My Camera for Railway Photography
Today, there are a lot of different types of cameras that you can buy and use for your railway photographs. Even a Mobile Phone Camera for Railway Photography now a days have a great camera fitted to them.
I sometimes get asked by other photographers what camera do I use. Here I will let you know what camera and lens I use for my railway photography hobby.
Camera
Over the years I have had many different cameras. The one I have and use today is the Canon 5D Mark III. I have had this camera for just over five years, and I intend to keep it unless I win the lottery!
For me it is a lovely camera with a lot of advanced shooting options. Once I learned as much as I possibly could, it does everything that I want it to do. One good option on the camera is the 6 fps (frames per second) continuous shooting. I always tend to use that, that way at least one or two photos will be in the exact place I want it.
Yes, I know that the newer cameras have more or better options. But to be honest, if you are happy with the camera you have got, I do not see the point in spending more money just to keep up to date with the new ones. Saying that, if my camera died on me, I would still purchase a decent second hand one of the same models.
Today (January 2021) you can buy this camera second hand at MPB from around £800.00 plus.
Lens
I have two lenses that I have and use for my train photographs. The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM and the Canon EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS USM Lens.
The lens I use the most is the Canon EF 24-105mm one. This lens is just great for railway photographs. You can go wide to get a nice bit of background in the photo or go fairly close still with background but not as much. Both are ideal depending where you are and how you want to get your photograph.
Photographs
This photograph was taken using the Canon EF 24-105mm lens at 47mm.
Photo Details:
GWR 0-6-0PT No: 1369 and Beattie Well Tank 2-4-0WT No: 30587 pass the river dart on the South Devon Railway working the 13.35 Totnes to Buckfastleigh service on the 19th February 2017
I do not use the Canon EF 70-300mm lens very much for my train photos. When I occasionally do, it is because the spot I am standing on is too far away to get a half descent shot. The other reason is because I want a nice close up shot.
The diesel train photograph below was taken using the Canon EF 70-300mm lens at 200mm.
Photo Details:
37800 is hauling 43170 and 43189 on Rattery Bank working the 0V84 10.00 Doncaster Works to Laira on the 2nd August 2018
Conclusion
You do not need to have an enthusiast or professional camera for railway photography. A basic camera today will get you a very good photo.