouTube vlogs about the camera, like George Holden’s and Steven Heise, so I decided to give it a try.
The main selling point from these vlogs was the E-M10’s small size. I found that the Canon 5D was just too large for me. I couldn't comfortably carry it around, so I had stopped taking photos altogether. Having switched between the cameras, I can confidently say that the smaller size has made a huge difference. I now take the camera with me everywhere, enabling me to capture far more photos. This is perhaps the single most important consideration when choosing a camera: opt for one that you will actually use. Great photography is a skill that can be mastered, and the only way to do so is by practising as much as possible. Having a camera that sits in a bag or at home won't help you improve.
The second draw of the Olympus OMD EM10 Mark II is the price. Currently, you can purchase one for as little as £189 on MPB. This is significant. As someone just starting out on their photography journey, I've managed to obtain a camera that can fulfill all my requirements, and more importantly, needs, for less than 20% of the cost of an iPhone. Many people are deterred from transitioning from phone photography because they perceive cameras to be prohibitively expensive. Second-hand marketplaces like MPB are excellent for discovering value, such as the E-M10, to take your initial steps into photography.
The third factor that has instilled confidence in my E-M10 is how user-friendly it is. I discussed this in detail in my initial impressions review. Ease of use is crucial when selecting a camera; you want to spend as little time as possible adjusting settings and as much time shooting to hone your craft.
Lens: Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC
I currently use the standard kit lens that comes with the Olympus OMD EM10 Mark II, although I purchased this separately from the camera body through mpb.com. There are a couple of reasons why I chose this lens over a prime. I traded in my Canon 5D and Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM for the Olympus camera and lens, at a total cost of £38 to me. Again, this value made the switch feel very low-risk and meant I could try a new camera with very little financial commitment.
Secondly, I believe opting for a wide-ranging zoom lens is the best choice when trying out a new camera, as it provides an opportunity to discover the focal length you prefer for your art before investing in a more expensive lens. This is crucial when seeking to master photography early on with a new camera, as it allows you to experiment as much as possible and capture more photos. I will transition to a faster prime lens once I feel I have determined which focal length best suits my style.
Accessories
Rope Strap - Etsy
I purchased this rope strap from Etsy, inspired by one James Popsys has. I had been wanting to get one for a while. It's very comfortable, and I find it less noticeable than a flat strap when carrying a camera all day.
That's all I have for now. Future accessories such as filters will come once I decide on my next lens.
Conclusion
My current kit is very simple: Olympus OMD E-M10 Mark II, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC, and a Rope Strap. I have deliberately aimed to make taking photos as easy and straightforward as possible to help me practice more. After all, my goal with this site and my photography is simply to improve.