Originally posted by Tbear I've come across a few humorous posts (which could conceivably be insulting to some) with various derogatory descriptions of FF fanatics. If we are patient, we may be blessed with just such a post on this thread.
As originally posted on DPReview. Anyone who takes offense easily is likely to be, er, easily offended!
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Just sneaked a peek at a Pentax executive's marketing brief when he went for a pee in Starbucks. Interesting reading. Apparently they have identified all the key proponents of FF on the various forums to help them set up customer focus groups. Here are the various types of people who they are looking to find...
puFFers: These are people who will seize every and any opportunity to start a new thread, or hijack an existing thread, to bring up the subject of FF. They are not interested in any debate or any other subject. They have many reasons for believing in the holy grail, most of which are based on well rehearsed mantras which they repeat over and over again. The sight of other manufacturers bringing out FF cameras sends them into a state of irrational panic and they are convinced Pentax will collapse if they dont follow suit. Marketing value - zero. Would never actually BUY one as they are too expensive!!! In fact do they even own a camera?
huFFers: These are people who actually have some technical knowledge who will frequently join in threads started by puFFers when APSC exponents point out some of the problems with their reasoning. They will use very cogent arguments and a raft of links to apparently authoritative blogs to prove that in every possible instance, FF has no downside (except the cost). Marketing value - moderate. Can generate a sense of missionary zeal amongst puFFers and deep desires in other susceptible subjects (see stuFFers and fluFFers). However they are unlikely to actually BUY a FF camera as most of them are engineering students. Good for sales material though.
huFF'n'puFFers: Huffers who get bored when there are too many photo threads about and start a FF debate for a laugh.
duFFers: Eeeeee. When I were a lad, cameras were 35mm and you knew what was what. A 50mm lens was a 50mm lens but now they have these ** little sensors its a ** telephoto. None of me lenses work right any more. And the viewfinders are too ** small to see a ** thing through. And you cant get a decent wide angle lens at all. And blah blah blah.....Marketing value: Moderate to good. Includes plenty of baby boomers with collections of A* and FA* Pentax lenses and real spending potential but will tend to drift off in focus groups looking for the free buffet and a pint of Old Peculiar.
stuFFers: A marketing mans dream. The engines of capitalism. These are the souls who will remortgage their house and sell their children to get the latest and best gadget available. They understand very little about the technology and even less about photography, but if everyone says its the best and its suitably expensive they HAVE to have one to show to their friends. Marketing value: Usually very high but caution is advised as many are currently having their houses repossessed.
fluFFers: These wan and pasty souls buy all the latest copies of Popular Photography for pornographic reasons. They would love an FF camera but they cant afford one so they are stuck with their rotten, useless APSC rubbish which takes cr*ppy pictures and its all Pentax's fault!!!! Marketing value: Negligable as generally skint and rather embarassing to be seen with at focus groups.
bluFFers: People who never post any photographs but who claim to need the extra creative and expressive freedom that FF provides such as shooting in near darkness. Marketing value is potentially good as they are often well heeled and likely to buy, but many are asleep during daylight hours and are unlikely to attend focus groups.
and lastly....
enuFFers: These are not strictly FF supporters. In fact with every new camera that comes out they reckon that what they have is perfectly adequate and they dont need any more. Eventually they will be ground down and will consider upgrading. Strangely however, when they upgrade, they will tend to buy the best top of the range camera available (well it will last them a long time) just before it goes out of stock and is replaced by the new model. A real marketing wildcard: Have real buying power and once converted will become almost missionary in their support - until the next model appears which is usually a week later.