Why do I have the feeling the TIPA awards are given just to boost sales?
TIPA - TECHNICAL IMAGE PRESS ASSOCIATION - This year's awards
I looks to me like everyone got a piece of the pie. Even Sigma and Tamron got each an award.
I'm not saying that any of these products are bad or that they don't deserve the awards, just that it feels like 1st grade in school when everyone (or almost) got 1st prize.
I guess by now we're all used to seeing the blue TIPA badge on promo pictures and labels and I think it influences the buyers. At least in the sense that the product isn't total crap.
That being said, I own a Vanguard bag and I can't say the TIPA award badge didn't influence me in buying it.