gouldopfl

Before I was disabled I was looking at the EOS R5 for birding and sports, however my EOS R will serve me fine. I have the EF 100 macro and the Tamron 90mm which a friend gave me. I don't see much difference between them. At some point I might look for a 1x5 lens.

oregonfrank Loc: Astoria, Oregon

Periodically a topic arises which lends itself to those who wish to point out the difference between REAL photographers and those who succumb to GAS. I take pictures because I enjoy the process. “Enjoying the process” includes using gear that is well designed and functions as intended. It also includes capturing images that I like, and that I can share. I fail to see the value of criticizing those of us who seek the best gear they can afford. Live and let live, enjoy and let enjoy. Frank

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Some enjoy the process way more than others.

oregonfrank Loc: Astoria, Oregon

So? Individual differences abound!
Frank

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

You are correct! -> So?
Simply a statement of observation.
BUT, people can infer what they like from the statement.
And I'm sure they will.

JBRIII

For many people, I suspect that little extra that some equipment has is important and they have the money so why not. We had nice Canon's, but bought bridge versions due to versatility we saw from others on plant exhibitions. I bought the Canon R because on a trip just before COVID, the low limitations of our bridge cameras became apparent. I have no intention of buying a camera for its high speed shooting capacity, but I can see the benefits with animals.

What I really need is a camera with a big enough sensor (few billion pixels) that using a wide angle lens (like a gopro) can still show that warthog over there somewhere moving at blazing speed (always a flash) in the dark (maybe iso 250,000). Also small and low weight with good battery life.

kinmor1000 Loc: South-East Wisconsin, USA

Quoting Bill_de in his earlier posting on same topic ….

“IMHO people who buy things to impress people are crazy. Also crazy are those that think others buy things to impress them.”

For many, photography is a hobby and an entertainment. What’s to rationalize when you’ve been rational most of your adult life. Define your happiness and enjoy to the max.

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

There is so much conversation, controversy, argument and even some sold facts about trends and all the latest and great equipment on this forum, it makes me wonder if anyone has the time or energy left to talk about photographic technique and style, let alone DO any photography!

If I were a photo equipment dealer, retailer, distributor supplier I would certainly be interested in all this market research, but as a working professional photograher and it's my hobby too it's all relatively unimportant until I require some new gear and the I can do my own research. When I am in the market for some new gear, all I do is visit my dealer and peruse the gear, see if it handles well and accommodate my needs and away I go!

Most experienced professionals and advanced amateurs know we have outgrown their equipment if it is limiting them and when it is time for a replacement.

Don't blame the marketing folks and the advertisers- they have a right to advertise and make their offerings desirable. It's part of capitalism and the entrepreneurial world. It's good for the economy! It's up to the CONSUMER to separate the truth from the hype and buy discriminately and appropriately for the work at hand.

All this ongoing chatter about "is the photograher or the camera" is getting redundant. Folks tend to go to extremes. Obviously, if you give a person with no artistic talent or technical ability whatsoever, a state-of-the-art camera. no great photography will magically emerge. If you give a consummate artist-photographer an outmoded wreck of a camera, you will only encumber his or her efforts but some modicum of artistry might survive. Perhaps a goof camera like a fine instrument will inspire the user to live up to their purchase! If you are studying music and practicing on an old out-of-tune upright piano, tickling the ivories on a 9 foot Steinway Concert Grand might inspire and encourage some more enthusiasm and practice time.

Folks around here, who idolize many iconic photographers of the past should realize that most of those great works were done with equipment that nowadays would be considered, by today's standards, rustic or antiquated, or unsophisticated to say the least.

And... all these misconceptions like automation make one a lesser, lazy or careless photograher- not if you know how to use it wisely.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Do we all do what we can afford and want or what we can afford? Some of us are on each side. Don't put down either. I use a D5 IV, and was told I'm getting to a danger point in number of pictures. I put it off and looked at repair or replace. Repair was a cost failure. Then a now discounted 5D or a new R5. That's the point " can afford" and the R5 showed up. To each situation is a stand alone. To KNOCK or AGREE is to for us to mock or praise.
Just take a better picture with what you got (PS mine is better with a R5 HA HA Just kidding)

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Self-doubt can be an ally. It can serve as an indicator of the need for a new camera.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Self-satisfaction is also a great motivator for new anything.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

What you saw as an attempt to "force their views on others" I saw as invitation for discussion. You are right; gear does allow for more photographic opportunities, such as birds in flight, focus stacking and astrophotography to name a few. However, I look at the work of someone such as Peter Henry Emerson who was working even before the Brownie 127 and have to conclude that it was his eye as opposed to his equipment that led to his wonderful images. When I see an image made by an older camera, I realize that the latest megapixel behemoth could have produced a much sharper and technically more correct image. But like the old sweater I find comfortable or my wife who isn't a fashion model, but fits me to a tee, I enjoy the results I get with my old friends and don't feel the need to go galloping after every new thing that comes down the pike.

srt101fan

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

PS from before. The R5 is above 5,500 shots on it now. So, I do eat up the pictures as I shoot HDR and shoot for several sources.