----- Original Message -----
From: "Shel Belinkoff"
> Hi Issac ...
>
> Boy, do i disagree with you.
>
> > To me, Kodak's decision makes perfect sense. Keep in mind
that 95% of
> > people don't know about film speed, and don't care.
>
> Where/how did you arrive at that figure? Was a survey made of
> this? Had you said many, most, a great percentage, or
something
> similar, I'd not quibble. But with a specific figure which
shows an
> overwhelming majority don't know AND don't care, I'd have to
take
> issue and ask more more details.
Up in my neck of the woods, I think my customers bat about 15%
WRT knowing why they are buying a particular film speed. Mostly,
they just buy what the guy that sold them the camera in the
first place sold them.
Kodak started this trend a couple of years ago when they renamed
Gold 400 "Max". Now the packaging says "Maximum Versatility",
and I think it still says 400 on the box. I have become so used
to the colour coding that I almost don't pay attention any more.
<snip>>
> > Every day I would have to explain to people what
> > speed they need, now I don't. I think that the
> > packaging is a good idea for this market segment.
>
> Yes, if the market segment is the one that caters to the
lowest
> common denominator and, perhaps, to sales people who are too
lazy or
> ignorant to properly explain film speed to their customers.
This is
> EXACTLY what dumbing down is all about.
I don't see new packaging as a way to end run around
customer service. I suspect that there will still be a
significant portion of the population that will need assurance
that the product is right for their situation.
What I do fear is that new packaging with an explanation of
suitability in two words or less will cause me more problems
rather than less.
It goes to people's perceptions of a situation. If they
think they have a "bright" living room, they may decide to try
the "For Bright Light" (100iso) for some important to them thing
that they are hosting, as an example. Then, I am stuck trying to
explain to an irate customer after the fact, when their pictures
are less than optimal, that they should have bought the "For
Zoom Lens Point & Shoot" film instead.
I wish I had gone to medical school.
William Robb
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