Must Have Gear for Food Photographers

If you’ve ever wondered what’s in a food photographers kit, here’s a list of what I currently use, love and what I highly recommend.

My Gear

• Camera: Canon 5D Mark IV
• Lenses:
  • Most used: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L is USM Macro Lens
  • For overheads: Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens
  • Most versatile (great for restaurants): Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens
• Tripod:
  • Manfrotto Tripod
  • Manfrotto Head
• Artificial Light:
  • Light:
    • Godox Ad600Pro (also called XPLOR)
  • Trigger:
    • Godox XproC TTL Wireless Flash Trigger for Canon
  • Light Stand:
    • Impact Heavy Duty
  • Modifier:
    • Godox Octa Softbox with Bowens Speed Ring & Grid

What I Recommend

For the Beginner

• Cameras:
  • Canon EOS T7i + Kit Lens
  • Canon EOS T8i
  • Canon 9D
• Lenses:
  • Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

Tip: if you’re on a tight budget, check out your local camera store and/or B&H Used section and invest in a used high quality camera.

For the Intermediate

• Cameras:
  • Canon 6D Mark II

• Lenses:
  • Most used: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L is USM Macro Lens
  • For overheads: Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

For the Pro

• Cameras:
  • Canon EOS 1DX Mark II
  • Canon 5D Mark IV
• Lenses:
  • Canon RF 85mm 1.2 L USM
  • Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L is USM Macro Lens
• Tripod:
  • Manfrotto Tripod
  • Manfrotto Head
• Artificial Light:Light:
  • Profoto B1x
• Trigger:
  • Profoto Air Remote TTL-C for Canon
• Light Stand:
  • Impact Heavy Duty
• Modifier:
  • Profoto Deep White Umbrella (55″)

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Additional Accessories & Resources

• Backdrops:
  • Mine are custom but I’ve bought from Backdrop Woodville before and I like them!

• Diffuser: to soften hard light
• Black Boards: to create mood and deeper shadows
• Clamps: to prop up boards
• Apple Box: for overhead shoots
• Sandbag: to make the light stand stable or counterweight your camera when using a tripod