What makes a pro body?

eNo wrote:

I don't know that this is so much a "population" at large question... maybe one of the population here at DPReview and similar forums. I will tell you I know of situations where copy editors scoff at material a pro photographer produced with 12MP gear... even if the end product was no larger than a 5x7 or 8x10 size photo. Ditto for stock photography agencies. And I will tell you some wedding clients will ask about gear and even wrinkle their noses if your gear doesn't meet a certain megapixel threshold. Most don't care, fortunately!

It does seem, though, that photographers trying to ascribe worth to their work are by far the most concerned with these types of questions, namely, now many MP, how high of an ISO, and what MTF for my lens(es).

This is the wrong question, though: what gear makes my work "pro"? It is rather, the way a pro photographer uses his/her gear that counts. That may involve gear with a certain tag of "pro" by the manufacturer, or gear with a given set of capabilities. He/she will know what to use for the job because he/she is a "pro." Or to put it another way, as much as manufacturers and gear reviewers have brainwashed us, "pro" is a personal attribute rather than one assigned to inanimate objects. One has to think, feel and collect paychecks in order to be "pro". I may revise my opinion when I meet a Nikon body or lens or flash with a bank account and tax liabilities.

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