Camera Selection

[melis]

Hey guys I just wanted to poke in and offer just one piece of advice for anyone out there reading this


With all the talk about great glass and expensive cameras I just want to say that no matter how much money you throw at photography equipment it will not produce great pictures (they might be ok but not great). The camera is only as good as its operator.

I believe great photography and composition comes with skill, imagination, experiance, and good execution of post processing, and that is something that cannot be bought and only comes with practice and a true passion and determination to achieve the absolute best. This is something I work on and keep working on every time I pick up my camera.


A little pet peeve of mine is when folks ask me what kind of camera I use after they see my work. I don't mind answering but I feel its a bit like asking a painter or sketcher what kind of brush or pencil they use. That's a perfect example of what I'm talking about in the above paragraphs.

[leet]

Originally Posted by melis

Hey guys I just wanted to poke in and offer just one piece of advice for anyone out there reading this


With all the talk about great glass and expensive cameras I just want to say that no matter how much money you throw at photography equipment it will not produce great pictures (they might be ok but not great). The camera is only as good as its operator.

I believe great photography and composition comes with skill, imagination, experiance, and good execution of post processing, and that is something that cannot be bought and only comes with practice and a true passion and determination to achieve the absolute best. This is something I work on and keep working on every time I pick up my camera.


A little pet peeve of mine is when folks ask me what kind of camera I use after they see my work. I don't mind answering but I feel its a bit like asking a painter or sketcher what kind of brush or pencil they use. That's a perfect example of what I'm talking about in the above paragraphs.

yes of course, that goes without saying, a camera is only as good as the person using it

but if you were about to spend $600 on camera wouldn't you like to know that for only $100 or so more you could get much much better equipment

[melis]

Originally Posted by leet

yes of course, that goes without saying, a camera is only as good as the person using it

but if you were about to spend $600 on camera wouldn't you like to know that for only $100 or so more you could get much much better equipment

It might go without saying to you but I see alot of beginners with cameras that are "a little too much camera" for them and they know almost next to nothing about photography except "its just something they want to do" and then they get discouraged and frustrated with there work and may end up loosing interest and the camera just ends up sitting and collecting dust in a closet ........then the money is lost anyway.

Before someone would even buy a DSLR one would want to know first what they want out of photography, how passionate they are about it, and how far they would want to pursue it Because if one just wants to take good pictures there are plenty of point and shoots out there that can do the job for alot less money to begin with.

[Red92vr4]

Originally Posted by 97mits3kgtSOHC

yea but wouldnt u be more nervous buying used cameras? i know i would...since i dont know a whole lot about them how would i know if something isnt broken until down the line when i try and use that feature

so buy a used body? and new lens?

I bought a used 5D, though used is a relative term, as mine was essentially new, having been used for about 3-400 photos. You just have to be careful with what you buy, and try to find out as much about the gear in question before you buy. One good way that I found is to request some sample photos from the camera, then check the EXIF data.

[AudibleSilence]

Originally Posted by leet

don't get me wrong, I'm all about bang for your buck too, it's just with the 20D/17-50 combo you get a *LOT* more bang for only a little more buck

here is a good analogy

compare it to getting 13g's vs. 15g's, the 15g is a MUCH more capable turbo, but it only costs a couple hundred more then the 13g

and if you get the 13g's it will just give you a taste of what upgraded turbos can do, and only leave you wanting more and wishing you would have spent that little bit extra to get the 15g's

What does it matter when Matt M can run 10's on both! Same situation for a good photog..I mean a good photog can have shit equipment and do better than someone with book smarts and all the best glass. It takes a combination of all things to make a great pic.

[leet]

Originally Posted by melis

It might go without saying to you but I see alot of beginners with cameras that are "a little too much camera" for them and they know almost next to nothing about photography except "its just something they want to do" and then they get discouraged and frustrated with there work and may end up loosing interest and the camera just ends up sitting and collecting dust in a closet ........then the money is lost anyway.

Before someone would even buy a DSLR one would want to know first what they want out of photography, how passionate they are about it, and how far they would want to pursue it Because if one just wants to take good pictures there are plenty of point and shoots out there that can do the job for alot less money to begin with.

can't argue with that

but he did mention he has a film SLR so I'd imagine he has a good idea of what he is doing

[AudibleSilence]

Do you guys ever feel that your pics are lack luster?

[leet]

Originally Posted by AudibleSilence

What does it matter when Matt M can run 10's on both! Same situation for a good photog..I mean a good photog can have shit equipment and do better than someone with book smarts and all the best glass. It takes a combination of all things to make a great pic.

[Macky]

Originally Posted by Red92vr4

I bought a used 5D, though used is a relative term, as mine was essentially new, having been used for about 3-400 photos. You just have to be careful with what you buy, and try to find out as much about the gear in question before you buy. One good way that I found is to request some sample photos from the camera, then check the EXIF data.

EXIF data has no bearing on how a camera is used (shutter clicks) unless its a 1D series, which has a specific way of tracking shutter clicks.

you do know that if a non-1D series camera is set to auto-reset the file numbering, each time you load a new card, it gets set back to the begining? Also, switching between a high milage card and a low milage card can affect shutter count - if the camera is set to continuous file numbering, it will take the next number on the memory card. which means i can have a 5D with 80,000 clicks but load my first 1GB CF card with the first 2000 clicks and the camera will take that info and read 2001 onwards on the EXIF data.

requesting sample photos are a very deceptive way to find out camera milage. the best is if you know/trust the seller or buy new.

[leet]

Originally Posted by AudibleSilence

Do you guys ever feel that your pics are lack luster?

all the time, I'm very rarely 100% happy with a picture

especially lately, I've been in a bit of a creative slump