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DPChallenge Forums >> Challenge Results >> High quality camera, the be all and end all?
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01/19/2005 11:38:31 PM · #1

i often hear people bitch and moan that thier photo was crap because they have a crappy camera and a cieling roof. It pisses me off.

I'd just like to patt myself on the back, for placing in the top 40 of the movie challenge with my crappy 97 dollar camera and a 100watt ceiling bulb, and a window; amongst all those slick digital SLRs and digital rebels (nothing in the top 40 besides me was under a 3mp).
Arrogant, i know ;) but i am proud of myself.

But to quote bob the builder "it's a poor workman who is blaming his tools" :)

01/19/2005 11:43:00 PM · #2


A good concept beats a better camera everytime. Congrats.
01/19/2005 11:43:33 PM · #3
Originally posted by mesmeraj:

But to quote bob the builder "it's a poor workman who is blaming his tools" :)


And it is also a poor workman who doesn't get the best tools he can to facilitate the job at hand.

Think how much better you could do if you had the added controls of a Rebel.
01/19/2005 11:46:23 PM · #4
Originally posted by nsbca7:

Originally posted by mesmeraj:

But to quote bob the builder "it's a poor workman who is blaming his tools" :)


And it is also a poor workman who doesn't get the best tools he can to facilitate the job at hand.

Think how much better you could do if you had the added controls of a Rebel.


I tell you what, you give me the what 2000 and it will be the first thing i buy. I am poor. Not everyone can buy whatever they want, when they want it.
01/19/2005 11:52:36 PM · #5
Originally posted by mesmeraj:

I tell you what, you give me the what 2000 and it will be the first thing i buy. I am poor. Not everyone can buy whatever they want, when they want it.


You can get a new one with a lens for about $800. Got a birthday coming up?
01/19/2005 11:54:33 PM · #6
I was just thinking how well that picture would do in the Faceless chalange.
01/19/2005 11:54:54 PM · #7


You can get a new one with a lens for about $800. Got a birthday coming up? [/quote]

you have never been poor have you?
My income is about 80 dollars a week, i cant afford even an 800 dollar camera.
01/20/2005 12:03:18 AM · #8
Originally posted by mesmeraj:

You can get a new one with a lens for about $800. Got a birthday coming up?


you have never been poor have you?
My income is about 80 dollars a week, i cant afford even an 800 dollar camera. [/quote]

Actually yes, I was raised up that way. I was also homeless for more then a year back in the 80s. So I do know what it is like.

Where do you live that someone is alowed to pay you $80 a week? Just curious.
01/20/2005 12:06:15 AM · #9
i meant 180 i slipped a key... evidently 180 is a good week.
01/20/2005 12:21:53 AM · #10
Grays Knob, Kentucky.

Well that's not quite Tirane, Albania and it looks like you know a little about how to build a website. I think if you use your imagination you should be able to scratch a few duckys together to get what you need.
01/20/2005 12:23:24 AM · #11
I dont think you need jump up so high, being a poor man myself I bought my first decent camera secondhand I believe you could get a Minolta Dimage 7i for 1 weeks money.. I understand that is still a big lump to sacrifice but its realistic way I think. The picture you took is amazing I love it, the blacked out face works for me and I think it would of done very well in the FACELESS challenge too. You obviously have a talent and it would be greatly enhanced by upgrading your camera so my humble suggestion is to buy secondhand and not a DSLR but a very good pro-sumer cam they are getting cheaper everyday. I had the Dimage which is why i can reccomend it, its a great machine.

Keep up the good work and keep the faith.
01/20/2005 01:13:26 AM · #12
That you did do well with your camera is a testament to your photography skills and you should be applauded. However it should also be noted that in general people have had a hard time scoring high with your camera. The fact that you can take great photos and enjoy your camera is fantastic but it does not mean that the camera does not make a difference. You donĂ¢€™t need a $1000 camera to take a great photo, you have shown that but it would be foolish to say that a very good camera does not help.
01/20/2005 02:07:49 AM · #13
Originally posted by mesmeraj:

i often hear people bitch and moan that thier photo was crap because they have a crappy camera and a cieling roof. It pisses me off.

I'd just like to patt myself on the back, for placing in the top 40 of the movie challenge with my crappy 97 dollar camera and a 100watt ceiling bulb, and a window; amongst all those slick digital SLRs and digital rebels (nothing in the top 40 besides me was under a 3mp).
Arrogant, i know ;) but i am proud of myself.

But to quote bob the builder "it's a poor workman who is blaming his tools" :)


I have to be happy with my Candid
It's a Chinese camera 1.3M (2.1) interpolated
Founder PhotoPower 245T


Placed 33
Or Hidden Faces


Placed 29

Message edited by author 2005-01-20 02:17:49.
01/20/2005 02:52:41 AM · #14
Contrats on the score, I think you should be proud.

I've done 20 challenges, and I've only broken 6.0 twice, and I'm quite proud of that, as I'm more of a 'technical' fella at heart, and the art bit is not natural for me.

Although high end gear is common on this site, it's always great to see someone who uses a simple camera to capture great moments.

That is the essence of photography...

Cheers, Chris H.
01/20/2005 02:53:13 PM · #15
alionic : don't get me wrong i put away a chunk of my pay check every week for a camera upgrade, but it is still nice to be able to place with the big wig cameras ;)
01/20/2005 02:54:59 PM · #16
Originally posted by nsbca7:

Grays Knob, Kentucky.

<-- bloody harlan, usa ;)

ironically i'm redoing my website next week... and i only have *this* camera from selling prints from a kodak 0.9mp haha.
01/20/2005 02:57:14 PM · #17
No kidding. Even some of those Nikons do well in challenges from time to time.
01/20/2005 02:57:54 PM · #18
Originally posted by scottwilson:

However it should also be noted that in general people have had a hard time scoring high with your camera.


i didn't even think to look at that! But youre right, cheers!

As far as 2mp cams go its an excellent camera though, runs circles around its comparable cams in the other brands. Yeye for fuji!
01/20/2005 02:59:16 PM · #19
Tiberius; good for us ;)
01/20/2005 03:00:14 PM · #20
Originally posted by Jacko:

No kidding. Even some of those Nikons do well in challenges from time to time.


Well, it *is* difficult to get Canon users to fully appreciate good work given the limits they're accustomed to, but thanks for breaking through the crowds and noticing ;)


01/20/2005 03:27:23 PM · #21
For those of you who are superbly tallented, a less-than-average camera will not be a hindrance, and the fact that it makes you work a bit harder to get what you want will only serve you better later down the road. When, one day, you have a camera that is as much as a used car, you will have learned all of these neat tricks and tools to get a good image.

Sounds like a good plan to me.
01/20/2005 03:36:36 PM · #22
Congrats on your finish with "The Mask". It's a fine picture. And I whole-heartedly agree with the sentiment of your first post in this thread.

There is no way any one could tell it was taken with a modest camera from looking at it, but it's easy to see that you put a lot of thought and effort into making it come out the way you wanted it to. Well done.
01/20/2005 03:42:34 PM · #23
Thanks for starting this thread. I completely agree with you. I don't have the best camera either and of course I would like to upgrade but I really don't feel like upgrading my camera is going to make my photography significantly "better". Sure, I can print out larger prints which will be very helpful in making sales as fine art or as stock, and I'll have cool functions to play with like bulb and less noise at higher ISO, but it is me, the photographer, that is responsible for the art and overall quality of my image and given that this is digital and ALL digital cameras require photoshopping, especially when shooting raw (which I don't have) there is no reason why a person with even basic photoshop skills and a good eye can't make a high quality 640x480 image for the internet, assuming that their camera is able to focus. I am constantly amazed by shots taken with low-end cameras. If you want an example of a master look at JJBeguin. I am also amazed by people who have amazing cameras but can't seem to get a decent image out of them. I don't know...I'm ranting now...basically I agree...you should be happy that you don't bitch and moan about equipment and I wish you all the best and encourage you to buy a new camera only when you can really afford it. Things like eating and paying the bills are more important and you don't need expensive equipment to make great art, as you have proven.
01/20/2005 05:32:22 PM · #24
It's useful to have decent equipment. The Sony F717 was what I'd consider a 'decent' tool - cost these days: about $ 500 in prime condition. I saw a used Sony S85 for $ 150 the other day - decent.

When I acquired my present DSLR, I appeared to produce worse pictures with better image quality. Even my DPC scores went down (not that this is much of an indication of anything). I blew out highlights with that new cam, which would have been contained via the 717.

Cameras, to me, have different characteristics and strengths. The most important thing, I believe, is to become familiar with these and use them, use them.
01/20/2005 05:52:39 PM · #25
Although of course I would like to have a camera where I can change the settings and shoot at higher sizes and quality, a lesser camera is a good learning tool.

Sometimes, you can be more creative with limitations because the creativity in that is how you can break those restrictions.

I have am 15 years old and shoot with a 1.4 mega pixel camera. So far my highest place is 12th. Limitation rhymes with creation.
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