Plenty of people pick up photography every year.  They naturally come around to asking which camera is the best camera for them.  However, that question is difficult to answer.  But there’s always one good answer to that question.  That’s what we’re discussing today.

This question often pivots back around to gear lust.  You, as a newly interested photographer, want the best gear you can get.  I understand.  I’ve been there.  However, I’ve also seen the other side of the metaphorical fence.  So, I’ll agree with this quote.

“The best camera is the one that’s with you.”
– Chase Jarvis

I’ve been in many situations with my camera where I was glad to have it.  I’ve also found myself in situations where I wished I had it with me.  The first situation is better by far.  Still, I think I’ll further illustrate my point (and Chase Jarvis’) with my own personal anecdote.

It was summertime and we had business on the other side of Bryce Canyon.  I didn’t anticipate anything worth shooting so I left my best camera at home.  BIG mistake.

While out taking care of that business, I happened to look around and see a big beautiful full rainbow with a partial double appear in the sky.  Shortly thereafter, I managed to see something absolutely elusive in landscape photography: the mythical rainbow and lightning bolt together.  Now, if I took my best camera, I might have captured the scene.  I might not have.  Either way, I really regret missing that chance.

On the way back home, things got even better.  The setting sun turned the light up to perfect.  The dramatic clouds created the perfect backdrop for the fragment of the rainbow remaining in view as we climbed out of the canyon.  I was really regretting leaving my camera at home.  Still, I wanted to make the best out of it.  I brought my cell phone so I was bound and determined to try with that.  After all, it was, in fact, the camera I had with me.  However, things ended up going a different way than I planned.  I cannot count on, nor will I count on, that kind of luck again.  But that’s a different story for another day.

I learned a powerful lesson as a photographer that day.  It didn’t matter how nice my best camera was or how many bells and whistles it had.  When the moment arrived and I needed it, I didn’t have it.  All I had was a lousy older model smart phone camera.  At least I had something though.  I didn’t need to walk away from the beautiful landscape scene in front of me with ONLY memories.

So, in conclusion, don’t worry so about the perfect and optimal camera for you.  Get yourself a camera and keep it with you.  You never know when you might need it and regret leaving it behind.