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Can amateur with pro gear shoot better photos than pros with cheap gear?

Jun 8, 2017 by Dunja Djudjic 35 Comments

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We’ve all repeated it many times – it’s not the gear that makes good photos, it’s the photographer. Guys from Mango Street put this claim to the test in an interesting video. In one corner, there are professional photographers with cheap cameras and lenses. In the other corner, there’s an amateur photographer with an expensive full-frame camera and lens. They shoot the same model at the same location, trying to get the best out of their gear and skills. So let’s see who (or what) takes better shots – professional gear, or professional photographers.

For this test, Daniel and Rachel shot on a Canon EOS Rebel T3i with a 40mm f/2.8 lens (around $600 together), and a Canon EOS Rebel T5 with a kit 18-55mm lens (around $350). Their friend Justin, who has basic knowledge of using the camera, used their Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with a 35mm f/1.4 lens (around $5000 together). They took shots in a studio, and here’s how they performed.

An amateur photographer with expensive gear:

Professional photographers with cheap gear:

Now, I wouldn’t say Justin’s photos are bad, because they aren’t. But he used ten times more expensive gear, and you have to admit his photos aren’t ten times better than those Rachel and Daniel took with cheap cameras.

So, if you’re a professional photographer and often get questions from newbies which camera they should buy, you can refer them to this video. On the other hand, if you’re an amateur at the stage of choosing your first DSLR, don’t get fooled by the price. As long as you keep learning and improving your skills, even cheap gear will do. And as your skill grows, you can start upgrading your gear and switching to the more expensive stuff. After all, the experience of buying gear is much more fulfilling this way.

[Your Gear Doesn’t Matter | We Shot with Cheap Cameras to Prove It| Mango Street]

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Filed Under: Inspiration Tagged With: amateur photographer, pro vs amateur photographer

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.net

About Dunja Djudjic

Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

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Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

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