I have been showing some of my photography to friends and collegues and have even made my first sale to provide the artwork for a small office. Even as they are generally complementing me on the photos they all ask "What camera are you using?". The implication is that the equipment must be responsible for these fine photos. I don't know about you but I find the question somewhat annoying since the contribution of the photographer seems less important.This is similar to the "pro factor" discussion where the equipment seems more important than the final artwork.
I don't consider myself a pro in any manner(tho I am excited about my first sale) but unfortunately to the artistic impaired(who by the way are buying this stuff) equipment is seen as what separates P&S family shots from what you guys do.
Sad but true IMHO.

Joe,
that's why I show up at shows with those white lenses. It's the best form of credential for those who think the equipment is what separates the pros from the amateurs.

And maybe it is to some extent. I don't wear those $1,500 suits to the office any more but I do spend that on a really good lens every now and then. The suit didn't make me a better manager in business but it was the appropriate uniform. And the white lenses do, in fact, help me take better pictures.

"Pro Factor" is real. Unfortunate but true.

Jim

The camera does have something to do with making better pictures, along with the quality of lenses. I can do much more with a DSLR than I can a point and shoot. For many reasons.

I don't take offense to the question(and I get it often) I just answer the question. A better camera/lens makes getting the shot much easier. Having a fast lens makes those shallow dof images possible.

You CAN get amazing photos with a point and shoot, but, it is easier with a dslr

The questions does make you wonder though, did anyone ever ask Julia Childs or Wolfgang Puck what brand of cooking pans she/he uses?

How true your statement is. I bought me the Olympus E510 and now the 70-300mm lens. I have managed to get a few good photo's that I would call good. But in another area I had some problems was with my monitor and printer. My monitor went bad and I over corrected my images to a point I had to toss them out. (Another mistake from a newbe, I erased my original photos) There is so many thing to learn to be what one might call a good amateur.

His is one of my latest Birds