How persuasive is POTN?

[chrisvl]

How many of you bought Canon becuase of this site?

I started out comparing the D80 and 30D but if I bought a D80 I couldn't post here :D .
Who else did this, started looking at another brand but went with Canon because of POTN?

[::Lisa::]

Not me.

I'd already had Canons before I signed up here.

[Keith R]

Me neither - being a Nikon owner previously was enough to persuade me to go Canon!

This a far more pleasant place to spend time than the two main Nikon user forums though.

[Pastafarian]

Not me.

I'd already had Canons before I signed up here.


me too. it was my search for canon knowledge that led me to stumble across POTN. Now i'm stuck here.

[chrisvl]

Me neither - being a Nikon owner previously was enough to persuade me to go Canon!

This a far more pleasant place to spend time than the two main Nikon user forums though.


That's my point exactly.

[PhotoJourno]

I bought Canon because coleagues were using it, and it was an overall superior product than Nikon (Nikon was really good at one or two features, but not across the board like Canon).

POTN is definitely influential in my life and gear though, the critiquing and comments, and thoughts by those who own and shoot with the equipment I want or am about to purchase, are invaluable for making a more educated decision.

[joegolf68]

I will blame this evil site for most of my purchases. I had the little Pro1 and came by here every once in a while to look in on what the big boys and girls were using. eventually, I just got sucked into the fray. That was $5,000 and a few months ago!

[chrisvl]

I'm right with you. I currently have an S3 but just waitng to see what's new in March.

[nicksan]

Although there are several sites for Canon discussions, this is my favorite. I find it a good combination of quality information, civility, and the actual speed of the site. (Ever notice how slow FM can get?)

As for gear, I have definitely gotten some good advice that may have influenced my decision to purchase a certain piece of gear...but it's more like confirmation of my urge to purchase.

For example, when I was pondering the move from 30D + 17-55IS to the 5D + 24-105 I was apprehensive at first, but because of all the information given my the others, I was able to make an educated purchase.

I also find the buy/sell/market watch forums fantastic! (...and EVIL:))

[Moppie]

I joined this forum because I had a Canon.

The fact that I then meet lots of other Canon users, and got to use thier gear, via this forum, probably influenced me purchasing another Canon.
Infact Im 100% positive I got another Canon because of this forum.

[superdiver]

I bought a canon cuz thats what I saw advertised and I liked the feel of it. I have bought all my lenses based on this site though...

[othomas]

Not me.

I'd already had Canons before I signed up here.



Me too :D

[BTBeilke]

As Pastafarian said, I already had a Canon (DRebel) and was surfing for "how to" information/advice on shooting weddings when I found this site. And now, I spend more time at this site reading and learning than I spend on the Minnesota Viking forums that I frequent. (And anyone who knows me well understands what a powerful endorsement that statement really is!)

Another valuable feature of this site is that whenever my wife starts thinking I spend too much money on photography, I can show her numerous examples of members that make me look frugal! ;)

[AB8ND]

Not me. I've been shooting Canons since my first FX, I bought it in the Phu Bia px in 1967.

Jack

[Mcary]

Already had Canon equipment, Just came here looking for a place that wasn't as hostile as some of the other sites like FM can get.

[Mark_Cohran]

I've been using Canon's for nearly 30 years, so this forum had no influence over my choice of systems. However, with regard to other choices, this place is just evil. The friendly and helpful folk here have influenced me to spend way more on gear than I can easily justify.

Mark

[warmpepsi]

bought a Canon after trying out cameras in stores, then found out about this forum.

BTW, bought my camera from B&H.

[sblais]

You should have made this a poll!

I already had part of my gear when I came here. Now, to see if this forum helped or not with purchasing MORE gear, that's a different story! :lol:

[chrisvl]

You're right I should have. I"ll do that

[steved110]

I was already Canonised!

Going with Canon DSLR made sense as i could bring all my low class consumer zooms over as well -= wasn't till I found POTN that I realised I had to sort my glass out as well!

[chris clements]

I find it scary that anyone would move from one system to another just because of a web forum.
The time to do your research is before buying into any of the DSLR systems. Once you've made your choice, you've surely got too much invested in dedicated lenses, flashes and accessories just for a temporary/minor advance by the opposition or a friendly forum to persuade you to switch???

If we're honest, the differences in performance/value/build between Noink, Sonolta, Hoyax, etc. pale into insignificance compared to our own shortcomings behind the viewfinder!

[cgratti]

Already had Canon equipment, Just came here looking for a place that wasn't as hostile as some of the other sites like FM can get.


FM hostile? No way!

[runninmann]

Canon almost exclusively since 1977. I just happened to 'stumble' upon this site.

[Mstar]

I lost my entire Minolta kit and I always wanted an EOS, but, could not afford it at the time. Having lost my kit, I bought my 20D and apart from ruining my bank balance ever since, with this site, I have learnt how to use my kit and help others where I felt I could assist.

It is a very good site and I have shown others this site.

Mark

[SoaringUSAEagle]

I had a 350D before I joined but I can say this place is great no matter what!

[Woolburr]

Been using Canon gear since 1973. This place obviously came much later in the process.

[thekid24]

I signed up when I had a Canon. Im not sure if this is completely accurate but I typed in a question in the yahoo search engine and it linked back to POTN. The first night I read through 25pages of threads, amazed at some of the answers I had in mind were being answered. Two places I go for answers are EppersonPhoto (local camera shop) and POTN.

[ayotnoms]

bought a 20D first then found POTN a few weeks later.
I don't remember how I found it.

:)

[Shutter22]

I actually had a Kodak when I first joined. I just googled camera forums and found one I liked. I signed up and totally forgot about it. Inever even realized this was a Canon influenced site. About a month later I got a Canon. I took some okay pictures and came here to post them, that is when I actually realized it was Canon Photography on the net.

And the rest is history.

[saravrose]

i've been influenced to buy glass because of Canon but I found the site after I bought my Pro 1.

[thekid24]

i've been influenced to buy glass because of Canon.
I'll agree to that, Ive been influenced to buy glass due to POTN

[ilovemycamera]

I've owned Canon for the past five yrs or so, and stumbled upon this site one frantic night when i thought i had damaged my camera from spraying that canned air on the mirror and the insides.... yeah, i know NOW, never use that crap..... but anyway i was trying to find answers to sensor cleaning questions and spotted this site, in between wiping tears from my face (for fear that my camera was ruined).

I read and read and read some more than night, and haven't been able to leave the site for long periods of time since then.

As for the glass, well... i DID go and buy the 70-200 f2.8L IS last week after reading so many positive things about it on this forum, and i am SO tempted to purchase the 50mm 1.4 or 50mm 1.8 really soon, as well as a 1.4x or 2x.
And honestly, i wouldn't have even known certain types of lenses and accessories were even out there, had it not been for this forum.

I can't complain, though, because i really enjoy this site, and the people, for the most part, are friendly and helpful... but LOVE to spend your money.

So, to answer the OP's question... call my bank and ask them!

[Stavhp]

I had a canon and while doign some research i found this place.
:D

[chrisvl]

I find it scary that anyone would move from one system to another just because of a web forum.!


I think you misread my post. I didn't say I switched. I said I was comparing the D80 and 30D. I am doing my pre-purchase research. If I got a D80 I couldn't participate in POTN:cry:

[johnnybfan]

Already had my Canon when I found POTN. It did help me spend some money, though.:):)

[Pete]

I lurked on here before getting my 30D.

Since then, POTN (specifically a guy called Lonnie) has cost me several thousand pounds in kit!!!

[DitchDoc]

Had Canon gear a long time ago. To give you an idea how long ago. Canon FTB. I later got some Minolta gear including a 9XI but was never as happy with the Minolta eguipment. I now have Canon 10D, 5D, Tokina 280 ATX [28-80MM 2.8], 70-200MM 2.8L usm non IS, 580EX, Verticle grips for both bodies, 42" Interfit reflector set, 2 tripods and I'm waiting on the lottery for the rest. Will never own any other brand name. All of the above mentioned gear works almost as if it somehow knows what I want it to do. All of my glass will eventually be Canon "L".

[gjl711]

Had Canon gear a long time ago. To give you an idea how long ago. Canon FTB. ....FTB beats me by a few. My first was the Canon A1 purchased in 1976. Still have that camera and use it about once or twice a year. I found this forum debugging a ERR99 hell. Four separate ERR99 issues were driving me nuts for several months. If I hadn't used Canon digital at work, I probably would have given up on Canon digital cameras.

[queenbee288]

me too. it was my search for canon knowledge that led me to stumble across POTN. Now i'm stuck here.

Me too. I found this sight when I first bought Canon point and shoot. Now many dollars poorer, I am still here.

[queenbee288]

Oh I just remembered. I bought my first slr 300D in the buy and sell forum here.

[Echo63]

POTN is the devil in disguise

i have owned canon cameras since high school
i bought a 350d and was happy with it
i had 18-55, 28-80 and 75-300mm lenses
then i found POTN
i found myself adding a 50 f1.8 and 580EX to the gear collection
then i got a 70-200 f2.8 sigma
and then i needed a new bag because the 70-200 wouldnt fit into my Slingshot 200

then i upgraded to a 1dmk2n and got a sigma 24-70f2.8 to go with it

if i hadnt found potn i wouldnt have spent nearly $10000 Aussie dollars on camera gear

although in the time i have been here on potn, my photography has improved, and i enjoy looking at the wonderful shots of some of the other members here

[Belmondo]

I found this site after I'd already decided to buy Canon. I suspect that's the case with most people. I don't doubt that a lot of additional purchasing has been inspired by POTN, but the lack of objective comparisons between brands would make this forum of questionable value to someone trying to decide which brand to buy.

[liza]

I've been shooting with Canon gear since 1986. This site has just made me spend more.

[Jon, The Elder]

Went from Minolta film to Canon DSLR. Found this site due to an evil Moderator who made me do it. Now I've fallen and I can't get up......

[Dan_S]

Not me. Already had Canon years before i found this forum :)

[JimAskew]

How persuasive? See my signature block! I arrived here as the happy owner of a Canon G5 (sold to my brother) :)

[condyk]

POTN is part of a cocktail of information that I use. A lot of it, esp. in the gear forums, I tend to ignore unless it is the advice of specific people or it is an object view of someone who has owned the item in question. Essentially, I pull all the bits together and make a judgement, but POTN isn't any more persuasive that the various review sites I check out. If I had listed to some people here then there is gear I have, or have had, that I would never have enjoyed ... and the opposite is true too. Depends which 'component' of POTN you listen to ;-)

[Jon, The Elder]

I use it as an "indicator". As Condyk mentioned, if you consider the source (posting individual) it can help in narrowing down your decision. As a "pure" and final source...never.

[SuzyView]

I was always with Canon, so I didn't change or stuck with because of POTN, but I admit I have spent more money on gear after joining than I ever thought I would in a lifetime. And loved every moment of it! If anything, this forum's members are helpful and evil. :)

[ssim]

I already my 10d and couple of lenses when I happened across this site.

When I started to add more gear I used this site as a reference (though I never asked for help). This along with many other sites on the net gave me the information that I needed to make the right decisions. I have never regretted any of my major purchases since I started in digital a few years ago.

This site is mostly composed of opinions on gear and this can be very valuable at times but when it comes down to the crunch only I could make the decision using the technical information and user input. Mostly I relied on technical info from the manufacturer's websites for the final decision on my purchases. Things like usability, ease of handling, focus speed, etc., came from here and a multitude of other forum boards.

[the.good.life]

My first brand new SLR was a Canon with a 24-85mm lens. Since I had a system in place, then I was stucked to it.

This site and other sites narowed down my decisions on newer equipment, thus speeding up my buying process in a shorter time frame.

No regrets though coz I was able to enjoy it earlier than expected. It's kinda evil :evil: but for me in a good way :lol:

[JCR]

Good question, dunno.
There are people here that obviously know their stuff, I doubt I would buy anything because of this place, but there are some I would trust to get solid advice from on a post/future purchase.
I would say jokingly this place (or more accurately the members here) have cost me a fortune but if i was honest I would say it has saved me a fortune by helping me buy right the first time and be happy with my purchases. Not to mention the tutelage can be found here, I think I have learned massive amounts in a short time because of the sharing, no illusions tho, I have a long way to go.

I just hope canon appreciates the board owner and the mods here, ill bet they have helped canon business no ends.

[Airedale1]

I bought my first digital a Canon G1, after seeing the amazing images that Pekka was producing with it which was pre-POTN.