Grant me that I read the web for a living, so maybe I've become, shall we say, sensitive. But, often, when I read peoples' comments on new or just-introduced cameras—here or elsewhere—I fancy I can usually tell whether, deep down, they're considering it, or dismissing it. No matter how probitous, even-tempered, and analytical their thoughts might be, that binary calculation often seems to rise up from behind it: interested, or taking a pass?
Just sayin'.
Mike
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Original contents copyright 2012 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.
Featured [partial] Comment by Rory O'Toole: "I think that the switch should have a middle position—'dreaming.' And don't underestimate the amount of time people can spend dreaming—from reading online, considering what they can sell to raise funds, trying it out in the shop...."
Featured Comment by Michal K.: "Well, I do spend a lot of time online reading about photography. I always find it amusing to read Canikon comments-wars. I'm not sure if everyone up there could be put into 'consider/dismiss' frames. Sure—many of them are dreamers—they would love to make good photos, but instead go out and try, they spend too much time pixel-peeping and reading reviews. I believe most of them just want to 'exist' for a while—say to the world, 'hey, I'm here!'By the way, I love my seven-year-old 6-MP DSLR, and I have and use about six 35mm cameras. I am by no means pro, that's why I don't believe upgrading would improve my photos in any way. But, at the same time, I've got my likes and dislikes—I do like all of the new Fujis and I don't like new Olympus OM-D. I doesn't mean I consider buying either."
I'm usually interested, often curious but then almost always dismissive. Mainly because I can't afford and don't need.
Fortunately the "perfect" camera doesn't exist which makes the dismissing easier.
Posted by: Andrew Wallace | Wednesday, 07 March 2012 at 06:22 PM
A very accurate personal observation, look at Nobel laurent Kahneman's "Thinking Fast and Slow" for some scientific documentation!
Posted by: Jim | Wednesday, 07 March 2012 at 06:33 PM
Too much analysis spoils the joy of profligate camera shopping. Profligate = the real "pro" in camera buying.
Posted by: kirk tuck | Wednesday, 07 March 2012 at 09:14 PM
What I also find interesting is how these same people know EXACTLY how great the camera is or is not, that it will shoot black cats in a coal mine with only a candle with no noise hand held, ad nauseam, ad nauseam; long before the camera is actually avaialble (except for a very few reviewers) and without ever owning or using one!
Posted by: Michael T. | Wednesday, 07 March 2012 at 09:48 PM
Reminds me of The Trouble with Binary Thinking by John Michael Greer. You might like his blog, like yourself (and Ctein?) he has an impressive beard.
Posted by: Martin Fido | Thursday, 08 March 2012 at 04:12 AM
I think that the switch should have a middle position - "dreaming". And don't underestimate the amount of time people can spend dreaming - from reading online, considering what they can sell to raise funds, trying it out in the shop ... but in reality they have two old 35mm film cameras, a 5 year old dslr that they don't really like, and they take most of their pictures on the phone. Hmm, I suppose I have just described the dismissers ...
Posted by: Rory O'Toole | Thursday, 08 March 2012 at 04:32 AM
Humans is very predictable, except when they ain't.
Posted by: Robert Roaldi | Thursday, 08 March 2012 at 06:29 AM
Now that my "business" is much more of a "hobby" it's getting pretty hard to justify $3500 cameras. I bought a T3i recently and it's pretty amazing what it can do. Definitely not as viscerally pleasing as my old 5D but way more capable.
Regardless of what my lizard brain thinks, it's not about the camera.
It might be about the tripod though...
Posted by: Paul | Thursday, 08 March 2012 at 12:58 PM
It's rewarding to read your posts, Mike, and learn a new word or two. I will use them with great probity.
Posted by: Rob Atkins | Thursday, 08 March 2012 at 01:01 PM
What on earth do you mean by "probitous"?
Posted by: Bill Tyler | Thursday, 08 March 2012 at 03:17 PM
"What on earth do you mean by 'probitous'?"
Ha! Did I just make up another word? Back-formation from "probity."
I used to invent words all the time as a kid. I just figured they probably existed because they made sense etymologically. It drove some of my high school teachers crazy. One history teacher who was particularly irked by the tendency once circled the word "relevant" and wrote "Not a real word!" next to it...I never let him live that one down. :-D
Mike
Posted by: Mike Johnston | Thursday, 08 March 2012 at 03:43 PM
Dear Mike,
Hmmm, I'd have bet "probitous" was a word, but the Complete OED says, "No."
My favorite book in the universe. If forced to be marooned on a desert island with only one book, it'd be a fight between the Collected Shakespeare and the COED. The COED'd probably win, 'cause I've read most of the Shakespeare.
pax / Ctein
Posted by: ctein | Thursday, 08 March 2012 at 04:30 PM
^Stuck on an island with a coed ... sure, why not. [/tipyourwaitress]
Since going digital, I've felt whenever a new product splash was on sure there'll be some noise to hear with the signal, but yeah, let's internet daydream. But this upgrade season the vitriol surrounding e.g., the Canon 5D Mk. III's "miss" (really?) completely, for me, drowned out any urge to imagine what new/better features might add another keeper or three to the monthly tally.
No matter, I guess it's a bit of an internet-forum graduation for me. I pre-ordered the camera and thought, "think of the time I'll now save NOT 'researching' yet another camera choice."
Posted by: Timo | Thursday, 08 March 2012 at 11:55 PM
Sadly, I think my brain is stuck on 'Consider' and my wallet is stuck on 'Dismiss'. The two do not get on...
Posted by: Rowan | Friday, 09 March 2012 at 11:37 AM