Gear Confessions: Photographers Share Their Best and Worst Purchases

Have you ever bought a piece of gear that promised to revolutionize your work or be the exact tool you needed just to find that it was a total dud? We all have those pieces sitting at the bottom of our gear closet that irk us every time they come in view. Alternately, we also all have pieces that have become our indispensable go-to’s that we can’t image shooting without. I asked five photographers to share their best and worst purchases. These juicy gear confessions are sure to land some pieces on your blacklist and others in your B&H cart.

Nat Wongsaro, a top 10 wedding photographer in the US, shared about his best and worst purchases.

Worst Gear: The Holdfast MoneyMaker 2-Camera Harness

“I initially found the Holdfast Money-Maker 2 Harness impressive, but ultimately, it proved to be the most disappointing purchase. Despite its promising start, the harness deteriorated significantly within a few years. More concerningly, it caused considerable discomfort in my lower back during extended use, an issue that was resolved only after transitioning to a different system.”

Best Gear: The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2 L Lens

“This lens stands as my most invaluable photography gear, accompanying me on all my photographic endeavors. Its 50mm focal length captures scenes with a natural, lifelike perspective, while its exceptional low-light performance and ability to produce stunning bokeh highlight its versatility. This lens consistently delivers outstanding image quality across various photography genres including wedding and travel, solidifying its place as a fundamental tool in my photography kit.”

John Gress, known for his expertise in lighting, shared his best and worst gear purchases.

Worst Gear: The Leica M4-P

“The most regrettable purchase in my photography journey was a Leica M4-P, a poor decision I made not once, but twice. Juggling two SLRs during assignments was the norm, and adding the Leica into the mix meant dealing with an additional roll of film, which I had to process. The valuable lesson I gleaned from these missteps is that what you put in front of your lens is a lot more important than the lens itself.”

Best Gear: Sekonic L-308X-U Flashmate Light Meter

“One of the most valuable investments I made in my photography journey was the Sekonic L-308 light meter. The meter significantly streamlined my workflow, allowing me to replicate my shots consistently over the years. I used it seamlessly as I transitioned from film to digital and used it with my lighting setups.”

Annalise Kaylor, a documentary wildlife photographer, shared her gear wins and flops.

Worst Gear: Manfrotto Accessories

“For me, it was Manfrotto gear or anything else that is proprietary enough that you have to stick with one brand for every accessory. They make some nice accessories, no doubt, but now that everything I own is Arca-compatible, I can seamlessly move from tripod, to holster, to strap, to video head, to ball head without ever changing my lens foot or mount.”

Best Gear: The Gerhard Schaffer Floating Hide

“My floating hide made by Gerhard Schaffer in Austria gives me unparalleled access in water. The birds and wildlife have no idea I’m there, so their behavior is completely undisturbed, and being able to have my lens just an inch above the water for subjects like grebes and ducks makes for gorgeous, eye-level photography.”

CJ Duncan, a Master of Photography, shared his best and worst gear purchases.

Worst Gear: Countless ‘Game-Changing’ Speedlight Modifiers

“Unfortunately, I feel like there are more disappointing purchases than good, not because the product was necessarily bad, but rather because I did not need the product. I just got sucked into the idea that the gear would be the ‘game changer’ and it was not or it was rarely used. That being said, I would have to say the worst purchase has been any type of modifier to the speed light— domes, cards, flexible bounce, boxes, etc… They are useless in my opinion as they rarely seem to be effective while being cumbersome to carry and attach.”

Best Gear Purchase: Canon EF 200mm f/2L

“The Canon EF 200mm f/2L is like Photoshop in a glass. The image quality is noticeably different from other lenses, and there is a look to this lens that is like no other. It has been a staple in my photography kit and has consistently delivered outstanding results.”

Lee Morris, co-founder of Fstoppers, shared his best and worst gear purchases.

Worst: Gimbal and Other Gadgets You Won’t Use

“I can’t think of a single piece of gear that I regret, but there’s a ton of stuff I’ve bought and then rarely or never used. Don’t buy stuff you aren’t going to use.”

Best: Nikon D90

“The Nikon D90 was the best piece of gear I ever purchased because it was the first DSLR to shoot video. Without that camera, who knows what I’d be doing today.”

Micheal Hoss, owner and photographer for Haas House, shared his best and worst purchases.

Worst Purchase: Godox SL-60W

“The worst purchase I’ve made is the Godox SL-60W continuous light. It was massively underpowered for studio work and didn’t meet my expectations.”

Best Purchase: Second Monitor for Tethered Shooting

“My favorite purchase has been a second monitor for tethered shooting. It allows everyone on set to see what’s happening in real time, making the workflow easier.”

Brent Dosher, a director of photography, shared his best and worst gear purchases.

Worst Gear: Sony RX-100VA

“One of my most frustrating gear purchases was the Sony RX-100VA. The controls and settings were maddening, and the image quality was not up to par for professional work.”

Best Gear: Nikon D750

“My Nikon D750 has lasted me an incredible amount of time and has traveled the world with me. It has withstood years of shooting under every condition and I haven’t had to repair it once.”

As for me, I have had my fair share of best and worst gear purchases. My worst purchases include pieces that broke unexpectedly or didn’t meet my expectations. On the other hand, my best purchases have been reliable tools that have consistently delivered outstanding results.

What are your best and worst gear purchases? Share your experiences in the comments below!