What Camera/lenses News reporter use

[nihon94]

When I see news coverage the media guys are very quick to shoot.

I wonder what camera/lenses they use?

Do they use fast prime lenses or zoom lenses?

Is there anyone who could enlighten me please.

Thank you in advance.

 

[barrym1966]

When I see news coverage the media guys are very quick to shoot.

I wonder what camera/lenses they use?

Do they use fast prime lenses or zoom lenses?

Is there anyone who could enlighten me please.

Thank you in advance.

Im not a reporter but if you watch TV many are using 70-200s. You see lots of the white canons. Some lenses are even longer than that. Not really seen any short prime lens on TV

maybe theres a reporter here who will answer better

 

[nihon94]

When I see news coverage the media guys are very quick to shoot.

I wonder what camera/lenses they use?

Do they use fast prime lenses or zoom lenses?

Is there anyone who could enlighten me please.

Thank you in advance.

Im not a reporter but if you watch TV many are using 70-200s. You see lots of the white canons. Some lenses are even longer than that. Not really seen any short prime lens on TV

maybe theres a reporter here who will answer better

Hi thanks for quick reply. You are right they use White Cannon lenses.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

For those who can afford it the 70-200 f2.8 is pretty much standard equipment. For full-frame a 24-70 2.8 is the companion, APS would use something wider. News photography is often very low in pay, so many photographers get by with slower lenses.

Cell phone photos and video are becoming more common because they offer near-immediate online publishing with image quality good enough for the job at hand. Immediacy trumps technical quality in this business. "Get it first; get it right" is the rule.

Canon and Nikon are almost universal -- no other brand offers the combination of wide lens selection with fast autofocus and follow focus. Also, a lot of the most expensive lenses are owned by the employer (or sometimes by the camera maker) and loaned to the photographers. These are most likely to be Canon and maybe Nikon, so photographers need cameras to fit the company lenses.

Gato

 

[Michael Fryd]

When I see news coverage the media guys are very quick to shoot.

I wonder what camera/lenses they use?

Do they use fast prime lenses or zoom lenses?

Is there anyone who could enlighten me please.

Thank you in advance.

Of course it depends on the type of photography. Many newspapers have laid off their photographers, and reporters are expected to take photos with their iPhones.

My understanding is that the Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM Lens (about $2,500) was designed with photojournalism in mind.

On a full frame camera it covers a wide enough range to cover a large variety of situations without the photographer needing to stop to change lenses. It focuses as close as 2.3 feet. Image Stabilization helps when hand holding the camera. It's sealed for weather and dust resistance.

The downside is that it's big and heavy.

If a photojournalist is only going to carry one lens, this lens should be considered.

 

[tarsus]

I write and shoot for a small town newspaper. The print medium is grainy news paper. Wages are low. We buy our own gear and that cost is the biggest consideration. I carry two cameras in case of failure; a Panasonic FZ 200 (recently upgraded from an FZ 150 for $219) for all around shooting and a Panasonic LF1 (used for $235 several years ago) for very low light indoor events. A big print for my newspaper would be perhaps 5X7. I carry what's necessary and as all around practical as possible, not the latest greatest. In addition, I made the decision several years ago to shoot silently and with an EVF, yes holding up an LCD is a distraction, at events so as not to disturb patrons. I shoot almost exclusively in shutter priority at 5 fps, or more for sports. Careful attention to the relationship between shutter speed, ISO and aperture along with a little noise reduction gets me what I need. I am considering the Panasonic FZ 1000 as an all in one solution, but the price needs to come way down. I would still need to carry two cameras in any case. Mine is a different perspective, but we don't all work for Sports Illustrated or CNN.

 

[nihon94]

For those who can afford it the 70-200 f2.8 is pretty much standard equipment. For full-frame a 24-70 2.8 is the companion, APS would use something wider. News photography is often very low in pay, so many photographers get by with slower lenses.

Cell phone photos and video are becoming more common because they offer near-immediate online publishing with image quality good enough for the job at hand. Immediacy trumps technical quality in this business. "Get it first; get it right" is the rule.

Canon and Nikon are almost universal -- no other brand offers the combination of wide lens selection with fast autofocus and follow focus. Also, a lot of the most expensive lenses are owned by the employer (or sometimes by the camera maker) and loaned to the photographers. These are most likely to be Canon and maybe Nikon, so photographers need cameras to fit the company lenses.

Gato

 

[nihon94]

When I see news coverage the media guys are very quick to shoot.

I wonder what camera/lenses they use?

Do they use fast prime lenses or zoom lenses?

Is there anyone who could enlighten me please.

Thank you in advance.

Of course it depends on the type of photography. Many newspapers have laid off their photographers, and reporters are expected to take photos with their iPhones.

My understanding is that the Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM Lens (about $2,500) was designed with photojournalism in mind.

On a full frame camera it covers a wide enough range to cover a large variety of situations without the photographer needing to stop to change lenses. It focuses as close as 2.3 feet. Image Stabilization helps when hand holding the camera. It's sealed for weather and dust resistance.

The downside is that it's big and heavy.

If a photojournalist is only going to carry one lens, this lens should be considered.

Hi, I appreciate your detailed answer it gave me new information.

 

[nihon94]

I write and shoot for a small town newspaper. The print medium is grainy news paper. Wages are low. We buy our own gear and that cost is the biggest consideration. I carry two cameras in case of failure; a Panasonic FZ 200 (recently upgraded from an FZ 150 for $219) for all around shooting and a Panasonic LF1 (used for $235 several years ago) for very low light indoor events. A big print for my newspaper would be perhaps 5X7. I carry what's necessary and as all around practical as possible, not the latest greatest. In addition, I made the decision several years ago to shoot silently and with an EVF, yes holding up an LCD is a distraction, at events so as not to disturb patrons. I shoot almost exclusively in shutter priority at 5 fps, or more for sports. Careful attention to the relationship between shutter speed, ISO and aperture along with a little noise reduction gets me what I need. I am considering the Panasonic FZ 1000 as an all in one solution, but the price needs to come way down. I would still need to carry two cameras in any case. Mine is a different perspective, but we don't all work for Sports Illustrated or CNN.

Wow! thanks a lot for for providing ground information. It is helpful too.

 

[hotdog321]

When I see news coverage the media guys are very quick to shoot.

I wonder what camera/lenses they use?

Do they use fast prime lenses or zoom lenses?

Is there anyone who could enlighten me please.

Thank you in advance.

(I'm a Canon guy, but Nikon makes equally wonderful stuff.)

I've been a photojournalist for newspapers, wire, magazines and PR for 35 years. Back in the old days I hauled around a whole bag full of lenses.

But these days I'm totally in love with high-end zoom lenses. I use the 16-35 f/4L IS + 70-200 f/2.8L IS II or the 24-70 f/2.8L II + 70-200 for 95% of my assignments. I also own a 100mm macro, 300 f/2.8 and 11-24 f/4L for specialty assignments like sports, closeups or architecture.

I carry two identical 5D III bodies, but the 1DX, 1DX II or similar Nikon bodies are also popular among pros.

And, of course, associated gear--flash, tripod, monopod, 1.4X, 2X and so on.

 

[James Larsen]

I would say the most popular is the 70-200mm f2.8, as that is probably the best lens to use in that situation when you aren't super close, which is the case most of the time.

 

[nihon94]

When I see news coverage the media guys are very quick to shoot.

I wonder what camera/lenses they use?

Do they use fast prime lenses or zoom lenses?

Is there anyone who could enlighten me please.

Thank you in advance.

(I'm a Canon guy, but Nikon makes equally wonderful stuff.)

I've been a photojournalist for newspapers, wire, magazines and PR for 35 years. Back in the old days I hauled around a whole bag full of lenses.

But these days I'm totally in love with high-end zoom lenses. I use the 16-35 f/4L IS + 70-200 f/2.8L IS II or the 24-70 f/2.8L II + 70-200 for 95% of my assignments. I also own a 100mm macro, 300 f/2.8 and 11-24 f/4L for specialty assignments like sports, closeups or architecture.

I carry two identical 5D III bodies, but the 1DX, 1DX II or similar Nikon bodies are also popular among pros.

And, of course, associated gear--flash, tripod, monopod, 1.4X, 2X and so on.

 

[nihon94]

I would say the most popular is the 70-200mm f2.8, as that is probably the best lens to use in that situation when you aren't super close, which is the case most of the time.

 

[lbuclk=]

For those who can afford it the 70-200 f2.8 is pretty much standard equipment. For full-frame a 24-70 2.8 is the companion, APS would use something wider. News photography is often very low in pay, so many photographers get by with slower lenses.

Cell phone photos and video are becoming more common because they offer near-immediate online publishing with image quality good enough for the job at hand. Immediacy trumps technical quality in this business. "Get it first; get it right" is the rule.

Canon and Nikon are almost universal -- no other brand offers the combination of wide lens selection with fast autofocus and follow focus. Also, a lot of the most expensive lenses are owned by the employer (or sometimes by the camera maker) and loaned to the photographers. These are most likely to be Canon and maybe Nikon, so photographers need cameras to fit the company lenses.

Gato

 

[Hope1943]

I was a news photographer back in the days of the 4X5 SpeedGraphic. I recently bought a Vivitar Series 1 28-105 mm f2.8-3.8 from the estate of a person who had been a news photographer for about 35 years. It is Nikon fit. I paid $10 sight unseen for it. it is so bad and beaten up that I laugh every time I see it. The glass, however, is clean and clear - one little scratch. The thing takes great pictures.

I imagine it maybe was a workhorse lens that also spent a good deal of time rolling around in the bottom of his camera bag. Except for the great picts t takes, it looks like it would be right at home in someone's tackle box. The original owner must have worked the heck out of it, and it looks beat to hell - but it still takes good picts.

News guys are working guys. Their stuff ain't necessarily pretty, but it works as hard as they do.

Peace.

John

 

[richj20]

The press photographers in my town usually carry two cameras with a 24-70 f/2.8 or 16-35 f/2.8, on one camera, and a 70-200 f/2.8 on the other. That pretty much covers what they need for normal events. Sometimes a third camera for special events.


From 12 years ago (time flies!) Nikon gear. She is covering a college convocation. A very fine photographer who exhibited her personal work in local galleries.






Last year, Press Photographer covering kayak and canoe competition. The big bazooka is Canon 300mm f/2.8 (I think)




This year, Press Photographer covering a Bernie Sanders Rally. 300mm on his right shoulder.




Another Press Photographer at the Sanders Rally.

And so it goes!

- Richard



--

http://www.rsjphoto.net

 

[ksrk]

When I see news coverage the media guys are very quick to shoot.

I wonder what camera/lenses they use?

Do they use fast prime lenses or zoom lenses?

Is there anyone who could enlighten me please.

Thank you in advance.

Those who can afford or have their employers procure the cameras, most of them use Canon 5D MK3 , EF24-70 mm f/2.8L and EF 70-200 mm f/2.8L.

These two are the most popular Canon lenses for professional work.

In fact Canon's sales pitch for 70-200 mm f/2.8L is "preferred choice for professional photographers and news journalists , the world over".

You can see a similar line for the EF24-70 mm f/2.8L.

Not just news photographers these are must have lenses for advertising , fashion (both the 28-70 and 70-200) as well are landscape and wide angle photography.

 

[MinAZ]

When I see news coverage the media guys are very quick to shoot.

I wonder what camera/lenses they use?

Do they use fast prime lenses or zoom lenses?

Is there anyone who could enlighten me please.

Thank you in advance.

Im not a reporter but if you watch TV many are using 70-200s. You see lots of the white canons. Some lenses are even longer than that. Not really seen any short prime lens on TV

maybe theres a reporter here who will answer better

Actually I know at least one reporter that uses a Nikon, so that is also an option.

 

[gianstam]

I vote for the best post of the week.

 

[Gato Amarillo]

Good post. I expect there are a great many in your situation. Maybe not so many on these forums, but many more out in the real world.

Gato