Originally posted by JHD Geez, whatever it takes to make you feel better.
People switch brands all the time, and when they do they drop off the radar. Despite the consternation of Pentax patriots, there are some folks who appreciate such communiqués along with the acumen. Yes, believe it or not, there's more to photography than brand loyalty.
Well, exactly so. Objectively, a camera is a camera, and there are certain aspects of each that some people find more appealing than others do. People become brand loyal because they like the way particular manufacturers approach the aspects they find useful or comfortable, but some people identify so much with a brand that they come to believe that the manufacturer is in tune with their thinking. When that happens, the potential for let-down becomes significant, and all that pent-up expectation can become a force to overthrow the old loyalty, at which point they either attach themselves to another brand or lose interest in the subject altogether. I think we've seen a bit of that going on here.
I don't much care who attaches themselves to which brand, but I've never had much time for zealots, in spite of the fact that I tend to stick with brands I trust, for one reason or another. A good grounding in science, philosophy or history teaches you the value of objectivity, so it's possible to be brand-loyal without becoming entrapped in a cult-like devotion.
As for feeling better about all this, isn't that what we all do, every day? Not to do so brings unhealthy thinking into people's lives, and that way lies trouble.