[Closed] What do some cameras just seem so desirable?

Us? I've never met you.

So...why do some objects, particularly cameras, have this 'pull' on us? Let's assume, given a recent and rather long thread, it has nothing to do with marketing...

But actually it has [i]everything[/i] to do with marketing. You can get a 'better' cam for that money, tbh. The 4/3rds stuff is already redundant (the APS of the digital era) and technically poorer than the larger sensored DSLRs, although cams like the Panasonic GF-1 produce remarkably good results I have to say.

Souped up fancy compact. 'Lifestyle' product. Little more.

Now, if you're talking about proper photographic objects of desire..

[img] [/img]

Those who know, know I am right.

Cf. Apple.

Because they put big price tags on them.
It must be good if it's expensive, no?

Fantastic Leica Elfin. I agree that you can get cameras that produce better images - the D5100 was very nearby, but somehow felt unnecessarily oversized and plastic compared to the 'svelte' EP 3. Why is m4/3 redundant? Surely the sensors are going to get better as the products develop, and the range of lenses is increasing?

Elfinsafety - Member

But actually it has everything to do with marketing.

Don't agree with that. Sorry. 😉

I have never been that interested in the 'interchangeable lens' cameras and the only things I could probably tell you about them are that the Olympus PEN was advertised by Kevin Spacey (I think), Panasonic seem to have (to me) a confusing array of them & that a colleague of mine has a Sony NX3.

But I went into a Jessops a while ago & had a play with a Panasonic one (G1, perhaps??) and wanted it immediately.

The other week I was in John Lewis and there was a big display of watches. Some caught my eye that I think are called Modaine or Mordaine. They are very basic & clinical looking & I immediately thought 'I'd like one of those watches'. Never heard of them until I'd seen that display, but immediately wanted one, even though they were surrounded by other watches that I have seen marketed, hell, even branded for years and years.

The 4 P's of marketing
product - what is including what it looks like. those watches were designed to a design brief, they were test marketed. they are marketed to appeal to people who like that style (you)
place - where it is
price - how much it costs
promotion - advertising etc

Never heard of them until I'd seen that display, but immediately wanted one, even though they were surrounded by other watches that I have seen marketed, hell, even branded for years and years.

OK - the four Ps for the PEN EP 3 yesterday:

Promotion - the m4/3 sensors are repeatedly referred to by the photographic press as not as good as APS -C, and I haven't seen many Olympus adverts (I think...)

Place - Cribbs Causeway? I would normally be doing all I can to avoid it...

Price - as we all seem to agree - far too high.

So it must be product then? Nice size, good screen, thumbwheel right under my thumb, 'engineered' feeling buttons etc...

Still doesn't explain the 'desirability' though.

Furthering my slightly facetious post earlier, I think, as others have already stated, it has a lot to do with marketing. Mr cameradesignerman has looked into what pushes camera buyers buttons (or shutter releases) and has designed accordingly. It's no mistake it looks and feels swish in your hand and the fact that you're considering parting with cash for an object you already own means he got it spot on.

For the record I have no interest in cameras, hence the post above. They wouldn't appeal to me even if they were wrapped in bacon. Sorry.

Anyone fancy an egg?

as the daily mash so accurately puts it "shiny thing make it all better"

Anyone fancy an egg?

An egg you say?

[img] [/img]

I bought a Canon Powershot G10 a few months ago. RRP £420, I paid £220.
I'm really pleased with it. Can run auto or full manual. Largest sensor I could find in a compact. Goes down to F2.

I take most MTB photos in full manual, open the apeture to max (F2), set the ISO as high as I dare in low light conditions (800 works) and then adjust speed to get the light histogram sorted.

I've been really pleased with it.

It won't fulfill the "hey look at my big lens" camera owners though.

Today, lowish light:
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6112787561_494b624a4d.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6078/6112787561_494b624a4d.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961862@N00/6112787561/ ]04_Sept_2011_Sun Castle Combe Ride 037[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/92961862@N00/ ]tomstickland[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6112772251_1e80f633f1.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6112772251_1e80f633f1.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961862@N00/6112772251/ ]04_Sept_2011_Sun Castle Combe Ride 030[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/92961862@N00/ ]tomstickland[/url], on Flickr

Really low light and high contrast. Struggling a bit.
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/6112807651_a50e7786e0.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6186/6112807651_a50e7786e0.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961862@N00/6112807651/ ]04_Sept_2011_Sun Castle Combe Ride 045[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/92961862@N00/ ]tomstickland[/url], on Flickr

Last weekend
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6098077562_e730c76262.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6098077562_e730c76262.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961862@N00/6098077562/ ]29_Aug_2011_Mon_Llandegla 041[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/92961862@N00/ ]tomstickland[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6097978904_b78cbf4562.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6097978904_b78cbf4562.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961862@N00/6097978904/ ]28_Aug_2011_Sun_Penmachno 072[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/92961862@N00/ ]tomstickland[/url], on Flickr

Higher light levels, lower ISO.
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6066620519_74ee2cb44b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6066620519_74ee2cb44b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961862@N00/6066620519/ ]21_Aug_2011_Sun_Forest_Of_Dean 056[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/92961862@N00/ ]tomstickland[/url], on Flickr

Dark, long exposure
[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6024080494_839afce9cc.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6024080494_839afce9cc.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961862@N00/6024080494/ ]06_07_Aug_2011_Sat_Sun_Sleepless_In_The_Saddle 057[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/92961862@N00/ ]tomstickland[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6023507775_d3cf657c8c.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6023507775_d3cf657c8c.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961862@N00/6023507775/ ]06_07_Aug_2011_Sat_Sun_Sleepless_In_The_Saddle 046[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/92961862@N00/ ]tomstickland[/url], on Flickr

[url= http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6002/5975215983_dc9e28e3bd.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6002/5975215983_dc9e28e3bd.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/92961862@N00/5975215983/ ]23_24_July_2011_Sat_Sun_Twentyfour12 058[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/92961862@N00/ ]tomstickland[/url], on Flickr

You can use it indoors at night with no flash most of the time. Makes for nicer pictures IMO.

I'd definitely buy another one. Only issue is fiddly controls which do not get on with water or grit.

Not a Leica, but a very desirable piece of kit ...

[url=

X100[/url]

Elf- you would appreciate my new Voigtlander 40mm 1.4 nokton then. (On a black M6).

But actually it has everything to do with marketing

Hmm.. not entirely sure it does. For me, any half decent camera has a pull. That doesn't mean expensive, just good for what it is. I'm a geek, so things like efficiency, good practical design, and engineering intricacy are all fascinating.

A lot of blokes get wet over steam engines and such like, which you can't buy any more of course - for me it's a similar thing. I adore my camera, which is the 'crappy' SLR that everyone sneers at and is the least cool thing in photography now (just read Elf's post). However for me it is an object of wonder. Partly for the amazing engineering that it (like all cameras) contains, but mainly because of what it does for me. Blending engineering and technology with art and self expression - wow.. what an intoxicating mix! 🙂

tom - are you aware that if you use 'av' mode, the camera sets the shutter speed for you, depending on your setting of aperature and iso? it generally does a good job, and will adjust instantly, meaning if you want 2 shots (one with the rider coming towards you, one going away) they'll both be correctly exposed.

its worth noting though that the apature width is reletive to the sensor size (well actually the focal length but that's a function of the sensor size to get a certian shot). f2 on a compact (I used to have a s2is that did f2.8 through its whole range) doesn't let in anywhere near the same amount of light or produce anything like the same amount of depth of field as it would on a aps-sized slr (and likewise a full frame slr gains even more of these effects)

So...why do some objects, particularly cameras, have this 'pull' on us?

They don't, not universally. I'm not arsed about photography or cameras. On the same note, if you put a De Rosa King RS road bike in front of my sister she'd be like "meh".

finbar - Member
They don't, not universally. I'm not arsed about photography or cameras. On the same note, if you put a De Rosa King RS road bike in front of my sister she'd be like "meh"

Good point, well made.

I went to Rutland for a quick lap yesterday while my OH did some revision. She came along to get some fresh air and sat & read while I did my lap.
Once back & changed, I wanted to have a snoop around the shop. Hmmmm. My other half was completely non-plussed by almost everything (apart from some pink Oakley flip-flops I ended up buying her), while I oooohed and aaaaahed over all the nice bits in there.

I was going to buy a new camera this year until I found this

and I haven't seen many Olympus adverts (I think...)

Apple have a tiny number of adverts

Mc'D's have thousands.

I'd rather buy an iPad than a BigMac.

There's a lot more to promotion than just paying for billboards/magazine pages/comercial breaks. If everyone knew about it, and it was rammed down your throat every 30 seconds you wouldn't considder it an expensive/unique/niche product and you wouldnt get that sense of smug slef satisfaction that you'd bought something better than the average compact. Ditto iPhone/smartphone.

What is most interesting is the way the primary function of the thing seems secondary to having, owning the thing.

Very much like bicycles, where the actual riding seems less important than the bike itself, so the photos produced are just a by product of ownership instead of the reason.

A bit sad really.

Good shout Elf. I lust after an M9..........

[img] [/img]

I'd probably go for a Sony Nex5 if I was in the market. Actually considering selling my 5d and getting a smaller camera as I never use it 😳

For the record I have no interest in cameras, hence the post above. They wouldn't appeal to me even if they were wrapped in bacon. Sorry.

I said this above. We are all humans and have failings. I've let myself down.

I bought a second hand eos 350d last week. There was no bacon involved.

tom - are you aware that if you use 'av' mode, the camera sets the shutter speed for you, depending on your setting of aperature and iso?

I've configured it now so I can do the exposure time on the main adjust wheel round the lens.

I thought long and hard about SLR vs compact and I'm well aware of the limitations of compacts. I take all my photos when I'm riding though and a compact fits that requirement best.

Taking photos on proper shoots is different game altogether. I'm aiming to capture a moment as best I can.

This is all I am lusting after currently:

[img] [/img]

Not flashy, but I want to use what it can give me 🙂