I doubt his policy is specifically "the lens type is behind the paywall" and everything else is just open season. I'm sure it's more along the lines of "I discuss my gear and methods with my Patreon subs." If you start answering one guy who just wants to know one thing, it opens the floodgates and makes you seem like an ass if you don't answer everyone.
Now, whether it's sad that people have to resort to this method to make money from photography now is a whole different conversation.
You hired a wedding photographer (presumably having seen his portfolio), signed a contract with him, and then didn't pay him?