Photography Equipment

What This Section Covers

In this section, you’ll find a basic but practical list of photography equipment that you can bring with you to RIAT. The items included cover a wide range of experience levels, from complete beginners picking up a camera for the first time, to more experienced and semi-professional photographers refining their setup.

This guide is not about telling you what you must bring. Instead, it’s designed to give you a clear idea of what equipment works well at an airshow like RIAT, and why it works.

Everyone shoots differently, and the “best” equipment will always be the equipment that suits your shooting style, experience level, and budget.

Photography for Beginners

Welcome to the world of Aviation Photography! I started my journey back in 2006 with my parents' trusty Nikon D40x and a Nikon 70-300mm lens, proving that you don't need expensive gear to begin. With a budget of around £300, you can find great older models from brands like Nikon, Canon, and Sony that still deliver impressive results. Remember, understanding the basics is key and you can find helpful tips on my air show settings page. Don't hesitate to explore second-hand options from trusted sources to save money while building your collection!

What equipment do I need?

Photography really is a journey, and one of the best things about it is that you don’t need an endless budget to create beautiful images. What matters far more than price tags is how well you understand your equipment, whether you’re shooting with a DSLR or a mirrorless camera. Knowing how your camera behaves in different light, how it focuses, and where its strengths lie will always outweigh having the newest model.

My own kit has evolved over time. I started with a Nikon D90, moved on to a D7200, and eventually reached my dream combination with the D500 and D850. Each upgrade wasn’t just about better specs, it was about learning. Every step taught me something new about technique, timing, and how to get the most out of the gear in my hands.

If you’re thinking about buying a new camera or upgrading your lenses, the second-hand market is well worth a look. It’s a fantastic way to stretch your budget without compromising on quality. With around £600, for example, you can find some excellent bodies and lenses that are more than capable of delivering outstanding results.

At the end of the day, it all comes back to this: understand your camera, practice with it, and push its limits. Great photography comes from knowledge and experience, not just the price of your kit

New Vs Second Hand

You’re absolutely right, camera gear can cost a small fortune. That moment when you finally spot your dream lens, then glance at the price tag, can be… deflating. Thankfully, there’s a smart workaround.

I know I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s genuinely worth talking about again: buying second-hand equipment.

There are loads of advantages to going used. In many cases, you can pick up two or even three items for the price of one brand-new piece of kit. For aviation photography especially, events like RIAT often demand flexibility. You might need multiple lenses, more than one camera body, spare SD cards, and backups just in case. Getting more for your money really matters there, and second-hand gear makes that possible.

That’s exactly how I approach it. I buy from trusted sources, check condition carefully, and slowly build up my kit to match what I actually need rather than blowing the budget on a single item. Over time, you end up with a well-rounded setup that’s ready for almost anything the flight line throws at you.

That said, buying new still has its own strengths, and it’s worth acknowledging them. New equipment comes with full warranties and peace of mind, which can be reassuring if something goes wrong. You’re also guaranteed the latest technology, whether that’s faster autofocus, better image stabilisation, or improved low-light performance. There’s also something satisfying about knowing the gear’s full history from day one, no hidden wear, no surprises, just a clean slate.

In the end, it’s about balance. Second-hand is fantastic for stretching your budget and expanding your kit, while new gear offers reassurance and cutting-edge performance. Mixing the two can be a smart way to get the best of both worlds and stay ready for those once-in-a-lifetime aviation moments

Photography Equipment Guide for RIAT

What This Section Covers
Beginner-Friendly Equipment
Semi-Professional and Intermediate Gear
Budget Guidance
Buying New or Second-Hand
Packing Tips for RIAT
Use This Guide Your Way
Brand Examples (Non-Prescriptive)
First-Time at RIAT: Photography Checklist

Beginner-Friendly Equipment

This section is aimed at photographers who are new to airshows or still learning the basics. The focus here is on simplicity, affordability, and ease of use.

Recommended beginner equipment includes:

Entry-level DSLR or mirrorless camera
Bridge camera with a long zoom range
Kit lens (typically 18–55mm) for static aircraft
Telephoto lens or built-in zoom (200–300mm or equivalent)
Spare batteries
Memory cards (more than you think you’ll need)
Basic camera bag or backpack

This kind of setup is ideal for learning tracking, panning, and understanding camera settings without being overwhelmed. Many photographers shoot RIAT for years with relatively simple gear and still come away with strong images.

Semi-Professional and Intermediate Gear

For photographers with more experience, this section focuses on equipment that offers more flexibility, speed, and performance, especially when dealing with fast jets, challenging light, or poor weather.

Recommended intermediate and semi-professional equipment includes:

Mid-range or professional DSLR Bodies, Nikon, Cannon, Sony Etc. (DSLR / Mirrorless)
Telephoto lens in the 100–400mm or 150–600mm range 200mm-500mm
Wide-angle lens for static displays and crowd scenes
Faster lenses for dull or overcast conditions
More supportive camera backpack or shoulder bag
Lens cleaning kit
Backup Camera Body (optional) If you can afford another body. As you can use both and not have to change lenses all the time.
Spare Batteries (2–3 minimum)
High-Speed Memory Cards (64GB+) As you may take 1000s of photos over the few days. I take 6 with me plus a 128 GB SD Card.

This level of equipment can help in difficult conditions, but it’s still important to choose gear that feels comfortable and familiar. Better equipment won’t replace good technique, anticipation, and practice.

Budget Guidance

Photography equipment can range widely in price, and RIAT does not require the most expensive setup to enjoy or succeed.

As a rough guide:

Beginner setups can range from low to mid budget depending on whether you already own a camera
Intermediate and semi-professional kits can vary significantly based on lenses rather than camera bodies
Lenses often matter more than upgrading the camera itself
Start with what you have, upgrade slowly, and focus on learning how your equipment behaves in different conditions.

Buying New or Second-Hand

Where possible, this guide includes links to places where equipment can be purchased new or second-hand. Buying used gear can be a great way to save money, particularly if you’re just starting out or testing new equipment before committing long-term.

Second-hand does not mean second-best. Many photographers build their entire kit this way, especially when it comes to lenses, and achieve excellent results.

Links to New and Second Hand Websites

Packing Tips for RIAT

RIAT is a long day on your feet, often in changing weather, so packing smart matters just as much as the gear itself.

Useful packing tips include:

Bring only what you’re comfortable carrying all day
Weatherproof your bag if possible
Pack lens cloths for dust, rain, and fingerprints
Carry spare batteries somewhere easy to reach
Leave unnecessary extras behind to reduce weight
Comfort and accessibility often matter more than having every lens you own with you.

Use This Guide Your Way

It’s entirely up to you how you use this guide and whether it works for you. Treat it as a reference point rather than a checklist. Mix and match what makes sense, ignore what doesn’t, and build a setup that feels comfortable, reliable, and enjoyable to use.

At RIAT, experience, patience, and adaptability will always matter more than having the most expensive kit. This guide is here to support you, not limit you.

Brand Examples (Non-Prescriptive)

To help you visualise what type of equipment fits into each category, you may see examples from well-known brands such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Sigma, Tamron, and others.

These are examples only, not recommendations or requirements. Similar equipment from any brand can work just as well. What matters far more than the logo on the camera is how comfortable you are using it and how well you understand its behaviour.

Use brand examples as a reference point when researching, comparing, or buying, not as a shopping list.

First-Time at RIAT: Photography Checklist

If this is your first time photographing RIAT, this simple checklist can help you feel prepared without overpacking.

Before you go:

Charge all batteries
Format memory cards
Check weather forecasts (and expect them to change)
Set camera date and time correctly

On the day:

Carry only essential lenses
Keep spare batteries and cards accessible
Review images occasionally and adjust settings
Stay aware of light and weather changes

Most importantly:

Take breaks
Enjoy the show
Don’t spend the entire day looking at the back of the camera

RIAT is as much about the experience as the images you take home.