Why THIS Camera Makes Me a Better Photographer

2024 Fall Colorado Workshop - bio.site/alexarmitage
If you’re like me, you’ve likely spent most of your time as a photographer either thinking your camera doesn’t make you a better photographer or being told it doesn’t make you a better photographer. Actually, I’ve spent years on this channel saying exactly this and I’ve realized I think I’m entirely wrong, and by the end of this video I’ll change your mind too.
Now don’t get me wrong, the person behind the camera still matters far more than the camera they are holding. However if the camera they are holding is a culmination or series of tools that inspired them to be doing what they are doing - it absolutely made them a better photographer. It’s not the megapixels, dynamic range, the autofocus, or sharpness. It’s that our cameras are an extension of our art. They are the brushes we love to paint with, the typewriter with the perfect balance, or the guitar with the perfect pitch.
So if you’re like me and you found inspiration to go out and practice your art because you bought a new camera. Or you were able to capture the image you wanted because you had the right lens. Or you saw something you’d never see without slowing down because your camera requires it. Then your camera has absolutely made you a better photographer. Don’t believe me? Try shooting without one!
𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬
Website: alexarmitage.com
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Camera/Video 𝐆𝐞𝐚𝐫 (Affiliate Links)
𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐆𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 : www.alexarmitage.com/gear
Colored Magnetic Filters: mavenfilters.com/aff/12/
New Photography Camera: geni.us/Canon-R5
New Video Camera: geni.us/Canon-R7
Drone: geni.us/Mavic-2Pro
Old Video Camera: geni.us/FujiXT4Body
Vanlife 𝐆𝐞𝐚𝐫
Fridge: geni.us/campfridge
Power/Battery: geni.us/campbattery
USB Fan: geni.us/USBThinFan
Clothes Pack Cubes: geni.us/ClothesPackingCubes
Car Mirror: geni.us/CampingMirror
Toiletry Bag: geni.us/ToiletryBag
Window Nets: geni.us/WindowNets
Black Hole Duffel: geni.us/BlackHoleDuffel
Electronic Organizer: geni.us/ElectronicOrganizer
Thermocell: geni.us/ThermoCell
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Empty Spray Bottle: geni.us/EmptySprayBottle
Camp Light: geni.us/camplight
Quality USB Light: geni.us/QualityUSBLight
Affordable USB Light: geni.us/AffordableUSBLight
Car First Aid: geni.us/CarFirstAid
Portable Speaker: geni.us/JBLPortableSpeaker
Portable Power Strip: geni.us/PortablePowerStrip
Lens Cloths: geni.us/MicrofiberLensCloths
Camera Straps: geni.us/BigCameraStrap
Camera Wipes: geni.us/CameraCleaningWipes
Cooking 𝐆𝐞𝐚𝐫
Electric Tea Kettle: geni.us/ElectricBoil
Big Table: geni.us/campbigtable
Camp Stove: geni.us/everestcampstove
Cutting Board: geni.us/campcuttingboard
Measuring Cups: geni.us/MeasuringCups
Knife: geni.us/campknife
Knife Cover: geni.us/KnifeCover
Skillet: geni.us/camplegendskillet
Coffee Cups: geni.us/DurableCoffeeCup
Car Bowls: geni.us/DurableCampingBowls
Car Plates: geni.us/DurablePlates
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Camp Sporks: geni.us/SmallCampSporks
Long Camp Spork: geni.us/LongSpork
Jet Boil: geni.us/JetBoil
Hiking First Aid Kit: geni.us/HikingFirstAid
GPS: geni.us/GPS-Garmin66i
Binoculars: geni.us/VortexBinoculars
Walkie Talkies: geni.us/Motorola-T800
Aeropress: geni.us/AeroPressCamping
Osprey 24L: geni.us/OspreyStratos24
Mosquito Head Net: geni.us/MosquitoHeadNet
Portable Chair: geni.us/MoonliteChair
Hammock: geni.us/EnoDoubleHammock
Straps: geni.us/EnoStraps
Music (Typically) from Musicbed:
fm.pxf.io/c/3300666/1347628/1...
0:00 I Was Wrong
1:27 Excitement from Cameras!
3:11 A Camera That Allows You To Shoot What You Want
7:19 New Cameras!
10:29 Easy to Use Cameras
13:03 Cameras That Slow You Down
17:54 Camera Relationships
20:48 Camera Reliability

[@randyschwager84]

I just finished listening to 30 minutes of you talking on the F-stop, Collaborate, etc Podcast! I was reminded why you are my favorite KZbinr! Great job Alex! I have followed you for a long time and I appreciate all the help you’ve provided me! By the way, I love the title on this video! It sucked me right in! You are a smart and very likable guy! Thanks for taking me along!

[@AlexArmitage]

Ah thanks so much Randy!

[@martybeyer]

So true Alex, over the years I have noticed on KZbin there are two peoples that say gear doesn't matter. 1st is the photographers that have $20k kits and 2nd is the photographers that only have an iPhone. 100% gear does matter and does make you a better photographer via the exact points you made. This was a very refreshing video 🤟

[@AndrewDubinin]

And then these $20k kit photographers tell you something like "Still my favourite camera is my trusty Lumix gf3"... Yeah, right, why don't you use that trusty gf3 then?

[@jessejayphotography]

Sending this to my wife in hopes she will understand why I need R5mk2 😂 j/k…maybe. Saying gear doesn’t matter is a myopic take. Gear is a tool. Tools do certain things better than other tools. You pick the tool that flows best with your artistic, creative, or life philosophy. Maybe that is “I don’t want a big camera to lug around”. Maybe it is ultimate image quality. Maybe it is being discreet. And, sometimes, maybe it’s just the aesthetics of the camera body that inspires you that day or that month or this year. I personally like to use different things from time to time. I like to see what each brand is doing. Every once in a while you find a camera that just feels right and works with your flow and it stays.

[@martybeyer]

@@jessejayphotography Tell her, if she really loves you, she would understand 👍

[@AlexArmitage]

Hah. Thanks Marty :)

[@boristahmasian9604]

Years ago, I had a husband and wife wedding photographer friends who had Canon's best glass. By that I mean the 200mm f1.8, 85 and 50mm f1.2 and the 24 and 35mm f1.4 lenses along with the fast zooms.. I used to drool over some of their photos in low light shot wide open. I tried to achieve the same results with my 24-105 F4 lens but it never gave me the same look. So yes for certain looks, the gear matters. They also shot EOS 1DX bodies while I was shooting 10D, 20D and 7D bodies. Did they have a focus speed and accuracy advantage, you bet. That is why I added a 70-200 f2.8 IS and an 85mm f1.8 to get the shallows depth of field effects they were getting. I did it the cheapo way but it worked, somewhat!!

[@brianmckeever5280]

I can't disagree. I've always thought people with thousands of dollars worth of the latest gear saying gear doesn't matter was a bit odd. As you imply, the best gear will not make you a good photographer, but the best gear makes becoming a good photographer much less frustrating. Also, there are the occasional "Wow, I actually got that shot!" moments. Poor-quality gear makes for fewer of those in my experience. Nice images.

[@KristinStuthard]

Such a great video, thank you for your knowledge.

[@mitchellmysliwiecphotography]

Well said Alex! For all the reasons you said in the video, from time to time I love switching to my 135 f2.8 Ais. Precision manual focus, it is just a joy to use and I look at scenes in a different way (in the 135 way... )

[@AlexArmitage]

Right on!

[@thomascoulton]

This video could not have come at a better time. I am right now on the fence about switching from Canon, that I have used for decades, over to Fuji. I look at the Fuji camera and think of how the X-T5 begs for me to take it out and take images, Fuji stuff seems to inspire to want to do more photos, yet at the same time I think I am looking at Fuji for all the wrong reasons. I love my Canon RP, my favorite camera ever. Even invested in the RF 24-70 f/2.8 and the RF 70-200 f/4 glass, getting some of the best images I have ever taken, but still not making me want to get out and take images like the pull Fuji has on me. But your comment about your camera being a friend, knowing all the little things that make is it what it is, never really thought about my camera that way. I know I need to get out more, Wisconsin winters and early spring weather is making it hard, but I know once I get back out and using the RP I will not be thinking about anything Fuji. This video really has me thinking, such a perfect video for the right time and really a video I wish more photographers would watching. I know they day will come where the RP will need to be replaced, but when that day comes, instead of trading it in, I want to know put on a 35mm lens and make that a small kit for just taking around with me, make it my Fuji X100-whatever number camera. Keep that old friend till the day comes and he no longer turns on for good. Thank you for making this video.

[@simonmaney3438]

I'm looking at getting into Fuji too! But only because sodding Canon won't make (or allow!!) decent glass for its otherwise perfectly good crop cameras.

[@thomascoulton]

@@simonmaney3438 That is what started me on a different system, when Canon came out saying no to 3rd party and I should have made the change then. But I stayed with my RP and bought some costly RF glass and love the images I am getting. Sadly by the time Canon does allow 3rd party I will have all the lenses I want and no need, happy for those coming on that will have that option. But I totally understand where you are coming from -1000%.

[@AlexArmitage]

Thanks for the comment Thomas :)

[@Popa_Bogdan_Light_Drawing]

thank you alex, now i am discovering 120 negative shooting and developing with an Seagull A4 camera. There are $$$ 120 camera but no point in blocking the money in them. I've show my frames to a guy with two Rolleiflex and he was stunt of what I can get out of my camera. You and your camera need to combine and be just one entity, if you do that you will get amazing results!!!

[@OldGirlPhotography]

Hi, Alex. Just wanted to say that this was one of the most refreshing looks at photography gear that I have seen. And you are so right. Also love your take on equipment choices to make photography more convenient and just more fun. Could not agree more. Interesting as well that we have exactly the same base kit. Great minds...

[@AlexArmitage]

Ah Thank you so much!!

[@mcmasterphoto]

Inspirational video.... Thanks!

[@localnavy433]

Love this video so much and everything that you have said is exactly why I have the gear I have.

[@AlexArmitage]

Yeah! Its okay to enjoy your gear :)

[@Stop-All-War]

I had a Canon 6D & a 16-35mm F4.. the combo & photos were very pleasing.

[@simonmaney3438]

The EF 16-35/4 was a revelation! Transformed the results I could get, and my photography in turn.

[@David_Quinn_Photography]

That osprey in the tree was a cool shot, when they are stationary it may be a fun but risky idea to do a longer exposure I have one at 1/640th on a really calm day where he was just relaxing in the early morning sun and the light reflections off the white features in black and white are really cool, it was slow enough that if he moved it would be a blurry photo.

[@AlexArmitage]

I probably just didn't change the shutter speed on accident

[@JohnDoe-ws5iv]

Awesome video!!

[@jimbruton9482]

I enjoyed your video Alex and your are right, the gear that you are using (regardless of type) does matter in your photography. One question - many of your shots were shown as using the RF 100-500 at 800mm. Were you using a 2x extender or shooting in crop mode? If so, what are your thoughts on either extender or shooting in crop mode?

[@AlexArmitage]

Ah! Good question Jim. Unless I forgot to correct the camera, the only images that should be at 800MM are shot on the R7 which is a 1.6 crop so I put that focal range instead (500x1.6). I don't have an extender

[@barbarachamberlain6918]

The combination of my Canon R5 and the 100-500mm lens definitely made me a better photographer!

[@AlexArmitage]

Heck yes lets go!

[@rayspencer5025]

About 15 years ago, I switch camera systems, a very painful decision. The reason was Pentax had become limiting (I started with a Pentax H1 a very long time ago, and went on to a Spotmatic, K1000, ME Super, ZX30, K10D, K20D, K5iiS and a suite of lenses). Pentax had gone from being the system with the most accessories and features, to having few. I switched to Canon and got a 70D, largely for the flip-out screen to help with macro and low shots. I now shoot with an R7 and a huge suite of lenses, and am concidering the next Canon to buy ... R5 ii, perhaps

[@theeya89]

It‘s so true. Buying that second lens for my camera (70-200) opened up a whole new world of creativity. I love that lens, it made it possible to shoot animals, learning and experimenting with the AF options and shutter speed made me a better photographer.

[@AlexArmitage]

THIS!

[@ccsocal768]

So does cropping if you are shooting large meg files. 🙄

[@adventure_photo]

Great video Alex! It does drive me nuts though seeing you never use your lens hoods while keeping them reversed on your lens, haha! I find a hood always improves contrast and image quality, wondering why you don’t seem to use them?

[@AlexArmitage]

I use it when theres flare I care about. Most of the time I care more about adjusting my polarizer over having the hood on. I don't notice a difference unless theres very specific type of light!

[@marcia1101]

I agree and desagree at the same time. I have watch vídeos about "gears X good photo" many times. Some have the same argumente as you: there are some pictures that only certain gears will get the result (I agree). At the other hand, I watched old photographers that has more than 30 years of expererience and they come from film. And they got a very good quality images without having a LCD screen to check their picures. So they say: taking pictures came phom film, so what digital does, they copy from film. And when they shoot film they had to master light and couldnt fail because they only had 36 picures to take. And now they went digital with the mindset of film experience. (And I also agree with that).

[@rayspencer5025]

I remember trying to do Wildlife Photography with the first "serious" camera I ever bought...a Petri 7S, a rangefinder camera with a fixed 45mm lens. I could shoot portraits, lanscapes, street / urban scenes with it, but Macro and wildlife was largely a dismal failure.

[@dw.in.michigan]

Putting it the way you did, that your camera/lens makes you a better photographer, vs making you a good photographer, is a much better take than what I've heard repeatedly that the gear just doesn't matter. I don't think that newer necessarily always means better, when talking about gear, so I would say that specific features of a camera and/or lens, or tripod or whatever, are going to be more expedient at facilitating your enjoyment, because you can get better results more easily, and therefore be more motivated to keep going. One of those features might be something like an articulating screen. I'm almost 50 years old and don't have the range of mobility I once did. If I need to take a shot from a low perspective, a fixed screen is going to limit my ability to compose and focus for the shot. That sort of limitation isn't one that will inspire me to greater heights, because it's in direct conflict with my desire to broaden my perspective when composing. So, yes, you have to be proficient with the gear you have, but if the gear you have limits your abilities in a way that either detracts from your enjoyment or prevents growth and development of your interests, then you have to look for gear that allows you to continue to grow and to experience joy and satisfaction from your efforts.

[@AlexArmitage]

Yes exactly! Also that articulating screen is just spoiling. I wouldn't get a camera without one at this point

[@ryancooperthompson979]

Glad to see that lens still in your kit 2 years later.

[@AlexArmitage]

Shhhhh. Still traumatized by how hard it was to get

[@philiphatton]

👍👍👍 for the dance moves

[@AlexArmitage]

the true fans are here!

[@neilarmitage6632]

Gary Player the famous golfer said this : "the more I practice the luckier I become"

[@simonmaney3438]

Better gear definitely makes for better photographs, and then possibly, a better photographer. I never thought I could go anywhere without a tripod but I'm starting to explore handheld landscape photography (and getting images I otherwise wouldn't have) simply because the tech allows me to do so. I mean, you're handholding a 100-500! Who woulda thunk it, eh?

[@AlexArmitage]

and getting video at 500!

[@jamilor]

Equipment doesn’t make you better at anything to the point where it actually matters, it gives you the capability of doing so if you have the knowledge and skills to take advantage of it. This is true in any field, whether it’s photography, cooking or racing cars. Get something that meets your technical requirements, that you enjoy using, and the rest is up to you. Your equipment isn’t going to help you beyond that point.

[@michaelculhane7227]

i always worry about holding a camera with a long telephoto lens by the camera itself. I always hold mine by the lens....it's probably ok.

[@bhuman1983]

He is lying. All of his talent comes from his mustache! That’s the truth!!

[@janihonkala8154]

Ho ho ho ho

[@jw-lk1pe]

don't overlook the septum piercing

[@AlexArmitage]

I do have a video about that!

[@jwate]

I’d love a telephoto zoom for wild life. I might sell my 50 1.2 GM and a 20 1.8 G from Sony just to get their 200-600. But what holds me up is thinking I’d prob never buy that 50 again and it’s such an awesome lens.

[@AlexArmitage]

how often do you use it?

[@neilarmitage6632]

What lens are you using

[@AlexArmitage]

for which part?

[@reneweisz9157]

No camera alone can magically transform someone into a better photographer! What various cameras, lenses, and equipment offer are choices-more options. Diverse gear might facilitate reaching your desired outcome, the vision you had in mind. Yet, it won't inherently make someone a better photographer ;

[@AlexArmitage]

Absolutely!

[@PizzlesTechTime]

Yeah I watched creators for the past 10 years Tell me that gear doesn't matter while there is a new piece of gear coming out every minute. Sponsored videos telling you all the positives about a product. 😊 Then you buy it and you realize the negative videos don't come up when you're searching for reviews. You only get those after you get the camera in hand and find the problem yourself. Search and everybody has the same issue. After buying a Canon mirrorless camera, My work instantly got better. Yes I needed to learn the menu system and learn full frame fundamentals. You must perfect your fundamental skills to be good at anything consistently. I can say the Canon R5C has made me a more consistent creator. If I didn't try to learn and grow everyday and improve my faults, I probably wouldn't do any better.

[@IKnowAGuyBicycles]

Fantastic insights! Keep up the great content.

[@AlexArmitage]

Thank you! Did you ever catch the video I filmed at your place? haha

[@AnthonyCrouchPhotography]

Truth

[@MsOnce4all]

Shout out to Ben Horne at 13:56!

[@AlexArmitage]

BEN!

[@MsOnce4all]

@@AlexArmitage LOL!

[@montanaylago]

You are right, when my camera got stolen that made me want to take photos…. No, wait, what? 😅😂😂😂

[@AlexArmitage]

:( Aww thats not how I meant it! I'm sorry your camera got stolen

[@2MinuteReview]

Now do a video about how "zooming with your feet" isnt always an option.

[@AlexArmitage]

gonna walk right into the lake

[@2MinuteReview]

@@AlexArmitage you got a whole series here. Call it "shit photographers say"

[@tonykeltsflorida]

My camera, the M6 mark II, doesn't make me better. It does make it easier to make good pictures. It also makes it so I don't need to buy any newer cameras or lenses.

[@henriklantzhedstrom6709]

You made me sell my canon R6 and 15-35 L 2.8 and instead only use my IPhone 14 Pro. 😂

[@ccsocal768]

Sorry, the talent comes from the photographers eye, not the huge lens or camera. For example, somebody could shoot those water shots with a good iPhone and just crop it down. A big lens only makes you think you are a good photographer, but it actually the photographer and his vision that make the composition.

[@chrismassa5891]

lol. appropriate footwear.

[@AlexArmitage]

for shooting from the car? hell yeah!

[@Dan-C-71]

Where’s Sophia?

[@MasterWolf1213]

Also wanting more Sophia!!

[@AlexArmitage]

Shes in Canada!

[@davidmanzi4491]

When I see someone with the lens hood on backwards, well, no.

[@AlexArmitage]

Hey, you leave my lens hood alone!!

[@abrahamgebru8919]

A camera makes you a better photographer? I thought it was ability to see beauty in what you want to phtograph.

[@Mucahit410]

what i think you have a just one problem.. your video color is sooooo bad. everything is ok. but the color kills me

[@martybeyer]

colour looked spot on for me, maybe you could calibrate your monitor?

[@Mucahit410]

i dont think so. literally i dont like color grading of your videos , just color grading , everything is ok, but color grading no. im a videographer and editor, and my monitor always calibrated :) gave a little advice what i mean saying color grading your videos are like raw footages , unsaturated or not enough and little noisy (how i understand you put the de noise in your editing program like 0.02 or 0.05 but it feels.. ) or you need to up your exp when you shoot by log , there is something is not enough with light and color :)

[@martybeyer]

@@Mucahit410 my videos? Or Alex's videos? 😂

[@AlexArmitage]

Not sure what you're seeing that I'm not.

[@owenpeller6471]

not mentioning where you are is extremely annoying my man

[@AlexArmitage]

Why would I need to tell you where I am?