Gear Doesn’t Matter. Or Does It?

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In this video we answer the age old statement, gear doesn't matter. But, does it? Does gear matter? Or does it not? Well, the answer to that, like all good answers, requires nuance and a little bit of explaining. So in this video, we'll be covering all the possible reasons for and against.

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Beginners guide series:

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[StoicJason]

You can make kitchen cabinets with a hand saw and a tape measure. But it sure is easier with a table saw, mitre saw, and a nail gun. Having better tools makes work easier and gives a more refined end result.

[kiathaolee]

Its like what the guys from randomonium have mentioned before, "gear does matter, but gear isn't the point"

[proksalevente]

I've told many people, that they should buy gear for the need. An a6700 + 18-50 is my most recommended kit of all time, since it was released.

Now I myself am in a dilemma.
I have a 24-70, 85 1.4, 200-600.

I'm thinking of getting a prime, maybe a 14mm 1.8, or a 35mm 1.4 for a lighter and brighter walk around alternative to the 24-70, because while that lens is great, I sometimes appreciate the constraints of a prime.

[elifredocabrera]

Funny story. In Annie Leibovitz's master class trailer video she talks about her not being a technical photographer and that if that's what you're focusing on you're not taking good pictures. 10 seconds later you see her taking photos with a Hasselblad. One of if not the most expensive cameras you can get. I'm not downplaying her work or class but the irony is hilarious.

[gregpantelides]

Pat, your visual pattern series completely changed the game. :-) I will be picking up your Lightroom class. Thank you so much for creating these wonderful guides for us.

[RustyBrownPhotography]

This is spot-on, Pat. Gear does -- and doesn't matter. Knowing what the goal is -- the intention, behind our shots will almost always dictate the gear necessary to crush that shot. A full-on full frame DSLR with multiple high-end lenses is wonderful -- and to your point, with some of those lenses (the 1.2s, 1.4s, 1.8s etc) you'll be able to get shots that a 4.5 simply can't achieve.

But with a simple Sony A6400 and an 18-135mm Zoom, you can get a ton of great images -- depending on the goal; the intention. A carpenter uses specific tools for specific purposes. I see no difference with photographers. Having said that, if you're just starting out I believe the important thing is to use whatever you have - and to do so often.

It can be an entry-level mirrorless with a kit lens. By using that (and only that) you'll become really good at composition; visual literacy; and camera functionality under all types of circumstances. When you reach a point where this little kit can't capture what you're trying to get -- you'll know it -- but more importantly, you'll know why.

Over the years I've seen far too many new photographers spend far too much money on kits they never mastered; understood; comprehended. You said it well "a bad image is a bad image" and that isn't gear specific. If we continue to grow as photographes, I believe the gear we each choose for our respective journeys will align properly to help us achieve our goals.

Great video, as always -- thanks.

[michaelmacmorran]

Excellent video Pat. I completely agree that the best gear is not going to make you a better photographer, but it can help you produce better photographs. Another great example of this is with sports and wildlife photography were autofocus, FPS and blackout free shooting absolutely can make or break an image. I'm looking forward to your upcoming videos.
Cheers,
Mike

[LucaPetraliaPhotography]

This is probably the best video I've seen on this specific topic. Well done, I couldn't agree more with everything you said

[donl]

👏🏻Well said Pat.
Was getting bored on my a7Rv, decided to get an x100vi and daily carry it to re-ignite my passion.

It worked!

I started paying attention to small things in life more rather than only looking for opportunity for "banger shot".

💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻 thanks for your inspiration!

[KellySedinger]

Still working with my Lumix FZ1000ii, a bridge camera, and I'm not even close to feeling "held back" by my gear yet. I'm still in the process of learning how it all fits together and how the various settings work and all that, and I haven't even STARTED using this camera's video capabilities yet. I bought this camera in 2023, after doing quite a bit of research and thinking about my novice status and my budget at that time, and I am now hoping to get to at least next summer or the summer after that before I start thinking I may need to start thinking body-and-lenses. My goal is to get something good every time I go out, and if that means "Wow, I took 120 shots and I'm only finding 6 in the batch that I really want to work on in Lightroom while some of the others can go on the daily blog or social media", I'm fine with that!

[petermcginty]

Thanks Pat, great video. I recently bought a 12-year old camera for B&W street photography. The first thing I learned was, "Gee my 2-year old camera is feature rich."
The 12 year old camera does a great job for its assigned role and has taught me that I don't need to upgrade for a while yet.
Right now, I just need to get out there and take more photos. 🎉🎉🎉

[dalloiselle]

If I’m FEELING FRUSTRATED that I can’t get certain shots then buying specific gear, that overcomes those situations, is invaluable.

On the other hand if I’m FEELING DISAPPOINTED when certain shots don’t capture the vision of my photographic eye then I need more knowledge and more experience to solve those problems.

When I was frustrated because I couldn’t get the “close up” detailed shots I wanted with my 50- 205mm kit lens purchasing my 200- 600 Sony lens made an immediate improvement.

Only more knowledge and experience with this lens has allowed me to create better images capturing more interesting angles, behavior and backgrounds which provide context or blurred out to isolate and showcase the subject.

[racingmaniacgt]

The more you shoot the more you can find out where the holes might be in your collection of tools. Not all are necessary but sometimes it helps making things easier, more fun, less frustrating, or all of the above. And when that happens, you want to shoot more! Which is ultimately what actually matters.

Moving to mirrorless in the last year and seeing how much of a jump in terms of tech it affords me made me shoot a lot more, and by shooting a lot more I know more of what I want out of my setup for either travel, sports or walkaround street photos. And that doesn't just apply to glass, it goes with tripod, bag(s), tripod heads, software....etc

[squall]

I'm planning a trip to Japan in a few years and want to do general travel documenting with a single 24-120mm f4 lens but I also want to do some more creative street photography at night and landscapes too. The f4 lens isn't bad, but I'm going to be introducing more grain than I'd like in the two types of photos I actually want to look their best.

[TheLightArtisan]

Thanks a lot for such wise words! I've been doing photography for 5 years now and for the 4 first years, I have only used a Canon 2000D with the kit lens and a nifty fifty after the 2 first years. I believe that limitation made me learn a lot about photography but since last year, I started to purchase new gears. It was thanks to some money I started to make from web dev 😜 but mostly because I was constantly hitting some walls to create some things I dreamed of for a long time. And I'm grateful I did even though I hesitated, because even though I liked the level I got thanks to my old camera, I quickly realised the sea of new things I still have to learn. I also started videography, making it worse 😂 But I love this learning process! Thanks Pat for providing such knowledge! I'll be forever grateful to you! Right now, I'm broke from all the gears I have been purchasing 😂 But I promise, as soon as I can allow it to myself, I will register to you masterclass ❤‍🔥

[ryanrootphoto]

Currently loving the one(s) I am with while crushing on that 16-35 GM2

[hansconley]

I recently switched back to Nikon from Fujifilm. I had an X-T1 loved the camera, but full frame and battery life was calling me back. So, I traded for a D800E and fell back in love with DSLR photography. It's heavy, it's the best digital camera I have ever owned.

[cedricreed]

Pat you are the best teacher. Thanks for keeping it real! “Gear is Good!”

[yobel_i]

I got a used a7ii last year and I've bought about 3 lenses, a 70-200, 20mm f1.8G, and the 50mm 1.8. But at the beginning if this year I decided to sell all of those and instead bought a 35mm GM and use only that for at least a year or two. That was probably the best decision I ever made and I can see the results of my efforts much clearer. The only thing I have to complain is probably the A7ii's autofocus so at least now I know that upgrading the body is my priority instead of wasting more money on lenses.

[AnotherOtherMan-alive]

A key note to remember is that any and all creative tools are that: Tools first, not all tools are good for all situations.