5 Purchases That Were Worth the Money

Which camera gear purchases have been worth the money? I've had my fair share of regrets in the past, but overall, the good purchases outweigh the bad ones, as I made many purchases years ago that I was so happy with that they are still being used today. Here are five purchases I have made that have been well worth the initial investment.

1. Canon EOS 5D Mark II

The Canon EOS 5D Mark II was a huge investment. This camera was quite expensive back in the day, and the following models in the 5D range reflect that. I ordered my 5D Mark II in early 2010 from B&H Photo, my first purchase from the retailer, and as a promotional package, it included a 16GB Compact Flash and a small Lowepro camera bag. This camera has been everywhere with me, and it is where I found out how to strategically use a camera and how features influenced how and what I captured. Based on the longevity in usage and the durability of this camera, it is easily the best camera-related purchase I have ever made.

2. Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L

I bought this from Future Shop when that retailer was still around, and I remember staring at it through the glass display, wondering if I wanted to spend that money on another lens. I can’t remember precisely what it retailed for at that time, but when I asked to see the lens, the employee picked up the box and underneath it was another copy, yet this was marked with an “open box” price and from what I recall it was close to $300 off. After a quick inspection, I decided to take the open-box model as it looked great, and I have now used this lens on 80-90% of my shoots. The lens is a perfect, everyday range, and I have used it on many automotive shoots. It has been with me for many travels. Today, I have migrated to a smaller set-up for travel but will continue to use this for automotive shoots.

3. Westcott Ice Light 2 LED Light

The Ice Light 2 is a benchmark light-painting tool, and when I wanted to get into light-painting cars, I went back and forth on ordering this. It was pretty expensive, and locally, there was nowhere I could even see it, but after much research, I decided to take the plunge and order it, knowing I could return it if needed. I ordered it from Henry’s, and a week later, it arrived. The Ice Light 2 is well-built, incredibly bright, and rock solid, and with the addition of the barn doors attachment, it has been a perfect light painting tool that has opened up many opportunities for me. The Westcott Ice Light 2 has a minor issue, though - on the handle, there is a power light and a brightness level indicator, which you can’t turn off, which can result in a light streak in your photo if you don’t cover it. As I don’t need to refer to these displays for any information, I covered them both with black tape, and the problem is mainly eliminated, although I can still sometimes get a faint streak from the light leaking from the spot between the side of the device and the barn door. The streak is small and, most times, easily corrected in Photoshop, although if I block the light with my body between the camera and the car, it doesn’t appear at all.

Westcott Ice Light 2

4. Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 Tripod/MH057M0-Q5 Ball Head

Previously, I had a cheaper tripod that physically held up my camera…but that was it. It was too light, and I was not confident it was stable in any wind. I found this carbon fibre Manfrotto tripod used online and bought it almost ten years ago. I don’t usually buy used gear for various reasons, but I felt a tripod would be a different story. A physical inspection of a tripod should be enough to determine if it is a good buy. The tripod was paired with the MH057M0-Q5 ball head made of magnesium, which has a quick release and is super sturdy. It’s been on many adventures and still has some sand in the crevices from the Mesquite Sand Dunes in Death Valley. Investing in a great tripod will last you forever.

Manfrotto 190CXPRO3 with attached MH057M0-Q5 Ball Head

5. Think Tank Photo Retrospective 7 Shoulder Bag

This is another purchase I made after having some mediocre camera bags. The Retrospective 7 is a perfect bag for a daily photo walk or travel. It contains enough space for a DSLR with an attached lens and a second additional lens. But if you move to a smaller camera, you can fit much more. There are a few small pouches on the side. One is empty, and the other has a memory card holder with several CF and SD Cards. The best thing about this bag is that it is durable; even after years of use, it still looks great. Grabbing your camera while wearing this cross-body over the shoulder is also easy. It also doesn’t necessarily look like a camera bag, as there is hardly any branding, which I feel was the intention. The logo and product name are on the back and against your body.

Think Tank Photo Retrospective 7

Summary

I have made five gear purchases that have proven to be the best investments. I have had them all for prolonged periods and have taken thousands of photos with their assistance. The 5D Mark II has provided years of enjoyment, the Manfrotto tripod has been with me to Death Valley and Iceland, and the Ice Light has allowed me to light-paint many vehicles. And finally, the Retrospective 7 is a stylish, durable bag I have toured with in numerous countries.