Camera doesn't matter? - DPChallenge Forums

Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Canon Mount

10/08/2010 09:38:55 AM · #1

I'd like to make a observation here.

I know there have been threads and postings about equipment doesn't matter. But if that is true, why is it that in the Monthly Free Study for September the top 10 photos.

6 photos are Canon 5d Mark 2
1 photo is Canon 5d Mark 1
1 photo is Canon 7d

then there were a Nikon D700 and a Canon 40D.

It seems to me that maybe equipment DOES matter a bit.. ( grin )

(I'm just having a little fun really but I thought it was interesting how many Mark 2's on the first page).

rooum

10/08/2010 09:41:59 AM · #2

Perhaps it also has something to do with the fact that people who invest in high end equipment also invest in a lot of time learning their craft so it becomes more than just a side hobby.

fridjo

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

10/08/2010 09:46:19 AM · #3

Photography knowledge and equipment you own is often in positive correlation (I would say always). Meaning that the more you know about photography, the more you go to pro/semipro, the more you invest in your equipment. People who buy top cameras usually know what to do with them.

I bet if you give one of these photographers with top rated Free Study photos a point&shoot they will make a good photograph anyway.

Mike

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/08/2010 09:50:31 AM · #4

i think it more to do with the fact that people who are good at photography buy better and pricier equipment.

Apple iPhone 5

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ED

10/08/2010 10:05:51 AM · #5

atupdate

Pentax K-R

Promaster 28-200mm f/3.8-5.6 XR IF

10/08/2010 10:09:37 AM · #6

Originally posted by Aarthek:

Is it the camera or the post processing?

Tim

LN13

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

10/08/2010 10:28:37 AM · #7

On the flip side, four of the top ten in this challenge used point & shoots, including 1st, 3rd and 4th (and me, in 9th). Another three used what I would term "entry level" SLRs

LandzEnca

Samsung TL500

Sony SAL-16105 DT 16-105mm

10/08/2010 10:54:13 AM · #8

maybe dpc should have a point n shoot open challenge, basic editing

ThingFish

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8-18mm f/2.8-4 ASPH

10/08/2010 11:03:42 AM · #9

Originally posted by Aarthek:

I observed the same thing and was just about to post about it when I noticed your posting.
September Free Study 7x Canon 5D
1st Canon 5D
2nd Canon 5D
3rd Canon 5D
4th Canon 7D
5th Canon 5D
6th Canon 5D
7th Canon 5D
8th Canon 5D
9th Nikon D700
10th Canon 40D

scarbrd

Leica M10

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

10/08/2010 11:42:23 AM · #10

I present to you

jjbeguin

Many of his top scoring imges taken with the Sony DSC-F828 and the Minolta DiMAGE F100

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

10/08/2010 11:56:18 AM · #11

yeah I wasn't saying it's in the gear, I was more amazed at how many of the top 10 were a 5d mark 2. haha.

though I'd also like to know about post process that was done too. At least 1 was HDR. Though all the HDR's I've done look like crap, it seems that HDR itself is a "black art".

Though the funny thing is that when I had my Canon D60 for all those years. I didn't enter very often here, but on other sites I posted my stuff, and I will say when I went with the 50D with the EF-s 17-55 lens, that overall I got a much better response from people.

It might be that over the years I'm slowly getting better or it may have also a bit to do with a lens that is clearer than the old one, and a sensor that is better at capturing protons than the old one.

I agree though it would be fun to see a cellphone only Challenge or something like that.

pedrobop

Canon PowerShot SX100 IS

10/08/2010 11:58:43 AM · #12

Check my profile, it's a good example for this thread. I think it DOES matter.

10/08/2010 12:00:29 PM · #13

Also 1st and 2nd, were new personal bests for them too.

Olympus 17mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko

10/08/2010 12:11:31 PM · #14

Actually, I just realized that my 3rd best on my profile:

Was actually done with a Canon SD550 point and shoot.

Though the funny thing I've never liked it much to be honest, and I remember when I entered it I thought would do poorly, and for the longest time it was my personal best for quite a while (until 2010 in fact).

Maybe I got lucky, maybe I had a moment of inspiration. < shrug >

FocusPoint

XIAOMI Redmi Note 8 Pro

10/08/2010 12:15:04 PM · #15

Canon people are more enthusiastic for their cameras I think... But, here is another fact that I checked, around 90 more people own Canon in DPC than Nikon (Assuming we're comparing two giants here)

I noticed that in the past Canon cameras were less expensive then Nikon (they are getting even now). More people owned Canon and they kept their brand. Also, the lenses for Nikon also bit more expensive, even though assuming they had better quality, folks wanted to start (digital)photography, started with Canon (for the most)

It's about the same thing comparing PC to Apple. Apple had struggled sometime in the past, but they were way too expensive to get. People are watching their budgets, preferred to deal with the blue-screen-of-death than buying expensive equipment knowing that they might upgrade often (more money)

So, I think it all comes to pricing in the past and people being loyal to their brand for a long time.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

10/08/2010 12:44:25 PM · #16

Speaking of Apple.

ubique

Olympus PEN-F

10/08/2010 12:56:15 PM · #17

Of course the camera doesn't matter. Perhaps the most consistently creative and artistically accomplished photographer on DPC is Jan Blessing,

cutout, and he uses a 4.9 MP Minolta that was out of date when Jimi Hendrix was alive.

For more proof, instead of buying that latest 'must have' lens or camera body, buy yourself a really good book of the truly great photographs instead. Nearly all the most durable and seminal images in photographic history were made with equipment laughably primitive, or at least unsophisticated, by today's standards. Conversely, there are plenty of 5D Mk 11 owners who couldn't take a memorable photograph to save their lives.

P.S. If I should prompt you to visit Jan's profile page, do look beyond the 'highest-rated', which is by definition not really his best work. The portfolio is astonishing.

Simms

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

10/08/2010 12:58:27 PM · #18

KevIP6 managed 18th with a point and shoot. Great shot as well.

GinaRothfels

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 8mm f/1.8 M.Zuiko Digital ED Fisheye PRO Lens

10/08/2010 05:40:08 PM · #19

Originally posted by Simms:

KevIP6 managed 18th with a point and shoot. Great shot as well.

I think this one proves the points made earlier that the people who are good at photography buy pricey equipment but could do well with a p&s camera too.

bohemka

Nikon D700

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM for Nikon

10/08/2010 06:15:28 PM · #20

To be fair he worked with an off-camera flash and there was a truckload of post processing there. But yes, it was a point and shoot.

I wouldn't say Canon people are more enthusiastic about their cameras, as has been mentioned, but I certianly have noticed Canons placing unbelievably well in the challenges since I've been here.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/08/2010 06:27:44 PM · #21

I KNEW I got better when I got the 5D2... :)

10/08/2010 06:29:41 PM · #22

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

I KNEW I got better when I got the 5D2... :)

I don't think so, i still think this is my fav from you.

and that was just a crappy 300, hehehe.

10/08/2010 06:30:50 PM · #23

Originally posted by Simms:

KevIP6 managed 18th with a point and shoot. Great shot as well.

I really liked that shot when I saw it in the challenge too.

10/08/2010 06:31:20 PM · #24

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:

Speaking of Apple.

wow that's from an iphone? go figure, I think something is wrong with my iPhone then. grin.