So what makes a camera a "pro" camera?

[IgotGASbadDude]

Yes. Appearance of a camera can radically change the perception people have of it with accessories...

Funny you mention this and even posted pics. I came up with the same idea/logic to allow me to use my 5D3 at concerts. The low light ability of this camera makes it hard to leave at home. I figured (successfully) that the guys at the front door of concerts only go by how the camera LOOKS.

Part 1) Purchase the 40mm pancake. It's 2.8 and maybe not the best or fastest lens, but it LOOKS like a fixed lens.

Part 2) Leave the battery grip at home (OMG this is hard as I LOVE the feel & balance it provides).

Part 3) Bring extra batteries, just in case. (Never needed them but ya never know).

And there you go. A "non-professional" camera setup. 8) I'm sure someday I'll encounter a security guard that will say, "no way, dude that's a 5DMark III". 'Till then, every other MORON at the front door won't know the difference between this and some crappy point an shoot.

 

[c.d.embrey]

My point was that most of us could easily classify most cameras pretty quickly as pro or non-pro by looking at the features ...

Only non-pros care. For some non-pros the right tool is a camera that makes him/her feel like a pro.

This is true across many fields. Experienced, sophisticated users understand, appreciate, and exploit the special features of higher-end tools ...

I always thought that middle-aged men bought a Red Porsche because they were trying to impress younger women. Now you inform me that they appreciate Horsepower & Handling

 

[dstppy]

My point was that most of us could easily classify most cameras pretty quickly as pro or non-pro by looking at the features ...

Only non-pros care. For some non-pros the right tool is a camera that makes him/her feel like a pro.

This is true across many fields. Experienced, sophisticated users understand, appreciate, and exploit the special features of higher-end tools ...

I always thought that middle-aged men bought a Red Porsche because they were trying to impress younger women. Now you inform me that they appreciate Horsepower & Handling

Working at the capital of Porsche purchases in the Northeastern US, most people either buy the brand either simply to impress other people (not necessarily the other sex) or for the actual performances.

A Red Porsche just says "Ticket me"; most tend to be Black or Silver in this neck of the woods, the occasional White or Yellow do show up.

Now, Ferrari, that is what is used to attract younger women of a certain inclination. There's absolutely no secret or shame from those that do.

 

[AshtonNekolah]

To me a pro camera is the camera that you are one with, many people have cameras that they still don't know its strength and weakness, you should know how to use your camera without thinking, if your still chimping around then your not understanding your camera. Noise and high ISO's are controlled by experience and knowledge now the newest of bodies. Having new gear don't mean you have the best pictures but it will help make things easer. This is my humble opinion.

After reading most of the treads, for real, pro really means paid, so the camera you make money from is your pro, that's my straight answer to the what makes a camera a "pro" hahaha

 

[Mitch.Conner]

On the adult cartoon series "South Park", the underpants gnomes are a group of gnomes who seek to make profit by stealing people's underpants.

Do they steal underpants that are being worn at the time?

No. I'd link to a Youtube video showing it, but it contains mild profanity.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

A 'pro'camera is any camera a professional chooses to use. The specs don't matter, only the end result.

Good point - my 1DX is distinctly amateur, especially in my hands! A friends Canon 40D is a much more professional camera - well she sells a lot more images than I do!

 

[sgs8r]

So are you saying that there is no such thing as "pro grade gear"?
My point is that there is, and it is up to the manufacturer to label it as such.

There is higher end gear and lower end gear. Calling the higher end gear 'pro grade' is just a marketing tactic used by some manufacturers to label their higher end stuff. As pointed out earlier, car makers use letters or numbers in the naming scheme for differentiation...that really has nothing to do with professional drivers. "Pro" gear is just an arbitrary marketing designation, it doesn't connote anything about the intended use.

You've just replaced "pro" with "high end". If you like that term better, then what makes a camera "high end". In the original question I interpreted "pro" to be a qualitative term, not official marketing (does Canon, Nikon, or Phase use "Pro" in their naming?). So "pro" as in "designed for professionals", "targeted at professionals", "used as the primary workhorse by a sizable fraction of professionals using the brand", etc.,

I have to say that I'm surprised at how this seemingly innocuous question seems to have devolved into another version of the "it's the photographer, not the camera" debate.

 

[sgs8r]

My point was that most of us could easily classify most cameras pretty quickly as pro or non-pro by looking at the features ...

Only non-pros care. For some non-pros the right tool is a camera that makes him/her feel like a pro.

If you mean that pros don't care whether is called a "pro" camera? Of course they don't (are any actually called that?). Do pros choose their workhorse camera because it has a lot of features like those on my list? Absolutely. Otherwise they'd save money and get a Rebel. I'm sure the vast majority of pros that use Canon (for example) use a 1DX or 5D3 as their primary workhorse. Why? Because they have features not found on other Canons. Features that help them create images more easily and miss fewer shots. Could they make great images with other camera xyz? Sure, maybe, but it would probably be harder. In the absence of other constraints, they would use the 1D or 5D because it has features that make their job easier and the images better. That's why they own it. These features make it a "pro" camera, as in "the choice of professionals," "appealing to professionals," "designed for and targeted at professionals."

 

[Loswr]

There is higher end gear and lower end gear. Calling the higher end gear 'pro grade' is just a marketing tactic used by some manufacturers to label their higher end stuff. As pointed out earlier, car makers use letters or numbers in the naming scheme for differentiation...that really has nothing to do with professional drivers. "Pro" gear is just an arbitrary marketing designation, it doesn't connote anything about the intended use.

You've just replaced "pro" with "high end". If you like that term better, then what makes a camera "high end". In the original question I interpreted "pro" to be a qualitative term, not official marketing (does Canon, Nikon, or Phase use "Pro" in their naming?). So "pro" as in "designed for professionals", "targeted at professionals", "used as the primary workhorse by a sizable fraction of professionals using the brand", etc.,

I think you've missed my point, it's not about 'pro' in the name. High end gear is designed for people who can/will pay more for it. Of course such gear has characteristics that differentiate it from other products in the lineup, but 'intended for professionals' isn't one of them. I'd bet a much more sizable fraction of professional photographers use xxD bodies than 1-series bodies. The 5DII was a widely used by pros, the 6D is essentially the same camera, but Canon's websites which break down pro vs. enthusiast bodies list the 6D among the latter. Arbitrary marketing decisions.

 

[Orangutan]

Canon's websites which break down pro vs. enthusiast bodies list the 6D among the latter. Arbitrary marketing decisions.

This.

I've seen a fair number of assertions on this forum that the 1D-series are Canon's only pro bodies, and the 5D-series and below are consumer or prosumer cameras. There's no dispute that more expensive models in the product line tend to have better features on average. The question, however, is whether there are certain specific characteristics which distinguish a "pro" camera from a "consumer" camera. So far just two assertions seem to have gone unrefuted:

[list type=decimal]
[*]Pros seem to be able to make a living with a range of cameras, from smartphones to FF to MFD to large format film. A photographer's needs will determine which is the appropriate tool.
[*]In general, the more expensive the (digital) camera, the more abuse it can take without losing function.
[/list]

 

[Helios68]

For me a pro body should have at least key features. For a "standard" pro who shoots a lot of events/action/weddings:
+FF body
+High ISO performance usable at least at 6400 or 12800 ISO
+Fast and accurate AF system which can lock in low light conditions (-3IL ?)
+Weather/dust sealed
+High burst rate at least 7/s
+Two cards slots with at least one CF and suitable for automatic backups
+Integrated or external battery grip
+Programmable shortcuts to software functions
+State of the art ergonomics, user should be able to shoot for hours without being disturbed by a poor balance for example
+High MP is not necessary. 20 or 24MP should be enough.
+Integrated remote control for speelites
+Wifi and GPS are plus

I forgot this ones: reliability and durability (shutter higher than 150.000)

 

[AcutancePhotography]

[*]In general, the more expensive the (digital) camera, the more abuse it can take without losing function.[/list]

I would not want to take a Hassy out in the damp dirty woods. More expensive does not necessarly mean more rugged.

 

[Orangutan]

• In general, the more expensive the (digital) camera, the more abuse it can take without losing function.

I would not want to take a Hassy out in the damp dirty woods. More expensive does not necessarly mean more rugged.

I've never used one, but a previous poster asserted that Hasselblads were quite durable.

Of course, if you have a Hassy, you probably also have two assistants to set up a tent and hold umbrellas, right?

 

[Loswr]

Canon's websites which break down pro vs. enthusiast bodies list the 6D among the latter. Arbitrary marketing decisions.

This.

I've seen a fair number of assertions on this forum that the 1D-series are Canon's only pro bodies, and the 5D-series and below are consumer or prosumer cameras.

That's what Canon Australia seems to think. Canon Europe has a different opinion. Canon USA doesn't segregate them. There's no 'official' Canon designation, because it's all about marketing.

 

[Sporgon]

Canon didn't fit the 5DIII with a stainless steel bottom plate for 'consumers' - honestly. It not even been used by a Canon as a marketing feature, it's there because the base of pro cameras tend to get hammered, and a nice touch by Canon. Stainless is also a lot harder ( pun intended) to form than the likes of mag alloy.

 

[keithfullermusic]

http://www.k2focus.com I'm currently updating it, but the layout is done.

Did you post this in the wrong thread? Looks like it belongs in the "show your website" thread

Ha, you're right. Sorry about that.

 

[Don Haines]

Not sold by Best Buy

 

[tcmatthews]

Not sold by Best Buy

I think it depends on the Best Buy mine has Canon 5D III and other relatively high end cameras. If you really felt like it you can order a 1dx from Best Buy . http://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-eos-1d-x-digital-slr-camera-body-only-black/6304299.p;jsessionid=3701442F8BA8C909E6B058C19C5127C1.bbolsp-app01-121?id=1218726452741&skuId=6304299&st=canon 1Dx&cp=1&lp=1

I guess you do not consider a 1dx pro enough.

What is even more crazy is you could order a Canon 5D III with the 24-105L from Walmart and have in store pick up. At least if they were in stock. I also so a Nikon Df on there in black and Silver. The Df is in stock.

 

[Don Haines]

Not sold by Best Buy

I think it depends on the Best Buy mine has Canon 5D III and other relatively high end cameras. If you really felt like it you can order a 1dx from Best Buy . http://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-eos-1d-x-digital-slr-camera-body-only-black/6304299.p;jsessionid=3701442F8BA8C909E6B058C19C5127C1.bbolsp-app01-121?id=1218726452741&skuId=6304299&st=canon 1Dx&cp=1&lp=1

I guess you do not consider a 1dx pro enough.

What is even more crazy is you could order a Canon 5D III with the 24-105L from Walmart and have in store pick up. At least if they were in stock. I also so a Nikon Df on there in black and Silver. The Df is in stock.

smiley face.... it is not a serious comment....

but it does bring up a very interesting example about how much the lines have blurred. At one point you could only get the higher end cameras from specialty shops and "real" camera stores. Now you can get them almost anywhere... very few stock them, but everyone will order them for you with a day or two delivery time (more in remote areas).

 

[c.d.embrey]

If you mean that pros don't care whether is called a "pro" camera? Of course they don't (are any actually called that?). Do pros choose their workhorse camera because it has a lot of features like those on my list? Absolutely. Otherwise they'd save money and get a Rebel. I'm sure the vast majority of pros that use Canon (for example) use a 1DX or 5D3 as their primary workhorse. Why? Because they have features not found on other Canons. Features that help them create images more easily and miss fewer shots. Could they make great images with other camera xyz? Sure, maybe, but it would probably be harder. In the absence of other constraints, they would use the 1D or 5D because it has features that make their job easier and the images better. That's why they own it. These features make it a "pro" camera, as in "the choice of professionals," "appealing to professionals," "designed for and targeted at professionals."

I shoot in a studio, using Profoto packs and Canon FF cameras (if Canon made a 56mm f/2.8 T&S I'd use a xxD camera) and a Foba Camera Stand (because I hate to hold griped cameras). I don't need weather sealing. I don't need high ISO, I don't need high frame rate. I use single-point auto focus or manual focus (depending on the lens used).

For location work I like the ergonomics of a xxD camera without a grip. No weather sealing needed because It Seldom Rains in southern California I use light weight battery powered Profoto packs for location lighting.

BTW I don't own much gear, I prefer renting The Right Tool For The Job YMMV.

BTW2 I've had several photo essays published that were shot with a borrowed Film Rebel. I don't just talk-the-talk ...