While not built for his demand, Kubrick was also one of the first to use the Steadicam for full effect in The Shining. I think he is a good example of someone

While not built for his demand, Kubrick was also one of the first to use the Steadicam for full effect in The Shining. I think he is a good example of someone who didn't want to settle with a "bigger horse". I've seen his collection of film and foto equipment in the film museum in Berlin and it filled the complete main room of the museum. Kubrick was a true nerd for the technology he used, but usually used it for effect, not just for fun.