You Don’t Need To Buy A New Camera To Be A Better Photographer
Jul 30, 2015
Tiffany Mueller
Tiffany Mueller is a photographer and content strategist based in Hawi, Hawaii. Her work has been shared by top publications like The New York Times, Adobe, and others.
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Let’s face it, with how rapidly camera manufacturers are improving digital technology and releasing new and improved cameras, it’s hard not to get caught up in gear acquisition syndrome. At some point, you may have even caught yourself saying, “If I just had (fill in any piece of equipment here), my photography would be so much better.” I’ll be the first to admit the thought has ran through my mind at least a couple times. That’s exactly why this poignant video from filmmaker, Simon Cade, hits home so much.
If you were to take a look inside Cade’s gear bag, you’d find the same CanonT3i and Canon Elph 300 that he’s been using since the beginning of 2013. Yet, despite shooting with older and (what could be considered) entry-level gear, upgrading to a new DSLR isn’t even on Cade’s radar. And, the logic he uses to battle the nagging desire to spend tons of money on new gear and gadgets seems to be pretty flawless.
“My theory is that the people who don’t prioritise equipment & technical things end up being successful enough that they shoot on high end gear just because they can. It’s definitely not the equipment itself that makes them great / successful.”
Have a listen to Cade as he expands on his theory and shares with you all the reasoning he’s put behind it. It’s well worth a watch, so let’s dig in…
Still feeling bad about shooting with an older camera? Here’s some further inspiration from Cade–a sample of the work he’s curated from various filmmakers, all who used older or less expensive gear than one might expect from such productions. All of the cameras mentioned below can be purchased for less than $1000.
Kendy Ty – Director’s Showreel
Mostly shot on a Canon T2i…
Darius Brit – Seafood Tester
Shot on Canon 60D…
Julian Smith – Waffles
Smith’s early work, including Waffles, were shot on a Canon 7D.
[ via DSLRguide.tv ]
Tiffany Mueller
Tiffany Mueller is a photographer and content strategist based in Hawi, Hawaii. Her work has been shared by top publications like The New York Times, Adobe, and others.
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14 responses to “You Don’t Need To Buy A New Camera To Be A Better Photographer”
The moment when I had T3i and downgraded to Rebel XT.
Like this guy’s videos and yeah he’s right, fair play dude ;)
You can take amazing pictures with a cell phone if you’re able. The limitations come into play when the venue requires tech which you may not have. Buy for what you need, not for what you want.
that is why i stopped at the om1
Hey, its Rett and Link :)
Dude, you’re taking away our excuse to get new gear! What excuse do we give our wives now?
Still shooting on a Canon 300d (The Digital Rebel) or I would, if I had any time to myself.
I miss film…
Yeap…u just need f2,8 lenses in all sizes and shapes ;)
I bought my T2i when the T3i was already out and I have had no serious intention of replacing it since. Money is better spent on lenses and plane tickets than bodies. I will buy another DSLR when some serious breakthrough is made in low light capabilities. It’s hard to think of any other reason I would upgrade. I lusted after a full frame camera for a while but realized it would do nothing to improve my work.
Nice to see people that focus on their work and not the gear once in a while. I actually use a T4i mostly. Even shot a music video with it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=148&v=VQCyKfcijU8
pfftttt UPGRADE
I’ve been photographing with my Canon A-1 that I bought new in 1980; I even placed second in a local camera club’s contest. In 2011, I turned down my wife’s offer of a DSLR when I found that her budget was a T3i. July 2013, I added a used Canon F-1N so I could share lenses. December 2013, I bought a Canon 5D Mk III. Besides the 5D, my A-1 and F-1N still get used.
And I have Pentax K20D which can’t record movies…