We hear all the time about how camera gear does not matter, and while there is a useful sentiment in that, the truth is far more nuanced than that. This excellent video essay details a lesser-discussed reason why camera gear matters and why you should consider it more often.
Coming to you from Jamie Windsor, this great video essay discusses the importance of being comfortable and feeling inspired by your camera gear. A lot of us spend a fair amount of time obsessing over camera specs, MTF charts, and the like, and no doubt, those things make a difference in your final images, but at the end of the day, if your camera does not feel comfortable in your hand and you do not enjoy your experience with it, it simply is not going to inspire you to go out and shoot. This is the same reason that I loved shooting with the Fujifilm X100V so much, even though I really do not care for the 35mm focal length. A well-designed camera with good ergonomics will make you want to pick it up and shoot with it instead of it just feeling like a box that takes pictures. Check out the video above for Windsor's full thoughts.
its always has been ;)
There are two kinds of photographers in this world; those that talk about it and those that do it.
Yep.
That's alway been true.
Like how I make videos and you talk about them?
You are right; I don't make click bait "Talking Head" videos about gear ................
He gets to the point!
This is a filler for clicks, skip, nothing useful for beginner to pro.
Nice to hear an articulate point of view on gear acquisition and I agree wholeheartedly with the author. Whether it be computers or bikes, cars or smart phones, when a product makes you smile every time you use it well, you are more likely to use it. and, use it more creatively.
I've lost count the amount of articles and videos where people argue 'gear matters' and 'gear doesn't matter'
The only way gear matters is either it works or it doesn't work. I've been in the business for 50 years now and I can tell you as you age you long for the simple cameras of yesterday. We use to sit around and talk about who got the best shot/cover and how we did it, not about gear. You know why? We all shot with the same camera and the same film. It was about the image nothing more. He is correct in saying, you have to love your gear. It's a part of you, you have to feel good about using it. You have to have a love affair with your gear. I had a love affair with my Olympus M1 then my Minolta 9000 then my Sigma SD15 and my Leica M8. To be honest all this gear was given to me until it died and that was it, although my Minolta 9000 and my Sigma SD15 still work, sort of. Just remember, less is better. Having too much gear confuses the mind and takes away from the shooting. I own way to much gear at the moment.
Enjoy
Congratulations Jamie Windsor. I would like to see you with your Leica q2 photographing the World Cup final. Having to cover the main moments of the game. Any camera and lenses will do. This, no doubt, depends my dear,
I’d be pretty bad at covering the World Cup because I know nothing about football beyond anything else. I doubt I’d take my Q2 along though. A 28mm lens would be an avant garde choice for shooting sports.
This short 1 min clip tells you everything you need to know about gear mattering or not (good fun)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1HIkBEi9uY