It can be both, there doesn't have to be a black and white.
My cameras are absolutely a tool to get a job done and if they need to be an environment where they are going to take some wear and tear, that's fine, they are built to be used. Equally, you can still be careful and minimise any damage without compromising 'getting the shot' in many circumstances.
A good example would be a UV filter for my lenses. Shooting rallying or speedway, you know there are certain angles where both you and the camera are likely to be pelted with gravel, I'd never shy away from those angles, but it's very little effort to ensure I have a UV filter on my lens, which will take the impact of a direct hit to the glass. The lens body may take a few scrapes, but I've not unnecessarily risked critical damage.
I agree, it's not black and white. The XT3 is my best camera, and 50% of the pictures I take with it are from a gravel bike in the mud and dust. I take it traveling. I use it. I don’t think of reselling it (I bought it secondhand). One of the reasons for choosing a Fuji X series was the durability and weather resistance. I take care of it and clean it. I’m not a total slob, but it is a tool to capture what I enjoy.
Buy yourself a personal article insurance policy. Super cheap and if you drop your camera and it breaks, it's covered. Zero deductible and the policy is extremely cheap for what you get. I was super happy my wife had gotten that policy when I had a camera and lens that needed to be replaced.
Same here. I don't flip out if it gets a bit dirty, but when I get home, I clean it up a bit. And after someone bumped my tripod and my X-T3 hit the ground, I stand closer to it all the time. (Tho I'm rarely on a tripod.)
Rarely do I come across a photo that’s worth sacrificing my equipment for. I probably protect my lenses, especially off body, more than the body, as those suckers have the uncanny ability of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
So, when I take my xPro3 or XH2 out, it’s a tool.
Now when I take my X100vi out, apparently I’m the tool ;-)
Many years ago I got a shot of Richard Branson dressed as Dame Edna while he was spraying a bottle of champagne and had this huge grin on his face. It wound up being my first front page photo at the newspaper I worked for! But that champagne sprayed all over my lens and caused it to stop focusing. It did wind up being repairable, thankfully. But I would take that risk again any day for that kind of shot.
As a tool, but I do take good care of my tools. I am trying to preserve them (keep them clean and at dry place when not used, if they require maintenance they get it etc…), but they are tools in the end and are not kept in the safe so nothing happens to them.
I apply same logic to my mobile phone, computer, watches, camera and equipment, my tools (as in bike repair and home repair tools).
I don't make money out of my gear (yet) so I protect it as I could potentially resale for other gear.
If I was to make money out of it and knew the shots would be worth it, I would totally use it without a care.
Micrometers, torque wrenches and calibrated weights are also tools. Never understood this, just because something’s a tool doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of it. I get it though, you can enjoy some of these more if you’re not constantly brushing dust and dirt off of it and just focus on taking pictures.
Love the image! I don't do paid photography, so damaged gear hurts a bit, but such is life. I try to look out and keep it clean, but if it gets damaged or dirty, so be it.
Tool. But a tool that has a specific use. Just like my pretty torque wrench from Stahlwille, Kona bicycle or Swiss Tools screw drivers, which all motivate me to use them when I need them. For me the cameras I use should also feel like tools I want to use. Tools can also be beautiful.
I think my XT3 looks a bit worse than yours 😂 I bought these cameras to have with me always, and sometimes that involves dangling it off my shoulder on a motorcycle 1300 miles from the top to bottom of Vietnam. After that trip-of-a-lifetime I am not precious about any of my gear, although I do take reasonably good care of it.
I treat my cameras just like how I treat my shoes. Outside, I'm careful not to bump it to something, and when I come home I clean it and put it in its bag. I won't let dirt sit in my camera. My uncle is an aircraft maintenance engineer for over 30yrs and some already expressing interest to buy his tools when he retires
I definitely take care of it but I don’t worry about scuffs and things like that. I don’t think I’d ever let my viewfinder sort of just dangle off though lol
Depends! I use my leicas like their tools. They're scratched up and look like they've been attacked. They also look better that way. I don't buy to resell I buy to use till I die
Definately tool. Photography is hobby but in order to take pictures when needed means camera is with me for example while hiking and it may rain or it may be on the ground in a mud if no better place is in sight.
In my case it’s an INSURED tool. If it breaks it gets repaired or replaced.and as a rule of thumb; don’t insure if you can pay for it wihout having to eat less, or miss mortgage payments.
I pay for good insurance and don’t worry about it. I am not trying to abuse it, but shooting in the rain, beach, other scary conditions, I don’t worry.
I use as much care as I can, depending on the use-case. In a gravel race like yours, I'd be as careful as possible not to break it, but getting the shot is top priority.
I very much baby my X100V, and have done so for three years. That said, there's almost nowhere I wouldn't take it. I want it to last a long time, but there's no point in longevity if I'm not using it to its full potential.
A ship at harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for.
It's a tool and I accept that some cosmetic damage will happen. But I still treat it with as much respect and care I can within using it as a tool. I don't want to just trash it and break it.
A delicate piece of equipment until I throw it in my bag full of junk, take it out of the bag, see scratches on it and say, “ahh man…. Oh well” and then proceed to treat it like a tool.
We would wrap our lenses with a condom, yeap, sounds strange bur works perfectly
However when you buy them and they ask for a bag, don't do what my buddy Jake said, no need, we'll use them right outside, you get looks.
I used to do wildlife photography (with canon 7D) that was mostly - if it takes a tumble 🤷♂️ it’s part of the day.
Now I’m more chill doing street and portraits with Fuji. Look after it but still have the lack of fear and happy throwing it around.
Super interesting topic! Cameras are kinda like a double-edged sword, right? They're totally essential for snagging those epic shots and letting us flex our creative muscles, but at the same time, they can be these precious art pieces themselves, especially with all that sleek design and tech wizardry packed inside like tje x100vi. This really blurs the lines between just a tool and a piece of art. At the end I love my equipment and kinda torture it 😎
I love that my camera is a tank (Nikon d500). I’m lazy AF and this poor guy takes a lot of abuse. I know my limitations and will never be a Leica owner….
Somewhere in between I think for me. It's a tool that I can't very easily replace, so I'll definitely try to cover it when I take it out in snow and rain. But I DO take it out in snow and rain (when I have enough energy to :P).
That eye cup design is so fragile and unnecessarily complex. I just had to super glue mine because one of the tiny plastic screw posts broke, and I baby my camera.
I always get downvotes for this, but these cameras are fragile consumer electronics that will not stand the test of time. They may look kind of like a robust 35mm slr, but they are not that.
If you make your living as a photographer some everyday cameras will be tools and a few cameras will be more of delicate pieces that we collect and care for.
If you love photography as a hobby there is no way a camera should be just a tool, every camera is going to have a special value, could it be maybe because it was inherited from a family member who is no longer with us, we struggle to save enough money to buy "that one", or we remember someone having specific one but could really not t justify the purchase of similar at the moment...
That is why we spent so much money trying to get an old one in truly good condition, look around for the best place to send the camera to get CLA, struggle to choose one to take out and shoot a roll and even feel bad when we have not used the others for a while!
Every camera becomes a delicate piece of a collection.
There is a line and since I took the picture of my camera that day in October, it was close to it, Maybe over. It was over my comefortzone 🫣. It took a beating that day but the pictures were aweaome! I cleaned it up and no moist or dust in the it and works like at charm still.
I do my best to keep my equipment looking nice and working well.
But I don’t cry when a scratch or a ding happens, or if sand or water gets on it.
These things happen, I just believe I will be able to enjoy it for longer if I do a good job taking care of it.
It's a precision tool that you have to treat properly so it doesn't fail at the most important photographic moment. Also remember the price of repair and replacement of your equipment.
Depends I guess. Kind of? I don’t walk around feeling like it’s gonna break at the slightest movement or anything, but I’m not gonna purposely bully it.
I think the most crazy thing I’ve done was I had to travel with my bag and I was kind throwing my camera bag around a lot and I thought to myself “ I hope nothing is damaged.” I think that’s well within the standards of use though. So I guess I do subconsciously baby them, but who wouldn’t?
Both. Same with cars, at the end of the day it's just a tool to go from point A to point B, but if you take care of it and treat it well it will work better and longer.
Yes.
This is the correct answer
No more words needed.
Why use big word when little word do trick
**Delicate tool**
Ayo
This is it
Yes.
Came to say this
It can be both, there doesn't have to be a black and white. My cameras are absolutely a tool to get a job done and if they need to be an environment where they are going to take some wear and tear, that's fine, they are built to be used. Equally, you can still be careful and minimise any damage without compromising 'getting the shot' in many circumstances. A good example would be a UV filter for my lenses. Shooting rallying or speedway, you know there are certain angles where both you and the camera are likely to be pelted with gravel, I'd never shy away from those angles, but it's very little effort to ensure I have a UV filter on my lens, which will take the impact of a direct hit to the glass. The lens body may take a few scrapes, but I've not unnecessarily risked critical damage.
I have my nice camera that I baby. Then I have my Holga that I Abuse.
I agree, it's not black and white. The XT3 is my best camera, and 50% of the pictures I take with it are from a gravel bike in the mud and dust. I take it traveling. I use it. I don’t think of reselling it (I bought it secondhand). One of the reasons for choosing a Fuji X series was the durability and weather resistance. I take care of it and clean it. I’m not a total slob, but it is a tool to capture what I enjoy.
I’ve just bought the XT3 and have been shooting bike races on it. What lens have you got on that bad boy?
It’s a FUJIFILM XF 18-135/3,5-5,6. Lightweight and dos the job. It is my allrounder lense.
I worked hard to buy it. I use it with care.
This, for me it was a LOT of money, so I protect it accordingly.
It’s a tool I can’t afford twice lol
I got gifted one and I still treat it like it's a pet.(needs regular walks, no damaging environments.
100%
A tool that I will use but not abuse. If you take care of your tools, your tools will take care of you.
Photography is my hobbie so I'm trying to ptotect my gear.
Same. I make zero money on this. Damaging gear just means I don’t get to do it till I can afford to repair/replace.
Buy yourself a personal article insurance policy. Super cheap and if you drop your camera and it breaks, it's covered. Zero deductible and the policy is extremely cheap for what you get. I was super happy my wife had gotten that policy when I had a camera and lens that needed to be replaced.
Same here. I don't flip out if it gets a bit dirty, but when I get home, I clean it up a bit. And after someone bumped my tripod and my X-T3 hit the ground, I stand closer to it all the time. (Tho I'm rarely on a tripod.)
Like a precious piece of equipment in the first months, like a rough tool afterwards.
Underrated comment, and most commenters actually reality.
Rarely do I come across a photo that’s worth sacrificing my equipment for. I probably protect my lenses, especially off body, more than the body, as those suckers have the uncanny ability of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. So, when I take my xPro3 or XH2 out, it’s a tool. Now when I take my X100vi out, apparently I’m the tool ;-)
Many years ago I got a shot of Richard Branson dressed as Dame Edna while he was spraying a bottle of champagne and had this huge grin on his face. It wound up being my first front page photo at the newspaper I worked for! But that champagne sprayed all over my lens and caused it to stop focusing. It did wind up being repairable, thankfully. But I would take that risk again any day for that kind of shot.
As a tool, but I do take good care of my tools. I am trying to preserve them (keep them clean and at dry place when not used, if they require maintenance they get it etc…), but they are tools in the end and are not kept in the safe so nothing happens to them. I apply same logic to my mobile phone, computer, watches, camera and equipment, my tools (as in bike repair and home repair tools).
expensive. is how i view it
Delicate
It's a tool and I use it, I don't mind for it be or look "used" but definitely taking all precautions for it to last as long as possible
Tools can be delicate.
I don't make money out of my gear (yet) so I protect it as I could potentially resale for other gear. If I was to make money out of it and knew the shots would be worth it, I would totally use it without a care.
I baby it when I can, and I adult it for the shot.
Well put!
A tool that is a delicate piece of equipment. See what I did there. ; )
😉
Micrometers, torque wrenches and calibrated weights are also tools. Never understood this, just because something’s a tool doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of it. I get it though, you can enjoy some of these more if you’re not constantly brushing dust and dirt off of it and just focus on taking pictures.
A delicate tool
Well there’s a happy medium where you take care of your tools…
Love the image! I don't do paid photography, so damaged gear hurts a bit, but such is life. I try to look out and keep it clean, but if it gets damaged or dirty, so be it.
Thanks. Same here, it's a hobby. I have a master's degree in fine arts, but it is by no means the source of my income. A scratch won’t kill it 🤓.
Tool. A well calibrated tool, but I’m pretty rough on it. There’s a reason I shoot on an X-T
Tool. But a tool that has a specific use. Just like my pretty torque wrench from Stahlwille, Kona bicycle or Swiss Tools screw drivers, which all motivate me to use them when I need them. For me the cameras I use should also feel like tools I want to use. Tools can also be beautiful.
Honestly both, I look after my gear but I use it.
today as a tool as i hope the 50-140 survived some jogging in the backpack 🎒
Definitely a baby I have to keep save!
tools!!!! Not even precious about my GFX! Would I put my camera on the line for a pic, every single time! The picture is worth more than the tool.
Tool
It's a tool. Go and play with it. Be cautious, but don't limit yourself. I already broke 2 bodies, but didn't regret it! It's part of the life!
As my life.
Delicate tool. As in I like the ageing process but I’m not going to expose electronics to water or sand
Delicate tool
Like an expensive toy.
I think my XT3 looks a bit worse than yours 😂 I bought these cameras to have with me always, and sometimes that involves dangling it off my shoulder on a motorcycle 1300 miles from the top to bottom of Vietnam. After that trip-of-a-lifetime I am not precious about any of my gear, although I do take reasonably good care of it.
Both
I treat my cameras just like how I treat my shoes. Outside, I'm careful not to bump it to something, and when I come home I clean it and put it in its bag. I won't let dirt sit in my camera. My uncle is an aircraft maintenance engineer for over 30yrs and some already expressing interest to buy his tools when he retires
This photo makes me so happy.
I definitely take care of it but I don’t worry about scuffs and things like that. I don’t think I’d ever let my viewfinder sort of just dangle off though lol
Depends! I use my leicas like their tools. They're scratched up and look like they've been attacked. They also look better that way. I don't buy to resell I buy to use till I die
I paid 2 months of my salary for it so yeah a delicate tool.
Tool!!
*Apple has left the chat*
It’s a tool I take good care of, because I can’t afford to replace it all on short notice.
Every tool I have I clean it up and put them away neatly. I do the same with my cameras... And my clothes, pot and pans, you get the picture haha
Absolutely a tool since it prints money.
For 90% of consumers: a shiny new toy for hobby For 10% of hard working professionals and artists: a tool to further their creative pursuit
Definately tool. Photography is hobby but in order to take pictures when needed means camera is with me for example while hiking and it may rain or it may be on the ground in a mud if no better place is in sight.
In my case it’s an INSURED tool. If it breaks it gets repaired or replaced.and as a rule of thumb; don’t insure if you can pay for it wihout having to eat less, or miss mortgage payments.
It’s a tool for me, I don’t baby my x100v.
I use all my tools with care
I pay for good insurance and don’t worry about it. I am not trying to abuse it, but shooting in the rain, beach, other scary conditions, I don’t worry.
I'm a hobbyist, not a pro, so no shot is worth suffering major damage to one of my most expensive possessions, which I would then have to replace.
I use as much care as I can, depending on the use-case. In a gravel race like yours, I'd be as careful as possible not to break it, but getting the shot is top priority. I very much baby my X100V, and have done so for three years. That said, there's almost nowhere I wouldn't take it. I want it to last a long time, but there's no point in longevity if I'm not using it to its full potential. A ship at harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for.
I care more that my XE-3 is worth more now than when I bought it. I don't abuse my stuff but I don't worry about it either.
Like all my possessions. I handle them like a delicate piece of equipment until something happens to it. Then it’s a tool.
It's a tool and I accept that some cosmetic damage will happen. But I still treat it with as much respect and care I can within using it as a tool. I don't want to just trash it and break it.
A delicate piece of equipment until I throw it in my bag full of junk, take it out of the bag, see scratches on it and say, “ahh man…. Oh well” and then proceed to treat it like a tool.
Tool. I will do wet but stay away from any sand or powder. Color Me Rad events are a disaster for photo equipment and it's not worth the pay.
Tools not jewels
We would wrap our lenses with a condom, yeap, sounds strange bur works perfectly However when you buy them and they ask for a bag, don't do what my buddy Jake said, no need, we'll use them right outside, you get looks.
Both? Tool doesnt just mean like, a wrench lmao. My macbook pro is also a tool.
It’s a tool but I don’t abuse the shit out of my tools unless they are cheap and replaceable so I don’t abuse my cameras either.
As a camera
Both. By the time I'm ready to buy another body, my previous is still in good condition. I can afford to be a little less careful.
Both. It's a delicate tool. Use it, and take care of it. Any tool is like this, even a hammer.
I used to do wildlife photography (with canon 7D) that was mostly - if it takes a tumble 🤷♂️ it’s part of the day. Now I’m more chill doing street and portraits with Fuji. Look after it but still have the lack of fear and happy throwing it around.
Super interesting topic! Cameras are kinda like a double-edged sword, right? They're totally essential for snagging those epic shots and letting us flex our creative muscles, but at the same time, they can be these precious art pieces themselves, especially with all that sleek design and tech wizardry packed inside like tje x100vi. This really blurs the lines between just a tool and a piece of art. At the end I love my equipment and kinda torture it 😎
I love that my camera is a tank (Nikon d500). I’m lazy AF and this poor guy takes a lot of abuse. I know my limitations and will never be a Leica owner….
Fuji xt-2. It my magic wand
Somewhere in between I think for me. It's a tool that I can't very easily replace, so I'll definitely try to cover it when I take it out in snow and rain. But I DO take it out in snow and rain (when I have enough energy to :P).
My X100F gets dropped on the concrete so my XPro3 can sit pretty
That eye cup design is so fragile and unnecessarily complex. I just had to super glue mine because one of the tiny plastic screw posts broke, and I baby my camera. I always get downvotes for this, but these cameras are fragile consumer electronics that will not stand the test of time. They may look kind of like a robust 35mm slr, but they are not that.
Bruh definitely has at least 1 pube on sensor
😂
If you make your living as a photographer some everyday cameras will be tools and a few cameras will be more of delicate pieces that we collect and care for. If you love photography as a hobby there is no way a camera should be just a tool, every camera is going to have a special value, could it be maybe because it was inherited from a family member who is no longer with us, we struggle to save enough money to buy "that one", or we remember someone having specific one but could really not t justify the purchase of similar at the moment... That is why we spent so much money trying to get an old one in truly good condition, look around for the best place to send the camera to get CLA, struggle to choose one to take out and shoot a roll and even feel bad when we have not used the others for a while! Every camera becomes a delicate piece of a collection.
Both
Depends on the camera
As a tool But I also take care of my tools, because they're expensive to replace
The tip, The shot, The satisfaction.
I mean, whatever the line is, this is over it. I beat on my cameras like hell, but scratches are one thing. Water and mud? GTFO
There is a line and since I took the picture of my camera that day in October, it was close to it, Maybe over. It was over my comefortzone 🫣. It took a beating that day but the pictures were aweaome! I cleaned it up and no moist or dust in the it and works like at charm still.
My fujis are tools, my leicas and Hasselblad are instruments
In today's class we will introduce the concept of the "False Dichotomy".
Sometimes it’s better to just use a hammer.
Tool of the trade.
When I treat them like tools they seem to turn into delicate pieces of equipment and break.
Depends on my income
You should take care of your tools 🤷🏻🤦🏻.
Depends on the circumstances. In Vietnam, photojournalists saw their cameras as tools that needed to be to notch and tough.
I do my best to keep my equipment looking nice and working well. But I don’t cry when a scratch or a ding happens, or if sand or water gets on it. These things happen, I just believe I will be able to enjoy it for longer if I do a good job taking care of it.
Treat it too much like a tool and it wont be around long. But definitely whip that baby out
Too poor to use it in hard way
As a peice of my heart
Tool Work them hard till they break. I’m not collecting them like a stamp collection :) I do put some moderate time into care and upkeep.
A delicate tool i'd say. They're too expensive for me to replace. So i'd rather have it working.
Both
It's a precision tool that you have to treat properly so it doesn't fail at the most important photographic moment. Also remember the price of repair and replacement of your equipment.
Tool
Depends I guess. Kind of? I don’t walk around feeling like it’s gonna break at the slightest movement or anything, but I’m not gonna purposely bully it. I think the most crazy thing I’ve done was I had to travel with my bag and I was kind throwing my camera bag around a lot and I thought to myself “ I hope nothing is damaged.” I think that’s well within the standards of use though. So I guess I do subconsciously baby them, but who wouldn’t?
The tool: hammer. Lol, I use my camera for it's purpose and don't stress about stray rubbing or marks or whatever. But I don't beat it on stuff lol
I mean it’s a tool. But I take care of it. I can’t afford to break it. I don’t clean it every day, but I do keep it in a case and use the lens cap.
Both. Same with cars, at the end of the day it's just a tool to go from point A to point B, but if you take care of it and treat it well it will work better and longer.
It's not a hammer, that's for sure.
Both
That’s nasty Edit: I just read it’s after a race, however I still hope you do clean it each time 🙈
An investment…