Photographer for over 10 years, my equipment has significantly evolved to match my skills, desires, and needs. Like any photographer, I’ve experimented with various gear to refine my style and meet the specific demands of automotive photography. At one point, I chose to work exclusively with prime lenses, which allowed me to explore new perspectives and achieve exceptional image quality. However, the need for versatility led me back to zoom lenses, especially during shoots where time to switch lenses is limited.
Loyal to Canon since the beginning of my career, this brand has always met my expectations with reliable equipment and user-friendly ergonomics. In this article, I will introduce you to the automotive photography gear I regularly use, starting with my camera bodies, then my lenses, and finally a few essential accessories.
Camera Bodies
Canon EOS 550D
First and foremost, I must introduce the camera that marked the beginning of my photography journey. It allowed me to familiarize myself with the basics of shooting and gain valuable initial experience. Although it is now an older model, it remains an excellent choice for beginners.
Canon EOS 70D
It was with this camera that I truly delved into the world of automotive photography. Its features gave me greater creative freedom, even though, at the time, it was already outpaced by market standards. Today, I still use it as a secondary camera, especially for specific shots when I mount the 10-20mm lens, to capture ultra-wide-angle photos at the Source corner of Spa-Francorchamps.
Canon 5D Mark III
This is currently my primary camera. Once a benchmark for sports photography, this full-frame body has aged, but it still delivers outstanding image quality despite its 200,000 shutter count. Its limitations are becoming more noticeable, particularly with a slow burst rate and outdated live view autofocus. I'm considering a potential switch to a mirrorless model, but I haven’t made a final decision yet.
Lenses
Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM
This lens is a real gem for static photos, in the pit lane, or for portraits. The autofocus is extremely efficient, with beautiful bokeh. Unfortunately, I don’t use it very often, as an 85mm prime lens loses its appeal when you already have a 50mm that delivers similar results and a much more versatile 70-200mm.
Sigma 150-600 mm F/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary
Acheté en 2024, ce téléobjectif est en phase de test dans mon matériel de photographie automobile. Avec l’évolution des circuits, qui nous éloigne de plus en plus de la piste, avoir un vrai téléobjectif est devenu indispensable. Bien que lourd et encombrant (ne rentre pas dans le sac), il offre une qualité d’image impressionnante, même à 600mm, malgré l’effet de flou causé par la chaleur des circuits. Pour l’instant, j’en suis plutôt satisfait. Je l’utilise essentiellement entre 400mm et 600mm sur les circuits qui nécessitent une telle focale.
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM
Regarded as the holy grail of lenses for automotive photographers, it offers exceptional versatility. Whether for action shots or in the pit lane, it never disappoints. However, I’m not a fan of using it with a teleconverter, as the results are often soft and tend to exhibit back-focus issues.
canon 70-200mm
Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art
I chose it as a "wide-angle" primarily for its large aperture. However, the recurring back-focus issues and moderate sharpness at full aperture can sometimes make it frustrating to use.
Sigma 35mm
Accessories
En plus de mes boîtiers et objectifs, j’utilise des cartes mémoires Sandisk SD Extreme et Extreme Pro et des LEXAR Professionnel Compact Flash pour leur fiabilité. J’ai également un trépied Manfrotto Element II et un monopied Benro MAD38A, indispensables pour les prises de vue en conditions de faible luminosité ou pour stabiliser les téléobjectifs, bien que je préfère filer à mains levées. Accessoires indispensables pour les photographe autos, tous mes objectifs sont équipés de filtre polarisant, dont l’utilité est double : protéger la lentille de votre objectif et supprimer les reflets sur les carrosseries ou pare-brises et autres surfaces transparentes.
My Favorite Camera/ Lens Pairing for Automotive Photography
I’m often asked which camera/lens pairing I use most during my automotive photography sessions. In reality, I have two favorite combinations with me 80% of the time. My main camera body is the Canon 5D Mark III. Most of the time, I pair it with the 70-200mm lens. This combination allows me to capture distant action while being versatile enough for portraits and details, with the option to go down to 70mm for closer subjects. If I’m not using the 70-200mm, it’s usually the 50mm mounted on the 5D. I particularly appreciate the lightweight nature of this lens, which, combined with the 5D, provides me with exceptional mobility—ideal in the paddocks, pit lane, or when I need to elbow my way in to get the perfect shot.
If you have any questions about the equipment presented, feel free to reach out to me here or on Instagram. I'm always happy to share my experience and discuss best practices in photography. Don't forget to check out my other articles to discover more tips and information on automotive photography, and follow me on Instagram to see my latest creations.
Matthieu.
