Kara Riedas | Freelance Photographer in Tempe, Arizona

My Current Gear

Some of the gear I use

Every powerful image starts with the right tools — and over the years, I’ve curated a kit that balances technical precision with creative freedom. These are the cameras, lenses, lighting, and tech I trust to bring each visual story to life with clarity, depth, and intention. And, let’s be honest — I’m a bit of a gear nerd, and proud of it 😊

Professional DSLR Camera Bodies

My DSLR systems form the backbone of my still photography work. I use both full-frame and APS-C Crop Sensor Canon bodies chosen for their strength, durability, and uncompromising image quality. These cameras are built to perform reliably in demanding conditions while delivering rich dynamic range, accurate color, and exceptional detail.

Together, they provide the precision, responsiveness, and creative control required for professional photography where consistency and results matter most.

FULL FRAME

• Canon EOS 5D Mark IV (30.4MP/4K)

• Canon EOS 5D Mark III (22.3MP)

• Canon EOS 6D (1) (20.2MP)

• Canon EOS 6D (2) (20.2MP)

APS-C CROP SENSOR
• Canon EOS 7D (1) (18MP)
• Canon EOS 7D (2) (18MP)
• Canon EOS 90D (32.5MP/4K)

• Canon EOS 60D (18MP)

• Canon EOS 400D XTi (10.1MP) — Legacy

Mirrorless & Compact Cinema Cameras

I also work with modern mirrorless and compact cinema cameras chosen specifically for video-focused storytelling. These systems offer advanced autofocus, intelligent subject tracking, and native vertical capture—making them ideal for social-first content, automotive video, and motion-driven work.

My mirrorless workflow integrates seamlessly with my professional Canon L-series lenses, allowing me to maintain consistent optical quality, color rendering, and creative control across both still photography and video. Combined with compact stabilized cameras for specialized motion capture, this setup allows me to work efficiently while delivering polished, cinematic results.

• Canon EOS R50 V (24.2MP/4K)

• DJI Osmo Pocket 3 (9.4MP/4K)

The Canon EOS R50 V serves as my primary mirrorless video camera for modern content creation. Paired with my professional Canon L-series lenses via Canon’s native RF-EF adapter, it delivers reliable autofocus, intelligent subject and eye tracking, and excellent color science in a compact, highly mobile form factor. Native vertical video support and advanced video tools make it especially well-suited for automotive films, social media delivery, and dynamic, run-and-gun shooting environments.

The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a compact, stabilized cinema camera used for motion-heavy and specialty shots where size, weight, and smooth movement are critical. Featuring a built-in 3-axis gimbal and high frame-rate 4K video, it excels at rolling automotive shots, driving footage, and creative perspectives that are impractical with larger camera systems. Its stability and image quality make it an essential tool for capturing fluid, cinematic motion.

Professional AF Canon EF Premium Luxury 'L' Lenses

I shoot primarily with Canon’s professional premium LUXURY EF L-series lenses—optics engineered for uncompromising performance, reliability, and consistency. These lenses deliver exceptional sharpness, color accuracy, and contrast, and are built to perform under demanding conditions.

As the foundation of my photographic and video work, L-series lenses provide the precision, durability, and optical integrity required for professional results across studio, environmental, and motion-based shooting.

• Canon EOS 300mm f/4L IS USM Prime
• Canon EOS 200mm f/2.8L II USM Prime
• Canon EOS 70-200mm f/4L II IS USM Zoom
• Canon EOS 135mm f/2L USM Prime
• Canon EOS 100mm f/2.8L IS USM Macro

• Canon EOS 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM
• Canon EOS 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Macro
• Canon EOS 17-40mm f/4L USM Zoom

Professional Sigma EF ART Lenses

My Sigma ART lenses provide high-resolution optics and wide-aperture performance, offering exceptional sharpness and creative flexibility for portrait and cinematic work where subject separation and fine detail are critical.

• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Prime
• Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Prime
• Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART Prime
• Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM ART Zoom
• Sigma USB Dock UD-01 For Canon EF

Non-'L' Series EF Lenses

In addition to my L-series lenses, I use select non-L EF lenses chosen for their unique capabilities, compact form, or specialized optical characteristics. These tools complement my primary system by offering creative flexibility, alternative focal lengths, and distinctive perspectives when a particular look or approach is required.

• Canon EOS AF 40mm f/2.8 STM Prime (White)
• IRIX 11mm f/4 Blackstone
Ultra-Wide Rectilinear Prime
• Canon Extender EF 1.4x II
• Canon Extender EF 2x II
• Canon Extension Tube EF12 II
• Canon Extension Tube EF25 II

Creative MF EF Lenses

For creative and expressive work, I use a selection of specialty EF lenses designed to produce distinctive rendering, unique character, and artistic depth. These tools allow me to move beyond technical perfection and create images with mood, texture, and emotion.

• Lensbaby 85mm f/1.8 Velvet 85 Macro
• Lensbaby 56mm f/1.6 Velvet 56 Macro
• Lensbaby 28mm f/2.5 Velvet 28 Macro
• Lensbaby Composer Pro

• Lensbaby Sweet 80 Optic f/2.8

• Lensbaby Sweet 50 Optic f/2.5

• Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic f/2.5

4K Video Cameras

The tools that let me craft cinematic stories with clarity, depth, and creative freedom in today's 4K video format.

• Canon EOS R50 V Mirrorless Camera (4K Video)
• Canon EOS 90D Camera (4K Video)
• Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Camera (4K Video)
• DJI OSMO Pocket 3 (4K Video)
• DJI NEO Drone (4K Video)
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (4K Video)
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (4K Video)

Strobe Lighting for Photography

Light is my paintbrush — these strobes let me sculpt each image with clarity, texture, and emotion.

• (1) Paul C Buff White Lightning Ultrazap 2400

• (2) Paul C Buff Einstein E640
• (3) Paul C Buff Alien Bees B800
• (2) Paul C Buff White Lightning Ultrazap 800
• (3) Photoflex Starflash 650
• (3) Paul C Buff Vagabond Mini Battery
• (2) Westcott FJ-X3 M Wireless Trigger
• (8) Westcott FJ-XR Wireless Receivers

Portable Flash

Portable lighting for on-location flexibility, giving me the same precision and creative control as my studio strobes.

• (2) Canon 600EX-RT Speedlite
• Canon 580EX II Speedlite
• Canon 430EX III-RT Speedlite
• Canon 430EX Speedlite
• (2) Canon ST-E3-RT Speedlite Transmitter
• Phottix Laso TTL Receiver

Continuous Lighting for Photography & Video

Consistent, adjustable lighting for both photo and video — ideal for shaping tone, depth, and atmosphere with precision.

• Godox LE300Bi 320W Bi-Color COB
• Neewer 1904 75W Bi-Color LED Panel
• Neewer NL288 45W Bi-Color LED Panel
• (2) Neewer 660 45W Bi-Color LED Panels
• (2) Godox C30R 30W RGB LED Portable

Digital Darkroom

Where every image comes to life — refined with precision, color accuracy, and an unwavering attention to detail.

• Adobe Lightroom Classic 2025
• Adobe Lightroom CC 2025

• Adobe Photoshop 2026

• Topaz Studio 2025

• Luminar Neo 2025

• Anthropics Technology PortraitPro Studio 24
• Anthropics Technology PortraitPro Body V3
• Corel PaintShop Pro 2023
• Corel PaintShop Pro X4
• CapCut Professional
• Black Magic Design DaVinci Resolve Studio
• Sony Vegas
• 2019 15" Dell Laptop XPS 7590 i7-9750H CPU 32GB RAM GTX 1650 GPU

• 2020 13" Apple MacBook Pro Quad-Core Intel i5
• Sony 16" Laptop Windows 7 64-bit
• Dell 29" Wide-Screen Monitor

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