Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Some y'all just don't get it...

gwilliams6

Just keep shooting and enjoy your images and dont worry about GAS to have the best gear.

stanikon Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas

I have tried that. Didn't help. Not falling into that trap again. I have what I have, better equipment won't help.

I belong to a photography club which has a competition once a month. In several years I have taken 3rd place one time. There are some folks who win consistently month after month with the same or lesser equipment than I have so please don't presume to tell me that my photography would improve if I had better equipment. I constantly work to improve so I am not giving up by a long shot but I know that a change in equipment is not the answer.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The longer you read UHH, the more expensive it gets. Your current attitude isn't consistent with the general membership. Maybe the time to mosey is now, while you still have some cents (sense)?

What is cheap about UHH is the ability to ask for and obtain free help, even if you have to wade through a heap of nonsense to find it. Are you working alone to improve? Or, are availing yourself of the freely offered feedback and suggestions?

MikeT46 Loc: Hermantown,MN

Thinking a little more about your comment I realize it could just be a "baiting" statement for the fun of watching the reactions, or it might be a serious thought. The statement doesn't say one needs the best equipment to create marvelous images, but the "best" equipment is needed for "best" images. I had to ask myself what defines "best" equipment, and what defines "best" images. It makes good sense that for a given desired image result within a given situation there is some "best" equipment or genre of equipment to achieve that particular goal. That, of course is quite different from inferring that the "best" equipment is needed for "great" images.

Usually any image I take could be improved to some extent by some sort of higher end equipment ... although the improvement might not be noticeable in whatever production medium or size being used.

So, back to "what does the term 'best' mean?" In your statement ... and that is meant, by me, to be rhetorical.

Still wonder whether the original statement was made with a wink😉.

stanikon Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas

That's the problem with CHG_CANON. Sometimes he fairly reeks of sarcasm but most of the time you have to guess. I think much of the time he gets his jollies out of baiting us, to see what kind of reaction he can inspire. Otherwise a lot of what he says would be just plain stupid and I think he is far from stupid.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

For the inexperienced photograher, nowadays is more difficult to make equipment choices, especially;l when it comes to cameras and lenses. It's not that there is more choice in cameras, actually, there are fewer. In the old days, there were more domestic manufacturers and European and Japanese models on the market and many for formats to select from- from sub-miniature right up to 8x10 view cameras. Publications like Modern Photograhy Magazine had a lab that disassembled cameras, tested lenses on optical analytical equipment, and published unbiased reports. Most importantly, folks went to their LOCAL came r store where they could hand the demonstrator gear and see if it was ergonomically compatible with their hands and shooting methods. Simply, they could touch, feel, smell and try out the gear. I have, in my "archive" a copy of the 1959 Popular Photography Buying Guide- there are well over 100 Cameras in vario formats among the listings. I have the Populat Photograhy Anula edition of the year's best photograhs- mostof the images were made with Leicas, Rolleiflexes and Speed Graphics. The Nikon S (rangefinder model) was just
emerging on the market.

Thar is all in the past and just a matter of nostalgia. Nowadas there is a plethora of equipment "information" online ranging from God's honest truth to pure BS. Some of the reviews are accurate and some are pure propaganda and seriously biased. If fols are not lucky enough to have a reliable dealer in the geographic location, they are athe mercy of the "big box" stores. Not that these dealers are dishonest but a disappointing purchase can lead to all kis of inconvenience, shipping issues, and the associated aggregation. So, people are directing more questions to folks they feel are more in the know. Forums are a good place to find someof the answers- maybe?

I enjoy answering questions but as the OP suggested, a simple "yes or no answer may not suffice. I refrain for answer questions about specific products that I have no experience with or have direct and serious knowledge
of. Sone fols just consult Mr. Google and parrot wahthe have read- some of which is not accurate. Mr. Google may direct you to a forum topic with less than valid so they end up "with a dog chasing its tail or the blind leand the blind"!

One problem is that the folks posting the question do not supply enough information as to what they inted dog with equipment, their budget, and what is the expectation as to improvement in their photography, etc. Sadly enough, many of the online forum threads turn into sarcasm, condescending remarks, personal attacks, and endless arguments all of which further confuse the questioner.

If I have used or have direct knowledge of the equipment I will offer my "review" along with a disclaimer that this is indeed my personal opinion and before making a serious purchase, they should attempt to SECURE A DEMONSTRATION WITH A REPUTABLE DEALER.

Many amateurs and rookie pros are supposed at my lack of knowledge of or reluctance to recommend any of the newfangled camera features. After all, I m the "old pro"! My standard answer is that many of these features are totally unnecessary and many are "booby traps" that will cause more unexpected errors and breakdown potential.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Yup, could be
• baiting
• serious
• humor
and probably another possibility or three.

I'll go with humor as I've been following him for a few years and conversed with him a few times.
He's very astute, learned, and intelligent.
He's one of the top people here I value and respect.

And yes, best is relative.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

How about snide? 32,000 posts? I am not knowledgeable enough on ANY subject to be able to post 32,000 thoughts about it.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Best equipment? I shot this years ago on an iPhone 6. One of my consistently best sellers. Actually the sepia version does best, but this color one handy

stanikon Loc: Deep in the Heart of Texas

You make my point, much better than I ever could.

Thank you.

Tony G.

AND WATCH YOUR SIX!

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Excellent shot and POV 💦💧💦💧💦

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Ask yourselves WHY these kinds of questions bring on long, protracted, oftentimes ridiculous off-topic threads- clickbait, or whatever? Perhaps too much o "philosophy, over-analysis, and redundancy? Fols loss of the original questions and begin to criticize each other's personality. That is not good or helpful.

Perhas it is best explained by the old "joke". The newborn baby was crying all night depriving the parent of any sleep for over a week. Grandma who lived next -door finally deced it intervene. She came in and found the parent reading a book on "child care" while the baby whaled athe top of her lungs! Grand said, "put down the book and pick up the baby"- the baby stopped crying and fell asleep!

My solution is "to put down the books ( "turn off the computer"it's 2022) and pick up the camera and take pictures. Then turn the computer back on, post the pictures and have a meaningful discussion about the PICTURES and the related equipment and techniques and stop psychoanalyzing each other.

Why do folks get o so obnoxious online? If you wantot a camera club meeting a professional association event, any social function, a local bar, or a popular eating place, would you not avoid the folks who are caustic, and sarcastic and tend to be insulting and socialize with the folks who engage in sincere conversations? If not, I would assume you enjoy bar fights. Too bad forums don't employ bouncers!

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

A magnificent dazzler of a composition 💥💥💜💥💥