Does it really matter what camera you use?

[Fadedsun]

If it didn't matter, why would there be different kinds of cameras? Pure consumerism? Hardly.

Cheers,

R.

In that case, you could say it only matters to the individual. The job of the marketing team for a camera is to make you feel like you need their camera, and that it will improve your photography if you buy it. We know that's not entirely true.

Why don't we say, to a certain extent your camera does not matter, but there are some features of some cameras that might aid a photographer in their artistic vision/journey.

 

[raid]

My choices in cameras change dover the years as I did more photography and as my income improved.

While a college studet, I started out with a Canon AE1. It served my needs many years. I then added a Canon A1, followed by a Canon F1N. This was my set for many years, and I managed to create images that I still enjoy reviewing these days.

Then things "got weird". I ventured into trying out other cameras because I saw them discussed in Shutterbug Magazine. Suddenly, there were Nikon cameras, and cameras by Pentax, Rollei SLR and TLR, Zeiss, Leica, Hasselblad, ... etc. More Canon cameras.

It is a lot of fun, but do I really need to use these cameras and are they more important to my photography than my old AE1?

Who cares. It is about enjoying your photography trip in life.

 

[Lss]

Why don't we say, to a certain extent your camera does not matter, but there are some features of some cameras that might aid a photographer in their artistic vision/journey.

That's an awfully complicated way of saying that the camera matters.

 

[esearing]

The subject or your interpretation of subject dictates the camera and lenses needed. Being proficient in an array of photographic tools provides you the best opportunity to be creative. Having a subject to photograph that inspires you is more important and may require you to purchase better glass or cameras broader features.

Painters use an array of brushes and/or knives to produce the image in their mind. They create images for painters and non-painters alike to enjoy. The tools or methods used to create the image is rarely discussed unless the technique is unusual or distinct.

We photographers seem to get caught up in the technical process and gear used for creating images, so we tend to produce images which are only interesting to other photographers using the gear others have recommended/marketed. The non-photographer may not even see the subtleties of the decisions you made in creating an image.

 

[Leica All Day]

There are a lot of good points made by the aforementioned comments, and I agree with a lot of them, but I find myself in a strange situation. I will be visiting the states in a month and I have saved up my pennies (Thai Baht in my case) and I'd like to purchase some used Leica gear. I used my friends 28mm Summilux last weekend in Myanmar and I fell in love with that lens, but at 6,000 USD, it is a little stretch for me. I have my eyes on a 28mm Summicron and a BP Leica M6ttl. I keep telling myself that "the camera doesn't matter and it will do the same thing that my other Leica m6ttl will do", but there is "something" special about having "your dream camera". I am still undecided on what to purchase next month, but in all honesty, a plane trip to Cuba would probably be my best choice hahahaha

cheers, michael

 

[Roger Hicks]

. . . The non-photographer may not even see the subtleties of the decisions you made in creating an image.

And indeed the photographer may not see them either.

The analogy with non-photographic tools can be quite useful -- if it is drawn by someone who knows how use the tools, and what they are, rather than by someone who likens a camera to a monkey wrench, without even knowing what a monkey wrench is.

When I loosen or tighten a nut or bolt on my Land Rover or my BMW motorcycle, I may use any one or more of a wide variety of tools: socket sets, open-ended spanners, ring spanners (offset or not), box spanners, ratchet spanners, a torque wrench...

No-one who is driving/riding them will know the difference. Nor will they know whether I used a Craftsman spanner or a King Dick. Often, I could have substituted one spanner (wrench in American) for another, but chose the tool I did because it was easiest or best.

Cameras are really quite similar. You use what you've got. You use the best you can. And the results give rarely give many clues as to which brand you used.

Cheers,

R.

 

[mdg137]

We photographers seem to get caught up in the technical process and gear used for creating images, so we tend to produce images which are only interesting to other photographers using the gear others have recommended/marketed. The non-photographer may not even see the subtleties of the decisions you made in creating an image.

While this is true, it doesn't mean these subtleties lack value. My wife has a degree and background in music. She hears something entirely different than I do when we listen to a song. The experience is not even remotely the same for each of us-- the same is true when we go to an exhibition--why not create images that can be enjoyed on more than one level if that is your taste?

 

[Leica All Day]

well Michael, I have to AGREE
the plane ticket to Cuba seems far more Exitic and the way to go
than a 28 Summilux

in looking at Your Photos over the years
your BEST kept Friend is the v1 35 1.2 nokton
it continues to Deliver and in all honesty I did not find your recent trip to Myanmar photos any better than the $1000.00 nokton
the lux had more 'pop' but for $5000.00 more price tag, I don't 'see' it
just my 2cents 😉

Thanks a lot Hellen for your comments, I truly appreciate them. I was just talking about you 2 weeks ago with Mitch Alland here in Bangkok, he mentioned that he met up with you in New York. I look forward to the day that I can meet up with you and your friend (that very stylish guy that I see in some of your photos)……


thanks again Helen….

cheers, michael

 

[raid]

This suggests to me ... that I need to consider the CV 35mm 1.2!

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Been thinking about this (the opening, original post); your Zorki 4K is a perfectly good camera with a decent lens on it if you have the usual "standard" lens. Not much point in changing it, in my opinion because I've never known a "better" camera improve my photography. And dearer ones have hampered it as I don't like taking them out when it's raining or they might get damaged some other way.

I might consider buying another type of camera in your shoes if the Zorki was unsuitable, meaning you'd be doing something rather specialised that even (say) a Leica M9 owner with a Noctilux couldn't do either.

If it will help most of us end up with three cameras a RF, some SLR and a small pocket one. (Some would add a 10" x 8" to that list.) Each works best in different fields and, of course, all of them can do the same sort of pictures and do a lot of the time. Look at the photo's from P&S's for example and you'll see a lot of high quality work taken on what many despise, because they know no better.

So stick with your 4k and stop worrying about it. BTW, experience tells me that in 40 or 50 years time you''ll spend a lot of time and money finding one and treasuring it as it was you first serious camera, etc, etc.

Regards, David

 

[Antielectrons]

The camera is irrelevant.

 

[geetist]

To some extent, but not really...trust me this forum is not the best place to get the right answer for your question since we all are somewhat gear heads..

 

[Roger Hicks]

The camera is irrelevant.

It can't be completely irrelevant, or you'd get the same results from film and digital, or from a pocket compact and medium or large format.

The brand rarely matters much, except insofar (as already stated by many) some cameras suit some people better than others. Or unless a particular lens gives you a look you can't easily get any other way.

Cheers,

R.

 

[David Hughes]

To some extent, but not really...trust me this forum is not the best place to get the right answer for your question since we all are somewhat gear heads..

Hi,

I don't think there is a right answer, perhaps a popular one or a favourite one but not a right one.

I go to a lot of air shows and see people with cameras with lens like WMD and others waving tablets and phones about and I guess they are all happy since it seems to happen over and over again.

I use one of my SLR's at air shows with a 200 to 300mm lens on it, depending on the conditions etc. That can't be done with a RF but for pictures of events on the ground the RF can't be beaten, but a P&S comes a fairly close second. And sometime the RF/P&S comes in handy to get something in the air like a smoke trail or formation flying. There's no simple answer, which seems to me to be what people want on forums but like politicians and their sound bites they just confuse the issue...

Regards, David

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Indeed the Zorki 4K is no copy camera....
And concerning type of camera, I prefer the older the better: makes you think more about how to make the photo....
and for sure, nobody needs a Leica.... but its nice to have it all experienced yourself..
...that's why we all keep buying and selling gear.....

 

[vladimir]

But back to my question does having a Leica, Zorki, or Contax... Really matter? I want to hear what you guys have the say, I know this question may a bit silly to some and I'm sorry, I'm just a kid wanting to be a photographer when he grows up and this thought is ruining everything. :bang:

-RobertJ

I have no doubt that in the hands of a skilful photographer it really does not matter; he/she would be capable to produce top quality work with your Zorki. Creative vision is more important then anything else. Open your mine, go to galleries, study work of other photographers and find your style. Good luck.

 

[Roger Hicks]

I have no doubt that in the hands of a skilful photographer it really does not matter; he/she would be capable to produce top quality work with your Zorki. Creative vision is more important then anything else. Open your mine, go to galleries, study work of other photographers and find your style. Good luck.

Much as I echo your advice, it's probably even less important in the hands of an unskilled photographer. Well over half of the scores or probably hundreds of cameras I've owned over the last 40+ years were capable of delivering adequate quality, including Zorkiis. But I'd find it easier to get good quality out of a Zorkii now than I did 40 years ago, purely because I've had more practice. And been to more galleries, etc.

Cheers,

R.

 

[David Hughes]

A while ago I wondered what difference the camera would make and realised, as I put film in one of them, that the M2 and Summaron f/2.8 and Olympus XA had the same spec., at first glance. So I duplicated the film and exposure using the XA's metering for a series of mundane photo's. Then both films went to the same lab and were done one after the other. Here's a sample, just don't ask which camera was used for each one...

And you were warned they were mundane...

Regards, David

 

[ABrosig]

With a film camera, classic or otherwise, I'd say generally no, it doesn't really matter. As long as the camera functions correctly, a film camera (any camera, really) is simply a light-tight box built to house a light-sensitive material and to allow light to enter in a controlled fashion. Or so I was always taught. Everything beyond that is bells and whistles.

With digital, I could argue — tentatively — that which camera you shoot can matter. With digital, it's as much about the software/firmware of the camera, how it handles the information, size of sensor, quality of sensor, etc, ad infinitum, as anything.

But, that does not take into account the photographer. That's all technical crap. So, I could also argue it doesn't matter what camera you use, as long as you are familiar with it, comfortable with it and enjoy shooting with it.

I don't know how many times people have told me they love my camera and that it must take really great photos. I tell them, no, it doesn't do a bloody thing by itself. I'm the one that make the images. The camera simply records them, be it digital, analog, new, old, or whatever.

It's the artist, not the tools. So, find a camera you are comfortable with, can work with seamlessly, and enjoy working with. From there, the sky's the limit!

 

[Ko.Fe.]

...And you were warned they were mundane...

Regards, David

Here is something funny at first one in the top left corner. I don't remember my XA lens to act like this.

One thing I know for sure, with Smena-8m I never know how it is going to be framed for real. VF doesn't match the lens.
Now you know why one of lomography rules is to shot from the hip. 🙂