So clean equipment is the sign of an amateur? That's a rediculous statement.
Any respectable photo book/website will tell you the importance of keeping your equipment clean.
I also find it hypocritical that Rockwell had to refer to a friends gear to show how 'cool' dirty equipment is. I guess Ken's was to clean to use for the article?

Random quotes:
"... you should dry and clean your camera carefully each day" - Bill Hatcher - National Geographic photographer
"Keeping your camera clean is vital for when that perfect photo opportunity presents itself." C-net
"You really can never do enough digital camera maintenance". - Digital Photography School
"Remember ... Keep your camera clean" - Nikon

Yes, it does. I have been using the same camera for four years everyday. I do not use a bag to hold my camera because I do not have time to mess with a bag. I occasionally use a bag for a longer telephoto. My camera is always on my hip and thus has a lot of wear. I do not even use the eye cover piece anymore because it just falls off. I work two jobs doing photography and make the vast majority of income from them. My other cameras that are used for my artwork are in better shape. But when you walk around with your camera for eight hours a day and use it on a daily basis, it will not be in good shape.

Although I like KR's equipment reviews and respect his photographic knowledge, this article served very little purpose other than for Ken to let off some steam because some amateur may have stepped in front of him and ruined what he was sure was the shot of a lifetime. It comes across as being more anger or ego there than actual good information, IMHO. I have seen some very well known pros do exactly what he says pros don't do.

Backpacks: care to do a 10 mile hike into the Utah desert where you plan to use all of your lens with just a fanny bag? I think not. LCD magnifier (Hoodman?): like it or not, Ken, they DO help in bright conditions when you want to take a look at the histogram to check exposure, amateur or pro alike. Tripod in full daylight: if he can take a handheld shot using 15 stops of ND filter to capture cloud movement without a tripod, more power to him. And alas, those of us with hand tremors will just have to be resigned to knowing that our reliance on a tripod will forever prevent us from joining the Pro ranks.


I guess my biggest problem with the article is that if he feels right in publishing such generalized, opinionated, self-serving dribble concerning other photographers, can I still trust that his equipment reviews are, in fact, as objective as I have thought?