>
> 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.
>
It's called hyperbole... OK, the majority of people coming into the
camera store that I have worked in for the past three years don't know
about film speed, and don't seem to care. They just want to know what
film to use in sunny situations...
> > Think about it, do you know every detail of every activity you engage in?
>
> Not every detail, but enough information about every activity so
> that I'm knowledgeable about the important things, the significant
> things.
>
But for many people (I'll even say most), knowledge of film speed isn't
important! My point was that many people couldn't care less about film
speeds, they just want to know which film to use for outdoors and which
to use for flash, etc... This is what Kodak is giving them.
> In fact, none of the examples you cite matter much, if at all, in
> terms of the user being able to properly use and enjoy his
> equipment.
And I will say that what Kodak is doing will allow people (some for the
first time perhaps) to use their equipment properly and enjoy the
results.
>
> > 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
Hello? What do you think has supported Kodak all these years? Verichrome
pan? VPS? Custom R prints? What has supported them all these years is
the consumer print films and the resultant pictures of Bobby's 2nd
birthday, Disney world vacations, and family gatherings. Hell, wasn't
Kodak's original slogan, "Push the button and leave the rest to us," or
something like that for the original brownie?
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.
>
Think of it this way...To joe consumer, what is the difference between
ASA 100, 200, and 400 vs. sunny, general purpose, and flash... well,
anyone can figure out the second set, and many would have to ask about
the first. Kodak is simply making the terms more accessible to regular
consumers, is that such a terrible thing? Kodak is simply completing the
circle that the camera manufacturers started. If you have a camera that
will do everything (or nothing in the case of disposable!), why do you
have to worry about ISO ratings? How come we didn't hear about the
dumbing down of photographers when Pentax put the little smily face on
the ZX-50? Well, people say, "For the market the ZX-50 is aimed at, it's
a good thing..." It's the same damn thing that Kodak is doing...
As far as the salesman being lazy, I will resist saying some unpleasant
things... It comes down to not wasting time, mine or theirs. Good
salespeople will not hesitate to explain film speed, if they are asked.
But the question is usually not, "What do these numbers mean?" it is
usually, "Which film do I use outside?" If someone can come in, see what
they want, and buy it without keeping me from another customer that has
more involved questions, everyone wins. Also remember that there are no
salespeople for people to ask in many places (grocery store, drug store,
etc..) Once again, I think that this makes sense for the consumer market
Isaac
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