Gear Lists

[Lance]

As I browse this forum and other larger forums on the net Ive found one contast among the less professional groups. Gear lists. Why is it necessary to "customize" your signature with every single piece of gear you have? Is it really necessary to make the "L" actually red in color? Do we really need to know that you have PSCS3 installed on your computer? After having to scroll about 25% more to get past the signatures (on websites that dont use vbull and dont have the options to turn off sig view) I started noticing the types that posted these rediculous gear lists and they were usually the ones that had no business even owning all of that gear. So if nothing more than a rant, my question is, why post them? It seems a little pretentious and over the top, and usually indirectly embarassing for most that have them. If you gave a gear list with 1D's D3's and the like and post craphouse photos we are going to wonder #1 why the hell you have all that gear and suck #2 why you still suck after buying all that gear!

anyways, your thoughts?

[JPalmer]

machismo

[Lance]

i think youre right jason.

i might add too that 99.999% of websites i see with gear lists are usually laughable "businesses" at best.

no ones going to hire you just because you tell us you are using a D3 if your images just suck.

you wont see any other people listing what they use in other business barring a few exceptions ie being sponsored.

i guess to people who actually work in the industry and are not Engineers 9-5 and hobby photographers over the weekend, the gear is just tools.

[JPalmer]

Oh... I know I'm right.

It's the classic thump my chest mentality... he who has the most toys wins. The car forums are my fave. (I'm on a Pontiac Vibe one) where they have an itemized list of the modifications they've done to their vehicles.... it's ridiculous.

[frameworthy]

This thread makes me think...maybe I should put a bunch of bogus gear in my signature.

"1Ds Mk III (x2), 1D Mk III (x4), 5D (x10), 16-35L, 24-70L, 70-200L (IS), ...... well, everything Canon makes and has ever made..."

[AndrewCCM]

I do, because I participate in gear related discussions a lot of the time. Of course, I don't list every piece of gear. Just what I primarily shoot with.

I have a question though. Why are you making such judgmental statements about people "sucking" and such. That to me is a bit "pretentious" on your part and somewhat invalidates your argument.

But to each his own I suppose.

BTW: Can we take a look at your work/website so we can form an opinion on your comments a little more seriously?

[bondarnes]

When you are new to something you think the gear is important. After you do this awhile you realize gear is only a tool. I only list one thing in my gear list.

[Lance]

Originally Posted by frameworthy

This thread makes me think...maybe I should put a bunch of bogus gear in my signature.

"1Ds Mk III (x2), 1D Mk III (x4), 5D (x10), 16-35L, 24-70L, 70-200L (IS), ...... well, everything Canon makes and has ever made..."

i was going to list EVERYTHING i own that has anything to do with photo.

"...pocket wizard pre-trigger cable, black gaffers tape, grey gaffers tape, super clamp with twisty knob (black), super clamp with older knob (chrome)"

[Peruna]

It strikes me as odd too, however I do like it when people attach the camera body and lens used to capture the image when they post a photograph. Its a nice resource during purchasing decisions and also reminds me that it isn't the equipment in most cases. And I do appreciate bigger name photographers putting a gear list on their website as it helps me in potential buying decisions. But I don't see the point on here except to the brag. However, bragging isn't the worst offense in the world so not a big deal in my mind.

[Lance]

Originally Posted by AndrewCCM

I do, because I participate in gear related discussions a lot of the time. Of course, I don't list every piece of gear. Just what I primarily shoot with.

I have a question though. Why are you making such judgmental statements about people "sucking" and such. That to me is a bit "pretentious" on your part and somewhat invalidates your argument.

But to each his own I suppose.

BTW: Can we take a look at your work/website so we can form an opinion on your comments a little more seriously?

im not judging you, im making an observation of what I see. not on this forum particularly, but other forums as well. and thats fine that you list your stuff, at least you dont list every lens youve bought in your life. how am i invalidated, by saying that the majority of people that list gear whether in their sigs or websites are amatuers? i know plenty of people who can make better images with a holga than most of the people I see with these huge gear lists and no decent photos to show. we should remember its not about having the lastest and greatest, most expensive gear out there, its about having a passion and being born with that thing. the eye, or the artist within, whatever you want to call it. im of the school of thought that certain people are either born WITH it or not. sure you can learn, but if you lack that artistic quality you can only go so far. others may not agree.

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by Lance

If you gave a gear list with 1D's D3's and the like and post craphouse photos we are going to wonder #1 why the hell you have all that gear and suck #2 why you still suck after buying all that gear!

anyways, your thoughts?

and how long have you been browsing and just how much experience do you have to determine what is crap and what sucks??
I'd love to see some samples of your work as well...

[phillip ino]

Lance-
Perhaps you should ask those individuals who list great gear and have sucky photos personally by sending them a private message or email. That way your inquiry won't seem as juvenile.

[Lance]

Originally Posted by phillip ino

Lance-
Perhaps you should ask those individuals who list great gear and have sucky photos personally by sending them a private message or email. That way your inquiry won't seem as juvenile.

why? im not calling any one person out. im also not going to PM someone and say HEY YOU SUCK, and why do you post a gear list? this section is called open talk, so im talking...openly. im sorry if i used the word "suck" though. i know thats pretty juvenile.

[directmk]

Good observation there Lance :-) I am going to export the entire B & H catalog and list it in my signature ;-)

[phillip ino]

Originally Posted by Lance

why? im not calling any one person out. im also not going to PM someone and say HEY YOU SUCK, and why do you post a gear list? this section is called open talk, so im talking...openly. im sorry if i used the word "suck" though. i know thats pretty juvenile.

It just seems a very passive-aggressive way of going about things. Honestly, I don't see why listing one's gear on a photography forum would be considered an unnecessary customization. I don't really think doing so has really hurt anyone or caused any trouble. It's just a personal preference, no matter what the reason for doing so is.