You know.. I've always tried to think that it was the photographer that makes the picture, not the camera. But one thing that bugs me is that, cameras are getting smarter and better all the time, especially with the advent of digital cameras. My new entry level canon ixus point and shoot takes better picture than my old d40x. Even that nokia pure view 808 takes pictures at 41 mpix. Something dslrs have yet to achieve. (I know, megapixels aren't everything)

But the point is... taking picture is mostly technical, it is the artistic side that makes the difference. With the technical side mostly handled by the device, novice and pros are on a level playing field. e.g. An artistic person with little knowledge of photography can take artistic pictures that are technically on par with what the pros can do.

So, yeah. A really nice camera helps to level that playing field. The trick is to get someone to buy me a goddamn leica. Preferably a leica M so I can Henry Cartier-Bresson my ass off.