Does Gear Matter? One Pro’s Perspective

Someone on social media stated “A pro would never use a Z50!” If you’re not familiar with Nikon, this is their crop sensor entry-level camera, costing $860. I’ve heard similar statements dozens of times—matter-of-fact assertions about what pros do, usually made by photographers who aren’t actually professionals.

The statement about the Z50 caught my interest because I use one. I’ve had it for five years now, and I love it. Small and light, it's the perfect EDC (Everyday Carry) and an ideal travel camera.

As a full-time professional, I've found myself using it many times for client projects. It’s a tool, and like any tool, if it helps me get the job done, that’s all that matters.

I feel the need to speak up and make my own statement on the internet, which is actually based on experience rather than assumptions: The latest pro-spec, high-end cameras and lenses are not as important and necessary as many are led to believe.

Nikon Z50 Versus Z9

Not so long ago, I went out to shoot some color street photography with my little Z50. The following day, I went back to the same location with my Z9 to do some more shooting and also grab some video, as I decided to make a YouTube video, which you can see below. The only reason to use the Z9 was for the video footage. I put the final selects together, shot on both cameras, in a gallery. When I looked through the images, I realized I had no idea which were shot on the Z9 or Z50. They all looked good.

It’s worth reminding ourselves every now and then that only photography enthusiasts look at the technical aspects of a photo. Everyone else is looking at the subject of the photo for its visual appeal, the way it makes you feel, or the story it tells. That's all that matters.

A five-year-old entry-level crop sensor camera actually mattered more than the latest flagship model in this street photography scenario. How so? The Z50 is small and discreet, while the Z9 is big and not so discreet, which can be a disadvantage for street and documentary photography. The lesson here: Don’t equate the latest and most expensive as mattering the most.

When Gear Does Matter

There are a couple of genres where buying the latest gear does matter. If you rely on your income from fast-paced sports or wildlife photography, it makes total sense that you would want the very best cameras and lenses to stay competitive and help you nail incredible photos. Focus tracking, raw frame rates, and stabilization have all improved in recent years.

If you shoot landscapes, travel, portraits, products, interiors, or food, will that new camera or lens really help you make better photos? Be honest now!

I remember one professional wedding photographer once saying a pro needs the big flagship cameras and big fast pro lenses to stand out and look the part. His argument was that so many people are buying nice cameras now and taking them to weddings, he was worried he would look the same as them and not stand out. I would suggest this is a case of insecurity and lack of confidence. Wouldn’t his work be the thing that should stand out, not the tools he uses?

Build Quality, Not Image Quality

A desirable benefit of having more expensive pro-spec cameras and lenses comes down to build quality. A professional who is using their camera day in, day out, often rushing around to meet deadlines, is going to be working their gear hard. It’s going to take a lot of abuse, so pro gear tends to be made of tougher materials that can take the knocks. Improved weather sealing can be another benefit of pro gear. A pro may have no choice but to shoot in the rain, so they need peace of mind that their camera can reliably handle the conditions.

I’ve discovered this firsthand when it comes to lenses. Cheap, light plastic lenses break easily and tend not to be weather-sealed, particularly telephoto lenses. I’ve dropped two plastic Nikon Z mount lenses in recent years, and they both broke. Solid pro-spec lenses can take a beating and be thrown around. I’ve dropped a few onto concrete and rocks over the years, and with the exception of one, they survived and thrived. Personally, I favor older prime lenses made of metal to be the best at taking a beating. Helicoidal over focus-by-wire wins the day.

A more expensive, high-quality lens matters more than a more expensive camera model upgrade. Good optics make a photo, not more megapixels.

The Most Important Reason Why Gear Matters

Let’s be honest, it’s exciting to aspire to owning something new. The experience of getting it, learning to use it, and the enthusiasm it generates to get out and use it—priceless! If you shoot more because of it, you’re going to become a better photographer.

I use old gear for client projects. My main camera is still my beaten-up, slightly broken six-year-old Z6. It does what I need it to do, so there’s absolutely no reason to upgrade to a Z6 III. I have no emotional attachment to it; it’s just a tool.

For personal photography projects, I’m not so business-like and sensible. My emotions drive my photography. Last year—favoring black-and-white photography—I bought a dream camera, the Leica Q2 Monochrom. It’s such a pleasure to use for so many reasons; 15 months later, I’m still excited about picking it up and going out to shoot with it. It goes pretty much everywhere with me. My street photography has most certainly improved. My wife thinks I'm on the verge of identifying as a camera and eloping with it.

I’ve written an entire article about this camera and why it’s so important to me. Click here.

Conclusion

• Gear only matters if what you currently have is stopping you from achieving what you need to achieve.
• New gear won’t make you a better photographer.
• Pro gear tends to give peace of mind, not better image quality.
• If choosing between upgrading your camera or lens, I would choose the lens upgrade first.
• New gear matters if it makes you feel good to be using it and, as a result, gets you out shooting more.

I’ve been completely honest and transparent, sharing my perspective here based on my own personal experiences with gear, and I am sure many will disagree with the points I’ve made. And that’s fine—we should all be able to make up our own minds and develop our own opinions about things. There is no right or wrong, despite some stating there is and criticizing others to reinforce their opinions. I hope my perspective has contributed to helping someone make up their own mind about gear, and potentially avoid the peer pressure that is prevalent online about the need to keep upgrading and buy the latest gear.

I’m interested to hear from you. Is there a piece of gear you aspire to own, and why? Let me know in the comments!