Take great car photos with this photography kit - evo Essentials
Want to be the next Aston Parrott or Dean Smith? Here's our recommended starter kit for aspiring automotive photographers
Want to know how evo magazine photographers get their shots?
This selection of kit has been compiled by evo's staff snapper, Aston Parrott, as an example of what goes along with him on virtually every shoot, with a few more attainable pieces thrown in for good measure.
From an entry-level, professional-spec full-frame camera body, to lenses, filters and memory cards, Aston has given us a little insight into exactly why he uses each of these pieces of equipment.
We should point out however that kit is only half of the equation when it comes to great photography. evo's snappers could turn out fantastic shots with a smartphone, and you could too; high-end kit just ensures those perfectly-framed, wonderfully-composed images look great when they hit the pages of a magazine too.
Nikon D750 DSLR body - around £1,365
Nikon’s entry-level professional-spec body is a great place to start for any budding automotive photographer. With its 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor, 51 auto-focus points and the ability to shoot at 6.5 frames per second, it will enable you to cover any situation.
Buy the Nikon DSLR now from Amazon
Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f/4g ED VR lens - around £569
Perfect if you want an all-in-one lens. It may not offer the widest aperture, nor does it use the very best quality glass, but if you want a vibration-reducing lens from Nikon that allows you to travel light and capture everything from scenics to track action, this is your best bet.
Buy the Nikon lens now from Amazon
Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8g ED lens - around £1199
This pair of lenses are the dream team for car photography. Both offer wide apertures, high quality glass and bulletproof build quality, so will last you years.
Buy the AF-S 24-70mm lens now from Amazon
Nikon Speedlight SB-910 - around £329
Buy the Nikon Speedlight now from Amazon
Hahnel Combi TF remote control - £49.99
For ‘fill flash’ on bright, sunny days and also to lighten interior shots. The Hahnel Combi lets you remotely trigger your camera’s shutter, or a flashgun or lighting kit.
Other pictured kit includes...
Lee foundation kit - around £54
To hold your filters (pictured below the tripod). Speaking of which…
Hitech 100mm soft-edged graduated 0.6 & 0.9 neutral-density filters - £45.50 each
Pictured to the right of the main image. Graduated neutral-density filters will help you avoid over-exposed skies in your shots.
Buy the Formatt Hitech kit from Amazon
Marumi fit + slim circular polariser - From £20
To the right of the Lee foundation kit. Removes unwanted reflections from a car’s bodywork and glass.
Buy the Marumi polariser from Amazon
Lowepro Protactic 450 AW backpack - £178.50
Can hold two pro DSLR bodies, plus several lenses and accessories.
Buy the Lowepro backpack from Amazon
Manfrotto MK055XPRO3-BHQ2 tripod and ball head kit - £229
Vital for long exposures.
Buy the Tripod and ball head kit from Malfrotto
Sandisk SSD and SDHC card - From £69 and £5
Between the Lowepro backpack and 70-200mm lens. Compact and fast, solid-state drives are useful for storing images and freeing up your memory cards.
