----- Original Message -----
From: "Shel Belinkoff"
<snip>
> How can subjective descriptions replace some knowledge about
film
> speed. However, if the cameras are all dumbed down to meet
the
> lowered and more simplistic descriptions of appropriate film,
and
> the sales people don't know squat, and everybody's satisfied
with
> their red-eyed, vignetted flash pictures, then this is truly a
step
> in the right direction - backwards!
Very apt description. You must moonlight as a Ritz Camera
salesperson
Unfortunately, you are quite correct.
Everything is subjective until the pictures don't turn out.
Here is a sample conversation I had least week:
<insert thoughts that are running through my head here>
Customer: I need to know what film to buy
Me: What are you planning to photograph?
Customer: My grand daughters wedding. She is so very dear to me.
Me: <SHIT!!> What kind of camera do you have?
Customer: Nothing special, just an ordinary camera.
Me: Is it 35mm?
Customer: Whats that?
Me: Does it take a film that looks like this? (brandishes a 35mm
cassette from the recycling)
Customer: Sort of, but usually there is something sticking out
of it when I open the box.
Me: <Usually???> Ok, its 35mm. Does it have a zoom lens?
Customer: It's a good one. We paid over 300 dollars for it. It
does everything for us.
Me: <It's from the Minolta FL series> It probably has a zoom
lens at that price. This will be mostly indoors, right?
Customer: We want some pictures of them leaving the church, They
have to be outdoors for that.
Me:<I should have gone to med school> Well, I think I am going
to recomend this brand new Kodak Max 800 film for you.
Customer: I've never bought that film before, will it work in my
camera?
Me: <Its NEW, of course you haven't bought it before> Oh sure,
it loads just the same as what you have been using. <I need a
drink>
Customer: It won't wreck my pictures will it?
Me: <I will probably have a hit taken out on me no matter what>
No, its a great film. It's from Kodak. They practically invented
photography.
Customer: (Taking 3 pack of Max 800 from me and looking at it
like as if it is going to do something awful to her, and looking
at the film bin) Well I don't know, usually we shoot 400 speed.
Me: <She can read!!!!!!> Well the 400 is a pretty good choice
too. I expect either one will do the job for you. <I really need
a beer>
Customer: So why is this better?
Me: <OH GAWD> This one doesn't need as much light, so in the
church your flash pictures will be better.
Customer: What about in the hall at the dinner?
Me: It will be just fine for that too, maybe better than the
400.
Customer: What about this stuff? (Picks up a box of "Rave 400"
which is our Konica made house brand)
Me: It's the same speed as the Kodak 400.
Customer: It's a lot cheaper, is it as good?
Me: <It's a lot cheaper, how can it be?> Its a pretty good film.
I think the Kodak is better, especially for something as
important as a wedding
Customer: Well, thank you for the help (walks away with the
cheap Konica noname film)
Me: <stupid moron> (smiles) No trouble at all, thats why I'm
here.
You can lead em to the river, but you can't make them drink. If
your lucky, they will fall in and drown though.
William Robb
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