What makes a pro camera "Pro"?

[CalamityCreekDesigns]

See there, I told you I was wrong a lot. I even misused the term flagship. OMG. I guess it's a good thing I can take a fair photo with the camera I can afford right now.

 

[bhop]

If you can't get the shot because it starts raining and you have to pack up your gear, then it's probably not a 'pro' camera.

 

[Mach0]

If you can't get the shot because it starts raining and you have to pack up your gear, then it's probably not a 'pro' camera.

Lol that would be many of us.

 

[one90guy]

Im in the past, my "pro" camera is a Nikon F4s:^)

 

[table1349]

A "Pro" camera is what ever an accomplished photographer uses. Several years ago Annie Leibovitz did a little project with an instamatic 126 film camera. Not what one would consider a pro body. She isn't the only one that has done this.

Accomplished photographers, pick bodies that have the features that makes those bodies most useful to them. Most useful can mean ease, speed, sensitivity etc. Advanced features, will mean more money for a body. It is more expensive to have 61 focus points rather than 9, etc. The camera is just a tool. The Photographer is the "Professional"

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/photographic-discussions/278741-camera-like-hammer-just-tool.html

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Pro has nothing to do with a camera.

Pro = combo of whoever spends the most at bestbuy on a kit deal plus has the biggest watermark

 

[Big Mike]

To really 'get' the difference, I'd suggest going into a good camera shop (that actually carries the 'pro' models) and ask to try out/compare the different models. The pro cameras will feel different in your hands. Typically they are much bigger and much heaver, but they feel like you could drop kick them, with no ill affects. They are likely more complicated to use, but their speed and responsiveness is much better than cheaper models.

 

[analog.universe]

I always associate a "Pro" product with reliability... Easily handles half a million shutter cycles, doesn't mind a little rain, could knock a person unconscious without sustaining damage etc. If you're a Pro, that means you depend on your equipment for your livelihood. So, pro equipment to me means that it does what you want, when you want it to, does so reliably, and will continue to do so for years.

 

[JeremyDueckPhoto]

Some pro wildlife shooters use crop bodies for the extra reach. So in that sense they choose "mid level" cameras as the best cameras regardless of price. For me, the ability to shoot in all lighting situations meant a ff camera was a must, like the d700 or the 5dii.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

There are reasons why serious professionals use the high end gear they do.

Yes there are. But let's not forget that "pros" are human just like the rest of us and some of those reasons may not be the best ones.

When I started in the PJ business, except for one Leica body, I was shooting Minolta gear and the old pros found it very funny and gave me hell about it. Strangely enough, it stopped when I started publishing in their magazines and newspapers

Somehow, their pro gear was not giving them the pro shots...


But, yes, for some jobs/some types of photography, some brands and specific camera models are a necessity. I don't know if it is still true but Nikon used to have the most incredible accessories for wildlife photography. Especially if you did remote shooting. From what I remember anyway

 

[MReid]

The person holding it.

 

[Josh220]

The person behind the camera. 'Nuff said.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/photographic-discussions/278741-camera-like-hammer-just-tool.html

 

[Overread19 7]

I don't know if it is still true but Nikon used to have the most incredible accessories for wildlife photography. Especially if you did remote shooting. From what I remember anyway

Hmm I think this might have changed. At least at present the main reasons people "go nikon" for wildlife that I hear are for the 200-400mm lens and for their generally better AF performances at lower price bands; that was pre canon 7D though which kind of swung things back toward canon till the fullframe nikons also started hitting the shelves. I think things are still a little more on Nikons side body wise; but lens wise Canon remains strong for attracting people (at least) becauase of the 400mm f5.6, 100-400mm and 300mm f4 group of lenses.