Free Advice…….

You know what they say about free advice,  “If you didn’t pay nothin’ for it…. that’s what it’s worth!”  O.K. so what kind of free advice am I planning to offer today?  I just read a few very interesting articles on Thom Hogan’s, “By Thom” site.  I like Thom, he seems, to me, to be an honest, thoughtful, and very informed, (he is a technical genius, by-the-way),  great writer, he’s also brought me hours of endless fun watching some of my old friends at Nikon pull their hair out!  Not everything he writes always made them happy!!!   So, as I was saying, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking which is always very dangerous, and I’ve come up with a list of things I would like to recommend to the leaders of the photo industry.  I did use to work in it, and I don’t know very much, but I know a few things.  So let’s get started;

For SONY:  You’re a big company and you have a lot resources, try making something that really works and try to not change it in the first 6 weeks!  O.K. that’s a little harsh, but Sony has a tendency to come up with a concept and keep changing it so that about the time you think you really like it, it’s gone.  In fairness Sony is sorta new to the photo industry (still cameras, that is) compared to the rest of the folks that have been doing it for many, many decades.  They will catch on, and when they do, everyone else will have an 8o0 pound Gorilla to deal with in the room.  Not the case with our next maker!

For LEICA:  You sure make beautiful, well made cameras and lenses.  Your glass is fantastic, and the build quality of your cameras is second to none, so are your prices….  I can’t really make any recommendations, you’re committed to making incredible products, no matter what it costs and you have customers that are willing to pay what you have to charge.  Honestly, if I could afford your products I know I would own some of them!  I would suggest that you make a less expensive line, but that would just be wrong!

For  Canon:  I certainly worked hard on the other side of the fence from you so I know how good your products are.  If I still could carry a heavy camera and bag of lenses, I’m not so sure that one of my kits wouldn’t be a 5D Mark III.  Even though I worked for Nikon, I saw a lot work from that camera and I can’t fault it, and for video it really is kicking!  I had a lot of great friends at Nikon, still do, I hope, but a lot of the Canon reps were good friends too!  Canon is the best thing that ever happened to Nikon, and visa versa!  We, the consumer have a lot of great products because they compete so hard to beat one another!

For NIKON:  For many years Nikon ruled the roost. they actually owned over 80% of all pro markets for a lot of years.  Canon made some major changes to their designs and the war was on!  Nikon has always been known for their tough build quality, incredible Nikkor glass, and in recent years the best best portable lighting system out there.  Now a little spanking, if Nikon had determined to built the ultimate mirror-less, serious, pro type camera, (like Fuji did), they would, I’m sure, have built something mighty spectacular, but they didn’t, and that’s why I’m shooting the X System.  I still believe you could!  I think Nikon has a heritage in the industry that is second to none, I hope they continue to grow that well deserved reputation, I know they can.  Will they?

For OLYMPUS:  You guys have always had a special place in my heart.  I think you’ve always made wonderful products and lately are outdoing yourselves, hang in there. Keep making those great bodies and lenses!  I know times are tough, but I believe you make something the photo world needs.  If that was not enough you’ve got Ray Acevedo!

For PANASONIC:  My friend Rob Sheppard loves his GH-3 and from the work I’m seeing it is pretty cool!  I got to see the new GH-4 at a recent event in Florida and the video is stellar.  Panasonic is working a portion of the market that is teeming with enthusiastic users.  Thanks to a very solid lens line you’re sitting on a winner!

For EVERYONE ELSE:  Have fun!

Like I said you paid nothin’,

Blessings,

the pilgrim