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Phil
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29-09-11, 11:31 AM
#1

A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses - or so say Nikon

As per Nikon's statement on their 'well known social networking site' page.

Obviously it's a statement aimed at selling camera gear but hard hats at the ready.

Quote:
A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses, and a good lens is essential to taking good pictures! Do any of our facebook fans use any of the NIKKOR lenses? Which is your favorite and what types of situations do you use it for?
https://www.facebook.com/nikon/posts/10150316773294620
Kit 1
Canon 1D Mark 3
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Kit 2
1D2 & 40D


     
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29-09-11, 03:23 PM
#2

Re: A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses - or so say Nikon

Devils advocate here, for a lot of styles of toggery the equipment is half if not more the battle. Fast lenses, quick frame rate and the like are big factors in sport and low light stuff.

An amazing tog with bottom end gear is not gonna produce the same results as a bang amateur in auto with top range gear in CERTAIN conditions. Same gear then the gap in quality will favour the better tog, as will conditions with good light no movement and a static shot with time to compose.
Kit 1
Nikon D700
Nikon MB-D10 Battery Grip
Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8
Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8
Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR
Nikon micro AF 200mm f/4
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: Fuji X100


     
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29-09-11, 04:35 PM
#3

Re: A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses - or so say Nikon

They're response:

Quote:
“We know some of you took offense to the last post, and we apologize, as it was not our aim to insult any of our friends. Our statement was meant to be interpreted that the right equipment can help you capture amazing images. We appreciate the passion you have for photography and your gear, and know that a great picture is possible anytime and anywhere.”
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
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29-09-11, 04:36 PM
#4

Re: A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses - or so say Nikon

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stanokella View Post
Devils advocate here, for a lot of styles of toggery the equipment is half if not more the battle. Fast lenses, quick frame rate and the like are big factors in sport and low light stuff.

An amazing tog with bottom end gear is not gonna produce the same results as a bang amateur in auto with top range gear in CERTAIN conditions. Same gear then the gap in quality will favour the better tog, as will conditions with good light no movement and a static shot with time to compose.
I would agree I just thought the way the posted it was a bit off :/
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
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29-09-11, 07:14 PM
#5

Re: A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses - or so say Nikon

Agree with Ste. Certainly you notice the difference in a massive way with wildlife - you can have the top end kit and be useless and in the right place still get fantastic shots - mind if your kit isn't up to par, you won't get the shots no matter what you do! Quality of image is dependent on quality of kit. Of course, the creativity, vision, composition, editing etc etc etc isn't - but the quality is.

xx
Kit 1
Nikon D800
Nikkor 50mm f1.4
Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8
Nikkor 105 mm f2.8 macro
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8
Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
Nikon 70-300mm AF f/4-5.6G
Nikon 50mm f1.8
Kit 2
Nikon D700
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: Fuji finepix bridge


     
Phil's Avatar
Phil
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29-09-11, 09:19 PM
#6

Re: A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses - or so say Nikon

I didn't wan't to start a big 'is it the photographer or the gear' discussion as it's been done to death before.

I often browse the web for images taken with old gear and I'm amazed at some of the results people managed with gear considered old hat. Nothing better when you need to persuade yourself not to upgrade and save some cash.

That said I'm well aware of when certain kit limits me. Usually it's an issue of light and speed.

40D - Good reach but Autofocus struggles to track fast moving objects at 400mm as my lens is f5.6. A faster lens would help but a 400mm f2.8 lens would cost a bomb.

1D Mark 2 - Autofocus works well with the f5.6 lens but not having the crop factor of the 40D means things seem very far away. Cropping is limited because of its fairly low resolution.

When I'm resigned to max aperture and ISO is already up to it's useable limit - I'm stuffed if shutter speed is still too low for my subject. I can't just keep cranking up the ISO to silly values on the 40D or 1D Mark 2 to retain shutter speed like I could with some of the more modern offerings.

Landscapes are OK though - I love the fact that little apertures are order of the day and that fast expensive lenses aren't required. IS / VR isn't really a must either as normally it's a tripod job with camera safely kept at ISO 100.

Back on topic - I guess we all know what would make life easier or indeed make 'impossible' shots 'possible' but I was surprised that Nikon used the wording they did as that statement has long been a bone of contention.
Kit 1
Canon 1D Mark 3
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Kit 2
1D2 & 40D


     
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