It's not necessary to buy a new camera: a $200,000 photography prize was won with an old Canon DSLR.
"...accompanied by a basic and modest objective."
The world's most lucrative photography competition has awarded its grand prize of $200,000 to Liping Cao, a photographer from China, for his black-and-white image of a remote wind farm located on the shore of a freshwater lake in Australia. This competition, known as HIPA Sustainability and celebrating its thirteenth year, has established a record prize fund of $1 million this year to distribute among the winners. The winning work, titled Quiet Power, depicts a wind farm in 2021 at the then-dry Lake George in New South Wales, Australia.
What is most surprising about Liping's achievement is the camera used to capture the award-winning photograph: a Canon DSLR, specifically the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, which is already 12 years old. Although it is not among the latest models, this full-frame camera can be purchased second-hand for around $300 in the United States or approximately £325 in the United Kingdom, although the price may be higher if one seeks an exceptional condition.
Liping paired the EOS 5D Mark III with the EF 24-105mm F4L IS USM lens, a versatile zoom lens that used to be part of this camera's kit and is accessible to photography enthusiasts. The winning image was initially captured in color and then converted to black and white, as Liping stated, "it shows more levels of detail and is more suitable for experiencing environmental impact."
Although Canon announced some time ago that it would no longer develop more DSLRs, focusing instead on its mirrorless models, Liping's success demonstrates that the most recent equipment is not always necessary to achieve high-quality results. The EOS 5D Mark III has a 22.9 MP sensor, which compares favorably to current mirrorless models like the EOS R6 Mark II, which offers 24 MP photos at a much higher price.
Liping's victory highlights the enduring relevance of DSLR cameras despite advancements in mirrorless camera technology. This suggests that there is valuable potential in using older and more accessible equipment, underscoring that a photographer’s skill and creativity remain essential.
