blackshadow
9th of July 2008 (Wed), 00:45
How many people here or do you know who suffer from the malady Camera Induced Personality Disorder
I found the details of this affliction at http://yourphotoarchive.com/1d3focusproblem.htm
After the Canon 1DIII turned out to have a focus problem in certain specific situations, and Nikon released the D3 to critical acclaim, several Canon Pros have admitted to suffering from Camera Induced Personality Disorder.
In an effort to increase awareness of this condition (previously thought to have been eliminated in the mid-90s), one Canon Pro agreed to speak out about his experiences.
He has asked that we don't reveal his name.
“I've always been proud of the fact that I shot the best, because this meant I was the best.
“I got a 1DIII as soon as it came out. I had to, because my 1DII immediately stopped working the day following Canon's announcement of the new model. I had been happily using the 1DIII for a month, and poking fun at the few Nikon D2H users left, when I came across Rob Galbraith's article about the IDIII's focus problems.
“I was horrified, but figured all would be OK. Canon would fix the problem, and it wasn't like Nikon was going to release a superior model. I could breath easy. I was still using the best, so I was still the best.
“But the promised fix didn't arrive as quickly as I expected, and I had this uneasy feeling welling up inside me. I found I couldn't sleep at night, as my mind churned over the fact that I was using slightly faulty equipment. Clearly this meant I also was slightly faulty, and on very hot days I found myself unable to focus on the job at hand.
“I began to question my masculinity, and started to find myself compulsively drawn to spam emails offering to enhance various parts of my body. Important parts. Parts I couldn't live without.
“Things were already pretty bleak, but it got a whole lot worse on D-Day.
“I remember logging in to DPReview on that fateful day, having planned a productive morning of making fun of D2H users. I was just about to click through to the forums when I saw that Nikon had announced a new Pro camera.
“I decided I could do with a good laugh, and clicked through to read the article. I couldn't believe my eyes!
“Nikon had not only released a worthy competitor to the 1DIII, they'd surpassed it. I refused to believe it, and immediately wrote a series of posts aimed at sewing doubt in the forums. I told everybody who would listen that the D3 wouldn't live up to its hype. That it would never best the 1DIII. But deep down, I knew this wasn't true.
“As the reviews started coming in, my worst fears were confirmed. These were dark days, and each new review drove me a little more insane. Eventually, I walked out on my wife and family, and started living rough. I stopped photographing high-profile sporting events, and found myself drawn to ultra challenging gigs such as high-school basketball.
“The combination of tricky coloured light, dark conditions, and high speed action led to less than brilliant results, only reinforcing my vanishing self esteem. I was in the grip of a vicious circle, and spiralling down to rock bottom.
“Finally I hit the bottom, actually agreeing to shoot a product launch in a nightclub without flash. The resulting photos were appalling. I was finished. And it was only then that I admitted to myself that I had a problem. I decided to get the professional help I needed, picked up the phone, and called Canon Professional Services.
“My local rep immediately put me onto the 1DIII Rehabilitation Program.
“The program has put me back in control of my life. I've been reunited with my wife and kids, and no longer base my sense of self-worth on the brand of camera I'm shooting, or the length, speed, and cost of my lens. Thanks to the guys at CPS I am back where I belong, shooting top-flight sporting events with pride.”
The Pro in this article is one of the lucky ones who sought help. If you know a Pro Photographer who seems unable to cope with the fact that Nikon has made a great Pro camera, you can help. Simply refer him to his nearest Canon Professional Services Rep.
Here are some warning signs to look for...
He is male
He becomes hysterical at the merest suggestion that Nikon may have made a good camera
He refuses to accept there is any such thing as a native ISO above 3,200
He asserts, forcefully, that any camera without a native ISO of 100 is fatally flawed
He claims to prefer coloured blotches and insists on explaining why
He is often seen gently rocking back and forth while hugging his 400 F4 L
He becomes violent at any mention of the D300
He spends waaaaaay too much time on DPReview
He demands that Rob Galbraith must be tried and convicted for treasonIf your Pro Photographer exhibits two or more of these symptoms, please contact Canon Professional Services on this special number: 1-800-GET-A-LIFE.
I found the details of this affliction at http://yourphotoarchive.com/1d3focusproblem.htm
After the Canon 1DIII turned out to have a focus problem in certain specific situations, and Nikon released the D3 to critical acclaim, several Canon Pros have admitted to suffering from Camera Induced Personality Disorder.
In an effort to increase awareness of this condition (previously thought to have been eliminated in the mid-90s), one Canon Pro agreed to speak out about his experiences.
He has asked that we don't reveal his name.
“I've always been proud of the fact that I shot the best, because this meant I was the best.
“I got a 1DIII as soon as it came out. I had to, because my 1DII immediately stopped working the day following Canon's announcement of the new model. I had been happily using the 1DIII for a month, and poking fun at the few Nikon D2H users left, when I came across Rob Galbraith's article about the IDIII's focus problems.
“I was horrified, but figured all would be OK. Canon would fix the problem, and it wasn't like Nikon was going to release a superior model. I could breath easy. I was still using the best, so I was still the best.
“But the promised fix didn't arrive as quickly as I expected, and I had this uneasy feeling welling up inside me. I found I couldn't sleep at night, as my mind churned over the fact that I was using slightly faulty equipment. Clearly this meant I also was slightly faulty, and on very hot days I found myself unable to focus on the job at hand.
“I began to question my masculinity, and started to find myself compulsively drawn to spam emails offering to enhance various parts of my body. Important parts. Parts I couldn't live without.
“Things were already pretty bleak, but it got a whole lot worse on D-Day.
“I remember logging in to DPReview on that fateful day, having planned a productive morning of making fun of D2H users. I was just about to click through to the forums when I saw that Nikon had announced a new Pro camera.
“I decided I could do with a good laugh, and clicked through to read the article. I couldn't believe my eyes!
“Nikon had not only released a worthy competitor to the 1DIII, they'd surpassed it. I refused to believe it, and immediately wrote a series of posts aimed at sewing doubt in the forums. I told everybody who would listen that the D3 wouldn't live up to its hype. That it would never best the 1DIII. But deep down, I knew this wasn't true.
“As the reviews started coming in, my worst fears were confirmed. These were dark days, and each new review drove me a little more insane. Eventually, I walked out on my wife and family, and started living rough. I stopped photographing high-profile sporting events, and found myself drawn to ultra challenging gigs such as high-school basketball.
“The combination of tricky coloured light, dark conditions, and high speed action led to less than brilliant results, only reinforcing my vanishing self esteem. I was in the grip of a vicious circle, and spiralling down to rock bottom.
“Finally I hit the bottom, actually agreeing to shoot a product launch in a nightclub without flash. The resulting photos were appalling. I was finished. And it was only then that I admitted to myself that I had a problem. I decided to get the professional help I needed, picked up the phone, and called Canon Professional Services.
“My local rep immediately put me onto the 1DIII Rehabilitation Program.
“The program has put me back in control of my life. I've been reunited with my wife and kids, and no longer base my sense of self-worth on the brand of camera I'm shooting, or the length, speed, and cost of my lens. Thanks to the guys at CPS I am back where I belong, shooting top-flight sporting events with pride.”
The Pro in this article is one of the lucky ones who sought help. If you know a Pro Photographer who seems unable to cope with the fact that Nikon has made a great Pro camera, you can help. Simply refer him to his nearest Canon Professional Services Rep.
Here are some warning signs to look for...
He is male
He becomes hysterical at the merest suggestion that Nikon may have made a good camera
He refuses to accept there is any such thing as a native ISO above 3,200
He asserts, forcefully, that any camera without a native ISO of 100 is fatally flawed
He claims to prefer coloured blotches and insists on explaining why
He is often seen gently rocking back and forth while hugging his 400 F4 L
He becomes violent at any mention of the D300
He spends waaaaaay too much time on DPReview
He demands that Rob Galbraith must be tried and convicted for treasonIf your Pro Photographer exhibits two or more of these symptoms, please contact Canon Professional Services on this special number: 1-800-GET-A-LIFE.