Are you obsessed with the technology only?

I partake in each of those activities.

This was taken from 27 miles away, as an example. Whether you like it or not is not the point. The point is, I wanted the picture and I like the picture. And since I'm the client, that's all that matters.

This is a 15 second exposure of a lunar eclipse taken with a 2000mm f/7 on full-frame.

If the OP did too, obviously my recommendations would be different.

Extragalactic astrophotography.

Or photos of god.

That's exactly the point - gear does matter. For some types of photography, a simple camera with a modest "normal" (or near wide angle or near telephoto) lens will work. For others, it will not. It's a poor craftsman who uses the wrong tool for the job.

Not clear there's a technical solution for that.

His issue is GAS for the "latest and greatest". Not which class of tool is required for the job.

If your argument is that buying the latest and greatest just because it's the latest and greatest, and not because it's necessary or important, is silly, then we agree. My two primary cameras are the 2005 Canon 5D and the 2016 n 7D Mark II. But each of those was an upgrade to help me get shots I was previously missing.

This was the point of the original question, and the entire thread. That you are only now grasping this is the source of conflict. Nobody has disputed the need for specialized equipment for making specific photographs.

Nobody?

I addressed that specific @XRay comment upthread. You’re applying a literal interpretation to their generalized comment supporting an image before gear approach to photography. Of course gear can be important, but the conversation here is around attaching importance to gear for its own sake.

Not dissimilar to your calling me out earlier in the thread for answering the initial question Are you obsessed with the technology only? with No. Story trumps gear. You deemed my response to be a general statement. How should I better have answered that question? Had I done so, would that technically correct answer be a more honest, or useful in context, response given my viewpoint?

Yes, I need (in a first world way) a modern, MILC (or EVIL camera if you prefer) with fast” focus, and a high-power zoom lens… but only for a small percentage of my photography. If I didn’t have this kit, I could make the vast majority of my reportage pictures, which sometimes rise to the level of art, using a fixed lens camera with a 35mm FOV. Or, for that matter an iPhone. I don’t need to make closeups of bison, or flying birds, to be fulfilled as a photographer, maker or artist.

If we can’t allow for some flexibility in interpretation every discussion will devolve to whataboutism. There are exceptions to nearly every rule proposed. Continuously citing edge cases doesn’t always better or benefit the conversation. Sometimes you have to read the room to filter responses through a lens of context. Yours and those of others.

@simplejoy

Stunning set of images!! I see you use an R5, which is your lens of choice for those awesome macros?

Congratulations. Like it or not, agree or disagree, this is art and you, the maker, are a genuine artist…knowingly or not.

I've found that the less I obsess over the gear, the more I enjoy the experience. Even if you don't have the right gear at hand. Shoot these with my little manual focus 10mm Laowa. Had a blast

That's true any tech or hobby or passion you have and in a way independent from the gear.

Get that 5 minutes or two hours - do it twice a day at least - even when you're sick.
- that's a good solution.

I cannot read music, I've never been able, but I can visively record them in my brain.
I played only a little Piano. My hands didn't fit the task, so I switched to Piano-Accordion which has smaller keys, and played it to my full some years. Switched to guitar, 'till Dupuytren hit hard. Then for two years Sliding-Trombone 'till my shoulder started complaining. I gave a last stint with Trumpet, and 3 months later shoulder told me to stop.
Never played in public, I did it for my own satisfaction.
I got the good gear not the fantastic one and stayed with that. My instruments I never sold, I still own them, and are somewhere in the house if I've not made a gift to somebody I cared about.

Same for fotografy....
I'm getting a very heavy 9 years old Sig 150-600 C - used - It will fill my lenses range nicely
When I get my hand on it ... I will use it, and use a little less the AF-P 100-300 - bought used as well.
As soon as I'm able to stand and walk I take the car and get out with my bag.
When I'm not ... I go into the balcony and get some shots from there.
But if even that is too much ... I'll try some macro, without a tripod and focus shifting.

Resilience is what helps you against GAS

( Great Astounding Systems )

Utricularia subulata flower - 3mm - Raynox 250 - handsheld - sooc

I was thinking a bit more about this, and have decided, unequivocally, that I am free of that affliction. I bought the DPreview 2020 worst camera of the year a few months back. In 2023. Not only that, I liked it so much that I bought a second one. Beat that

Hi,

Well, I don't know if this beats that....

I have a Pentax 645D. 40 MP Kodak CCD. Slow to shoot, both the camera itself and the sensor. Keep it at the base ISO of 200. Use tripod. Shoot Mirror Up to get rid of mirror slap vibrations. Slow it down even more! ;)

Takes wonderful shots as long as you have lots of light and the subject doesn't move. Which is exactly the use cases I bought it for back in 2020. Much better in the large print dept than my Nikon Df.

Stan