So what camera equipment for surf photography is needed?
Surf photography is one of the most exciting and rewarding forms of photography — but it can also be one of the trickiest to gear up for. Over the past 15 years of my own journey, I’ve spent a lot of time (and money!) working across two different camera brands.
I started off cheap, gradually upgrading as I improved. This seems to be a common path for most budding surf photographers. It’s important to remember: every piece of gear has its pros and cons. Learning how to get the best out of your tools is part of the journey.
Below is a list of helpful guidelines and examples of what I’d recommend if you’re starting out — especially if you’re budget-conscious. The possibilities are endless, and most quality brands offer great options to fit your style and needs.
Land-Based Surf Photography
1. A Decent Camera Body with Good Continuous Shutter Speed
You’ll want a camera capable of shooting fast bursts — essential for capturing action in the surf.
Look for something with high megapixels too, as this helps when cropping into your images without losing quality.
2. A Telephoto Lens
A must-have. Most of the time, you’ll be 70 metres or more from the action. A strong zoom lens brings the session to you.
3. A Versatile Wide-to-Mid Zoom Lens
Sometimes you’ll want to capture the scene beyond just the surfer — the headlands, the sky, the mood. A flexible wide lens is perfect.
4. Good Quality SD Cards
Don’t skimp on SD cards. Good cards allow faster continuous shooting and reduce the risk of losing images or experiencing slowdowns.
-
SanDisk Extreme Pro 32GB – View here
In-Water Surf Photography
1. Underwater Housing
The first major decision is what style of water shots you want:
-
Flat Port + Short Lens (e.g. 50mm): For compact setups shooting moderate distance.
-
Flat Port + Zoom (e.g. 70-200mm): For longer reach.
-
Dome Port + Wide Lens: For close-up action and beautiful over/underwater split shots.
Take time to think about the style of shots you want, then build your water housing setup around that.
Aerial Surf Photography
1. A Quality Drone
Aerial surf photography offers a completely different perspective. There’s a wide range of drones to suit different budgets, but always fly respectfully and know the drone laws in your area. Drone photography is a whole different experience. Light and angles are a completely new experience and is a fun journey to explore.
2. SD Cards for Drones
Just like with cameras, a good microSD card is vital for high-quality 4K footage and high-res photos.
-
SanDisk Extreme Pro 64GB MicroSD – View here
My Personal Gear
Here’s a snapshot of the gear I currently use:
Camera Bodies
Lenses
-
Sony 200-600mm – View here
-
Tamron 35-150mm – View here
-
Tamron 28-75mm G2 – View here
-
Sony 12-24mm – View here
-
Sigma 19mm – (Older model, still a great budget option)
-
Sony 50mm f/1.8 – View here
Drone
-
DJI Mavic Mini 3 (with the screen in the controller)
Water Housing
-
Seafrogs housing for Sony A6000 series with a flat port for my 50mm sony lens.
Final Thoughts
Starting your surf photography journey is all about building up over time. Get the best gear you can afford, learn it inside out, and enjoy the process. Remember — it’s not the gear that makes a great surf photo, it’s the vision, creativity, and timing of the person holding the camera.