Here’s my list of recommended photo products that I will update continuously. I have picked the very best cameras, lenses, photo accessories and photography-related books that I have had the experience of working with, or have been impressed by. Not everything listed here has been personally tested and/or used but some things have a way of spreading their reputation to such an extent that they become very desirable even to users of rival technologies. Case in point: Nikon. Even though I’m a Canon follower, I still have a deep admiration for Nikon DSLR cameras and lenses.

Cameras

Nikon D40x

Nikon’s entry level digital SLR. This camera is meant for the serious amateur or as a backup for the semi-pro. Solid build and impressive image quality make this camera a major rival of the Canon Rebel XTi/400D although it lacks some features that would make it better than the Canon. To be honest, I would still chose the Canon XTi over the D40x but if you want to go the Nikon path, you can’t go wrong with this camera.

Pros: solid build; great image quality; compact and lightweight; fast response; intuitive and easy to use interface; kit lens better than competition; great value.
Cons: no built-in AF motor, meaning that some lenses will only work in MF mode; no DOF preview button; no AE or WB bracketing; fewer focus points than its competition.

Read a full review of the Nikon D40x on Dpreview

Buy from Amazon:
Nikon D40x 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
Nikon D40X 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

 

Nikon D300

Nikon’s mid-range digital SLR. Recently released, this camera packs some very serious features. It is a vast improvement over the D200. If I hadn’t already picked a camera system and needed to do so, I would probably choose the D300 over its competitor, the Canon 40D. I really think this camera is better than its Canon rival but it also comes at a steeper price. Good job Nikon!

Pros: incredible list of features; solid build quality; amazing LCD screen with high pixel count; AF in LiveView mode (which the Canon 40D lacks); great image quality; high, usable ISO values.
Cons: price (higher than its direct competitor); lacks the 40D’s big control wheel on the back which I’ve come to love.

Read a preview of the D300 on Dpreview

Buy from Amazon:
Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

 

Nikon D3

Nikon’s recently released flagship digital SLR. Another huge improvement over its predecessor, the D2X. For the first time in history, Nikon has introduced a full frame sensor in its professional digital SLR. Along with a series of other fantastic improvements including a 11fps maximum burst rate and high/clean ISO values, this camera looks the to be THE tool for professional sports photographers. Enough said.

Pros: full-frame sensor; powerful processor; rock-solid weather-resistant construction; blazing-fast operation; high burst rate mated to a large image buffer; ISO up to 25600 (!!); usable high ISO values; dual CF slots; and a long list of other amazing features which would be too long to show here.
Cons: nothing that I can think of; price perhaps but even that is peanuts for a pro. Bottom line is, I would buy this camera in an instant, were I a pro sports shooter.

Read a preview of the D3 on Dpreview

Buy from Amazon:
Nikon D3 12.1MP FX Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

 

Canon Digital Rebel XTi/400D

The Canon Digital Rebel remains the camera by which all other amateur digital SLRs are judged. It sports a host of great features but even so, it is due for an update, lacking LiveView and some of the other innovations introduced by its elder brother, the Canon 40D.

Pros: image quality remains the standard by which other similar cameras are judged; very wide range of features in a compact body; sensor cleaning system; good price for what it packs.
Cons: no LiveView; somewhat cheaper build; some people may find it too small for their hands; kit lens not that good; doesn’t use the same batteries as its bigger brother the Canon 40D.

Read a full review of the Canon Digital Rebel XTi/400D on Dpreview

Buy from Amazon:
Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens (Black)
Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Black Body Only)

 

Canon EOS 40D

The Canon 40D improves on the 30D by leaps and bounds. Apart from a bigger, better sensor, it also introduces LiveView, a bigger LCD screen, faster and more accurate AF, a new Digic III processor, a sensor cleaning system, higher burst rate and a bigger buffer.

Pros: better in every way than its predecessor, the 30D; bigger and faster everything!; a lot bang for your buck.
Cons: slightly weightier than the model it replaces; sadly there is no AF in LiveView mode (my biggest gripe with this model).

Read a full review of the Canon EOS 40D on Dpreview

Buy from Amazon:
Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

 

Canon EOS 5D

A veritable revolution in its time, the Canon 5D is the most affordable full-frame camera currently on sale by any manufacturer. Its biggest highlight is the 12MP full-frame sensor that delivers impressive image quality. It simply blows away any other competitor for the same price. Unfortunately it lacks the new features introduced by the 40D and the 1DsMkIII but a new iteration of this inexpensive full-frame digital SLR is expected in 2008.

Pros: outstanding image quality from the full-frame sensor; EF lenses produce a wider angle; silky smooth image quality even at high ISO values; big, clear viewfinder; good price for what it offers.
Cons: smallish buffer, only 3fps burst rate (not relevant for this class of camera); doesn’t take EF-S lenses (who cares??); doesn’t have an integrated flash; needs good lenses to show its full potential.

Read a full review of the Canon EOS 5D on Dpreview

Buy from Amazon:
Canon EOS 5D 12.8 MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

 

Canon PowerShot G9

In my humble opinion, this is Canon’s best compact camera. There is so much technology and so many features packed in that small body that makes it a must-have for serious amateurs and pro photographers alike. Yes, lots of pros are using this camera as a backup because it is compact, light-weight and packs a punch. I will be getting mine soon.

Pros: small, rugged magnesium body and a compact footprint; 12MP resolution; great image quality for a compact; brilliant 3” LCD; flash hot shoe; 6x zoom; great 4-stop optical image stabilization; control wheel on the back; custom functions; shortcut button; decent movie capability; time-lapse movie mode; tons of other great features.
Cons: lens aperture isn’t as wide as older models; non-swivel LCD; 12MP are a bit too much for this sensor size; high ISOs are quite noisy; optical viewfinder not very usable; no zoom during movie recording; shot-to-shot times not very good; low burst rate; battery capacity not great; a bit pricey.

Read a full review of the Canon PowerShot G9 on Dpreview

Buy from Amazon:
Canon PowerShot G9 12.1MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

 

Lenses

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

This is perhaps the best ultra-wide angle zoom for a Canon cropped sensor camera. Of course, there are alternatives from Sigma or Tokina but for Canon loyalists this is really the only choice. If you own any Digital Rebel, a 20D, 30D or 40D, this is the wide-angle zoom for you.

Pros: very wide field of view on an APS-C sensor; lightweight; fast and silent USM focusing; FTM (Full-Time Manual) focusing; good build; included petal hood.
Cons: not particularly sharp when wide open; doesn’t work on full-frame bodies; construction not on par with L-lenses.

Buy from Amazon:
Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM SLR Lens for EOS Digital SLRs

 

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Here’s the king of wide-angle professional zooms. Most pros needing such a focal range will probably use the 16-35. On full-frame bodies, this lens is very wide but more importantly, it produces a very sharp image for a zoom, at all apertures and even in the corners. It is great for available-light situations. The second edition of this lens brings plenty of improvements to image quality over its predecessor. This is simply the best lens in this focal range that money can buy and it is the standard by which similar lenses are judged.

Pros: superb image quality; 2.8 constant maximum aperture; sharp even wide open with minor improvements when stopped down; sturdy, weatherproof L-quality build; very fast and quiet focusing with FTM.
Cons: price; weight; size.

Buy from Amazon:
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens

 

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM is a very attractive alternative to the 16-35mm f/2.8L. Although it has a smaller maximum aperture, the image quality is almost as good as that of the 16-35′s. Many photographers prefer the 17-35 due to its much lower price tag.

Pros: image quality; L build; weather-sealed; price.
Cons: not as bright as the Canon 16-35 f/2.8L; 1mm less at the wide end (not very significant).

Buy from Amazon:
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

 

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

My all-time favorite, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM is a pleasure to work with. Although slightly soft wide open, when stopped down it becomes razor-sharp. For my copy, the sharpness sweet-spot is somewhere between f/5.6-8. At that aperture, it is sometimes TOO sharp. The 1.4 maximum aperture can be extremely useful in dim lighting conditions when you don’t want to use a flash. It can also be exploited for some creative shots by taking advantage of the very shallow DOF. The 50mm focal length may be slightly too long for some, especially on a cropped-sensor camera but I find it very stimulating.

Pros: very bright maximum aperture; sharpness; great contrast; lightweight; fast and silent USM focusing; bang for your buck.
Cons: nothing significant that I can think of.

Buy from Amazon:
Canon EF 50mm f1.4 USM Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

 

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

If you ask most pro Canon users which lenses they are using, there’s a high chance that the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM is one of the 2 most popular ones. Especially on a full-frame sensor, this lens is a veritable work-horse, sporting a very useful focal range. The build quality is typical of L-series lenses and the constant maximum aperture of f/2.8 is the brightest you can find for a zoom lens. Since I’ve bought this lens, I haven’t been using any other, thanks to the versatility of its focal range. Image quality is excellent for a zoom lens, though not quite as good as a good fixed focal lens.

Pros: 2.8 constant maximum aperture; rock-solid L build; weatherproof; fast focusing; very sharp for a zoom lens at all apertures; good contrast; included petal hood.
Cons: wish it had IS; lens barrel extends when zooming (a non-issue if you have the hood installed); big and heavy.

Buy from Amazon:
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

 

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM

Although I don’t own this lens, I have used it and it has been hard for me to choose between it and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM. The 24-105 is very similar to the 24-70 except that it has a longer maximum focal and a smaller maximum aperture, but it also features Canon’s excellent 3-stop Image Stabilization. Another advantage over the 24-70 is less weight and a smaller size. This lens produces an excellent image even when wide open, with beautiful color, contrast and sharpness. The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM has specs to die for but I am an aperture freak so in the end I chose the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L.

Pros: f/4 constant maximum aperture; IS; great image quality; L-build; waterproof; smaller and lighter than the Canon 24-70 f/2.8L; 105mm at the narrow end; costs about $100 less than the 24-70.
Cons: only f/4 maximum aperture but apart from that there isn’t much I can complain about.

Buy from Amazon:
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras

 

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM

Another one of my favorite lenses, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM is one of the best macro lenses you will find. It is sharp wide open but improves when stopped down. It has a 1:1 magnification at the closest focusing distance from the subject which is a very usable 1.02ft (31cm). This is one of those lenses that you could spend a whole day with and not get tired of it. Its image quality is so good that it is widely accepted that the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM has the insides of an L-type lens in a normal body. The body itself isn’t bad at all; it feels very well crafted and weighed. I really enjoy the fact that everything happens internally and nothing extends or moves during focusing.

Pros: excellent image quality; bright maximum aperture; 1:1 magnification; fast focus with FTM; balanced working distance; light; good build; 58mm filter size; great bang for your buck.
Cons: just wish I had more time to use it.

Buy from Amazon:

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

 

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

Here’s the cheapest (“inexpensive” is the better term because there’s nothing cheap about this lens) L lens in Canon’s lineup. It’s the perfect starter tele-zoom for those on a budget. Its distinguishing features are: price, image quality and build quality.

Pros: good price; excellent L-series build; very good and sharp images even wide open; f/4 throughout the focal range; compact and lightweight; internal focusing and zooming; fast and quiet focusing; included hood.
Cons: no IS; not water/dust proof; f/4 not bright enough for some; hood is not of the petal type (which aesthetically IMO looks better); no included tripod collar.

Buy from Amazon:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

 

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM

Having become a recent Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM owner, there aren’t enough words that I can use to recommend this lens. Canon took the excellent 70-200 f/4 and added their latest 4-stop Image Stabilization system. Not only did they do that but they also improved the focusing accuracy, added a few extra coated lens elements for better image quality and also water/dust proofed it. All this in a package the same size as its older sibling with only a slight (0.14 lbs) increase in weight. The image quality is even better than the non-IS version, thanks to the special coated elements. Focus is also sharper. Is the $500 difference compared to the non-IS version worth it? Depends on your budget but if you plan on getting this for the long haul, I would say it definitely is a good deal.

Pros: great image quality even wide open; very sharp especially closed down 1-2 stops; most advanced IS; great build quality; very light and compact for what it packs; internal focusing and zooming; fast and quiet focusing; water/dust proof.
Cons: price is twice that of the non-IS version; noisy IS; no included tripod-collar; lens hood is not petal-shaped.

Buy from Amazon:
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras

 

Books

Light: Science & Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

by Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, and Paul Fuqua
The definitive guide to photographic lighting techniques. If there is just one photography book that you need to buy, this is the one. The authors do a great job at explaining basic lighting techniques, moving on to more advanced situations, illustrating everything in an easy to understand manner. The illustrations in this third edition are in full color, making it even easier to assimilate the techniques outlined. It is essential reading for the would-be Strobist
Buy from Amazon:
Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting

 

Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Celebrity and Editorial Photography

by Michael Grecco
A good reference for those who wish to learn portrait photography, this book by famous photographer Michael Grecco is a showcase of the author’s most important work but its greater value comes from the fact that he offers plenty of advice and techniques as well as lighting diagrams for many of his best images.
Buy from Amazon:
Lighting and the Dramatic Portrait: The Art of Celebrity and Editorial Photography

 

Photoshop LAB Color: The Canyon Conundrum and Other Adventures in the Most Powerful Colorspace

by Dan Margulis
Since digital photography is closely interlinked with image editing software, tools such as Adobe Photoshop have become run-of-the-mill for most photographers. This book reveals a series of great editing techniques based around the frequently overlooked LAB color space. Author Dan Margulis shows simple and intuitive ways in which to add punch to your digital photos in an organized and easy to read format.
Buy from Amazon:
Photoshop LAB Color: The Canyon Conundrum and Other Adventures in the Most Powerful Colorspace

 

Best Business Practices for Photographers

by John Harrington
Although not a book on photographic techniques, this is nonetheless a very valuable resource for those wishing to start a photography business. It is widely regarded as one of the best guides on how to succeed in your photography career. The author, John Harrington, had built a very successful and thriving photography business, using the very principles and practices shared in this book. This is a must-have for anyone considering starting a business in this very competitive field.
Buy from Amazon:
Best Business Practices for Photographers