Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/01/04

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Subject: Re: [Leica] feb shutterbug
From: "Steve LeHuray" <icommag@toad.net>
Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2002 22:47:31 -0500

B.D. says:
> 
> Of course photographers who accept money/equipment from equipment and supply
> manufacturers are PHOTOGRAPHERS. What else would they be? Are they objective
> judges of the particular manufacturer's equipment/supplies? Of course not.
> But who cares. I don't give a fig what a Ralph Gibson, James Nachtwey, etc.
> etc. have to say about equipment brands - I want to see what they shoot, or
> hear how they work, or what their photo philosophy is.
>

I understand why manufacturers/ad agencies like to use well known names,
like Gibson & Nachtwey, for product endorsements and it is only fair that
the celebrity get paid for their name being used. I have a hard time
understanding why people buy into these endorsements. Just because the aged
rock & roll star Bob Seeger sings 'Like a rock...' for Chevrolet pick up
trucks that we run out and buy a Chevy, apparently so because Chevy trucks
are at least in the top 3 in sales.

OK I have several leicas, but Ralph Gibson's endorsement had nothing to do
with my buying them. Still, I understand the principle; Gibson takes great
pictures, I like them, Gibson uses Leicas, hmmmm....that must be the way for
me to go. So Leica or any manufacturer SHOULD pay for capitalizing on
Gibson's success.

Trouble is that it does not influence me to buy a Chevy or a Leica.
Interestingly Robert Dosineau used several different brands of cameras
throughout his 50 year career, and never endorsed any of them. Even more
interesting, looking at his pictures I can not tell the difference between
any brand. So are endorsements just hype? Probably.

And my job is selling advertising.

sl
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Replies: Reply from Mark Rabiner <mark@markrabiner.com> (Re: [Leica] feb shutterbug)