Does Gear Matter?
Yes, of course it does.
So does that mean buying the best gear?
No, of course it doesn't.
It means buying the right gear.
That might be a dSLR, a mirrorless, a mobile phone, or even a film camera. Prime, zoom, a bag full of lenses, or just the one you keep mounted.
It must fit your budget, your hands, and your eyes.
Yours and nobody else's.
In this fast-paced World of consumerism and planned obsolescence it's easy to get swept away by "The Catch Up Game" (hint: You will NEVER win).
Naturally, there are a few good reasons some of the newer technologies suit certain people, as much there are reasons the same can be said of older technology.
But many innovative new features and promises of better and better image quality are marketing tricks masquerading as "must haves". I once got caught up in it myself. I went through a phase of trying all the latest and greatest gear.
Then reality struck - I was spending more money and less time on my photography.
Yet my photos still looked the same.
So, with that in mind. Don't be influenced by what I use. Or anyone else. I hear people on forums claiming "You can't do this with a dSLR/mirrorless/slow lens" etc, etc, etc. Yet you can. I know because I have been deeply interested in photography for 30 years and still passionate about it's history. And I have seen a myriad of great shots taken on anything from a smart phone, the latest medium format digital Hasselblad, through to a tin box with a hole poked in it.
So, with all that in mind:
My tips for buying a camera:
1) Try a new camera like you would clothes: Regardless of the label or the style, first and foremost it must fit you.
2) Beware the extras! Whilst all the nuances, quirks, features, menus and buttons of modern cameras are great for our varying styles, a lot of this stuff just gets in the way.
The best camera is the one that doesn't get in the way of taking a photo.
As for lenses and accessories - My tip (to beginners) is this:
If you need to ask what you need next, you don't need it yet. When you do, you will know.
Yes, of course it does.
So does that mean buying the best gear?
No, of course it doesn't.
It means buying the right gear.
That might be a dSLR, a mirrorless, a mobile phone, or even a film camera. Prime, zoom, a bag full of lenses, or just the one you keep mounted.
It must fit your budget, your hands, and your eyes.
Yours and nobody else's.
In this fast-paced World of consumerism and planned obsolescence it's easy to get swept away by "The Catch Up Game" (hint: You will NEVER win).
Naturally, there are a few good reasons some of the newer technologies suit certain people, as much there are reasons the same can be said of older technology.
But many innovative new features and promises of better and better image quality are marketing tricks masquerading as "must haves". I once got caught up in it myself. I went through a phase of trying all the latest and greatest gear.
Then reality struck - I was spending more money and less time on my photography.
Yet my photos still looked the same.
So, with that in mind. Don't be influenced by what I use. Or anyone else. I hear people on forums claiming "You can't do this with a dSLR/mirrorless/slow lens" etc, etc, etc. Yet you can. I know because I have been deeply interested in photography for 30 years and still passionate about it's history. And I have seen a myriad of great shots taken on anything from a smart phone, the latest medium format digital Hasselblad, through to a tin box with a hole poked in it.
So, with all that in mind:
My tips for buying a camera:
1) Try a new camera like you would clothes: Regardless of the label or the style, first and foremost it must fit you.
2) Beware the extras! Whilst all the nuances, quirks, features, menus and buttons of modern cameras are great for our varying styles, a lot of this stuff just gets in the way.
The best camera is the one that doesn't get in the way of taking a photo.
As for lenses and accessories - My tip (to beginners) is this:
If you need to ask what you need next, you don't need it yet. When you do, you will know.