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There is no such thing as a pro camera

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Shotcents

Shotcents

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Every time a new high-end DX or FX body comes out there are folks wondering if it's a pro camera!

Is it pro?
Why isn't it pro?
Can I be seen with it and say I'm a pro?

A professional photographer is usually an accomplished and experienced shooter who uses their cameras to make money. But some pro's don't. Some make no money and create free art. And some document events for their own reasons.

Some need little more than a weathered D300 or a pair of D50's and others might want the extreme resolution of a D800. Others might choose a more rugged D3 or D4 and others may stick with the small beautiful files from a D2Hs.

Cameras are tools, just like paint brushes. Buying an expensive brush doesn't make you Picaso. It doesn't even make you a house painter. When it comes to shooting that makes you money or simply makes you happy, don't waste time on trying to classify the gear you're using.

Cheers,

Robert

 
If you were looking for controversy, I am sure you will find it with this thread.

Simple point of it all is...Pro camera refers to the build and features.

OF course somone with no skill an buy it and take crap pictures.

Just like a D3200.

But if you are needing special features, or a build that will stand up to mother nature....or longevity (usually what pros expect FROM their cameras)

A pro camera is exactly what the doctor ordered.

Roman
--

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious; It is the source of all true art and science.
~ Albert Einstein

http://www.commercialfineart.com/

http://www.pbase.com/romansphotos/
 
I know Canon, Nikon, etc. calls their gear "pro", but professional is really about the person, not the gear. Ever heard of a professional hammer, or a professional band saw?

Definition : A professional is someone who earns money at their profession.

So if we insist on using the term for inanimate, objects, then any equipment that earns you money is "pro."

There, that means my D7000 is "pro," even if yours isn't.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Home page: http://imagesbyeduardo.com

Story-telling: http://imagesbyeduardo.com/main/wedding-photography-los-angeles-story-telling/
 
eNo said:
I know Canon, Nikon, etc. calls their gear "pro", but professional is really about the person, not the gear. Ever heard of a professional hammer, or a professional band saw?

Definition : A professional is someone who earns money at their profession.

So if we insist on using the term for inanimate, objects, then any equipment that earns you money is "pro."

There, that means my D7000 is "pro," even if yours isn't.
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Home page: http://imagesbyeduardo.com

Story-telling: http://imagesbyeduardo.com/main/wedding-photography-los-angeles-story-telling/
Click to expand...
I agree. You do get professional hammers or saws, but the same principles apply - better build quality, more durable, more features. Who cares what a camera is called pro/consumer/etc? Use whatever tool you want for the job- and they're getting better all the time.. faster, better in low light, better AF, more resolution etc etc etc.

--
My travel photography blog - http://www.frescoglobe.com
 
------

"Photography is not about the thing photographed. It is about how that thing looks photographed." - Garry Winogrand
 
A good friend of shoots concerts and events for a major, large metropolitan newspaper with a D100. Bob Krist, iirc, used the D80, D90 and D7000 extensively.

Great capture, btw.
 
How about "Prosumer"?

Is this for a professional who likes shopping?

Maybe a professional who likes to eat too much?

Camera companies are marketing geniuses! Everywhere I go now I see people with "Pro" DSLRs who look like they have no clue as to what they are doing. There were as many people taking photos at the tennis tournament yesterday as there were people watching the match.

Cameras, like computers, have gone beyond (in terms of features and power) what 90% of consumers will ever need or use. They have to convince those 90% that their pictures will be better. Check out their commercials. They are not about dynamic range, AF-C accuracy, ISO noise levels, etc. They are about how you will "feel" when you use their product.
 
There is cameras designed for the professional which is why its called pro class. This doesn't mean you can't be a pro with a prosumer or consumer camera, but pro cameras exist.

The same is true with almost all tools. There is a pro line for construction tools which are made to last longer and withstand greater abuse. This doesn't mean a carpenter couldn't build a house with home depot brand drills but it helps to have pro tools.
 
myshkin said:
There is cameras designed for the professional which is why its called pro class. This doesn't mean you can't be a pro with a prosumer or consumer camera, but pro cameras exist.

The same is true with almost all tools. There is a pro line for construction tools which are made to last longer and withstand greater abuse. This doesn't mean a carpenter couldn't build a house with home depot brand drills but it helps to have pro tools.> > >
Click to expand...
A pro may need a smaller camera....
or a camera with smaller files...
or a camera with 36 MP....
or a camera that has a flip out screen....
or a camera that excels at video....
or a camera that has the best possible DR....

The "pro" chooses the tools and defines it's usage, not the other way around. Anyone who's in need of labeling one camera pro, or prosumer or whatever is clearly a marketers dream. There are shooters out there doing careful slow set-ups in studios. The D800 is going to be "more" pro than a D3x for that person.

All of today's new DSLRs are capable of being used professionally, many so called consumer models outstripping their so called pro model counterparts of just a few years ago.

Robert
 
If you're a professional photographer, and goes out on assignment, which camera would you like to be seen with? A D4 or a D90?

Yeah, weird, isn't it? But that's just one possible angle you can cover, to your question.

It actually makes sense, if you think about it.

Situation A)

You're on assignment, say a wedding or fashion shoot, and you pull out of your bag a D4, D800, or Digital Medium format, and you've got that confident smile on your face.

Oh yes, and big lenses, naturally.

Situation B)
This time, you bring outta your bag a lowly D40X... oh dear... plus kit lens. :(

Your reputation and vision are way more than the camera you hold, and you know it!!! You should be confident!

But there's something else there, some uncomfortable feeling messing up with your day. Maybe some strange looks by the client?

So, between A and B scenarios, would you like to be seen with which class of cameras?
Which one would make you confident?

There's your pro camera. A camera that allows you to be confident under all circunstances.

And ask anyone, from the layman to the experienced shooter, do you trust more on the guy with his D90, or the other guy with a Phase One IQ180 ?

It's part of our human behaviour, a simple perception of things. You wanna associate the pro with some cool gadgets.

That's just how things go.

Btw, even to pro photographers, the camera (and its reputation) matters.

If your competing on a fierce market, you don't wanna make yourself a disservice by shooting with a Rebel.

Ask Chase Jarvis if he kept using the Lego camera instead of his D4.

Even Chase Jarvis cannot show up on a top $$$ assignment with his Iphone.

I've never met a top pro that actually used a Rebel, while his FF is sitting at home.

To those that do not shoot by profession, the same principles applies, as everyone will look forward at what pros are doing.

Of course, you may have another opinion. That's my personal 2 cents.

--
Marcio Napoli
http://www.marcionapoli.com
 
myshkin said:
There is cameras designed for the professional which is why its called pro class. This doesn't mean you can't be a pro with a prosumer or consumer camera, but pro cameras exist.

The same is true with almost all tools. There is a pro line for construction tools which are made to last longer and withstand greater abuse. This doesn't mean a carpenter couldn't build a house with home depot brand drills but it helps to have pro tools.
Click to expand...
The comparision to contruction tools is a good one, just like mechanics tools, the pro versions are built better and will last longer, even when abused in the worst conditions. The same goes for cameras. A D1, D2, D3, and D4 will out last the D100, D200, D300 lines. The Dxxxx line are built like toys in comparision. They will take great images but won't hold up under duress
 
I make money with my camera, therefore it is a professional camera. I also make money with my expensive professional paint brushes. Some of which cost over $200, which is cheap in photo-gear-land. :)
Real pro photographers have NPS straps.
 
The fact that so many get worked up about whether a camera is or is not a 'pro' camera shows the marketing power that the 'pro' label has. If it is worth this much effort to ensure that something is conferred the title (not sure if the readership of DPR forums has that power), it is certainly worth some monetary amount to spare the effort and have the manufacturer print 'pro' in some literature and paint a stripe. Or maybe add a colored dot, and for much more, remove the dot.

What do 'pros' use? Don't know. What works and what they feel like using I guess?
 
ScottnLaguna said:
I make money with my camera, therefore it is a professional camera.
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You could be called a professional Photographer who uses non pro equipment.
ScottnLaguna said:
Real pro photographers have NPS straps.
Click to expand...
Well, they have spent enough money to have the required bodies and lenes to meet the minimun to join. BTW the D200 and D7000 are no longer in the secondary body group.
 
Why do you even care?

If you have to ask how much it cost you can't afford it.
If you worry about what is a pro camera and what is not, you don't need one.

--
Mike Dawson
 
Doing well. been working on my web site (soon to be ready for prime time) simple but effective.

Keeping busy with normal "lights on" life issues, clouds starting to break though....and calling for sunshine ahead.

Have a few projects ramping up.

So all in all doing well.

Keeping an eye on the D600/800 debacle. Probably going to end up with a D800 when the time is right. (and left focus issues are guaranteed to be addressed)....it’s the only fly in the ointment on this amazing piece of equipment.

How have you been?

Roman
eNo said:
Good to have you around. Haven't read much from you lately. How are things going?
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Home page: http://imagesbyeduardo.com

Story-telling: http://imagesbyeduardo.com/main/wedding-photography-los-angeles-story-telling/
Click to expand...
--

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious; It is the source of all true art and science.
~ Albert Einstein

http://www.commercialfineart.com/

http://www.pbase.com/romansphotos/
 
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