Hi,
> But one thing is clear: some people buy certain brands only to impress
> the other persons around them, or because they feel that way they show
> their economic or social status.
competitive or not, there is a great deal of pleasure to be had out of
using products with certain brand names that goes beyond simple
utility. I've been a Pentax user for over 20 years, and have never
experienced this snobbishness that other people write about, and never
really wanted any other brand, because the Pentax equipment suited me
fine.
The only camera brand that ever nagged at me has been Leica
rangefinders, so last year I succumbed and bought my M3 with a 50mm
Summilux lens. So, from the utilitarian point of view it is a great
pleasure to use because it is so unassuming, so quiet and so
unthreatening. I feel more laid back, and not at all aggressive when I
use it. Also, the viewfinder perspective, for 50mm, seems
qualitatively different to looking through a 50mm lens on an slr.
Somehow it seems easy to see 50mm pictures when I'm using that camera,
and I get more pictures of the HCB / Tony Ray-Jones type, which I
enjoy.
But beyond all these utilitarian qualities, I personally also get a
great kick out of the history of the camera. The pleasure & pride of
using it are increased manifold knowing that it is part of such a great
tradition and that it is favoured by some of my favourite
photographers. This is irrational, of course. But photography doesn't
have to be rational. It should be a pleasure if nothing else, so what harm
is there in getting out of it as much pleasure as one can?
Because of this I see no reason to deride anybody who chooses a brand
'because the pros use it'. Why not? Even if they never use the camera,
so what? If it gives them pleasure to be connected to a tradition, and
they're not starving their children to do it, who cares? Of course, in
their turn they mustn't look down on me for my choices. But if they do
then, huh! <Gallic shrug, just like Hank> - je m'en foue!
---
Bob
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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