About all this, starting up photography during the later half of the year was probably a nice idea, now I had all the time to learn my camera and so on.
Now when the summer is coming I know that part and have developed a sight for the light (hehe nice rhyme).
There's so much to learn and I see when a picture is "grey and boring" a lot easier then before now, composition rules are getting there and I have "played" off quite a lot.
I have developed a love for limiting myself with prime lenses of different types, it makes the photography more fun imo. Gear shouldnt be first priority as some people manage with a point/shoot.
I just cant wait until summer, nice weather and enjoying different things with the camera ready just a zip away.

because they want as good pictures as possible?

Which would prove they do care a lot about their camera stuff and it would make a big difference.

that was my point.

Truth is: you don't need the best camera to take good pictures, but you do need the best camera to take the best pictures.

Why only strive for the good when you could for the best?

I've been stating these things for a while. It's definitely getting to know light, apertures, shutter speeds, film or iso speeds, what color temp of light, how to balance this with your "set to daylight" flash, the use of gels, filters and finally lenses and cameras. In roughly that order of importance.

Fact is 9/10's of the people on this particular section of the forum aren't up to needing a Mark 5 or 10 or whatever the latest and greatest is and factually about any modern d/SLR is more than capable of producing stellar results.

There is a bit too much "fanboyism" and "gearhead" talk and some people's heads seem to swell ... almost like the old argument, mine is bigger than yours. And yes, it DOES matter how you use it.

Don't rely on a great camera to take a great photo for you. If you truly understand your camera, know it well and understand the basics laws of photography, you can get a great photo out of a crappy digital camera. I have, many have.

Many times people ask me, "well what aperture did you use?" or some other nonsense. I say, "I don't know but I'd say by looking at it it's around an f/xx". Why? It's not important really. What's important is the end product - the finished photo. So you chimp a little and play with light until you get it right according to your vision.

And professionals do not sit around talking gear all day. They are out using it. Amateurs do. Armchair photographers do.

I sometimes ponder the usage of C&C ... I find this is only useful if you are truly a novice and don't know the RULES or LAWS of this subject and want outside opinion.

If you are certain of the rules and laws, then C&C becomes VERY limited simply because photography is an art and art is VERY subjective in nature. Which means I may like Picasso and you may abhor his work. I love Beethoven, you may not. I may like your photo, you may not. And vice versa. Ad infinitum ...

You may take a technically perfect photo but it may lack the soul. That's why sometimes you can look at great photos and be very ho hum about them but others you drool and want to know how you can do them yourself.

Two pennies. Kind of a rant. Sorry.