Cameras/Tools

  I wish I could count in my head how many times I have showed people pictures either on the back of my camera or on a computer and they say, "wow, you got a great camera." Do people really think that it is the camera? If I give you the camera do you think you could make the same picture? I have never seen anyone eat a great meal and tell the chef that they have an amazing stove or great pots. It's not the camera, it's not the stove, it's the person behind the camera, behind the stove, making it happen. 

  The camera is a tool. The way a carpenter uses a hammer, the photographer uses their camera. I use Nikon cause I like Nikon. Others use Canon cause they like Canon. In the end it has nothing to do with the brand, it has to do with the person behind the camera. Every year these camera companies come out with new cameras and new technology that makes everyone drool. More megapixels, bigger screens, more auto-focus points, etc... People always think that if they get the newest, greatest camera that they will take great pictures. It is not true. Does the new technology make a difference? Absolutely. The difference in technology from my first D100 to my current D700 is astounding. Will the same picture with the same settings look better out of my D700? Yes. But  that is because the improvement to the ISO and the size of the sensor. But the camera does not make me a better photographer. It doesn't make anyone a better photographer. If you go out and buy me the most expensive hammer in the world trust me when I tell you I wont be able to do anything with it. Carpentry is a skill. So is photography. We have our tools and we put them to use. Better, newer, more powerful tools make it easier but we can make do. 

  I am in love with my current D700. I have been using the camera for the last 2 years and it owes me nothing. Almost 400,000 shots taken with it and not one hiccup. I have never had to bring it to Nikon to be fixed and it has never given me one single issue. This December the camera will be moving into my position as my second body. It will replace my D300 which has been with me for years now as well with the same great results. 

  I was torn about my next camera. I talked with other photographers and I finally decided to go ahead and get the Nikon D800. Yes, this camera is technically overkill but it has everything that I want on my next camera and the biggest deciding factor, it fits my hand. Anyone that knows me knows that I am a big guy and along with that I have big hands. The smaller, pro-sumer cameras simply do not fit in my hands. Even on the pro level cameras I have to have a vertical grip to be comfortable holding it. I can not wait to get this new tool. I will for the first time have one camera that I can shoot photo and video on all in one. It will be the first camera I use that has an SD slot which will also open up some new options for me as well. Do I need 36 megapixels? Absolutely not! Will that cause some issues for me? Yes. But I will make it work. I think that it is going to slow me down immensely when I shoot. Take less shots but better shots. I look forward to my next camera and I can not wait to get people in front of it. 

  Before you go out and spend a ton of money on a camera and call yourself a professional please think about all of the ramifications. Take your time, learn your equipment and practice, practice, practice.