Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/11/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Donal Philby wrote: >Do you see Leica ads in the NPPA bulletin? Or the ASMP bulletin? Do > you see Leica reps at professional conferences? How much does that > tell > you about their attitude toward pros? They won't even tell pros about > the gear. < > It's too bad and shortsighted, because as a working newsphotographer I've bet I've "sold" dozens and dozens of Nikon cameras and lenses. I, and other working photographers, are one of the best advertisements for a camera there is. At least once a week someone comes up to me and asks what kind of equipment I use, and at other times I may in front of hundreds or thousands of spectators at a sporting or news event-a walking advertisement with two bodies and several lenses. Nikon advertises to pros and amateurs, and they take care of the professionals. They make equipment for pros (how many amateurs buy 600mm f/4 lenses?) and make sure we have fast motor drives (are you listening, Leica?). They provide free loaners while our equipment is being repaired on priority, and will loan an exotic lens, or underwater camera that we don't own for a special project - free. Their reps offer free checkups and minor repairs at trade shows, and loaners and servicing at major news events. They have pro-reps who make it their business to meet their pro users and provide free workshops onsite on the latest flash techniques or digital cameras and scanning. I own a bunch of Leica equipment, but seldom use it for work anymore. - -Jack Milton http://www.agate.net/~jmilton/index.html