Originally posted by jeryst I think it would be interesting to give the students a first-day quiz and ask questions
about how many brands they are aware of, why and how they chose the equipment
that they have, etc.
That would be interesting, but I've found half my newbies don't even know what brand of camera they are using until I ask them! They have the camera in the bag, I ask them, they say "idk", and then we find out what it is. Half the Canon owner's write on the clip board where I collect the data "Cannon". I then ask everyone, how many 'N's" in Canon. Some say 'one', some say 'two', some say 'three'.
For teenage students, the reasons why that brand (because I've asked) in order of frequency:
a) Hand-me down from parents or sibling.
b) Loaner from friend or uncle/aunt.
c) Least expensive at big box discount store.
d) Recommended by camera sales person.
e) Same brand as a friend or family member or a favorite photographer that uses that brand.
f) .....and the least common reason....because they read my detailed suggestions and recommendations OR they actually researched it themselves.
PS. For older adults like myself, the reason is often brand loyalty and ownership of the same make film SLR.