We are preparing a stock equipment section for the site. A training and comparison place for people who are wondering "What type of camera, lighting, etc. do I need to shoot stock photography?"

So, please participate in the poll

Also, if you have the time, add a reply on to this topic with your equipment details. Because I am not familar with every camera and lens, please add information such as Megapixels, zoom rang, approx value, etc.

Thank you all!

To kick things off, I wanted to drop a note in about my equipment.

I started pretty small (with a Sony F717) and have addd so much its almost embarrasing. I think I may actually be making more than I spend now, but for a long time that wasn't true. I also shoot non-stock (weddings and portraits) so that helps.

Canon 20D
20-200L 2.8 IS
17-55 EF-S IS

Alien Bees Studio Equipment
Amvona Backgrounds & Accesories

and a bunch of other stuff.

I think that for stock I could get by with MUCH less than this, but they are sure nice to have! After shooting with strobes, I would have a hard time going back to the "table lamp" lighting.

Anyone else want to chime in?

I shoot with a Canon compact, but have my eye on a DSLR soon!

I suppose it matters most what you shoot and how you shoot, not what you use. But expensive toy mean your "commited to the cause" and your partner will kill you if it doesn't make money. :twisted:

I think it will soon not be allowed to submit stock at less than 4-5MP. I used to breakup my photos into the optimum size for the price charged by the agency, however, when they shift their resolution requirements / prices it throws everything off.

For those looking at what to buy I recommend at least a 6-8 and maybe downsizing your images to get a little better quality. I have heard some have better acceptance with this method.

Canon 1DsII along with the usual glass one would suspect (although the 16-35 and 17-40 are accountable for more images than all the other lenses combined). I do carry a G7 (10mp) for snapshots but the 1DsII is used for 99.9% of all my stock work and I suspect it will be a 1DsIII whenever that is released.