Is photography gear still important?

Is photography gear still important or can we create fantastic photographs with basic equipment? In years past, we needed fast lenses for low-light photography because we were limited in how fast we could push our film speed (or digital sensor). Today we have the capability to shoot at ISOs that exceed 3,000,000 and combined with the noise reduction capabilities of modern software the photographs are quite useable. As I have also learned when I purchased a new to me camera lens that is nearly 30 years old the sharpness and contrast of the old lens are nearly as good as a new lens manufactured today.

I bought this used 30-year-old lens because I needed to replace or repair a newer lens of nearly the same focal length, 70mm to 200mm). My 70-200mm lens was an f/2.8 but it would no longer zoom out to 200mm and began to develop an intermittent focus issue. I found a used 70-210mm f/4-5.6 lens in very good condition for $134. To replace the 70-200mm f/2.8 I was likely to spend 10 times that much. Was it really worth it to get one or two stops faster? I could make it up by upping the ISO one or two stops. For some of you, this may be a bit too technical but my point is we don’t always need to spend big money on gear. We don’t always need the latest gear. We can create great work with what we have available. Don’t chase gear, chase creativity, chase honing your skills, chase art.