Camera Gear: Why old gear is good gear.

In the photography world you often are bombarded with gear related content. Usually this is for new expensive pro items pushing the message that the new pro-gear items make better photos and you need them to be a better photographer. At the same time, many photographers say that “gear doesn’t matter” - any camera is good enough, a good photographer can make good images on any camera. As much as I think the latter statement is true, I don’t think it is fair to say gear doesn’t matter, because it does. If it didn’t, why do we care so deeply about it? It is obvious that gear can have a large impact on images from their look to what images you can take. From focal length and dynamic range, to f-stop and depth of field, gear has drastic effects on the final result and has to matter. However I agree with pushing back against the message of needing new gear to be a good photographer. Because old gear is great.

Let’s start with the elephant. Companies need you to buy new gear to make money. This is obvious. In this, they convey to us that we need to buy their latest and greatest or risk “falling behind” the pack. Convenience and easy are good. You need to upgrade your kit to the newest or else you images won’t compete. The worst part is, we buy this pitch. Even clients do. There are people who demand certain cameras for their wedding photographers to have.

If you sit and think about it for more than a few seconds the new gear pitch really starts to break down. Old cameras were once new cameras that these companies sold. Back then they were good… and we still like old images, right? Old photographs aren’t less compelling because Sony put out a new flagship camera. In fact often they are more compelling given the limitations that existed. Yet we push the idea of image quality improvements equals better images. Buy why? Is the more of something inherently better? No. A Bugatti Chiron sure goes fast and has every feature, but is not a great car for commuting to work or getting groceries.

Now, I am not anti new gear. I love gear. I just think that we’re not thinking critically and deliberate with our gear choices and could in many cases do better with less optimal and older items. I think often, old items do many things at par or even better than new gear (CCD sensors and colour rendering, for example). I have tons of old gear that is obsolete by modern standards and if I’m being honest, it suits my style and vision better than modern systems. Yes I have limitations and frustrations, but I do think it has made me significantly better as a photographer. Different systems have different pros and cons and I try to match the system to to desired vision. Old gear has “looks” and unique characteristics. It’s more vibes and less clinical.

Gear matters. It really does, but new gear isn’t requisite, or often necessary. Nearly every great photo was taken on old gear and your photos can be too.


Every shot below as completely shot on gear released in 2016 or prior.