Is it you or the equipment? - DPChallenge Forums

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

06/18/2010 07:13:17 PM · #1

My birthday present came a bit early this year when

yo_spiff gave me an SLR. Now, my photography is improving but I'm no where near his level yet but he's been learning from you guys for the past 3 years. I've just picked up a camera again and have been shooting with him for the past 3 months.

So here's the question..... With all things as equal as possible, is it the photographer or the equipment that makes the difference. Try to emulate, as much as possible, the same conditions with an SLR and a lesser camera to see if it's the photographer's skills or the equipment that produces a better picture.

This is not intended to knock any level or type of camera but is an honest query as to how much of an impact equipment makes on the pictures and how much of it is skill.

So test the limits of the camera, test your best skills and let's see what turns out to be the same or different.

Cowtownmom aka Ellen

PS....... Have fun posting images here guys.

Good luck and I look forward to examining your images.

//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=1015094

Message edited by author 2010-07-05 16:35:45.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

06/18/2010 07:22:20 PM · #2

Well, I'm sleeping in the doghouse (and we don't even have a dog!) if I don't participate.

I'm in with an EOS-50D, a Powershot A530 and I'll even try a Kodak Easyshare C360.

George

Nikon D60

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

06/18/2010 07:23:48 PM · #3

I got a point and shoot lyin' around, so count me in!

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/18/2010 08:02:45 PM · #4

Thanks George, glad your interested.

Will be interesting to see how testing the equipment changes from camera to camera.

Cowtownmom aka Ellen

snaffles

Nikon D7100

06/18/2010 08:06:17 PM · #5

Hmm sold the Samsumg Digimax, sold the D40 kit, still have my Canon powershot A700, but it no longer works...that's why I went Nikon!!!! ;-0 *ducking flames*

PS call me crazy, but if I remember correctly

sarampo,

shutter-for-hireand yours truly have all ribboned with a D90 and a Sigma 10-20mm. Just sayin.

Message edited by author 2010-06-18 20:08:03.

aerogurl

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

06/18/2010 08:17:32 PM · #6

My only ribbon has been with a Fuji S5000, I've had three mid-level pro slr's since with no ribbon lol

I think its got a lot to do with processing too... something I need to learn more about.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

06/18/2010 08:26:20 PM · #7

Originally posted by snaffles:

PS call me crazy, but if I remember correctly sarampo, shutter-for-hireand yours truly have all ribboned with a D90 and a Sigma 10-20mm. Just sayin.

Not sure what your point it, that's pretty good equipment. I ribboned twice with a cheap Tamron and once with the kit lens. I'm not even sure what that point was...

rodfulk

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

06/18/2010 08:26:52 PM · #8

I think the photographer is what makes the difference, knowledge of composition, lighting, artistic eye, and etc.....
I cannot blame my camera for my poor shots.

smardaz

06/18/2010 08:40:45 PM · #9

Originally posted by cowtownmom:

So here's the question..... With all things as equal as possible, is it the photographer or the equipment that makes the difference.

Look at this guys body of work, much of it done with point and shoots and you tell me.

dtremain

Canon EOS 80D

Canon EF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 II

06/18/2010 08:46:00 PM · #10

Count me in - Canon Rebel T1i & Fuji S700
I've had the use of the Canon for under a year, and my high score with it is 5.9442. That shot is currently my 4th PB.
I've struggled with the new camera - one would think going from prosumer (with manual controls) to a DSLR wouldn't be all that different, but it has been for me. The DSLR DOF tends to run very narrow, where with the Fuji, you had to really work to get a narrow DOF.
Love the Canon in low light - since that seems to be a lot of what I have available to me for shooting. Plus, that was an area where the Fuji was very weak.
To me, I think the camera does make a difference - on many levels. At the same time it is no silver bullet. You can take horrible pictures with the best equipment... (and they take up horrendous amounts of room on your hard drive!)

ace flyman

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/18/2010 09:01:02 PM · #11

I have no skills...it's all equipment....Lol.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

06/18/2010 09:33:29 PM · #12

It's definitely the equipment for me. Can't do it without it.

tnun

Ricoh GR III

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

06/18/2010 09:35:17 PM · #13

me too. i credit each and every one of my cameras.

JustCaree

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/18/2010 09:55:31 PM · #14

Sure me too! I have 3 that I can dabble on

Prash

Nikon D90

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

06/18/2010 10:09:34 PM · #15

Interesting post Ellen, and congrats on an early birthday present!!!

In general, (and this is just my opinion), a good photographer can get creative even with a technically inferior equipment and create (qualitatively) better results. I think a relatively better (better specifications/feature rich) camera would make certain technical aspects of photography easy, but I do not think it can compensate for inferior composition, lighting, and story telling skills. (I am a perfect example. I went to a Nikon D90 from a FujiFilm FinePix S5100 - and also owned a Canon XSi, 40D and 50D in between, that didn't improve my photography.. look at my scores:-):-)

I started noticing proofs of this during my first DPC GTG. Some of the attendees cerated amazing results, even though I was there with them too at the same site, with a camera that had better specs than many others!

ETA: I am in too. I have a FujiFilm FinePix, and a Nikon D90 (and an iPhone if you count it:-).

Message edited by author 2010-06-18 22:10:12.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

06/19/2010 01:32:06 AM · #16

So Far for the 'Is it you or the Equi[ment' Side Challenge we have:

cowtownmom],

yo_spiff,

George,

prash,

justcaree,

dtremain are participating.

With all things being as equal as possible, both shooting and processing, let's see whether the camera or the photographer makes the bigger difference.

My thoughts on this challenge isn't that I'm trying to see if the photographer or the equipment is more important but what does better equipment bring to the table/shot with all other things being equal. I hope everyone has fun. I know that I will. It's a good reason to play with my new camera and compare what my limited skills and the old camera can accomplish.

Message edited by author 2010-06-19 01:33:51.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

06/19/2010 09:33:20 AM · #17

If this goes on into the latter part of July I'll participate:

Canon 40D and Fuji HS10 and/or Canon G3

NikonJeb

Nikon D850

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

06/19/2010 11:15:28 AM · #18

Originally posted by snaffles:

PS call me crazy, but if I remember correctly sarampo, shutter-for-hireand yours truly have all ribboned with a D90 and a Sigma 10-20mm. Just sayin.

That's hardly an example of a lesser camera since most people that have D90s tout it as having the same sensor as the D300.

Mae

hihosilver Ribboned with her D40 with a 7.2740 with this:

Joe Salmi

Dirt_Diver ribboned three times with his D40x....

I have a D200, D70s, and a D40 and I can say unequivocally that all three will take great pictures, but the D40 is *much* harder to use as its features simply aren't as competent as either of my other cameras.

A better camera will help you take better pictures, but ultimately, it's the operator.

7+ with an iPhone......

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/19/2010 03:23:12 PM · #19

Side Challenge: "Is it you or the equipment'

Sorry for the all the confusion here on the side challenge. It's my first time to come up with one so hopefully this posting will clarify my idea.

Time frame: July

With all things being as equal as possible, take a shot with as many different levels of cameras from a phone camera and up but remembering to set things up the same. Then in post processing, try to make the best of each shot and posting what steps were needed. Then we can see what skill, sensor size and time spent is needed to make the best of what each camera produces.

Test the strengths and/or weaknesses of the cameras. Assuming the skills of the photographer are the same no matter what they are holding, lets see what the differences in lenses, camera bodies, sensor size, etc. makes by taking the same pictures with different cameras. Be sure to include the specifications on the equipment used in your postings. (This might be a good chance to test out your different lenses, such as consumer grade vs professional grade lenses, and see how they each handle the exact same picture.)

My idea was not testing the photographer but really testing equipment to see how they perform. So have fun, get creative and let's see what my new camera brings with my newbie and very amateur but improving skills.

Citadel

Nikon D7500

06/19/2010 03:30:33 PM · #20

edit: poop...my comment was already mentioned. How did I miss it?

Message edited by author 2010-06-19 15:30:56.

bohemka

Nikon D700

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

06/19/2010 04:33:49 PM · #21

I'll be away for all of July and I'm going to some dodgy places so I will only be taking my point and shoot. But I can say this: My photos are only interesting (never been called that, to be honest) because of my location and equipment. A monkey could probably do better.

Cool idea, though. Enjoy it.

bergiekat

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

06/20/2010 01:20:19 AM · #22

I suck, but I'll play! If I don't have to use neat image, there might be hope on one or two shots!

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

06/20/2010 01:39:37 AM · #23

I have a 1DMKIV and a crappy little 5DMKII. Does that count?

mgarsteck

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

06/20/2010 02:03:42 AM · #24

my equipment (although not all that great compared to others on here) helps me take the crappy photos that I want to take...