Originally posted by Shupienis 1. Cameras are tools, not a definition of who we are.
I have to disagree. A camera is a toy for me. It is mainly there to create joy for me. And this joy is only partially derived from the outcome. At least half of the joy is in the process of using the camera (and later steps). It is a fun hobby after all.
My smartphone is a tool. I use its camera as a tool. No emotions attached. Tools I only use as long as absolutely needed to achieve some outcome.
And I very, very rarely read posts on the internet forums which leave the impression that the author actually discusses a tool.
Well sometimes it seems to be about medical tools for extending certain bodyparts...
But then this is also a typical sign of male teenagers discussing toys.
I think the "tool" naming is just there to make it all sound more "grown-up".
Old men do not
play with their camera
toys, no no no. They machinegun with they new "tools" at running dogs and boring flying birds and create elaborate statistics of AF-hits in photos nobody wants to see.
That is super serious and a must-have. That is
professional. That can not be discussed.
If we pay rip-off prices of thousands of dollars we at least deserve to have "pro" equipment.
Admitting it's all toys in the shelves doesnt sounds so great.
If I ever start seeing my photo stuff as "tools", I will sell it - and buy other toys.
And as a fun benchmark test to all: Go ask your wives if
they consider your cameras and lens collections to be more of a "toy" or a "tool" for you.
Sometimes those people outside our own skins have a much better grasp of reality and proper terms for things.