Gear Planning and Budgeting

Good gear planning starts with output goals, not product marketing. Buy equipment that solves the next real bottleneck in your work.

Prioritization order

1. Lens quality and focal coverage.
2. Camera body capability for your subject type.
3. Storage, backup, and file management.
4. Lighting and support gear.
5. Maintenance and insurance.

Budget framework

Assign 60% to core capture tools, 20% to workflow reliability (cards, drives, calibration), and 20% to accessories and contingencies.