The camera is just a tool

Your camera doesn't really matter. what?! The hardware and software you use are your tools of the trade. They are only tools. A good guitarist can make a cheap pawnshop guitar sound pretty good, the best guitar in the world won't make anyone sound any better if they don't know how to play. It's not all about the tool. That sa id, once you improve in your craft beyond your current equipments' limits and decide to pursue photography as some long term venture, I suggest you invest in some specific tools that will work for you now and let you gain a lengthy understanding and appreciation of photography before outgrowing them, if you ever do.

Although I don't feel that any particular brand or model of camera is "the best" I do have a preference, more because of the sensors than the bodies that surround them. The setup of the buttons and functions can also influence your decision, as I have to operate the camera over and over again. It's not what's "the best", but what is the best for you.

I am particular about glass (to some extent) and I am also particular about light. the glass is of paramount importance because the light enters the body and falls on the sensor through the glass. If the glass is bad or substandard, (or dirty), the photo won't be any better no matter how expensive the camera is. When it comes to the camera body, they improve every year! Why invest a huge wad of dough into a camera that is outdated in 18 months. Just like computers, cameras get better faster and cheaper all the time. Glass on the other hand, good glass that is, will last for decades if not the rest of your life! There are great lenses made in the 60's and 70's that still produce incredible shots today. The most major advancement in lenses since then has been autofocus. There are some other things computers have done to improve lens design but I digress. Buy good glass and good light. Get a good camera too but it doesn't have to be the fanciest or most expensive one (unless that's how you roll...) and plan on upgrading the camera body or bodies every 5 years or so.

So what do I use?

Nikon D7000, D200, & D80 camera bodies

Nikon SB800 and SB900 Flash units

three lenses;

18-200 f3.5-5.6 zoom

50 f1.8

105 f2.8 macro

Einstein studio strobes from Paul C. Buff

Various light modifiers and misc. accessories like tripods and light stands, battery packs and... you get the idea.

If I need more anything I can rent it. Everything but the Studio strobes and light mods fit in one backpack (a LowePro) and I am very portable and flexible. Would I like a wider angle lens? sure. A longer telephoto? you bet. But the bulk of my work is in the 18-200mm DX (28-300mm FX) range and if I need something longer, shorter, or more specialized I can rent it from http://borrowlenses.com

So what would be my next lens? Something wider like a 14mm DX (20mm FX). I'm covered at the tele end but a little shy on the wide angle end.

My next body purchase? An FX body (full frame sensor) for it's lower light capability (lower noise as well).

What else? More strobes and flash units!

What camera equipment do you have?

You may have an arsenal of equipment, or you may have a camera and nothing else. neither position makes you a better photographer. Here's an assignment for each of you;

Equipment Arsenal dude(ette): pick one camera, one lens, and one light mod (like a reflector or flash) and go on a walk, a hike, or a day trip. your photographic subject will be the light itself. Make images of the main light source (it's reflection, it's absorption, it's transmission, it's diffraction) as your composition. Control the sun! Tip; instead of photographing objects or subjects, photograph their shadows or reflections. (see tutorial #1) the challenge is to make great images with the equipment that is with you, and that's easy if you look more at the subject (and the light) than your equipment.

No equipment dude(ette): Maybe you just have a camera phone. or a point and shoot. So what. The best camera is the one you have with you. It's all about style in the end. Take your camera(phone) on a walk, hike or day trip. your photographic subject will be the light itself. Make images of the main light source (it's reflection, it's absorption, it's transmission, it's diffraction) as your composition. Control the sun! Tip; instead of photographing objects or subjects, photograph their shadows or reflections. (see tutorial #1) the challenge is to make great images with the equipment that is with you, and that's easy if you look more at the subject (and the light) than your equipment. No matter what kind of camera you have - buy a reflector.

For information about the software I suggest and why see the tutorial, "The Photoshop Tool" Registration is required to view this and other tutorials - sign up, (it's free) and it helps me to stay motivated writing more tutorials.

Bringing it all together