>>3521604OP is presumably a non-professional photographer. There is no need for him to compete to get the best of the best, the creme de la creme the highest resolution sharpest best picture.
As
>>3521605 said, a good photo is still a good photo, it is merely that a professional photographer is going to take that "good photo" with pro gear, and a good photo with pro gear looks better than a good photo on amateur gear.
Unless OP is planning on publishing OR really WANTS pro gear, it would be complete overkill. Also also, many of the people you see with expensive gear at events like these are not using their own gear. Don't be THAT guy who walks in with 3 cameras with teles hanging from his neck for amateur hobby pictures.
TL;DR the only ones coping are the ones trying to justify dropping 10s of thousands on professional gear as non professionals.
