Photography gear

Gear matters less than people think and more than they'd like. The camera doesn't make the photograph, but the right kit, used well, gets out of your way and lets you concentrate on the picture. This section is where we test, recommend and occasionally gently debunk, so you can spend your money on the things that'll actually make a difference to your work.

You'll find honest takes here rather than spec-sheet worship. Discover why a prime lens might be the best thing you buy for travel photography, what a humble monopod can do that your tripod can't, and how an inexpensive black mist filter can give your images that dreamy, cinematic softness straight out of camera. We're just as happy telling you when something cheap is brilliant as when something pricey is worth it.

The truth most gear guides won't admit is that you probably have enough to make great photos right now. Upgrades are fun, and sometimes genuinely necessary, but they're rarely the thing standing between you and a better image. Use this section to make informed choices when you do buy, to get more out of the kit already in your bag, and to sidestep the expensive mistakes most of us made on the way through. Your wallet will thank you.