Light Painting Photography Gear Guide: From Cameras to Lights

I'm going to go over everything you need for light painting photography with insight and links to products along the way. If you're looking to get started, or if you're already a professional photographer, what I say here is based on around 20 years of experience, so there's something to gleam for everyone! I'll list my current favorite technology, along with a low, mid and high range for every budget.

Cameras for Light Painting Photography

Let's start with Cameras, because you're not creating a light painting with out taking a photograph.

First off, I'd recommend a camera that comes with a few important features that will give you the most creative freedom in terms of manual mode, editing, and creating the best light painting. Every camera I list here is bulb mode capable, has a full frame sensor, is mirrorless, and has the best range of high quality lenses. One important point I'd like to make is that the body of the camera (the tech) can always upgrade while the lenses more or less stay the same (in terms of tech), so you could buy a low point camera and still have pro-level lenses that you can use on a more pro level camera later on. Glass (lenses) is typically a safe investment that does not lose much value over time.

High Point (~$5-7k) Sony A1 or A1 mk ii: This camera is a pro level beast and has some of the best tech specs we've seen yet when it comes to photography and light painting. There's better out there for more money, but this is a very high level of photography in 2025, very well rounded with high resolution, wide dynamic range, great battery, along with varied ways of capturing video and images. It's worth the money if you have it to spend. Just remember the lenses are also extremely pricey, so pace yourself.

Mid Point ($3,500-4k) Sony A7RV, Canon R5 or Canon R5 mk ii, Nikon Z8: All of these cameras are great choices, they are pro level cameras that offer different looks and subtleties that make it their own, and they have been doing this for ages so they really know what makes the perfect camera. You can't go wrong with either, but it does lock you into a certain environment of technology and lenses. If you already own a bunch of one brand's lens mounts, that is typically the lens mount and user interface you're going to prefer.

Low Point ($1300-1700) Sony A6700, Nikon Z6ii and Z5ii, Canon R8: These are all great options for the lower end and come with a lot of the same ecosystem of products in terms of lenses and capabilities. This is less of a pro level option, but can still look pro level if the right vision is behind the camera!

Student Point (Under $1k)(Not full frame sensor: APS-C) Canon R50V, Nikon Z50, Sony 6400: These are great options for beginners and will get you used to shooting mirrorless. They are great for some video projects as well. You get a lot more features that a more hands on photographer would want than your average amateur. Pro looking results at a low price, worth it if you just intend on using for social media and not super high res for printing.

Tripods for Light Painting Photography

Let's move on to the second most important part of light painting or night photography in general, the tripod! Below are some of my favorite choices for tripods.

High Point ($300-600):

Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod: I think the Peak Design is perfect for hikers like myself, it packs down to a mere 15.5 inches in length and reaches 60 inches in height when fully extended. The tripod's weight is 2.8 pounds and holds up to 20 pounds of camera gear. This is a strong, sturdy, and smart tool; and it's easy to travel with.

Manfrotto MT055CXPro4 Carbon Fiber Tripod: Manfrotto is a great value for the build, sturdiness, and relatively light weight. This tripod packs down to 21.3 inches and extends up to 67 inches in height. The tripod's weight is 4.6 pounds and holds up to 44 pounds of camera tech.

Benro Rhino Carbon Fiber Three Series Travel Tripod with VX30 Head: Strong and light weight, packs down to 19.4 inches small and grows to 68.7 inches tall. The tripod's weight is 4.5 pounds and it holds up to 44 pounds of photography related items.

Mid Point ($100-200):

Manfrotto Be Free Advanced Travel Tripod w 494 Ball Head: 15.7 inches at the small end to 59 inches fully extended, aluminum, weighs 3.6 pounds. Holds up to 19.8 pounds of gear. Great travel option if your camera is on the smaller side.

Low Point (under $100):

Neewer 66 inch Carbon Fiber and Aluminum Tripod: This is a pretty decent option in terms of weight, sturdiness, and build quality. It's far from perfect but it ticks all the boxes in terms of performance under some of the harshest conditions with some of the better results. Supports 26.5 pounds of camera gear and folds down to 23.8 inches which makes it a little more difficult to travel with.

Light Tools for Light Painting Photography

Now that we have covered the tripods, let's get into the most creative thing about light painting, the lights! Here's the nitty gritty when it comes to getting set up and illuminating an environment at night. 

Night-Writer (~$200): This is the best tool for freehand drawing with light, it makes the entire world at night into your personal neon sketchbook! It's like light painting with a futuristic marker.

Mid Point ($100-150): Here we're talking about high powered tactical LED lights. You're going to want one of these trusty fellows when you're out hiking at night, getting a focus on the camera, in a cave, or even on an e-bike. These rechargeable hand held lights have to be extremely reliable and durable, they're your go-to when setting up a scene in the night. 

Fenix PD36R Pro Rechargeable Flashlight: 2800 lumens, 42 hr runtime, distance 1200+ feet.

Nitecore P20iX Rechargeable Tactical LED Flashlight: 50-4000 lumens, 30min to 3.75 hr.

OLight Warrior 3S Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight: 15-2300 lumens, 2.5hr -130hr runtime.

Low Point (Under $100): 

If you're on a budget, these lights are great to get you started. They might not have all the features as the ones above, but they will get the job done just as well.

LED Lenser P7R Core Rechargeable: 1400 lumens, waterproof, 2-90hr runtime.

Student Point (Under $20):

GearLight LED Flashlight (3 AAA Batteries Needed)

Headlamps (Under $20):

You might need a headlamp to get out to the location and go through your camera bag with two hands. Here are two options, one rechargeable and the other needs AAA batteries.

LHKNL 2pk Headlamp Flashlight (Rechargeable)

GearLight 2pk Headlamp (3 AAA Batteries Needed)

Wireless Remotes for Light Painting Photography

Depending on the make and model of your camera, this will be the deciding factor for what you can get in terms of wireless triggers for 'bulb mode' capturing: Sony - Foto&TechIR Remote, Nikon - Foto&TechIR Remote, Canon - Foto&TechIR Remote

Backpacks for Light Painting Photography

Once you've got all the actual camera gear, tripod, lighting, and remote it's time to pack it all up and get to the location with your gear. For this, it's important to choose a comfortable, needs specific, quality & durable backpack to keep all of your sensitive camera gear safe and moisture free.

Sometimes I will throw in some small dehumidifying packs so that my backpack does not accumulate moisture. Here are my current picks for camera backpacks in 2025.

(~$110) Ulanzi Pro Camera Backpack 22L

(~$82) LowePro Tahoe BP 150 Camera Backpack

(~$56) Tarion Camera Backpack TB-02

(~$36) CADeN Camera Backpack

In conclusion....

I hope all of you future light painting photographers appreciated this post, I just went over everything you need to break your bank at different budgets. This gear guide should give you some good insight as to how to make magic outdoors on your next camping trip or family get together! Have fun, stay bright, and light up the night!

Please comment below if there's anything you'd like me to cover in my next guide.