So I think these pictures are definite proof that the camera base plays very little roll in the quality of pictures.

Great photographer + Great lens is the key (heavy lean on the great photographer part).

I have been following posts on dpreview's forums by a user named Daniella who's owl photographs I absolutely love. It wasn't until now that I realized that all of her pictures are taken with a 300D or 350D (rebel, rebel xt).

Look what can be made with "entry level" DSLRs:

Photography by Daniella

 

She can see the light, photoshop also

You have to know your subject and best time of day, like the old barn if it was a sunny day Highlights and shadows it would not have worked the same

She has beautiful work

 

Absolutely. Part of reading her posts is how she wakes up at strange hours of the day just to catch these owls awake. If I recall correctly, she has been going to the same island every morning for months in order to get these pictures.

Patience ftw

 

I agree 100%. On equipment, lens, & photographer as well as she takes great picture.

 

Her pics are quite nice Some of her colors are so vibrant, I'm sure she had to ps them. Very nice though... I wish I had that sort of skill

 

Very nice, if a bit too pastel for my taste.

You don't need as much optical horsepower for web images as you do for prints. Typical monitor-view resolution is only 72 DPI, so something could look amazing on-sceen but not make a decent-size print.

But to your point, the longer I am a photographer the more it is all about the light. Unfortunately that doesn't stop me from being a gear hound anyway.

 

Well having a OK camera is good.
A disposable camera just would not due photos like hers

I've also seen Great cameras in the hands of knuckelheads and have TOTAL shit photos

 

IMHO, the camera is about 30% of the pic. I would actually like to meet up with one of my local SLR guys, and shoot some photos, SLR vs Manual PAS....and see what the REAL difference is.....

 

You should go bother Norm for a bit then Dave

 

I might actually go with Norm, and CarbonX....

Would be interesting...one is a pure pro, one is a beginner with a beginner SLR, and Im a beginner with an SLR with training wheels....

Could be a fun day.....you guys down?