Tony Northrup: "Yes, the gear does matter."
May 3, 2019 07:14:43 #
LarryFitz
Loc: Beacon NY
Better equipment does not make a poor photographer better. Better equipment does make a good or great photographer better.
May 3, 2019 07:32:22 #
May 3, 2019 07:32:51 #
May 3, 2019 07:41:19 #
Jerry, of course the camera matters but your D750 is unable to make a shot if you are not behind it. Now, how important is "the camera matters." I say this because a good photographer with an entry camera and a kit lens can do wonders while a beginner will not go very far with your D750 and a professional lens like the 24-70 f2.8 VR, AFS.
A camera is a a tool. It should have the controls we need to make the images we vision and that is where the camera really matters.
A camera is a a tool. It should have the controls we need to make the images we vision and that is where the camera really matters.
May 3, 2019 07:55:33 #
I've posted this before, but I think it's worth another post. I attended a Scott Kelby Seminar https://scottkelby.com/ a few years ago and someone asked the question "does good gear matter?" His answer was, "No, but don't ever let your equipment keep you from being the best photographer you can be".
May 3, 2019 08:05:22 #
With quality lenses I can agree. However, my Canon 1D MkIII vs 1Dx MkII being about 9 years apart are very different in capabilities. Both can take nice photos but the MkII is head and shoulders above the prior flagship model in many ways. Frankly the MkIII rarely gets used unless I am shooting in good light and want the advantage of the 1.3 crop factor. But that said I have images taken with it in the past that I cherish.
I would encourage people to buy the best gear they can, learn its capabilities and enjoy what you have. Every piece of gear is a compromise and there will always be something newer coming along.
I would encourage people to buy the best gear they can, learn its capabilities and enjoy what you have. Every piece of gear is a compromise and there will always be something newer coming along.
Mac wrote:
Just my opinion, but I think the importance of gear is limited, except for a lens. A quality camera and a quality lens bought 5, or 10, or more years ago that provided high IQ when new will still provide the same the same IQ, unless it's been dropped off a bridge or something.
May 3, 2019 08:12:36 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Have any of you seen Tony's video about how important good gear is in photography? We keep getting responses here saying that the gear doesn't matter. It's the photographer that makes the picture. I've never believed that, and that's why I buy a new camera occasionally. Otherwise, I'd still be using my parents' old Kodak box camera.
The D750 is my main camera, and when I use something else, the results are not as good.
The D750 is my main camera, and when I use something else, the results are not as good.
I have to agree that the equipment does make a huge difference, but the photographer makes the photo. Give a monkey a Hasselblad and you MIGHT get a good photo eventually. Give a good photographer a good, consumer grade digital or film camera, and you WILL get some good photos!
I think there are a lot of people who aren't satisfied with results and get a better camera, when they should be learning how to make better photos!
May 3, 2019 08:20:57 #
dennis2146 wrote:
While I have not seen the video it should be a giv... (show quote)
I will disagree on a person without experience not able to produce award winning and incredible shots with a great camera.
They might not have as many but some people have a natural eye for composition and design and the best "trained" photographer with no innate talent will nearly always be mediocre no matter the equipment most of the time.
So it takes both for consistency perhaps.
May 3, 2019 08:24:36 #
davyboy
Loc: Anoka Mn.
jerryc41 wrote:
Have any of you seen Tony's video about how important good gear is in photography? We keep getting responses here saying that the gear doesn't matter. It's the photographer that makes the picture. I've never believed that, and that's why I buy a new camera occasionally. Otherwise, I'd still be using my parents' old Kodak box camera.
The D750 is my main camera, and when I use something else, the results are not as good.
The D750 is my main camera, and when I use something else, the results are not as good.
Just wondering but with that line of thinking shouldn’t you be shooting a D850?
May 3, 2019 08:27:13 #
I have 2 cameras an older Nikon d80 and a d 610 and and my photos a crisp and clear from both.
May 3, 2019 08:29:15 #
PGHphoto
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
BebuLamar wrote:
All I know for sure you have no photo without a camera. You can have photo with a camera and a monkey.
But will the monkey own the photo ????
May 3, 2019 08:42:04 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
Excellent equipment does give you an edge if you’re striving for perfection, your limitations are only in your creativity and your technical ability. But not all photographers strive for perfection. I don’t. I just like to make photos that are pleasing to me.
May 3, 2019 08:45:27 #
PGHphoto wrote:
But will the monkey own the photo ????
If I remember correctly it does not. And that is my point you don’t have to take the picture to have it. You must have the camera though.
May 3, 2019 08:52:16 #
cmc4214 wrote:
Good gear will help a good photographer, but will not turn a bad photographer into a good one.
Bingo!
May 3, 2019 08:54:13 #
Architect1776 wrote:
I will disagree on a person without experience not able to produce award winning and incredible shots with a great camera.
They might not have as many but some people have a natural eye for composition and design and the best "trained" photographer with no innate talent will nearly always be mediocre no matter the equipment most of the time.
So it takes both for consistency perhaps.
They might not have as many but some people have a natural eye for composition and design and the best "trained" photographer with no innate talent will nearly always be mediocre no matter the equipment most of the time.
So it takes both for consistency perhaps.
My wife doesn't know an f-stop from a bus stop and has no particular interest in photography. Just the same, often times when we are traveling she will ask me to put my camera on "A" so that she can shoot with it because she has seen something interesting. She will consistently spot shots that I didn't recognize and do a beautiful job of composing them. I guess I should be glad she isn't interested in pursuing photography as a hobby. My ego would take an awful pounding!
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