Maximize use of the equipment you have (Part One). "Wow! The guy next to me is using a Canon EOS-1N camera and several L-series EF lenses. I am sure that his pictures will be better than what I can shoot with my EOS 50/50E (or EOS 5/A2/A2E) model and non-L series Ring USM lenses". If you are among those who always have thought about such reactions when standing next to the other guy who may or may not be a professional shooter, then you have missed the big picture altogether. Right, it is not the equipment but the person behind the camera that makes the difference in the final images. Okay, to a certain extent, the right equipment does help one get the pictures right. But to anyone who knows little or next to nothing about photography, even with the EOS-1N, EOS-3 or the EOS-1V camera, no great shots will emerge from him/her as compared to a photo enthusiast who know his/her techniques in getting the job done right. Pro-level equipment is designed for higher reliability and tolerance so that professional photographers can depend on the knowledge that their gear won't fail them during assignments - imagine traveling thousands of miles anywhere only to find that the shutter mechanism has jammed, the flashes don't fire or the lenses will not relay the right information to the camera bodies. Mid-range and entry-level camera bodies are not designed for the same high tolerance demanded by professional photographers, hence this being the reason why the majority of them use the high-end equipment instead. Of course, one can still find or read about a minor number of professionals that prefers the mid-range camera bodies than the pro range models. This is further proof that it is the person behind the camera and not the equipment, who makes the difference in the final outcome. Using the EOS 5 and EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM zoom lens As a professional myself, I do have the EOS-1 series of camera bodies and EF-L lenses but there have been numerous occasions where I left my pro-level equipment back home and utilized the mid-range models to cover actual assignments instead where some of them were featured here as well as the Nuts & Bolts and Films & Accessories columns. Here, let me wipe it for you There's this problem here     Time to get ready At the starting grid     Except for the first photo, the rest are among those that are not utilized for issues No: 47-49 of this column. << Back to Main . 1 . 2 . 3 .