Which camera do you use? I see and hear this question a lot. Some folks seem to feel it's the camera that makes the shot, and by getting a different or "better" camera, a weekend...

BBNC

I see and hear this question a lot. Some folks seem to feel it's the camera that makes the shot, and by getting a different or "better" camera, a weekend family snapshooter will turn into an Ansel Adams.

Adams didn't do good work because he had an expensive camera, he did good work because he mastered the technical fundamentals of exposure, and understood the limitations of his equipment. He was also a master of composition, something no camera can help you with.

Any camera with a decent lens when put in the hands of a competent photographer can yield stunning photographs. The more sophisticated equipment gives one more choices and opportunities, not better photography skills.

The bottom line is learn to use what you have to the max, then move on if desired.

P.S. I too, was guilty of "upgrading" to take "better" pictures, but found my skills to be lacking.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

I like your point of working on your skills instead of buying a new camera. After that, I don't what to say. It seems that taking a risk of creating divisions of who uses what camera, that this is opposite of what most of us here are looking for. I have posted what camera I use in my signiture line at the bottom so I do not have to repeat it each time I post a picture.
It is always a good reminder to work on skills and how your present lens/camera sees things.

1eyedjack

You will find in general that a DSLR camera will produce a
better "finish" to photos than a P&S type, ie: IQ
But the operator is the one to "make" the shot.

BBNC

chapjohn wrote:

I like your point of working on your skills instead of buying a new camera. After that, I don't what to say. It seems that taking a risk of creating divisions of who uses what camera, that this is opposite of what most of us here are looking for. I have posted what camera I use in my signiture line at the bottom so I do not have to repeat it each time I post a picture.
It is always a good reminder to work on skills and how your present lens/camera sees things.

Providing exposure settings and why they were chosen is far more useful information than the camera used. I don't see divisions happening here, because folks will always opt for the latest and greatest when given a chance, believing it's what they need for better photographs.

Isn't it strange that the fundamentals of good photography haven't changed since the craft began?

Adirondack Hiker Loc: Southern Adirondacks

1eyedjack wrote:

You will find in general that a DSLR camera will produce a
better "finish" to photos than a P&S type, ie: IQ
But the operator is the one to "make" the shot.

I totally agree that it is the knowledge of the person behind the camera that makes the difference. A fool will still shoot with snapshots, no matter the camera, while an artist will see a master piece before shooting it. That being said, given both, the dslr will out perform a p&s because of the large detector, better glass and through the lens viewing.

MarkH Loc: Cape Coral, FL

I agree with all you said, BUT, given that someone has a genuine passion for photography and is not financially challenged, why not get the best equipment they can and want. I would never tell someone who could afford it "dont get that camera because you're not good enough yet".
Expensive equipment wont make a great photographer but if you have the money to burn, go for the best you can and do your part to stimulate the economy.

BBNC

MarkH wrote:

I agree with all you said, BUT, given that someone has a genuine passion for photography and is not financially challenged, why not get the best equipment they can and want. I would never tell someone who could afford it "dont get that camera because you're not good enough yet".
Expensive equipment wont make a great photographer but if you have the money to burn, go for the best you can and do your part to stimulate the economy.

I can agree with that. I wasn't saying one shouldn't have the best if they can afford it. My point, perhaps overstated, was it's not necessarily the equipment that makes us better photographers. A Jaguar doesn't make one a better driver than a Chevrolet.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

couldn't agree with you more.
started out with a sony cybershot,went to a sony a-200,a sony a-550, and ended up with a pentax 645d. if i am honest,i havn't yet mastered any of the last three.that's why i pull them all out and give them a hard shooting session on a regular basis.

rebeil Loc: florida

I agree the camera is only as good as the knowledge of person using it, I read reviews all the time before buying and most of them are saying the person just sgots and expect the camer to everything else, read the manual and LEARN camera, I have a Nikon D3 and a Cannon A590 also a Sony W570 and I can get just as good a picture out of either of them if I don't go over a 8 X10 but I studied fo days before using camera

johnr9999 Loc: Carlton, OR

BBNC wrote:

I see and hear this question a lot. Some folks se... (show quote)

I agree with your premises as far as they go. Once you become a really good photographer you will want to upgrade to a better camera. You don't see Richard Avedon with a phone camera or Ansel Adams with a p&s 35mm. Look at the high end professional photographers and you will seeing them use the highest end equipment possible.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

The old Ansil Adams could get a good picture with any camera is true to a point. Could he get a picture of a bug or flower with an old box camera? It is one thing getting a "good" picture and another weith getting the picture you want with lesser equipment. I always have said use what you have and then when you can't get what you want look for that faster glass, longer lens, macro lens,5 exposure/sec camera that will do it and then get the new equipment. Yesterday aposter had a link to his equipment (lots) and to his pictures. Any that I saw could have been taken with the two "kit" lenses that come with maney cameras. It was in their foacl lenghth and f/stop and the glass on those lenses is great. - Dave

penguinpete

At the risk of displaying my old fogeyness and repeating (in essence) what has gone before, let me repeat advice I used to give in my previous incarnation as a film photographer.

It didn't matter what camera (Nikon, Pentax, Canon, Speed Graphic), chemistry (HC110, Rodinal, D76), enlarger (Omega, Besseler, Vivitar) or paper (barita, resin-coated, Kodak, Ilford). The single most important piece of equipment was not found for sale in camera stores. B&H Photo doesn't sell one. You couldn't find it advertised in the back of Popular Photography, Modern Photography, or Peterson's Photographic magazines. This piece of equipment is a trash can, and the knowledge of what needs to go into it.

The longer I shot, the faster the trash can filled up, but the better those shots that did not go into the trash can. This is where learning to use what you have comes in. You have to turn on a "critical eye" before you display your images. Preferably before taking the image in the first place, but certainly before displaying it to the world.

BBNC

Pros use the best equipment because #1, the stuff is built for heavy duty, day in and day out use; #2, they have the skills to get all that can be gotten out of it, both of which justify the investment.

Right! Learn to use what you have to the max, then upgrade if you wish, that's all I'm trying to say.

I bet if Adams or Avedon shot some stuff with an iphone, it would be as good, or better than what a lot of us can do with reasonably good equipment, including myself.

BBNC

Listen to Penguin Pete...the voice of experience speaks. I too, am an old fogey (curmudgeon).

usaellie101 Loc: Spring Hill, Florida

I agree nothing better than the human eye and the human soul to "See" the picture.
AND

The best shot ever will be gone forever if you do not carry your camera with you ALWAYS. If you are not sure about lugging that expensive camera around then just get a good pocket size point and shoot. At least you could say "I got it !"