Why do people list all their gear in their signatures?

[StewartR]

OK, I'm relatively new here, but I must admit I don't understand this. Why do so many people have a complete list of their gear in their signatures?

You know what I mean: something like this:
Canon 5D | Canon 20D | Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye | Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5 L Tilt/Shift | Canon 35mm f/1.4 L USM | Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 | Canon 85mm f/1.2 L (Mark II) | Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM | Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM | Canon 135mm f/2 L USM | Canon 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM | Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L USM | Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM | Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM | Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM | Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM | Canon Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM | Canon Speedlite 580EX | Canon Speedlite 550EX | Manfrotto monopod with tilt head | Manfrotto tripod (3021BPRO legs with 322RC2 Grip Action Ballhead)I mean, we all know that good gear does not necessarily equate to good photos, and it does not necessarily equate to good advice on forums. So ... all you folk out there with the gear lists ... why do you do it? To impress the newbies? To impress the girls? (Or boys, as the case may be?) Tell me, tell me!

[nation]

Mainly so we can see what the poster is working with. If a poster asks what lens or tripod he/she should get, their kit is there for all to see so responses can be better tailored. That and as you say to impress the girls :)

[RikWriter]

OK, I'm relatively new here, but I must admit I don't understand this. Why do so many people have a complete list of their gear in their signatures?

You know what I mean: something like this:
I mean, we all know that good gear does not necessarily equate to good photos, and it does not necessarily equate to good advice on forums. So ... all you folk out there with the gear lists ... why do you do it? To impress the newbies? To impress the girls? (Or boys, as the case may be?) Tell me, tell me!


I personally do it so when I am asking for advice, eg what to take on a trip/what to buy/what to sell I can just say "Check my sig to see what I have" instead of listing it all. I also do it so when I post pictures in the various galleries, so people will know what gear I used to take the shots. Basically it cuts down on unnecessary and repetitive questions you have to answer about what gear you use.

[cosworth]

Sometimes people want to see what you shoot with. You can tell a lot about the person by the gear they choose.

1. Income
2. What kind of pictures they take - weddings, landscape, sports
3. Are they L specific?
4. Do they prefer primes or zooms?

Many times it helps pique your interest on a lens you may not hear much about.

As you can see from my sig line I'm not to worried about it.

[mfunnell]

Very straightforward answer #1: if you don't list it you get question 1a (in the photo sharing threads) "what camera/lens did you use to take that?" or question 1b (in the equipment forums) "you should use the x00mm fx.y" lens to do that, when you've already stated, in the text of you're message, that you've used that very same lens and are exploring alternatives.

In other words, peoples .sig list (pretentious as they may seem) is usually an attempt to increase signal at the expense of noise. (And don't even ask why people don't look for EXIF data before asking those questions. Often they don't know what to look for, but more often than not they just couldn't be bothered.)

...Mike

[GSH]

Why do so many people have a complete list of their gear in their signatures?!


Why does a dog lick its crown jewels?

Because it can.

I thankyow :)

[E3_Photo_Studio]

I mean, we all know that good gear does not necessarily equate to good photos, and it does not necessarily equate to good advice on forums. So ... all you folk out there with the gear lists ... why do you do it? To impress the newbies? To impress the girls? (Or boys, as the case may be?) Tell me, tell me!

I put mine on there so that if I had a question people wouldn't ask me what I had to work with all the flippin' time. They could just look at my siggy and say OH well....that's your problem. :lol: I really could care less about impressing anyone, and I HIGHLY doubt that's why anyone does it.:rolleyes:

[Rhinotherunt]

I like to see what people are shooting with. So, I in turn share my information. My list is definately not to impress, though I am proud of my equipment and it is all I can afford. Some people also list what camera/lens they are selling so they can upgrade.

[blue_max]

Or you could lose the lens list and be more specific with your questions.

Graham

[Doctor T]

Sometimes people want to see what you shoot with. You can tell a lot about the person by the gear they choose.

1. Income
2. What kind of pictures they take - weddings, landscape, sports
3. Are they L specific?
4. Do they prefer primes or zooms?

Many times it helps pique your interest on a lens you may not hear much about.

As you can see from my sig line I'm not to worried about it.


I don't think chosen gear would be an accurate measure of someone's income. More likely just a measure of how much someone is willing to spend on gear. Otherwise, I agree with the other points.

[cosworth]

an accurate measure of someone's income.

I didn't say this, but you may not be replying directly to me.

But in rebuttal, you can see how much daily bread has gone into their job or hobby that is Canon gear. Simply put, the average hobby shooters, say a 23 year old person with their first good job and a new XT in their hands differs from an successful business owner who has a 1Ds MkII and long L list.

It also lets you see what pros choose as their revenue generating gear.

It reflects on income, but it is not an "accurate measure".

[PhotoJourno]

I often thought about this. I have changed my signature to say "Crackerjack box with a hole into it", or "own a lot of stuff", or "Canon really likes me". But when I do post a photo, or make some comments, I think to a point it is useful to list the main camera & lenses you are using.

I would not list every single lens if you own more than 10, or if you have redundant focal lengths. That is one thing I like to see of other members, how they choose their lenses to cover from 10mm to 500mm, and which ones they buy fixed.

But I must say I don't love those signatures with every camera name someone's owned since the 50s, all the lenses sorted by AF, EF, and L sorted by Zoom/Fixed/IS. Then I think it is a good idea to have the link that says "My Gear", and then if you want you can click on it.

Personally I would not list more than the camera I use the most, and 5 lenses or so.

Even on my current signature, you can see I make fun of myself.

Cheers,

[PAFC2004]

I think it makes things a lot easier for others to judge where others are at with their photography, and what they have to work with... otherwise they would have to ask each time they needed to know something about their equipment.

[rdsmith3]

I decided to post mine because it is part of my learning process. As you can see from my humble gear (much of it purchased second hand) I am not trying to be pretentious. Instead, if I ask a question along the lines of, "What are your tips for taking pictures at a kid's soccer game?" then it helps other people provide more useful answers.

Also, many pictures posted here (including mine) do not contain EXIF data.

[ssim]

I'm curious as to why you take issue with it.

I am not fond of the signatures that take up more screen real estate with their gear lists than most of their posts. However, it is available to everyone to do this and overall I see no harm in it.

I went to the "My gear" link in my signature line. There is a thread going where people can list their gear and then do a single post link to it. I kind of like the system.

You would be surprised how many pm's and emails one gets from others asking about a specific question. Perhaps they don't feel comfortable posting a question here and do it this way directly to people that they see have the gear they are interested in.

[cdifoto]

All that gear don't mean a thing until you get a bracket. Chicks dig the bracket. :cool:

[SuzyView]

I've toned down my signature to reflect the tools I use all the time now. I enjoy seeing posters with new gear. I don't think people are showing off, just giving us information about their point of view. When I see a great shot, I want to know what camera, lens, settings were used to get it. I came here to learn to be a better photographer, which I have to say also, I never thought I'd spend so much money on equipment. I don't think the gear list is a cry for attention. At least for me, I don't have to ask stupid questions as stated above. Yeah, I'm the one asking if you don't list your gear. :) ;)

[Doctor T]

But in rebuttal, you can see how much daily bread has gone into their job or hobby that is Canon gear. Simply put, the average hobby shooters, say a 23 year old person with their first good job and a new XT in their hands differs from an successful business owner who has a 1Ds MkII and long L list.

"successful business owner/average hobby shooter"
My assumption would be that most of the people in that group would be happy with a rebel xt and a consumer lens or two, and then put the rest of their disposeable income into other things like BMWs, houses or Rolexes. I would think a much smaller percentage of that group would buy a 1Ds MkII and have a long L list. But hey, I respect your opinion, that's just the way I see it and I could be very well be wrong.

cheers,
Rob

[cdifoto]

I'm not successful at anything and I have L glass...where does that put me? Stupid?


Can you tell I don't like categorizing people?

[zacker]

i think its good to list it... i mean, we're putting our photos up here, why not a list of what we got? Plus, from time to time i get the occasional PM asking how i like a certain lens or other piece of equipment.. i think thats better than seeing 100 posts asking about a lens or something.
-zacker-

[In2Photos]

I just bought my gear starting in December and used to look at people's signature's to see what gear seemed to be used a lot. Then I would research the products I saw and figured out what would suit my needs and be in my price range. I thought it would be nice to do the same thing for others.

BTW if we are not supposed to brag about our gear then should we be allowed to share pics that brag about our skills in photography?

[cdifoto]

I brag about my gear here because this is the only place I can make people jealous and/or piss them off when I do. Nobody in cares in real life. :)

[dubge]

I brag about my gear here because this is the only place I can make people jealous and/or piss them off when I do. Nobody in cares in real life. :)

So True :)

[aparmley]

I think the obvious answer to the OPs ? is so that when someone shares an opinion about a piece of gear others can see if it comes from personal experience or not. . . Thats why I thought people listed their gear . . . or if someone is sharing images you can get a good feel what lenses/bodies they have access to. . . .

??

but then you have people like Don. . . all they aim to do is piss people off and act all snobberooney! ;)

[cdifoto]

but then you have people like Don. . . all they aim to do is piss people off and act all snobberooney! ;)

I just ordered a TVR Tuscan.

[aparmley]

I just ordered a TVR Tuscan.

LMAO - did they throw in the free golf shirt and coffee mug?

[cdifoto]

LMAO - did they throw in the free golf shirt and coffee mug?

Nah I got a free 1Ds Mark II with 600mm f/4L IS. If I had opted for the road warrior maintenance package they woulda given me a 580EX but I already have one. Pretty cool they cater to the customer's hobbies though. If I was an avid golfer they would have given me clubs, but I chose photography via Canon on the survey.

[SuzyView]

Talking about gear, you should have seen the look on the security officer who scanned my camera bags yesterday in SLC. It just kept going on and on and . . . . We had 5 people flying and I think 6 of the carry-ons included something of my gear. :) I'm glad most of us don't put EVERYTHING we have in our signatures.

[tiziano]

When I am interested on how a lent will perform, I look at the people signature looking for that lens. When I find it, I go back looking at their posts, to see if there are comments or shots from that lens.

And, I know that I will for sure be wrong, but ...I like to guess what kind of persons are the other people here, from their gear... :D

[SuzyView]

I've met some of the people here and it's been so fun and informative. I decided that most photographers - hobbiest - are quite neurotic about their gear. We don't mind switching with each other, but that's it. I trusted everyone I've shot with here. We kind of "talk the same talk" even though we may be from all different backgrounds and different ages.

[cdifoto]

I've met some of the people here and it's been so fun and informative. I decided that most photographers - hobbiest - are quite neurotic about their gear. We don't mind switching with each other, but that's it. I trusted everyone I've shot with here. We kind of "talk the same talk" even though we may be from all different backgrounds and different ages.

If that's the definition of neurotic then I'm an "uberneurd". I had a 5 year old kid hold my 70-200 while I was taking off the tcon. If he woulda run off I'da just smacked his mother though. She was right there playing goalie.

[SuzyView]

LOL. :)

[Nidz]

Re: Why do people list all their gear in their signatures?


I don't :P

[danedel]

I guess listing your "core" tools is good, but not everything...
remember this is a digital photography forum....I still have a 1v, but I dont list or talk about it ;-)

[turtle2472]

For me, I put my little list here since I'm new and really don't know what I'm doing. I like taking pictures and want to learn more. My list alone says I don't know what I'm doing compared to some of the other lists on here; not that a big gear list makes you a good photographer. Someday I will be great, until then I'll make it easier to get help.

Like when I joined my first Apple Mac forum, I use my signature to list my stats so people know where I'm coming from without having to list on every post when needed. Coming from the PC world I didn't know much about Mac and it really helped get me the help I actually needed without going through three posts to give details about my system.

[Mark_Cohran]

Pride of ownership? Breadth of experience with the equipment?

Why not?

Mark

[kram]

I just bought my gear starting in December and used to look at people's signature's to see what gear seemed to be used a lot. Then I would research the products I saw and figured out what would suit my needs and be in my price range. I thought it would be nice to do the same thing for others.



Agree 100%. It helps a lot going through different ways people have put together their gear and what kind (eg macro, landscapes, general etc) of snaps they take.

Plus if you are not at the stage to feel comfortable sharing pics, you can atleast share the gear :) No, that's not me :)

[theflyingkiwi]

I'm not really a fan of listing gear, however I do see why it can be useful.. that's why my sig has a link to my gear. then I don't feel like I am throwing in someones face.

if you wish to do your own, go here
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138747

[grego]

Because we want to? Most people work hard to get their equipment and are proud of it. As long as it doesn't take up a whole paragraph with their listing. The "Signature Thread" idea has helped clean that up. So the user can click and check if they want. If not, then they don't.

Whether someone has a listing at all, on the signature or linked to that thread, it doesn't make them a better or worse photographer or reviewer. Look at nearly any forum that deals with items and most have a similar concept like that.

[Maureen Souza]

I didn't list mine for a long time.... but I kept getting questions about what camera, what lens, etc. so I finally gave up and listed mine. Nothing too great to boast about but the questions have decreased.

[waussie]

Yes, some validity, some logic, but I tend to think it's a case of look the length of my lens and the size of my bag:)

[tiziano]

Yes, some validity, some logic, but I tend to think it's a case of look the length of my lens and the size of my bag:)

People usually assume that other people reason the way they do.... :D

[Halliday]

I think it makes things a lot easier for others to judge where others are at with their photography, and what they have to work with... otherwise they would have to ask each time they needed to know something about their equipment.

Why not judge them by the photos or the words they post?

I'm on some paintball forums too and people there do that same thing (post their gear). When I was a newbie I did it too, but not anymore.

[RikWriter]

Why not judge them by the photos or the words they post?


That's a non sequitur in this context. You judge someone's photos and if you want to know how they were taken, you ask them about their equipment, if they used a tripod, what their settings were, etc...
I don't understand what exactly you're objecting to.

[Steve Parr]

So ... all you folk out there with the gear lists ... why do you do it? To impress the newbies? To impress the girls? (Or boys, as the case may be?) Tell me, tell me!

I do it with the small hope of making someone else feel inadequate...

[Sindri Skulason]

I think this information can be very useful. I'm always curious about the gear others are using (the tools of the trade). I may be thinking about getting the same lens or the same camera so I find it useful in the decision making to look at the shots these individuals took with this specific gear. To list the gear you are using saves a lot of questions. At the same time I think it's important to remember that the gear tells you nothing about a person’s ability to take great shots or for that matter where they stand in photography. Believe it or not...there are professional photographers out there that use mostly P&S and they are winning awards with these shots. Photography is not about the gear. It's about the pictures you take with the gear. I have seen masterpieces taken with point and shoot cameras and I have seen total rubbish taken with the most expensive cameras on the market. You choose the tools to get the job done. How it turns out depends on the person behind the camera. Just my two cents. :-)

[highlandpiper]

I am new....I like to see the gear list so I can tell what the shot was taken with. Now, if we could just get metering/exposure modes I would be all set.

[Hellashot]

OK, I'm relatively new here, but I must admit I don't understand this. Why do so many people have a complete list of their gear in their signatures?

You know what I mean: something like this:
I mean, we all know that good gear does not necessarily equate to good photos, and it does not necessarily equate to good advice on forums. So ... all you folk out there with the gear lists ... why do you do it? To impress the newbies? To impress the girls? (Or boys, as the case may be?) Tell me, tell me!

I used to have my gear listed, but removed it. The only value it adds is to know what camera a posted image was taken with, if the photographer has only 1 camera. It can also help to know what lenses someone giving lens advice has. Typically those with just about all their lenses are Canon Ls only recommend L lenses - biased advice.

[CyberDyneSystems]

I don't think chosen gear would be an accurate measure of someone's income. More likely just a measure of how much someone is willing to spend on gear. Otherwise, I agree with the other points.


I wasn't going to post in yet another "gear in sigs thread" .. but I just have to say how much I agree with this statement.

To get the gear I have, I have had to totally abondon all other hobbies I had, I drive an '86 corolla I purchased fro $800.00, and live in a dirt cheap apartment.

These were decisions I made whoch put the expenses for my photography hobby/profession at the top of my list of priorities. Essentially every other aspect of my life's expensises had to suffer large sacrifices to accomplish it. (i'm even typing on a four year old PC,. frightening) :)

[cdifoto]

I wasn't going to post in yet another "gear in sigs thread" .. but I just have to say how much I agree with this statement.

To get the gear I have, I have had to totally abondon all other hobbies I had, I drive an '86 corolla I purchased fro $800.00, and live in a dirt cheap apartment.

These were decisions I made whoch put the expenses for my photography hobby/profession at the top of my list of priorities. Essentially every other aspect of my life's expensises had to suffer large sacrifices to accomplish it. (i'm even typing on a four year old PC,. frightening) :)

Damn CDS you just made me feel really good. I drive a 1990 minivan and my PC is about 3 years old! Nevermind that the minivan has duct tape holding certain things together.... :)

[Lord_Malone]

OK, I'm relatively new here, but I must admit I don't understand this. Why do so many people have a complete list of their gear in their signatures?

You know what I mean: something like this:
I mean, we all know that good gear does not necessarily equate to good photos, and it does not necessarily equate to good advice on forums. So ... all you folk out there with the gear lists ... why do you do it? To impress the newbies? To impress the girls? (Or boys, as the case may be?) Tell me, tell me!

Okay, I'll admit that I do it to impress Pygmy tribesmen. But there's no harm in that is there? http://forum.e46fanatics.com/images/smilies/iono.gif

[calicokat]

Check out my sig, I used to list my gear until I got busted :eek:

[saravrose]

Mainly so we can see what the poster is working with. If a poster asks what lens or tripod he/she should get, their kit is there for all to see so responses can be better tailored. That and as you say to impress the girls :)

well hate to say it but gear doesn't impress me.. nope, could care less what your shooting with and how much it costs.. but, photos. yeah, those are effective.. they definately impress me..:D :D :D

sari

[Ronald S. Jr.]

There's all types of situations. Some guys, like CDS, are passionate about photography and spend $25k on photography (just a number, not accurate or meant for anyone), but live in little apartments and drive old beat up cars. There's others that have an XT and a kit lens, but live in a huge house and drive a brand new luxury car. Then, there's a few that I've seen that have it all. Cars, houses, gear, money, everything material like that. You just can't let it get to you. Some people get jealous and act like a ****, and some get defensive when people say how good "L's" are. Too many people are focused on what the other guy has. I mean gosh, I could have all the lenses I'd like to have if I just chose to drive an '86 toyota tercel. However, I chose the new Cadillac. So, here I am, lusting for more gear that I can't afford. Gives me something to do, though! :-D

[Belmondo]

I used to have my gear listed in my sig. Then, I just had a link to my entry in a thread where people were listing their gear here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1276489&postcount=28). Finally, I decided I didn't want to be known for my equipment. I wanted people to know me for my charm, wit, wisdom, and of course, extraordinarily good looks.

[CyberDyneSystems]

....if I just chose to drive an '86 toyota tercel. However, I chose the new Cadillac.

Please,. it's corolla! :lol:
I had a Caddy once,. in the late '80s.. a 1969!

So I'm still driving a 20 plus year old car :lol:

[Skip Souza]

I used to have my gear listed in my sig. Then, I just had a link to my entry in a thread where people were listing their gear here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=1276489&postcount=28). Finally, I decided I didn't want to be known for my equipment. I wanted people to know me for my charm, wit, wisdom, and of course, extraordinarily good looks.
Extrodinary indeed. :rolleyes:

[lakiluno]

I don't think chosen gear would be an accurate measure of someone's income. More likely just a measure of how much someone is willing to spend on gear. Otherwise, I agree with the other points.

I have to completely disagree with this point. Check the link in my sig for some of my gear (Missing the sigma 70-300 and the Canon nifty fifty). Not the best? No L's in sight? I invest almost 100% of my income into photography, but being 16, that 100% isn't very much. Gear lists generally do gve you an idea of someones income, along with their attitude and the questions they ask.

Leo

[StewartR]

I think it's important to remember that the gear tells you nothing about a person’s ability to take great shots or for that matter where they stand in photography. Believe it or not...there are professional photographers out there that use mostly P&S and they are winning awards with these shots. Photography is not about the gear. It's about the pictures you take with the gear. I have seen masterpieces taken with point and shoot cameras and I have seen total rubbish taken with the most expensive cameras on the market.
Hello, OP here. This pretty much sums up my view, except that Sindri has expressed it more eloquently.

BTW, if anyone's curious about professionals using P&S and winning awards, there's an informative and inspiring thread here:
So you ask... does the equipment make the photographer? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=192368)

[E3_Photo_Studio]

I agree to a point with you and Sindri. Skill is what makes the photographer...not the equipment. However, that's NOT why most of us list our gear, as I'm sure you've read in all these posts. Most of us just don't like repeating ourselves over and over and over again if someone asks "what'd you use for that shot?" So, if it's all listed in the siggy...then you already know.

As far as it showing our "income level"....Oh please! My current equip was all bought and paid for by selling stuff on ebay to get money to buy it, or it was given as a gift to me from my grandparents. Now we're selling all the current equip just to get SOME money to pay for the new upgrade stuff so that we don't have to put 5K on our credit cards. :( By the end, we'll have nice equip that we won't have to upgrade for a long while, but......we'll be in debt up to our eye-balls. :( it's really not an income thing, just upgrading to descent digital equip is all. I'm sure I'm not the only one out there that is in debt b/c of their equip either.

[Sindri Skulason]

I agree to a point with you and Sindri. Skill is what makes the photographer...not the equipment. However, that's NOT why most of us list our gear, as I'm sure you've read in all these posts. Most of us just don't like repeating ourselves over and over and over again if someone asks "what'd you use for that shot?" So, if it's all listed in the siggy...then you already know.

As far as it showing our "income level"....Oh please! My current equip was all bought and paid for by selling stuff on ebay to get money to buy it, or it was given as a gift to me from my grandparents. Now we're selling all the current equip just to get SOME money to pay for the new upgrade stuff so that we don't have to put 5K on our credit cards. :( By the end, we'll have nice equip that we won't have to upgrade for a long while, but......we'll be in debt up to our eye-balls. :( it's really not an income thing, just upgrading to descent digital equip is all. I'm sure I'm not the only one out there that is in debt b/c of their equip either.
Hi Erika

I do agree with you as you can see if you read my post here below. I do list my gear since I think it provides useful information. :-)
I think this information can be very useful. I'm always curious about the gear others are using (the tools of the trade). I may be thinking about getting the same lens or the same camera so I find it useful in the decision making to look at the shots these individuals took with this specific gear. To list the gear you are using saves a lot of questions. At the same time I think it's important to remember that the gear tells you nothing about a person’s ability to take great shots or for that matter where they stand in photography. Believe it or not...there are professional photographers out there that use mostly P&S and they are winning awards with these shots. Photography is not about the gear. It's about the pictures you take with the gear. I have seen masterpieces taken with point and shoot cameras and I have seen total rubbish taken with the most expensive cameras on the market. You choose the tools to get the job done. How it turns out depends on the person behind the camera. Just my two cents. :-)

[Jon]

If you're going to post a question you'd better tell us specifically what equipment you have/used. If you're posting a photo with an interesting effect, ditto. I also mod. at a computer help forum where we expect you to include your system specs in your sig. Even so, we still spend 3-4 posts each way trying to find out exactly what OP is using when problem X occurs (and still get the odd case where they find a resolution somewhere else, from which we learn that they failed to mention some minor point like they're using Win98 on a '486 not Mac OS 10.4.7 on a MacBook, or vice versa). Most folks won't be persistent enough to keep asking - they'll just move on, and OP won't get answered. So it's really in your interests to make sure we have the info we need to help you.

[StewartR]

I dunno. I just don't get it. Maybe when I've been here for 7,000 posts rather than 70 then I'll understand.

I appreciate that people may be interested in how a particular photo was taken. I appreciate that listing your gear in your signature might be a way of avoiding the "how did you take that photo?" questions. But when your signature includes something like the following list (which I culled from one of the earlier posts in the thread, no offence intended): Canon 5D w/grip, Canon 30D, Canon 17-40 f4L, Canon 18-55 f3.5-5.6, Sigma 24-70 f2.8 Macro, Canon 50mm f1.4, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX HSM, Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 APO DG Macro, Sigma 120-300 f2.8m EX HSM, Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6L IS, 580EX Flash, Tamron 1.4XTC, Sigma 2x TC. then you have to wonder how the potential question-asker is going to guess which camera and lens were used...

[tiziano]

I dunno. I just don't get it.

There may be many different reasons for this behaviour...some better then others... but...
Why does it bother you so much?
What is your point?
You don't agree? fine... don't list your stuff! :)

[tommykjensen]

You know there is a very simple solution to Your problem.

Goto usercp. Click on Edit options, scroll down to Thread Display Options then deselect Show Signatures, sroll down and save changes.


Then You won't be bothered with gear in signatures.

[Jamie Holladay]

I like to see gear list in sigs, for the reason everyone has said. I can see someone subject matter vs thier sig vs my subject matter; it allows me to choose my gear accordingly {i.e. bird people - what are they shooting with?} That would give me a starting point - if I were to suddenly become interested in shooting birds (besides the kind with my fingers).

[grego]

I dunno. I just don't get it. Maybe when I've been here for 7,000 posts rather than 70 then I'll understand.

I appreciate that people may be interested in how a particular photo was taken. I appreciate that listing your gear in your signature might be a way of avoiding the "how did you take that photo?" questions. But when your signature includes something like the following list (which I culled from one of the earlier posts in the thread, no offence intended):

then you have to wonder how the potential question-asker is going to guess which camera and lens were used...

Many a times, if you actually take photos(which is the most important part-way more than the forum, although i do love it), you can get an idea for which lens was being used. I'm not saying, put photo A against photo B and identify, but usually after seeing their equipment list and the type of photo I can put two and two together.

And if I really want to verify afterwards, I ask or say, you used xxx camera or you used xxx lens.

Canon 5D w/grip, Canon 30D, Canon 17-40 f4L, Canon 18-55 f3.5-5.6, Sigma 24-70 f2.8 Macro, Canon 50mm f1.4, Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX HSM, Sigma 70-300 f4-5.6 APO DG Macro, Sigma 120-300 f2.8m EX HSM, Canon 100-400 f4.5-5.6L IS, 580EX Flash, Tamron 1.4XTC, Sigma 2x TC.

So now to have some fun.

My prediction for the 5D usage. Some wide angle shots. 17-40 likely used. Landscape photos will likely be using that lens. With the 5D, you can't use the 18-55 and even though the user has a 30D, they are not likely to use that lens over other ones.

Sigma 24-70. For a general, light walk around lens(that a lot of people like). So if the photos don't appear to have been from a distance or aren't super wide, they are on a 30D with this. The 50 fits in the range. But the 50 will likely be used at big apertures(nice bokeh) and in low light situations, which are some hints. Sigma 70-300. Light lens and usually a starter lens for people or a lens for people who aren't looking to spend much. It needs to be in good light though. The 120-300 you'd see with sports/action/wildlife photos. Whether it be the 5D or 30D, it'll likely show up there. It's not the lightest lens, so generally it won't be used for walking around, so its going to have more of a setup feel, compared to a random feel. The 100-400. Well, it has IS and is fairly light. If i saw the EXIF i'd know for sure especially with handholding and slow shutter speeds. Would probably be taken more often than not over the 70-300. Like the 18-55, its probably on the low end of the list for usage with the 120-300 and 100-400 in the kit.

And there you go, from my experience and knowledge without seeing who the particular poster is, I already have an idea. If I know who the poster is, then I have an even better idea.

I'm a college student. I wouldn't say my income is up there. But you can enjoy my list if you want. I worked my butt off, but what is there to show off? People are more proud to have it then show off. Regardless, I know I can take better photos than a decent amount of people with more and better gear(better body or particular lens).

But its always nice to be able to know what someone shoots with. Doesn' tmake them better or worse.

And if it really bothers you, use the suggestion Tommy gave.

[bachscuttler]

I post my entire gear list to make people feel sorry for me.
That way, they are usually kinder when critiquing my shots.

I was thinking of changing my age in my profile to 16 for the same reason.

[Carzee]

I like to see gear list in sigs, for the reason everyone has said. I can see someone subject matter vs thier sig vs my subject matter; it allows me to choose my gear accordingly {i.e. bird people - what are they shooting with?} That would give me a starting point - if I were to suddenly become interested in shooting birds (besides the kind with my fingers).

You're on the money there.

A lot of questions arising from a pic could be answered if the exif of the pic was auto played beside every pic posted...but even then there would still be a need to reference your gear in a gear list. Most people ask about the gear used and as far as I know the latest EXIF protocol does'nt record whether and which tripod/head/remote etc was used for a photo.

[KRUSH]

I'm not really a fan of listing gear, however I do see why it can be useful.. that's why my sig has a link to my gear. then I don't feel like I am throwing in someones face.

if you wish to do your own, go here
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=138747

Thanks! I was looking for that link.

[Radders]

I posted my gear as I thought it was common sense to, Saves being asked what I use.

Plus, I find it interesting also! Apart from being jealous from some of them as I haven't got as much as I'd love, But what I do have, I enjoy :)

[e02937]

Thread from the dead...

[jdmxsoles]

because its funnay and everyone does it.