Picture this: You are browsing on the internet for a certain product. What is the first thing that attracts you? Most likely the images, right?
In the realm of e-commerce, where pixels derive profits, captivating product photography is the ultimate holy grail for success. Having the best product photography equipment is thus essential.
The more high-quality your product photography equipment will be, the more high-resolution your product images will be. How? Good gear can give you maximum control over focus, aperture, and shutter speed.
But with a plethora of photography gear available, from cameras to lighting devices, it may get overwhelming to choose the right ones.
Fret not! If the question ‘What equipment do I need for product photography?’ is on your mind, we have got you covered. We will help you navigate the ins and outs of product photography and help you choose the best photography gear to make your images stand out. Just read ahead!
1. Cameras: The Backbone of Photographic Excellence
A good camera is the first thing you need to photograph any product. Yes, phone cameras get the job done, too, but it is best to buy a camera if you want to capture details in high resolution.
DSLR and mirrorless cameras are popular choices among product photography professionals.
Here are some of the top choices but don’t forget; the best camera for product photography for you will be the one that suits your needs and budget best.
Best Cameras for Beginner-Level Product Photography
Canon EOS Rebel T100
Features:
- Easy User Interface
- Lightweight and Compact Design
- Scene-Intelligent Auto Mode
Benefits:
- Quick learning curve
- Convenient portability
- Automatic adjustments for high-quality images
- Extremely affordable
Nikon D750
Features:
- Full-frame Sensor
- Tilting LCD Screen
- Integrated Wi-Fi
Benefits:
- Enhanced image quality, especially in low light
- Easier composition from various angles
- Effortless image transfer and remote control
- Affordable
If you are only starting, don’t just buy gear, also learn How to Start a Product Photography Business. It is equally important.
Best Cameras for Professional Product Photography
Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Features:
- Dual Pixel CMOS AutoFocus
- Vari-angle Touchscreen LCD
- Built-in GPS and Bluetooth
Benefits:
- Fast and precise autofocus for sharp images
- Flexible composition and intuitive controls
- Easy geotagging and seamless connectivity for organizing and sharing product shots
Sony Alpha 7 III
Features:
- 24.2 Megapixel Full-frame Exmor R CMOS Sensor
- 693-Point Phase-Detection Autofocus System
- 5-axis In-body Image Stabilization
Benefits:
- High-resolution images with excellent dynamic range and low noise
- Rapid and accurate focusing, irrespective of lighting conditions
- Great stability for sharper images, especially in handheld or low-light setups
2. Lenses: Perfect Shot Essentials
Lenses are as vital as cameras for exceptional product shots.
You can capture sharp and impactful product images and express your ideas clearly by choosing good lenses. The good thing about them? They are interchangeable.
All you need to be mindful of is your preferences, photography style, and camera body compatibility when buying one.
Different types of lenses are used for unique purposes in product photography:
Macro Lenses
They are an ideal choice for when you want to capture intricate details of small products. Jewelry and electronic parts product photographers generally opt for them because of their close-focusing feature.
Here is one of the best macro lenses for product photography:
Tamron AF 90mm f/2.8
Features:
- Macro capability
- Fast aperture
- High-quality optics
Benefits:
- Detailed close-ups
- Excellent low-light performance
- Sharp images
Prime Lenses
Prime lenses are ideal for when you want to get that perfect bokeh effect. They offer unmatched sharpness and wide apertures for crisp, clear images, such as the Canon EF 50mm. It is one of the best prime lenses:
Canon EF 50mm
Features:
- Wide aperture
- Lightweight
- Versatile subject recognition
Benefits:
- Beautiful bokeh
- Easy to carry
- Excellent low-light performance
Zoom Lenses
Zoom lenses are great for shooting various products with a single lens. They offer a wide range of focal lengths. Sigma 24-105mm exemplifies that perfectly:
Sigma 24-105mm
Features:
- Versatile Focal Range
- Constant Aperture
- Weather-Sealed
Benefits:
- Wide Range of Shooting Scenarios
- Consistent Exposure
- Protection in Challenging Conditions
3. Lighting Equipment: Scene Illuminators
Lighting is critical in product photography. It will dictate the mood, highlight your product features, and make the images visually appealing for e-commerce customers. If you don’t focus much on lighting, your product’s color may vary greatly resulting in unsatisfied clients.
To avoid that, consider investing in some good-quality lighting equipment for product photography. There are different types of them:
Studio Lights
Buy studio lights if you would like powerful and adjustable lighting. They are characteristic parts of professional product photography setups. Thankfully, they are not that expensive:
- 2-Pack LED Video Light Kit, NiceVeedi Studio Light
- Torjim RGB Photography Video Lighting, Studio Lights
- LED Light Stick Color Filter
Softboxes
You can buy a softbox for versatile lighting modifications. Often, bright and harsh lights give product photographers a tough time. Investing in a softbox can help you source soft and diffuse light that doesn’t create harsh shadows.
Add the magic of professional lighting to your product images with these:
Ring Lights
Who doesn’t know about ring lights? From social media influencers to proficient product photographers, everyone is all praises about them. Ring lights are popular for the halo effect they offer. Here are some of the best ones you can buy:
Different Lighting Setup Ideas
Basic Setup
Use one studio light and a softbox angled 45 degrees towards the product to achieve soft, directed lighting.
Three-Point Lighting
Use reflectors and softboxes together to balance highlights and shadows as you like. Play around with a combination of key, fill, and backlighting to balance overall illumination.
Ring Light Effect
Place a ring light right in front of your product to produce a halo effect. This way you can emphasize details and minimize shadows.
Some other good options to use are lightboxes for food photography and lightboxes for jewelry photography when a minimal setup can get the job done.
4. Tripods and Stabilizers: Stability Boosters
Blurry images make good photos for Instagram posts but never for product shots and e-commerce websites. You can use stability equipment for product photography to stay ahead of the curve. It is critical for ensuring consistent framing and focus and minimizing camera shakes.
Tripods
Shot stability is imperative for perfect image quality. Enter Tripods, the ultimate stability provider. Whether you choose the easy-to-carry extendable one or the one with flexible legs, it is an essential photography gear for beginners that can surely boost your image quality. Here are some of the best ones that are also economical:
Stabilizers
Stabilizers are essential for product photography and videography. They are attached to cameras to minimize camera shake and achieve smooth and steady shots. Factor in your budget and shooting style then consider buying these durable and versatile stabilizers:
- DJI Ronin-SC – Camera Stabilizer
- GENS Handheld Camera Stabilizer Grip
- DJI RS 4, 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer
5. Backdrops and Tables
Backdrops and tables are highly regarded among the best photography studio equipment for product photography.
You can use them to make your products look more appealing because backgrounds set the stage for product photography. They also add that element of clarity and professionalism.
There are various types of backdrops. Depending on your end goal, you can go for:
- White Backdrop: GFCC 8FTX10FT White Backdrop Background,
- Colored Backdrop: Morandi Photography Backdrops, or
- Textured Backdrop: Textured Photo Backdrop Boards.
You can also invest in shooting tables. They are ideal for adding that clear and appealing base and support for your products as you shoot them. Here are some of our top picks:
6. Accessories
Once you are done investing in gear, consider buying some key accessories for product photography. By that, we mean remote triggers, reflectors, and diffusers. All of them can make your product photography experience seamless.
Remote Triggers
You cannot always ensure consistent framing and composition, even while holding the camera in your hands, right? How about ensuring that without even touching the camera? Buy remote triggers and see that happen. If you want to shoot crisp and clear shots and minimize motion blur, buying remote triggers can be your best bet. Just sync it with your camera after choosing one that is compatible with it from these best ones:
Reflectors
Talking about lighting and missing out on reflectors? Can’t be a thing! Reflectors are critical for perfect lightning. Use them to enhance your product shots within minutes.
Some of the best options are:
- Neewer Portable 5-in-1 Collapsible Light Reflectors
- Etekcity 24″ (60cm) 5-in-1 Photography Reflector
- WELLMAKING 32 Inch Light Reflectors
Diffusers
Harsh lighting is a buzzkill in product photography. Buy and use diffusers to minimize harshness and reap the benefits of soft lightning. Consider these:
7. Budgeting and Prioritizing Equipment
We get it. You might be feeling overwhelmed with so many products and a long list of just essentials.
Budgeting and prioritizing equipment purchases based on your needs and financial situation can help alleviate the worries. Here’s how to go about it:
1. Start with Essentials:
Begin with must-have items like a camera, a versatile lens like a prime lens, a memory card, and a tripod.
2. Upgrade Over Time:
Upgrade your equipment and invest in more essentials like lighting equipment, and remote triggers as your skills and budget grow. Buy a higher-quality lens to expand your photographic capabilities and improve performance.
3. Consider Budget-Friendly Alternatives:
Don’t buy a $1,700 camera as a beginner, instead go for budget-friendly options that offer decent quality and features. The same goes for all other equipment.
Extra tips: Rent the gear to see if you like it enough to buy it. Buy second-hand gear to save extra money.
For more cost-savvy ideas and tips, read How to Start a Product Photography Business.
8. Maintenance and Care
Buying equipment comes with the responsibility of maintaining and taking care of them. That way, you can preserve your equipment’s functionality and longevity and ensure optimal performance. Buying maintenance equipment and following our pro tips for cleaning and storing gear can help you save money in the long run.
Cleaning and Storage Tips and Recommendations:
- Clean your camera bodies, lenses, and filters regularly. Don’t use your old T-shirt for it though. It can harm the lens. Instead, buy a good Professional Camera Cleaning Kit for as little as $17 for thorough maintenance, including sensor and lens cleaning.
- Store your product photography equipment in a cool and dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity to prevent moisture and heat damage.
- For protecting your equipment while you are on the go or in short-term storage, place it in a camera carrying case. The Neewer Camera and Lens Carrying Case priced at just $34 is a popular choice.
- When you want to store your equipment for the long term, don’t leave them in your cupboards. Instead, use a dry cabinet like the T.A.P Dry Cabinet for Equipment Storage. It will maintain optimal humidity levels to prevent moisture-related issues.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of product photography and investing in good quality product photography equipment is paramount for sales generation and overall e-commerce success. Whether it is the camera and its accessories, lighting equipment, or cleaning tools, each piece plays a critical role in unveiling the full potential of your product through visuals.
No one has time to read long product descriptions in the fast-paced digital world. Pictures do speak louder than words for many. Investing in good photography gear is the only wise way forward.
Now that you are armed with the knowledge of the best camera for product photography, and good lighting equipment for product photography, wait no more. Click on the linked products above and begin experimenting and figuring out which products work best for you and your brand image.
It’s time for you to turn your visions into visuals and make your brand shine like never before!