Camera Gear Challenge: $20,000 vs $2,000

Does Better Gear Take Better Photos? $20,000 vs $2,000
I tested out a $20,000 setup and a $2,000 camera gear setup to find out and answer the questions, "Does expensive gear take better photos?" "Will new gear improve my sports photography?" "Should I upgrade my photo gear?" "Is expensive photo gear worth it?"
0:00 - Intro
0:16 - The Camera Setups
1:01 - Image Comparisons
3:37 - Cons of Cheaper Setup
4:20 - Pros of Cheaper Setup
5:07 - High School Images
5:44 - Is it Worth it?
6:38 - Why Pay $20,000?
8:18 - What Should You Buy?
Follow along on Instagram @paulrutherford_
Check out my images at www.paulrutherfordphotography.com
As always, leave any questions in the comments!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Do you have a dream setup you can't afford?

[@johnmoore8435]

The unreleased R1 lol. Also, rented an 800mm f5.6 earlier this year. It's an obscene lens, but if I had the money I'd love to have that one.

[@bbeckwith]

Right now, R3 w/ 16-35f2.8,400f2.8and 600f4. build out dream kit around what I already have.

[@OlliHue]

I use a used A9II (previously A7 III) and a 70-200 f2.8 for Ultimate tournaments. And that works great. I would probably only switch to the A1 for my dream setup.

[@shaham92]

Sony A1 and the 400f2.8 GM... woof. Or, y'know a Leica Rangefinder and Noctilux 50mm f0.95. This being said, I don't often take my 50 f1.2 off of my body these days unless I'm shooting Ultimate

[@Paul_Rutherford]

R3 would be nice to have and would love to use the 600 at some point!

[@waynelee8327]

The cheaper set up sure can do great things!!! I did with first generation of 7D with the 70-200 f2.8L

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Totally agree!

[@survivingoncoffee]

I love this video. I belong to a social media group that always has beginners coming in asking for advice on equipment and so many are so quick to say "you have to get xyz"...and so many people see that, get sticker shock and feel like it's futile to try to get into sports photography. I've been ever so slowly building up my equipment over time and doing it that way works...and it also keeps you a little hungry/driven to keep improving your technique AND equipment over time.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching! There are no gear shortcuts in photography, most people don't want to hear that though. haha

[@ijyoyo]

Commercial photographer here.... wow! Would love to get my hands on the 20,000 camera, blow some of those photos up and see the crispness

[@Paul_Rutherford]

It's pretty nice and I only paid $11,000 for my $20,000 set up. haha

[@NikCan66]

Yes I paid for my new Z month 400mmf2.8 tc lens and my 2nd Nikon Z9 still to arrive

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I'm sure you'll love it!

[@ummm7640]

I have been using the 7D with 70-200 2.8 for years.... Have changed bodies recently to the R5 but still using the old faithful glass. As good to see the comparison. Thanks... now subscribed

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Love the R5 with the 70-200 to get the extra crop if needed. Thanks for subscribing!

[@BroInJapan]

MAte - nice play with the beard shave :D Gave me a good chuckle. Well done

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Haha, glad at least one person enjoyed it!

[@SocialPinecone]

Awesome video and sick photos as usual!!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching!!

[@pauldanesi3299]

I think you're going to enjoy the intensity of your new coach. Joe is a very impressive young man who was born to coach. All Rhode Island and Bishop Hendricken alums will have a newfound interest in the Celts. BTW, as a school photographer doing a lot of sports, your viseos are educating me more than you will ever know. Thanks.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching and glad they are helping!

[@Twobarpsi]

Great video!! I am doing this. I am shooting on a beginner body, Canon SL3, but using pro glass, 70-200 2.8 III L. I will upgrade my body, but invested in quality glass. The results on this "beginner" body are amazing! Excellent video show casing such different set ups!! All of those pictures looked great!!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Good glass does make a huge difference. Thanks for watching!

[@tylerHphoto]

I went 8 for 8. But, I have the sony Equivalent of your setup so I know what to look for in the images. Another Great Video. I share a lot of these because they are great. Keep them coming. Would love a series on remote setups. I feel like that is where I could really grow.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching and sharing! I'm going to do a remote one at some point. Just so many things to cover and I'm not an expert at it. haha

[@bbeckwith]

Literally just bought the 70-200 f2.8 IS ii and a used 7D2 this summer!! It will be a second body to my 5D4. hoping to add used 400f2.8 and a used 1DxII in the next year or so.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Nice! that is a great combo. I got my 400 f2.8 used during black Friday when there was a deal going on. Somehow they let it go with 30% off! I bet there will be a lot more 1dx mark ii bodies becoming available when people start receiving their R3s

[@paultrunfull3324]

Good vid, for my sports shoots I managed to get a Canon 1dx and Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 for Under £800 thats about $ 912 U.S and both of these items came with Guarantee's ! so the bargains are out there. Oh and the camera only had 42,000 shots on it, well that's when I got it.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

That's a great deal on gear! Thanks for watching!

[@kayelaine]

Hey curious if you ever dabble in concert/ music photography! I feel like sports and concerts share a lot in common, poor lighting, lots of movement, Predictable movement, etc

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I haven't done and concert/music photography. But I think it would be very challenging especially because the big concerts only let to shoot a few songs in addition to the tough lighting situations.

[@CarlosSilva88]

Hey man... what a nice video... I'm a teacher, I'm not a photographer but, I love photography and sports. I've been thinking about getting in sport photography just for fun for now. Here in Brazil gear is extremely expensive. I own a canon 60d and some lenses... 24mm, 50mm, 18-200mm, 18-135mm and 10-18mm... I also have a gopro... do you think that is enough to start? Great video man! COngrats and thanks!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

It is always enough to start. It may be tough for field sports to start, but focus on getting the action that is closer to you. And try shooting sports that are not played on a big field. (basketball, futsol, volleyball, etc.)

[@fasttracksportsphotography6311]

The voice of reason

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Appreciate it! That's what I'm going for.

[@angelogarciajr5356]

I wish I could agree. Baseball maybe. I tried to get by shooting football with a 70-200 when I started and it got frustrating quick when I saw what others with bigger lens were getting. I was restricted to the close side of the field. I ended up getting a used 3000 f2.8 and is what I still use and it blows away my 70-200. And my dream will always be that 400 f2.8. Look at this way. You have a corvette sitting there and a volkswagon bug. What are gonna drive away in lolol. Thanks

[@Paul_Rutherford]

So true. When I have the option I choose the 400 most fo the time. You're right that the 70-200 can be tough for football. Really have to be close on the sidelines or endzone. The 400 does allow you get really get up into the action with photos you'd never get with the 70-200. But I do love the 70-200 when the offense is getting closer to scoring and the play comes my way.

[@experiencethebestdogsirl8789]

To start off, I wanted to say your videos are great! I'm a photographer that started off on some beginner level(very old) gear, and I would really like an upgrade. I have around 4000 that I can use for lenses and body combined. (the gear will be used for basketball and football/ track photos). What would you recommend(on the canon side of things)? Thanks in advance!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I don't like to give exact answers because there are always a lot of factors. But I'd say a 70-200 is always going to be a very useful lens! And there are a lot of good new canon cameras out there.

[@marianofigueroa8458]

I got 6 right... but I was already subscribed... lol GREAT video as usual!! Cheers from Mexico

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Haha, Thanks for the continued support!

[@marianofigueroa8458]

@@Paul_Rutherford Thank you! Thanks to Billy D and yourself back in WUCC 2018 I became a sports photographer and I'm shooting Liga MX every weekend :)

[@adk499]

Love this video, great content 👌🏻 I went 5/8! the only thing I would say is why is the higher end set up being priced as ‘new’ and the lower end set up priced as ‘used’? 20k new seems crazy but in reality you could be that higher end set up used for way less

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching! Very true about the cost of the higher end set up. Honestly said it that way for a better title to the video. Haha

[@adk499]

@@Paul_Rutherford haha fair play

[@bquinn722]

“Take that haters!” Lol. This is a very interesting topic and points can definitely be made either way. I’ve been battling these thoughts lately. I shoot with a Sony A9ii and have been using the 200-600 for both baseball and football. Absolutely love the combo during the day. Great reach and zoom flexibility! But at night just does not work, so I use the 70-200 but find myself wanting more reach. Considering the Sigma 120-300 f2.8 for the consistent aperture as the 400 f2.8 (dream lens) is not in the budget. What do you think about 120-300 reach for baseball and football. Side note, many of the baseball games I shoot are on a mlb size field as they are older kids.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I'd say the 120-300 will work for baseball and football, although you will struggle to get some outfield shots at the 300 range and still may feel the need for a little bit more reach at times. For football, the 300 is great shooting from the sidelines and endzone when the offense is in the red zone. I know some photographers that shoot football with a 600 and 300 as their main lenses. Which is a heck of a set up!

[@brianbates7232]

Intermediate step for me has been the 100-500, just have the limits on the fstop being a 4.5-7.1. During the day, that is not much of an issue. But at night, esp with bad stadium lighting, almost unusable. Have to crank the ISO. Fortunately, the Canon R6 lets me get pretty high before the grain becomes unbearable. Thanks for creating these videos . . . I keep looking for Spiderman now!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Haha, I forget he's up there until I start editing the videos! Thanks for watching and these newer cameras allow for such great ISO performance.

[@andrewplacke1546]

Might be late to the party in asking this question but could post the image stats (ISO, focal length, F stop, shutter speed) for those indoor volleyball photos? Will be trying to photo some high school basketball games when I had previously had bad luck with volleyball in the same gym. Trying to decide if I can stick with my M50 with maybe different glass (I know🥴) or jump up to a full size sensor. Thanks!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

No problem! I get lucky with the light in that gym during day time, but the stats are ISO 3200, F/2.8, Shutter - 1/1250th

[@OlliHue]

What counts is still the result. And there it is totally no matter with which equipment you raise it!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Agreed! Thanks for watching!

[@OlliHue]

@@Paul_Rutherford Thanks for your videos. I hope to meet you on the sidelines of an Ultimate tournament sometime.

[@gonygonygo]

The 400 is a worthwhile investment for the serious sports photographer (although the 300 is a good compromise with the modern high megapixel bodies). It also gives you some “benefit of the doubt” when going through security. Thanks for the video!

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Haha. It is funny the places you can go with a big camera on your shoulder!

[@jason501]

Any chance you’ll be reviewing the R7?

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Probably not in the near future. I tried to get a loaner camera from Canon, but they weren't loaning them out yet.

[@mck24601]

He. I am also a physics teacher who does sports photography.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

The best subject to teach!

[@nichtfurdich3502]

Why do u call football soccer 🤔 I use a 70-200 f2.8 Mark III + a canon 800D What's the reason for u to use the lenses at f4?

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Haha, easier in the US to say soccer than American football. I go to f/4 during the daytime to get a little bit extra in focus. It doesn't effect the overall background much so I think it is worth it.

[@albrown7654]

Unless the operational features of the gear are limiting your ability to shoot what it is you NEED to shoot.....

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Yup, there is some gear you must have in order to get certain photos

[@anthonyburnett9070]

I definitely got all 8 I’m still going to subscribe tho. Hope you didn’t shave the beard

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Haha, just a a trim! Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@lloydhendricks5370]

You can get great images with a Rebel and kit 75-300 lens when you've got all that sunlight. It's the high school football fields with dungeon-quality lighting where the difference in gear becomes so apparent. Why didn't you do that comparison?

[@Paul_Rutherford]

I did add in some high ISO images from an indoor volleyball game. And to be honest I haven't shot any night football games recently.

[@basehorhonda]

6 out of 8. Missed 5 and 6.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Glad I got to trick someone! Thanks for watching and playing the game!

[@janben23]

I’m watching this as if I have 20k to spend 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Haha, well I got my $20,000 set up for about half off. Which is still a lot of money, but a little more obtainable!

[@fasttracksportsphotography6311]

This confirms it's the photographer and not the equipment.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Thanks for watching!

[@kernzilla]

Lost you at “Maybe a little bit sharper”

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Meaning you wouldn't get the cheaper set up?

[@kernzilla]

@@Paul_Rutherford already have it along with "$20k" setup; I'm speaking to your minimalization of IQ/AF/bokeh on a 1Dx2 & 400 2.8 vs a 7d2 with 70-200 in this video. Such a vast difference, and it's just striking to me, to hear it so casually compared. You're clearly a solid shooter, and truly dig the images on your IG. Perhaps my own personal problem, but I think the last several months i'm just at my tipping point with click-baity YT videos and questionable points being made by creators here. 🤷

[@Paul_Rutherford]

@@kernzilla That makes sense. I feel you on the click-baity titles, it's something I try to not go overboard with while still making sure people are clicking on the video to watch. I try not to get too technical with the IQ/AF/bokeh because I feel that I am speaking to more people that are new to photography. So I don't want to bog them down with technical aspects a lot of people won't understand and want to show the real world results so they can decide themselves if it is good enough or not. I appreciate your response!

[@tobi_ffs]

If you're a hater. Come fight me.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

Not quite sure what you're talking about about, but thanks for commenting.

[@tobi_ffs]

@PaulRutherfordPhotography in the video, you said something about haters coming for you. So, in your defense, i thought I'd take them on. But just as a joke.

[@Paul_Rutherford]

@@tobi_ffs Haha, Got ya! Forgot I said that in there. Thanks for watching!