Nikon Just Let Me Use a New Camera

Thank for being beyond transparent Chris.

I saw some of the photos you shot as they were being pushed to Twitter (I think you said it wasn't your actual intent to push them there). Anyway, I thought it was really cool to shoot them straight off the camera and push them out that way.

Would I love to be able to do that? Absolutely! It's one of the things you want to be able to do when attending large conferences. Take lots o' photos, upload them, and share 'em like crazy…

Two things that are required for such company-blogger marketing efforts to work well are a good company, and a good blogger. Both the company and the blogger need to set appropriate standards about what they will say, and what they will NOT say. And it's not just issues such as “transparent” and “trust” – for example, I'm sure that Nikon would prefer NOT to work with bloggers who loudly proclaim “kOdak sUx.” At the same time, a blogger such as you or Loren Feldman needs to be choosy about the companies with whom you will associate.

I know that this issue has been discussed ad nauseum (literally) over the years, but it gives me the opportunity to say (yet again) that I see no problem if bloggers and companies work together in an ethical manner.

I have a question which object you shot in first picture?? I mean I can see it's a star but did you performed any editing work on it?? or it's an original one?? Which angle did you chosen for that snap.
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It is kind of late…so the quote from Bonnie and Clyde might have been: “Buck, get the Kodak.” But that proves my point…Buck or Blanche does not matter. Kodak mattered in the marketing plan, some 43 years ago. TYL

My take? ENVY!

It's been a LONG time since I've been able to afford anything other than a sub-$100 camera, so I always get all drooly when I see some of the near-top-end photo toys.

I miss taking “good” pictures with my old 35mm film camera … and it's always so hit-or-miss with the cheaper digitals.

- @BTRIPP

First, a quick comment on your blog title. I read it quick as “Nikon, just let me use a new camera” so I kept waiting for you to chide them on giving you tips and such to help you along. I read and re-read the title before I got it that you were saying saying that Nikon let you use a camera. I think twitter has conditioned me to ignore commas and/or put them in where they “should” be. But that is a WHOLE other post on the demise of grammar.

My second point is the D100-300 series cameras are NOT an everyman camera. They are more like a second shooter, backup camera for a D3/X/S. Great cameras, but they are not point and shoot. It's like saying “You drive a Ford Fiesta, you're skilled at driving this 18-wheeler.” Yeah, maybe after a lot of time behind the wheel.

It is stupid for Nikon to give you that class of camera. They would be better off giving you a point and shoot. But, if they really want to give out free cameras, we'll take a few and do up some really kick-a** soccer action photos over at http://www.tourneycentral.com (a Nikkor lens 100-300mm 2.8 would be cool to kick in as well.) Hey, so easy a dog can do it! :-) (dog with a lot of skills, but nonetheless.)

Chris,

I sent a proposal to Nikon about this exact thing to see if they would sponsor my Photo-A-Day project Year 6. I am certainly an everyman photographer and not an expert by any means. So far I've only gotten a little postcard rejecting my proposal but that is not deterring me from trying again. Some camera company would be getting a huge return by sponsoring my Photo-A-Day project for Year 6 after all. Not only the reach of my photos on my blog but also on my Flickr, Zooomr, Facebook, Picasa and Shuttercal accounts. Not to mention the fact that digital images capture EXIF data and therefore every photo I take and post is automatically tagged with the camera I used. With all of those locations plus my blog that is a pretty decent reach, not Chris Brogan reach but a good reach none the less.

While Nikon is my first choice, if they don't see a great opportunity like sponsoring me then so be it, another camera company with vision in my idea will benefit.

“Fuzzy shots”, yeah like you can't take photos. We know you take good shots already. You've got shots up all the time. Have a great time at SXSW.

LOL!!!! I adore your honestly 24/7. And cheers to SXSW! It's looking and sounding like a blast!

Chris, it's very clever marketing, gotta agree. And nice that you got the gig – congrats.

I love what the Nikon guys (@NikonFestival) added when retweeting one of your tweets:
“Live vicariously… blurs and all ;) RT @chrisbrogan Shooting for Nikon at #SXSW. All blurry shots here are me: HTTP://yfrog.com/Nikon”

By the way don't despair if you aren't good behind the lens. You're definitely a popular subject in front of same: on Flickr there are 4,034 pics tagged with your name, most with your handsome visage in them!

If I'm looking for a particular something that I know is going to cost me a considerable sum of money- in this case the Nikon D300s which averages around $1,500, I'm going to read reviews and seek out information from professional users. I would want to know exactly what I'm getting for my money compared to other models and brands. After checking out at least three professional reviews, I might take the time to read how the average joe feels about the camera but this review would not be a deciding factor in whether or not I purchased the camera. Chris you're good at what you do – social media but I don't know what Nikon was thinking. My husband is a professional photographer and at the end of the day,before he finally decides on what camera to buy he still wants to personally check the camera out and talk to the sales person behind a counter about 'their' experience with the camera before he lays down his money. The D300s is a serious camera and $1,500 isn't chump change – all I can say is Nikon WTH !

How does one get beyond transparency, Ed, does that not the individual invisible?

We have a Nikon D50 that we have had for a few years and love it. I can see why Nikon asked you to use their camera. You are a big name with influence and a huge audience. Even if people can't afford the D300 they may consider a different less expensive model based on your opinion.

Well, the pics are gorgeous. Love the idea of tweeting/Flickr-ing pics right from the camera. Nikon should be giving it to “real” photogs too, of course, but good marketing also to pick an everyman who has reach.

The Afterthought,

Promotion of Nikon Cameras not really as bad as smart bombs cigerettes or porn are they.

If you like something and I trust you…I am going to look at what you like a little closer and If I'm in the market for a top of the line camera…even a little closer. Nikon wants you to show off there new camera. Fun. Why Not. If you are comfortable with the product, where is the downside. The only one I can think of is if you loved to many products…I might start to tune out. I find myself doing that on “social media” offers lately. I don't doubt they have value…I have just been offered to many…and am in overload.

I think that Nikon could have taken it one step further. In order to make us feel as though we are part of the outreach; part of the community, there could have been a lottery to win one of these fab cameras, based upon comments/RTs of a #sxsw shot.

The comments could have given them information: anything from throwaways, like “Wow, ur hot!” to key insights from professionals who would use the camera (ie. pixels, depth of field, cost, applications etc).

Being able to maximize the “exposure” gained through an audience such as yours = priceless. I don't know that they fully utilized it.

Have fun – please send me a taco.

Best, M. :)

I want to know why Magnolia Cafe is sorry that they're open. Are they starting the apologetic diner trend? Might it one day sweep across the nation? Enquiring minds want to know!

On a more serious note, what's the cost? Whether or not you choose to blog about it, what is the potential negative of letting you use a camera for a bit? I suppose you could

a) break it and they're out the cost of the camera (if this is a big deal then I'm a bit concerned about their financial health)
b) don't like it and bash Nikon on your blog (which I doubt you'd do, particularly since you are already a Nikon customer).

So what's the harm? Even if Nikon sells no cameras as a result of your using it, the investment is so small that it can't really hurt them if the end result isn't what they intended.

yep true .. Nikon are the best
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http://einfoplanet.blogspot.com/

Three things nikon gets from this brief association with the world of Brogan: 1) this post… creative, fun and well distributed into the world of the digital marketing enthused, 2) feedback from the common man on the utility of their next generation of personal technology, 3) brand association with Austin and the event you guys are attending…Like Ted, the Burning Man, or The Brickyard, images that you and others capture on their product associate the event with the product. A day-in-the-life-of (fill in the blank.)

This is the next generation of event marketing thanks to the current state of social media.

To me it is noticeably better than the 5D in terms of definition, detail and sharpness. I have gone back and pulled out similar pictures taken with the 5D 5D with L series lenses and they are not as sharp. I am a sharpness whore and a pixel peeper so trust me on this. It's amazingly sharp.

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Many of the comments have talked about how transparency is important, and you most certainly are that. From my reader's perspective, transparency is the first half of the important equation, with the other half being “genuine”. (I think you are that as well).

I can't speak for the other readers, but when I read blogs, I tend to think of the author as something like a friend. While we obviously don't have a traditional two way friendship, I value this “relationship”, and I get some sort of tangible benefit out of it. When my friends talk up a product, even if they are the CEO for the company, I am much more likely to listen. However, if they constantly bore me with the latest “hype” advertisement, I'm likely to change the channel.

I'm also not likely to become disinterested with the occasional product mentioned, in fact quite the opposite. Conversation can be interesting. I also approve of the occasional product placement for a purely selfish reason; it may motivate my social media producers to give me more and better future content. It's true that I am not likely to buy the new Nikon any day soon, but if I were to explore camera purchase options after reading this blog, I would be hard pressed to not at least research the Nikon D300.

On a side note, I don't really believe a company should ever expect more than this awareness out of a promotion. You put your reputation on the line by promoting products (if you give them positive reviews, and even just by talking about them). If I then try and immensely dislike them, I am likely to start tuning you out. Conversely, if you talk about a couple items and end up liking one of them, I may try it out. If I like it, I'm that much more likely to keep reading and telling my friends to read your blog.

I just learned about blogger outreach and I think Nikon did a wonderful job pitching the camera to you since you have such a dedicated audience. Great post, keep them coming!