I tend to have per job, that I look at and think ‘wow, I’m good at this’. Not to say there isn’t any that are high quality, there’s plenty. But they don’t make me go wow

Most used - Fuji 16-80 f4. It’s the best all-round lens they make, it’s got a good enough zoom range that it’s usable indoors and out, a decent aperture (2.8 would be nice, but it’s light so who cares)

Favourite general lens - Nikkor 70-200. It’s a beast, but a lovely beast. I love the way it feels in my hands, you haven’t got to be careful when you’re using it, it’s a tank.

Favourite ‘specialty’? Lens - Nikkor 400 2.8. Not many chances to use it outside of football, which I rarely do, but it’s so fun to use. I love the weight and the look down the viewfinder you get - not to mention the pictures.

Then I think you could stand in good stead to go for it. That’s life as a freelancer, as said. Get a few months saved up as a ‘bad month’ fund, and go for it. But you need to really go for it. You need to be making 110% most months, to make up for the 70% months.

IMHO, if you don’t get enough jobs to get 50-80% of your needed wage already, you’ll struggle for a long time. Are you having to turn a lot of people down at the moment? Also, are you charging enough?

Having read every comment on this thread. It depends on what camera you use, what lens you use, how you use it, why you use it, and how you carry it.

I use OEM because Nikon flagship straps are indestructible and comfy on my shoulders with a 70-200 2.8 on, but put that round my neck and j want to die. A thin Fuji strap with an xt2 and an 18-55 is fine. I imagine something like a D5600 will have a worse strap, as it’s made for a smaller lens and camera