Yes, these old questions again: does camera equipment make such a huge difference in image quality? Or is it the eye of the person holding the camera? Can a budget camera ever hold a candle to an expensive professional-level camera and lens?
In this video from Vanessa Joy, experienced pro photographers are given entry-level or outdated gear to see what they can create with it. The results are certainly interesting.
Equipment
The cameras used are a Canon R10 with a “nifty fifty” 50mm f/1.8 lens, which in total costs around $1,000. The other is a Fujifilm X-H2S ($2499) with a 50mm lens on a crop sensor, which is equivalent to an 80mm lens. This isn’t what I’d call a super budget set-up; however, it’s a far cry beneath what photographer Caroline Tran normally shoots with.
The shoot
The photographers take turns photographing a model, giving their own directions, poses, and lighting. They then choose their best images and post-process them to their own individual taste. The general public is then asked to decide which ones they like the best.
Results
Well, the results are what you’d expect, really, given that it was not a particularly scientific experiment! The photographs shot by the photographers are pretty good despite using entry-level-grade cameras. I think we could have all answered this question without watching the video. Of course, professional photographers can still create wonderful photographs using budget equipment, duh!
