Juor Loc: Murrieta Ca.

...a lot of photographers think that if they buy a better camera they’ll be able to take better photographs. A better camera won’t do a thing for you if you don’t have anything in your head or in your heart. -

Arnold Newman, American photographer (1918-2006)

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Unfortunately what is in my head is the same as what's in my wallet - nothing.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

The only thing in my head is....., girls, girls, girls!!!
Some things just never change?!?! LoL

And a camera or better lens may not directly do squat for your composition but it could certainly drive you to being more creative, thus fueling a drive for more composition.
And yes, a better camera may in itself not make you a better photographer but it WILL ABSOLUTELY make your photographs look better.
Consider the purchase of a Lens Baby. Suddenly you have the same composition appearing completely different and inspiring more creative compositions.
Or the purchase of a Macro lens, suddenly there is a completely new genre just opened up to you that you have never even experienced before. Encouraging you to go on a tear of new subjects and composition conquests.
A new camera with twice the mp and 80 focus points. Suddenly your portraits are dead sharp on the eye on all 1000 shots, not just 250 because before you had to do a primitive re-compose on EVERY shot! And those extra 25 mp allow you to crop 30% and your bird shots are still SHARPER than a tight shot with your old camera.
If you don't think that everything I mentioned will not carry over and make you a better photographer, then you have a awful lot to still learn.
All of the above have made my photography better, so no, I will not apologize that I shoot with a Canon 5Ds.
And those that make statements like the one you posted, their minds are already closed to more learning and their photography will stagnate and improve slowly at best.
But what is MY mind full of, sorry, but it's still, girls, girls and more girls....., why...., because I'm not dead yet!!!
Now go out and buy some motivation!
SS

Next question?!?!?! LoL

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

That's why so many chase after the latest model camera. They think that more bells and more whistles will result in better pictures.

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

Theres NOTHING in my head, my wife tells me all the time. A better camera and a better Lens DOES take better pics, but the composition is still the same old thing

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

A better camera won't give a photographer more talent but it will provide more options in how they use the talent they have.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I don't have much rolling around up there, but I do have a passion for photography.. Learning the limitations of your equipment and how to work around them will get you better photography. As I reach the limitations of my equipment and purchase better equipment my photos get better as well.
P.S. Hey Cannon Dude, ain't that Boys, Boys, Boys........

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I'll admit, if it's girls/boys, girls/boys....., it will DOUBLE your chances for a date!!!
SS

BebuLamar

I do have the urge to get more cameras but never a better camera. When I buy the first camera it would be good enough for me I would have no need to get better one. However, I often feel I want a lesser camera just for fun like something I can put in my pocket for example. So the first camera I have is the best one I have.

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Visions of sugar plums dancing?

A quick release plate?

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

The trouble with short quotes is that you never know quite what the context and setting were when they were made!
1918 - 2006 Add twenty years to the start of his life and remove probably ten years from his demise. Not really a time of huge technological change in film cameras as opposed to the last 20 years.

AS has been pointed out - for some people Film is still the preferred medium - not many NEW film cameras ....Yes there are some....But they will demand more 'photography' skills than a digital camera and a huge income. Digital Cameras on the other hand are made for idiots to use as well as experts. The base requirements for the idiot constantly improves with every model and the expert gets more tools to excel with.

Your 'Quote' is 'out of date'.
Have fun

Juor Loc: Murrieta Ca.

Here's another quote from the same person
“We do not take pictures with our cameras, but with our hearts and minds.”
-Arnold Newman

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Professionals and serious individuals view their equipment as tools, tools that are built to give the best quality product available. Carpenters, dentists, auto mechanics, machine trades professionals, plumbers, doctors, and yes, photographers all view tools as essential and tend to get the best available.

Beagleman Loc: Indiana

Hunters have rifles to do one thing, shotguns to do another, and pistols have still a third use. It is the same with cameras and lenses. If the photographer KNOWS (in his head) what each camera and lens will do, he/she should be able to adapt to the type of photography that he/she wants to do.

--Beagleman

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

yes a better camera will make you a better photographer,