Nikon: "A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses"

September 28, 2011 @ 7:46PM

Nikon: "A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses"

Does anyone have a job for a soon-to-be fired Nikon social media marketing boffin?

By Haje Jan Kamps

Topics
News

So, what do you do if you're working at Nikon, and you realise that, from your point of view, too many people are using non-Nikon equipment? You try to influence the unwashed masses into thinking that it's all about the equipment.

Over on their Facebook group, the Japanese photography giant posts that "A photographer is only as good as the equipment he uses, and a good lens is essential to taking good pictures! Do any of our facebook fans use any of the NIKKOR lenses? Which is your favorite and what types of situations do you use it for?"

Well, there's something wrong with that statement; the bottleneck of any photographic process is the photographer who's behind the controls. It appears that even people who follow Nikon are acutely aware of that, resulting in a PR backlash of epic proportions:

Maybe it'll teach them...

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Comments

Ryanpg

7 months ago

Wait - a camera company tries to encourage people to buy their product? Using “weasel words" and "glittering generalities?" You mean they're more concerned with profit than Art? No, not Nikon! (Canon maybe...)

Lol, I think the real story is about how a bunch of facebook users are happy to pile-on, and shout their outrage at a one-liner marketing campaign. Naivete, self-indulgence and bandwagon-jumping all rolled into one. If you sign-up to follow Nikon on facebook; you're basically volunteering to be an audience to their ads.

"Somebody should get fired over this..." Seriously? I'm guessing whoever decided to put that quote up has already been promoted. I mean, look how many views and comments it's gained Nikon. Any press is good press. There will surely be more followers as a result. And hey, even Pixiq gave ole' Nikon an advertising boost with this story!

Nicole

7 months ago

I think as this is addressed towards male photographers, it only applies to males :p

bruce

7 months ago

while i have used nikon equipment for over 30 years i have also used point and shoot and a wide range of 120 and 620 film cameras some of which were picked up out of junk stores and never cleaned. a good photographer needs an idea not a fancy camera. i have seen to many really bad photos done with really good equipment. it all starts with a cardboard box with a small hole and some film. the rest is just toys. toys are fun but i would have had an urge to head slap the ad wonk that thought that one up.
bruce

bruce

7 months ago

David C. Brewster

7 months ago

So, is this why my D60 stopped functioning this week? In the middle of a photoshoot? My first paying gig, no less?

ERROR: Press the shutter release button again.

Yeah, Nikon. A photographer *is* only as good as the equipment he uses: when it's a non-functioning Nikon, it's a non-functioning photographer.

Grumble grumble grumble!

Rick Doble

Pixiq Expert

7 months ago

I saw this somewhere on the web:
Owning Nikon equipment does not make you a great photographer, it makes you a Nikon owner.

Wedding photogr...

7 months ago

Good pictures can be taken from simple equipments. It is seen many times that people are not able to take good picture despite of having good quality camera.

All it needed is understanding of photography.