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I can attest to doing this with a camera. In 2012, I bought an entry level dSLR, it’s about $500 and specs that were middle of the road at the time. By today’s

I can attest to doing this with a camera. In 2012, I bought an entry level dSLR, it’s about $500 and specs that were middle of the road at the time. By today’s standards, it is ancient and lacks a lot of cool features. I took some amazing shots with it and I also learned a lot about photography in the 5+ years I used it. For example, I took about 60k photos with it so thats a lot of mileage on the camera. Putting technical features aside, it also lacked a lot of nice to haves that more expensive cameras come with like dust proofing and water resistance. The body was made of plastic instead of a magnesium alloy with plastic. The lenses were a bit lower quality than you can buy for the full frame lenses. I wouldn’t have realized that new tools doesn’t mean new and better photos until last year I bought myself a Canon 6D and decided to learn a new camera all at once. It was boring and tedious, I wanted to go back to my old camera. Eventually the photos started looking better but I felt less inspired by the new camera. It had all the cool new features I wanted but it didn’t feel like my camera.

frostburg 9y ago
I find this a bit strange; generally the best thing about more professional cameras is better controls, not better image quality. I don't like Canons of that era because of the limited dynamic range, but a 6D is a very ergonomic camera and handles better than any consumer Canon or Nikon. I have an issue with very capable, modern cameras too. I have a Sony A7r, which I find too versatile, to the point of being distracting unless I'm focused on getting a very specific picture. I prefer using high end, but older, film cameras, like a Contax G2 or an Hasselblad.
- TheOtherHobbes 9y ago
  The best thing about high end professional cameras is low noise, faster and more reliable autofocus, and outstanding low light performance. In good light there's little difference between a cheap prosumer model and a high-end pro model. But try shooting a scene in candlelight or star light, and the difference is stark. Ease of use also matters. Prosumer cameras often have a single rotary that has to be switched between aperture and shutter. Pro cameras have separate rotaries, which is much easier to work with. I've always been fascinated by the way that consumer and prosumer equipment is often harder to use than true professional equipment. Pro-grade tools usually just work. Even when there are plenty of options, the workflow is usually intuitive and straightforward. Consumer gear often adds consumer crappiness - special modes for taking ski photos or food shots in a consumer camera. if you know what you're doing, this reliably gets in the way. And if you don't know what you're doing, you probably won't know how to select the special "helpful" presets anyway. I used to own one of these, which is supposed to be a beginner's keyboard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf61mYDtt64 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf61mYDtt64 It made some decent sounds, but it was incredibly awkward to use, with a baffling combination of hidden settings, obscure button sequences, and bizarre features. So personally I've always wanted the absolute best tools I can get. I get very, very frustrated with tools that don't work properly or get in the way, irrespective of price.
  - frostburg 9y ago
    I didn't mention autofocus because I generally use manual primes and don't even try to shoot moving subjects, so it's not really an issue for me. Single-dial consumer cameras are annoying, I also generally really like to have a physical exposure comp wheel, good Sony and Fuji cameras generally have one (and my old Contax G2 does, too), while it tends to be some bad modal "hold the button and turn the wheel" affair on Nikon and Canon ones. "Scene mode" dials are basically a helpful hint to let you know that you shouldn't buy that camera.

frostburg 9y ago

I find this a bit strange; generally the best thing about more professional cameras is better controls, not better image quality. I don't like Canons of that era because of the limited dynamic range, but a 6D is a very ergonomic camera and handles better than any consumer Canon or Nikon. I have an issue with very capable, modern cameras too. I have a Sony A7r, which I find too versatile, to the point of being distracting unless I'm focused on getting a very specific picture. I prefer using high end, but older, film cameras, like a Contax G2 or an Hasselblad.

TheOtherHobbes 9y ago
The best thing about high end professional cameras is low noise, faster and more reliable autofocus, and outstanding low light performance. In good light there's little difference between a cheap prosumer model and a high-end pro model. But try shooting a scene in candlelight or star light, and the difference is stark. Ease of use also matters. Prosumer cameras often have a single rotary that has to be switched between aperture and shutter. Pro cameras have separate rotaries, which is much easier to work with. I've always been fascinated by the way that consumer and prosumer equipment is often harder to use than true professional equipment. Pro-grade tools usually just work. Even when there are plenty of options, the workflow is usually intuitive and straightforward. Consumer gear often adds consumer crappiness - special modes for taking ski photos or food shots in a consumer camera. if you know what you're doing, this reliably gets in the way. And if you don't know what you're doing, you probably won't know how to select the special "helpful" presets anyway. I used to own one of these, which is supposed to be a beginner's keyboard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf61mYDtt64 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf61mYDtt64 It made some decent sounds, but it was incredibly awkward to use, with a baffling combination of hidden settings, obscure button sequences, and bizarre features. So personally I've always wanted the absolute best tools I can get. I get very, very frustrated with tools that don't work properly or get in the way, irrespective of price.
- frostburg 9y ago
  I didn't mention autofocus because I generally use manual primes and don't even try to shoot moving subjects, so it's not really an issue for me. Single-dial consumer cameras are annoying, I also generally really like to have a physical exposure comp wheel, good Sony and Fuji cameras generally have one (and my old Contax G2 does, too), while it tends to be some bad modal "hold the button and turn the wheel" affair on Nikon and Canon ones. "Scene mode" dials are basically a helpful hint to let you know that you shouldn't buy that camera.