I was once a gear snob

I hate to admit it but I do believe that is true. I used to be a gear snob, despite my writings and words that may have indicated otherwise. Why do I say this? I say this because I just bought a lens that is, at least, 23 years old AND spent only $140 on it. I bought the lens to use in place of my expensive 70-200 f/2.8 lens. The lens I bought is a Nikon 70-210 f/4-5.6 lens. This may not mean much to you all but suffice it to say the lens was manufactured somewhere between 1993 and 2000. It isn’t as fast as current “pro” lenses nor does it have all the fancy lens coatings all the things I used to think were necessary despite what I would often say.

I don’t mean this post to be a review of gear but rather that it isn’t always about how much something costs or how new it is. Photography is about photographs, not gear. Quality can be achieved through many different options. It is about using the tools you have to achieve. Don’t be a gear snob, be a quality photography snob. You don’t even have to impress anyone other than yourself.