Capturing the essence of fashion requires more than just a keen eye and a talented model; it demands a carefully curated arsenal of tools. Fashion photographers Kid Circus and Canon Ambassador Jaroslav Monchak have been adding Canon full-frame mirrorless cameras to their fashion photography equipment lists. Here they share their other must-have equipment and why getting their hands on the Canon EOS R5 has proven to be a real eye-opener.
Jaroslav has been shooting fashion for the past decade, and, with the advent of the Canon EOS R and now the Canon EOS R5 full-frame mirrorless cameras, his workflow has started to change. For more flexible, creative photoshoots, Jaroslav favours the Canon EOS R5. "Canon's full-frame mirrorless cameras provide fast autofocus and excellent performance in such a small package. This is truly a revolution," says Jaroslav.
As a member of the Ukrainian Association of Professional Photographers, Jaroslav represents Ukraine in the international photographic community, and as the founder of photography school Lighthouse, he has to keep up to date with the latest camera tech in order to teach his students everything they need to know.
Michael Circus, best known as Kid, is a portrait and fashion photographer whose images are filled with personality. The human connection he makes on set is central to his work. "You want to release all the technical stuff out of your brain and just focus on what's in front of you," he says about his approach. His kitbag is built to help his workflow and to focus his energy on the room. "What's important to me is definitely image quality, the ability to capture movement, and a really nice colour profile. But the ergonomics as well. If you pick up the camera and it doesn't feel right, I do think it affects you and your psyche." The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV has been his long-time workhorse, however the move to mirrorless with the EOS R5 has opened up new potential in his workflow.
From a versatile camera body to flexible lenses, we take a look inside the two photographers' kitbags.
FASHION
The kit two fashion photographers couldn't work without
1. Canon EOS R5
"I had read a lot about the Canon EOS R5 and in particular about the autofocus system; namely the eye-tracking mode," explains Jaroslav. "I tried it, and was surprised at how accurate and quick it was to focus."
The Canon EOS R5's autofocus is programmed using a deep-learning AI that enables it to recognise and track a subject's face and eyes, and the head and body if the face and eyes are not visible, with new levels of accuracy and precision. For Jaroslav, the new technology had an immediate impact. "Of the 2,000 photos I took, there wasn't a single miss and that's really impressive! Just compose an image and press the shutter. It greatly sped up my work and allowed me to concentrate more on working with the model, light and composition."
Canon EOS R5
Adding the Canon EOS R5 to his fashion photography equipment list meant Jaroslav was also able to test out the JPEG files straight from the camera. "I shoot in RAW 90% of the time, but there are times where I take pictures in JPEG, usually when the lighting is good. The files created by the Canon EOS R5 produce colours I really like, especially in the mid-tones and skin colours. It saved a lot of time that I would normally spend processing RAW files."
The move to mirrorless also gave Kid creative possibilities he didn't have with his Canon EOS 5D Mark IV. "I used the EOS R5 for the first time in the summer of 2022, and I couldn't believe how amazing it was," he enthuses. "We shot in not the best light and were able to set it to ISO 6000 and still get good quality."
The Canon menu system – which allows him to customise his camera with ease – made the move even smoother. "Mirrorless does help your workflow: it takes out the guesswork. If you need to adjust something, you can see it before you've taken the shot."
2. Canon PowerShot G7 X series
High-resolution, editorial and advertising images aren't always the only shots required on set. For his own and clients' marketing channels, Kid also shoots the stories behind the shoot. "I use the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II (now succeeded by the Canon PowerShot G7 Mark III) to capture fun behind-the-scenes content," he explains. He chose the camera in part due to its size which allows him to move around on set shooting reportage. "I think people react to it differently than when you have a DSLR in your hand."
Canon PowerShot G7 Mark III
But the compact camera still delivers DSLR quality, with a large 1.0-type sensor and a bright f/1.8-2.8 Canon lens delivering high quality in stills and Full HD movies. "It's one of those 'set and forget' numbers," says Kid. "It's got a really flexible lens on it and it's just a fun camera to have because it doesn't take up a lot of space but you get the Canon quality without the bulk."
Its successor, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III, has a faster processor, shoots at 20fps and with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enables you to live stream on YouTube. It also has an extended battery life, giving you 25 additional shots per charge as compared to the PowerShot G7 X Mark II, so you are free to capture every moment without the fear of missing out.
Do you own Canon kit?
3. Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM
Like many fashion and portrait photographers, Jaroslav is a long-time fan of the 50mm focal length, particularly in a prime lens. He started out shooting with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM and spent years working with it in combination with the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM to give him some added reach and compressed perspective. But he upgraded to the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM lens when it was released, for its improved optical clarity and wider maximum aperture.
"The edge-to-edge sharpness in this lens is fantastic, especially when paired with the Canon EOS R, which I like to do," he says. "Making high-end fashion photographs, I need to ensure that the photos are crisp and sharp in every respect where I need them to be, and this lens delivers that. For me, this lens is perfect whether shooting in natural light or with studio lighting."
Having ultimate sharpness around the edge of the frame means that Jaroslav can position his models anywhere in the scene, confident that he can place the focus where he wants and get sharp and consistent results. With a wide maximum aperture of f/1.2 this also means it's good in low light.
Kid is also a fan of this lens. "You have to move around a bit more but there are occasions where I just want to do straight portrait work, and the 50mm is less imposing than the 24-70mm," he says. "If you're working with somebody who's not got a great deal of experience being in front of a camera, it does look a little bit less intimidating."
Canon Learning Series on YouTube
4. Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
Jaroslav's current favourite (and most used) lens is the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM. He says, "I really like the range of its focal length. I use it mainly in the photo studio, and the zoom function means I can recompose my shot without having to reposition the camera." Combining the 24mm wide-angle end of the zoom lens with a unique angle can help embellish a photograph's story.
Jaroslav also likes shooting directly into the sun with the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM. "The coating of this lens is so good that I can shoot directly into the sunlight and be met with minimal flare in my image," he says. "That means my clients can see the product or subject better, but I can also use this backlighting style to fill the shot with energy."
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens has two types of coatings. The Super Spectra coating helps to reduce internal flare and ghosting in the image and is optimised for each EF lens to ensure consistent colour balances across the EF range. Also, the Fluorine coating covers both the front and rear elements to protect the glass from raindrops or fingerprints.
5. Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
"If you'd asked me four years ago, I was against zoom lenses," says Kid, but after trying them for the first time, he was converted. "For fashion photography I recommend the Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM lens every time. Whatever you use, you want it to be an extension of you and this lens is so flexible, and so versatile. It saves changing lenses halfway through a shoot and disturbing the flow. It has been an absolute workhorse."
The Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM is ideal for fashion photography, taking shots to a higher standard with its super-sharp optics. It has three glass moulded aspherical and three UD lens elements, as well as advanced optical coatings. Its 9-blade aperture also allows for a smoother, circular bokeh effect.
Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
Kid particularly favours the speed on this lens. "It's f/2.8, which is very handy when you're struggling in low light and need a fast and really sharp lens." The 5-stop image stabilisation – which is enhanced when added to the IBIS of the EOS R5 – also helps to capture detail in total confidence when light levels drop.
6. Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Kid's portfolio includes beauty shots that detail the colour and textures of the face – and for this work, he favours the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens. "This lens has been really good for beauty," he says. "I can go close and get cutaways of the eyes or cut-off shots of the top off the head without distortion."
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
7. Connect to tablet with Canon Camera Connect
When shooting on location with clients, Kid includes a tablet in his kitbag as an alternative to tethering to a laptop. Using proprietary software – the Canon Camera Connect app – he can connect the camera to the tablet. "A client can have the tablet and they can see the shots as they come in," he says. "They can star rate and those ratings will carry over when I take out the memory card. It's such a handy thing because it's so portable and it's wireless, and I've found it to be reliable."
It further streamlines his kitbag. "Connecting via Wi-Fi from the camera, you're zipping stuff into a tablet before you blink."
Kid wants the camera to become an extension of his hand so that he can focus on capturing the moment, and the Canon EOS R5 has done just that. Along with the right lenses, software and apps, he can focus more on the creative aspect of photography.
For more inspiration and advice from Kid Circus and other content creators, check out the Canon Europe Learning Series playlist on YouTube.
Fashion photographers' kitbag
The key kit pros use to take their photographs
Cameras
Canon EOS R5
A full-frame 45MP sensor with impressive AF performance. "I really appreciate the autofocus which defines the eyes so well. It is very convenient," says Jaroslav.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
The PowerShot G7 X Mark III helps you look your best with superb 4K video, a large 1.0-type sensor and 20.1MP photos - all in a super-portable design.
Lenses
Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM
The RF lens that sets new standards in photographic performance, delivering supreme sharpness, extra creative control and a low-light performance that's simply remarkable. "The edge-to-edge sharpness in this lens is fantastic," says Jaroslav. "For me, this lens is perfect whether shooting in natural light or with studio lighting."
Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8L IS USM
With this powerful zoom lens, you can put your personal touch on a story thanks to a fast aperture and super sharp optics that will keep you ahead of the competition. Kid particularly appreciates its speed and ability to produce clear images in low light.
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
A professional-quality standard zoom that offers outstanding image quality and a fast f/2.8 aperture throughout its zoom range. Jaroslav says: "I really like the range of its focal length. I use it mainly in the photo studio, and the zoom function means I can recompose my shot without having to reposition the camera."
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
This is everything you'd expect from a prime lens, its excellent optical quality and superior delivery of ultra-fine detail making it ideal for fashion photography – particularly when you need to capture detail or emphasise facial expressions.
Related articles
-
PORTRAIT
Outdoor fashion portraits with a Canon RF lens
Sascha Hüttenhain shares how the Canon RF 135mm F1.8L IS USM lens helped bring his creative portrait concepts to life.
-
PRINT
Runway and street fashion from camera to print
Discover how Leo Faria captures the essence of 'Street Style' and why making large-format prints is a key part of his process.
-
FASHION
How cutting-edge tech keeps a fashion pro on trend
Photographer and filmmaker Ian Hippolyte explains how moving to Canon's mirrorless EOS R System has changed the way he shoots.
-
Student
What's in a pro's kitbag? – Canon Europe
Fashion and portrait photographer Emmanuel Oyeleke reveals what's in his kitbag and explains how its contents have evolved during his career.