My Camera Gear for EDC Photography

by Howard Chen
Canon camera body and canon camera lenses

I receive a lot of questions regarding the gear I use for EDC photography. This will most likely be a living document as I acquire and remove gear from the arsenal. Even with 20 years of photography experience, I’m a big believer in always learning and pushing myself to try new techniques. As techniques change, so does my gear. But let’s dive in and talk about my camera gear for EDC photography.

Camera Bodies for EDC Photography

Canon EOS R6 Camera Body

Canon EOS R6

The newest edition to my photography gear is the Canon EOS R6. Having started on old-school SLR cameras (Nikon FM10), then moving to DSLRs, I am finally in the mirrorless realm with the EOS R6. I’m not going to go all technical and nerd out on mirrorless technology. But I think mirrorless systems are the future for professional and consumer camera bodies. While there are a lot of features on the R6, here are my top three for EDC photography:

Edge-to-edge Focusing:

The Canon R6 comes with 1053 Auto-Focus Areas with 6072 individually selectable AF points. To put that into perspective, my old camera (Canon EOS 5D Mark II) only comes with 9 focus points. This means that I am able to have tack-sharp focus anywhere in the frame of my picture. Photography is an art form and with good art there is flow and dynamism. To create flow and dynamic photos, sometimes this means the subject isn’t always centered within a frame.

Vari-angle Touchscreen LCD:

I’ll be honest and mention that I wasn’t too sure about a flip-out LCD screen. Back in the day, these flip screens usually came on lower end consumer grade cameras. I’m confident enough to admit when I’m wrong and I am so very wrong. The vari-angle screen lets me shoot in every position imaginable. Unless I’m doing flatlays, I tend to take photos at the same level as the EDC gear I’m photographing. Sometimes this means the camera is in a position where I can’t easily use the viewfinder.

On top of that, remember the 6072 selectable AF points? I have access to all those points right on the LCD touchscreen. This has made my photographing workflow much easier and more efficient.

Canon Camera Connect App
Showing Canon Camera Connect app on phone

Currently, Toil + Recoil is a one-man show. When I’m taking photos incorporating a human subject, that human subject is me. I can’t express how difficult it is to achieve correct focus and composition when shooting with only a remote trigger. The Canon Connect App is a game changer. The R6 can connect wirelessly to my smartphone through its own wi-fi connection. This means I can see what the camera sees, change camera settings, choose focus, and trigger the camera right from my smartphone.

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EOS 5d Mark II camera body

The Canon 5D Mark II has been my trusty workhorse for the past 12 years. It’s been with me all across the globe. I know it like I know the back of my hand. This is the classic full-frame DSLR and an industry leader at its release. The 5D’s shutter isn’t as punchy as it used to be and has been showing its age for at least 7 years. I’m including the 5D in the list because it’ll still be useful for behind-the-scenes tutorials. The newest iteration of this camera is the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. A great professional DSLR camera body if you aren’t ready to go mirrorless. 

Camera Lenses for EDC Photography

Canon Lens Collection

If I could only give one piece of advice about  photography gear, it would be to get the best quality lenses you can afford. Camera bodies come and go, but lenses are forever. Most of my lenses are over a decade old and they continue to create beautiful images. While I prefer to use lenses made by the same company as my camera body, I hear there are fantastic 3rd party offerings. I don’t have any experience in that department, so I’m not going to recommend any 3rd party lenses today.

Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM lens
Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM

The 50mm prime is world renowned as the ultimate all-around lens. This lens is colloquially known as the “nifty fifty” and pictured is Canon’s RF-mount version. As you can see, this lens is compact. I’ll use the 50mm on days I want to travel light and when I’m not sure what I’ll be photographing. The large f/1.8 aperture will give your photos the dreamy bokeh that will take you photos to the next level. If you’re looking for a budget RF lens, I can’t recommend the 50mm enough. 

Canon EF to RF Adapter with Control Ring
Canon EF to RF Control Ring Adapter
Canon EF to RF Adapter with Control Ring

Since the R6 has the new RF-mount technology, my EF-mount lenses are not directly compatible. Good thing Canon made an adapter to allow me to use my EF lenses. This adapter is a requirement if you already own EF lenses and want to use them on Canon R Series mirrorless cameras. So far, there seems to be no loss of performance by adapting my lenses. If anything, the R6 and adapter has given my EF lenses new life. 

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro
Canon 100mm f2.8L Macro lens
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro

The Canon 100mm macro gets the most use by far and is my favorite lens for EDC photography. Not only can I take detail shots with its macro capabilities, but the 100mm focal length in combination with f/2.8 aperture gives fantastic background blur (bokeh). This lens is also one of Canon’s sharpest in terms of focus. Although a little pricey, it’s worth every penny.

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L
Canon 35mm f1.4L lens
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L

This is my second most used lens in my photography gear arsenal. The 35mm prime has a wide field of view, which means the camera can be closer to a subject while capturing more of its surroundings. I typically use this lens when I’m photographing flatlays since they involve more moving parts. Shooting wide open at f/1.4 is a dream, the bokeh dream. Are you sensing a pattern here? Bokeh is king when we’re talking about EDC or product photography. 

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8L zoom lens
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L

When a lens is a single focal length (ie. 35mm, 50mm, 100mm), this is what we call a prime lens. If you haven’t noticed, I prefer to shoot with prime lenses. They tend to be sharper and often come with the ability to have wide apertures. That being said, when I need the flexibility of a zoom or I just need that extra reach, I grab my trusty Canon EF 70-200mm. I use this lens when I want my shot to be up close and personal. At the 200mm range, you’re able to keep the whole subject in focus at f/2.8. Not only that, you’ll create even more of that dreamy bokeh I’ve been harping on.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L
Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L Ultra-Wide lens
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L

The Canon 16-35mm is my oldest lens. It is ultra-wide at the 16mm focal length. Admittedly, I do not use this lens very often for EDC photography. This is more of a landscape photography lens. I do remember using it for one EDC photo where I was looking for that ultra-wide perspective. You can see it on my Instagram.

Final Thoughts

I haven’t even touched on the photography accessories I use (ie. tripods, lights, cases). That will be for another day. I hope this gives you a sense of the camera gear I have to work with.

That being said, don’t get too caught up about what gear you have. Just create. While it’s nice to have professional photography equipment, I also work as a professional. All the gear I’ve talked about has been acquired throughout my years as a photographer.

Phone cameras and consumer grade cameras have become exponentially better over the years. I’ve seen some photos on Instagram that were taken with smartphones that leave me speechless. The important point to remember is just to keep creating and doing what you love. Over time, if you do decide to go the DSLR or mirrorless route, you’ll be that much more prepared to create beautiful images.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, leave them below. Alternatively, you can reach me by sending a message through my contacts page. Thanks for reading!


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