(By using the links and/or codes below it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

Amazon Prime Day is here!

Today and tomorrow there are some major deals going on and I’ve been keeping an eye on quite a few photography-related things, so I wanted to share!

First off, you can’t go wrong with a memory card, so I’ll definitely be grabbing one of these Sandisk Extreme Pro memory cards. I use them ALL the time for weddings. I’m a little over-cautious and get nervous about deleting files off of them. So I usually wait a few months after a wedding to delete them, just to make sure I have the files in multiple places on my hard drives, and to give Backblaze (the online file storage service I use) time to upload all of my files. So I can never have enough of these!

I’m also super excited because the Polaroid Go Generation 2 camera is on sale in the cute red color. I’m definitely keeping my eye on this one… I just love polaroid cameras so much! The Polaroid Now+ Generation 2 is also on sale, and you can get a full kit with film and everything for only $144! If you’re looking to delve into instant photography, either one would be a great place to start. I kind of want these adorable Polaroid storage boxes too… ugh, so many fun things!

Polaroid.com is having awesome sales today and tomorrow too, so if you’d prefer to order directly from them, check it out here!

In terms of full-frame DSLR cameras, it’s exciting to see the Sony A7 III on sale for $1498. This camera was a major contender when I was looking to upgrade my DSLR. They are pretty amazing, especially if you’re into photo and video. It’s a great hybrid and Sony cameras are known for their super sharp images. The 50mm 1.8 FE lens is discounted today for only $198 too! But if you’re looking for a super pro lens, I’d recommend the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 lens,

Oh! And the Canon 6D Mark II is on sale for $999! I already have two 6Ds so I don’t need another one, but if I did, I’d snatch one of these up today, for sure. The 6D is an incredible deal for a professional DSLR, even when it’s not on sale. I used the 6D for years as my main camera and I photographed around 50 weddings with it. You really can’t go wrong, especially if you’re on a budget and you don’t want to break the bank buying your first DSLR. If you’re more interested in the mirrorless cameras, the Canon EOS R100 is only $399 today! If you’re just getting into photography, this might be a good place to start. :) In terms of Canon lenses, I’ll always recommend the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L II lens or the 50mm f/1.2 L lens. You can check out my blog posts about the 24-70mm here or the 50mm lens here!

In terms of studio lighting, one of my favorite ring lights, the Neewer 19-inch ring light, is on sale! I always have one of these with me at a photo shoot because they are great for fill light, makeup artists, and the perfect amount of light for shooting polaroids inside. Sometimes a ring light will be the only light I use for a shoot, just because I love how flattering it is for fun makeup looks and it creates a unique ring shape in the eyes of your subject. They’re also great for vloggers and TikTokers!

The GoPro Hero11 is discounted too! I always have a GoPro with me on my travels because they’re so tiny and inconspicuous. And I love that you have the option of super wide views to capture architecture. And one of my favorite features of the GoPro is using them underwater. I took mine with me to Hawaii and it was so fun watching the video footage of the sea turtles! I usually travel with a Sony Handycam AX100, a GoPro, and an iPhone for all of my video work for my YouTube channel. But sadly, the Handycam isn’t on sale today. It’s a great video camera though, and we love the old-school vibe of a handheld camcorder.

Honestly, there are so many good deals today, so I recommend just browsing through the camera section of the Prime Day Deals. You can also check out my Amazon storefront for more photography-related products. I hope these ideas help to spark your inner photographer! Let me know what you end up with! Happy hunting!

<3 Myles Katherine

REAL WORLD REVIEW OF THE CANON 5D MARK IV BY A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

(By using the links and/or codes below it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

I’m not going to lie, it’s not a cheap investment to buy a Canon 5D Mark IV (the body itself is currently priced new at $2099), especially if you want a professional lens to go along with it. But if you’re ready to start a business or to start working as a professional photographer, it’s an absolute necessity to buy an incredible full-frame DSLR camera and lens. And if you buy a used 5D Mark IV on eBay or KEH camera, you can save yourself a LOT of money. I will be the first person to recommend buying used gear, but always make sure that the company is reputable (KEH Camera is great for used gear). eBay is more of a risk but I’ve gotten some amazing deals through eBay. Just make sure the seller has good reviews and ratings, and a LOT of them. Ask the seller questions if you need to and make sure to look at the photos of the item closely for scratches, dings or imperfections and check the return policy.

The Canon 5D Mark IV is the main camera I use for weddings, portrait shoots, events, etc. For my main lens, I use the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens which currently prices new at $1699. Again, buying a gently used one on eBay or KEH Camera can save you tons! This is an incredible zoom lens with great low-light capabilities and sharp, stunning images. With the 5D Mark IV and the 24-70 L lens, this set-up can set you back $4198. BUT, consider buying gently used options to save some money, or buy one of Canon’s more budget friendly lenses. But in my opinion, the lens is the MOST important part of your camera set-up and the L series lenses are WORTH it. Canon also released an RF line of lenses that are supposed to be EVEN BETTER. I just haven’t been able to justify spending the money on them, especially when I have these amazing L lenses at home!

WHY I LOVE THE CANON 5D MARK IV

My very first full-frame DSLR was a Canon 5D Mark II - an earlier version of the 5D Mark IV. I bought it while I was finishing up college as a studio art major. Immediately after college, I created a website, started uploading my best photos and blogging consistently and before I knew it, I was booking photo shoots in my hometown. However, a year after graduation, I decided to move to Portland, Oregon with my boyfriend and two friends. I was thrown into a sea of photographers and had no idea how I was going to stand out. But I kept blogging and began advertising on Craigslist with low prices, and before I knew it, I had booked 20 weddings for my first year. Back in my hometown, I had been working as a second shooter for a few photographers and was using my 5D Mark II. I used these images to help advertise my business and to be honest, I definitely attribute my first bookings to the 5D Mark II. The images were high quality, professional and straight up beautiful, especially compared to the more affordable line of cameras that Canon offered at the time.

Over the next 5 years in Portland, the 5D Mark II made ALL of my money. I was photographing weddings, portraits, fashion, music, food, events. Because of the 5D Mark II, I was able to be a full-time professional photographer, pay all of my bills AND have fun doing creative shoots. Flash forward to today, my 5D Mark II was feeling outdated and it was time to sell it. I’d found myself choosing to use my Canon 6D over my 5D Mark II, simply because the low-light capabilities of the 6D were much better. While I was incredibly sad to let go of my beloved camera, I was so excited to upgrade my main camera to the 5D Mark IV. And I’m 100% glad I did. I also tried out the Canon EOS R for a bit, to see if that would be a sufficient replacement for the 5D Mark II, but I was never able to feel comfortable with the controls and set-up within the camera. There was something not so intuitive about it. When I finally got the 5D Mark IV, I felt right at home again. It felt exactly like the 5D Mark II, but better. Better quality in low light, dual memory card slots, sharp and beautiful images and that professional quality that I love. While overall, I would say the EOS R is technically better in low light, and tends to have sharper images, the 5D Mark IV creates images that are more balanced, natural and eye-catching, in my opinion. Especially when paired with the 24-70mm L lens, that camera set-up is flawless. I use my EOS R as my secondary camera at weddings, with a Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens. I find this set-up to be best for the EOS R anyway, because the combination of the low-light capabilities and sharpness of the camera with the extra wide aperture and quality of the lens, is an amazing portrait set-up. It’s taken me years to determine what my ideal dual camera set-up is, but THIS is it. Just know that you will need an RF adapter for the Canon EOS R if you plan on using EF lenses with it.

from a professional standpoint, is the CANON 5D Mark IV worth the money?

If you’ve been dreaming of starting a photography business and committing yourself fully, then yes, 100% this will be the BEST investment you can make for your business. These cameras last FOREVER. They’re incredibly sturdy and reliable. I’ve dropped my cameras onto a concrete floor and they’ve survived. In my opinion, they are worth every penny. Think about it this way, if you were starting a restaurant or boutique or other small business, you would need to make an initial investment into the business. I’ve made thousands and thousands of dollars with my camera over the years and have gotten my investment back ten-fold. Now, if you’re looking for a camera just for hobby purposes, there may be more affordable options that can yield amazing results - like the Canon EOS R ($1399) ( check out my video about the Canon EOS R here!), for example, which is substantially cheaper than the 5D Mark IV. Or the Canon 6D ($1399), which I place below the EOS R in terms of quality and sharpness. The 6D is now my back-up back-up camera and is typically used by my second-shooter at weddings. You could even get a 5D Mark II or 5D Mark III - both incredible cameras that are SUPER affordable now, as they are earlier versions of the 5D Mark IV.

WHY DIDN’T I GO WITH OTHER BRANDS?

My first 35 mm film camera was a Canon, so I’ve definitely always had an affinity and loyalty to the brand. However, before purchasing the 5D Mark IV, I spent DAYS comparing every brand and model of camera in a similar price range to see if I wanted to completely switch over. I was truly considering selling all of my lenses and cameras and converting to a new brand. However, for my personal needs as a photographer, none of the cameras were up to par. For example, one of the features I cannot go without is a multiple exposure feature. This cut out all Sony cameras for me, which was one of the bigger contenders for my possible switch. Then there was Pentax, but overall the battery life with the pro level Pentax cameras aren’t great and the cameras themselves were typically quite heavy. And lastly, I was seriously considering switching to Nikon. However, Canon is generally cheaper and in comparison to the Nikon D850, is lighter in weight, does better in low light AND has better video features, which was important for my YouTube channel. And, maybe I’m biased and missed the comfort of the 5D Mark II. I could use that camera with my eyes closed. After years of using that camera under stressful conditions like a wedding, your fingers learn how to quickly switch between settings. Anyway, I finally feel at home again with my 5D Mark IV and I know this camera will last me many more years before I feel the need to upgrade or change again. And I feel better knowing that I weighed every single camera option and brand out there and still ended up coming back to Canon. I don’t think Canon is the best brand for everyone, but in my world it’s the best for me, hands down.

WHERE TO FIND THE CANON 5D MARK IV

NEW:

Amazon

For used options:

eBay

KEH Camera

MY FAVORITE LENSES

Canon EF 24-70mm F 2.8L II USM and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens

NEW:

Amazon

For used options:

KEH Camera

eBay

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens

NEW:

Amazon

For used options:

KEH Camera

eBay

MORE AFFORDABLE CAMERA OPTIONS

Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera

For used options:

eBay

KEH Camera

NEW:

Amazon

Canon 6D Mark II

Used options:

KEH Camera

eBay

NEW:

Amazon

CANON 5D Mark II

KEH Camera

Canon 5D Mark III

KEH Camera

I hope this helps in your quest to find the perfect camera! I recommend writing out a list of what your ultimate needs are with a camera BEFORE you start hunting for one. That way, you can immediately start crossing some off your list when they don’t meet the necessities. It can be overwhelming when you consider every brand and every camera out there all at once. As a full-time professional photographer for the last 11 years, the Canon brand has been my bread and butter. You definitely can’t go wrong with the 5D Mark IV. People will argue that there are better cameras out there, but not for me and my personal aesthetic and technical desires as a photographer. Everyone is different and I wish you the best in finding your perfect camera set-up!

If you found this post helpful or if you’d like to see more of my work, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing. Find out more here!

Thank you for stopping by! Feel free to leave questions & comments below!

<3 Myles Katherine