[Bramela]

Just an interesting experience I had this week.
A work friend approached me by phone, advising that he has a Canon Slr Digital camera (model?)
He wanted advice on macro photography and what lens he should purchase.
I started by asking a few questions.
Q : what lenses have you got now.
A: A long one and a short one.
Q: What lens are they what MM?
A : What do you mean?
Q what numbers are on the lens e.g 70-300, 18-55 or what?
A: There are some numbers on them, but I dont know what they mean.
Q Have you any idea of what Macro you wish to do, flowers insects etc?
A: Yes that would be good.
Q: Do you know anything about depth of field, aperture, shutter speed etc?
A: No, what is depth of field.

At this point I ended the phone call in exasperation, and it now seems that I am roped into teaching this guy with a C...N camera how to use it from lesson 1.
Why, I wonder, dont salespeople, photographers themselves realise it is best for people to start out on a Point and Shoot and at least get the basics of taking a picture before outlaying for an expensive Slr package. Good for business though, I suppose.

# I know nothing about, nor have ever used a C...n camera of any sort.
It is going to be interesting where this leads. Wish me luck.

[lithos]

Ah, the social tech support calls.

Keep in mind, the cheaper the camera, the smaller the commission the salesperson was gonna get - if not commission, then spiffs from the manufacturer, sales bonuses, kudos, whatever. The less the customer knows, the better. How else you gonna sell a guy who wants a camera for family snapshots that 300mm tele?

[J.Scott]

Unless you have an infinite amount of time and patience you should maybe direct him towards a local camera club or a community college that offers courses for beginners.

Most new photographers wouldn't know an 'f stop' from a 'bus stop'.