Because everyone else is doing it…
Thanks for everything…
I’d like to take this moment to thank Canon USA for completely ignoring me in this latest product announcement. Yes, I’ve come to expect that you’ll get DP Review at least press materials in advance, and maybe the camera. But this time I got an extra surprise! You gave Imaging Resource, Rob Galbraith, DigitalCameraInfo (!), Gizmodo, and CNET (who them promptly leaked the information) a camera to preview, while giving me nothing except an e-mailed press release when the embargo ended — classy!
Lest anyone forget, my site was the first digital camera site, started 11.5 years ago… and that since then, I haven’t broken a single embargo. I’ve reviewed more Canon cameras than any other brand — 91 reviews at last count. I have spent many, many hours covering their products, often working until the early morning. But apparently that doesn’t matter.
In case you haven’t noticed, I’m really pissed off. I don’t even know what to do about it. Just “deal with it” and continue feeling used and disrespected? Try complaining to them for the umpteenth time? I just don’t know.
| This entry was posted by Jeff Keller on March 24, 2009 at 10:03 pm, and is filed under General. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. |
about 3 years ago
PR reps are ignorant monkeys — they only want to show their bosses that the got the product ‘good’ coverage on ‘important’ sites. They won’t bother to find out which sites are actually important, and will target the ones they ‘think’ are important.
Show them that you are important. Give them something like a press kit — tell them how many readers you have, page views, loyalty, demographics…whatever you can throw at them. Don’t wait for the monkeys to decide that your site matter; tell them that it does.
about 3 years ago
I agree with DRH, Jeff. You need some self-promotion, I guess. Possibly there’s something your forum viewers/blog readers can do to improve/reinforce your standing with Canon? Are you getting similar treatment from other vendors?
For my money, your reviews are still the most “user-friendly” reviews, giving the reader the “hands-on” feeling for what to expect from a camera (and because of the consistency, making it easy to compare with competitors) without having to click through a myriad of pages to get what you’re looking for.
The whole situation basically sucks, but hey, it’s a cold cruel world these days. Hang in there, Jeff!
about 3 years ago
You can try writing to the PR department and telling them how much you value my reviews. There’s a note on the DCRP home page right now with more on this.
Thanks,
Jeff
about 3 years ago
Some of the websites like Digital Camera Info and CNET write C-R-A-P crap reviews which are nothing but praises of the cameras they receive. Even if camera manufacturers don’t pay them (I’d be surprised if they didn’t), companies like Canon would be more than happy to send those guys their latest… they (Canon) KNOW they’re receive raving reviews from those sites anyway, so why not?
P.S. I remember Digital Camera Info is the rubbish website which makes comparisons like Canon 5D Mk II vs Nikon D90 (the only thing in common is their movie mode and SLR form factor), which are different beasts altogether. They also brought up other trash talk and make up the stupidest “cons” fir cameras, but I’m not bothered to list them now
Best of luck to you Jeff, hope Canon listens to you somehow, once readers start pounding on their door
about 3 years ago
Here are some of the “cons” Digital Camera Info has to say about Rebel T1i
• Live View focus can’t keep up with fast action
…can any other live view camera keep up with fast action? NO, not even Panasonic G1, so what are they trying to say?
• Single dial complicates manual exposure control
…must be the first time they’re using an entry-level SLR
• Lightweight body lacks rugged feel
…are they expecting the feel of a Canon 1D or Nikon D3 here? Again, have they not tried out entry-level SLR before? ALL of em are lightweight
I have not visited that garbage website for quite some time now until you brought them up today
about 3 years ago
Sorry for horrifying you with DigitalCameraInfo. I’d like someone at Canon to explain why that site, which gets about a third the traffic of my site, got the camera and I didn’t. So far they haven’t gotten in touch with me, aside for a form letter response this morning.
about 3 years ago
Hey Jeff, I’ve sent an email to Canon. However I fear that may not be enough. Do you have another email address within Canon I can voice my concern to?
about 3 years ago
FYI, I sent an email as well to the PR dept based on your request. However I do agree with the first post – produce a press kit and convince them that you are the most important and most valuable (which you are).
about 3 years ago
Jeff,
I know exactly how you feel. It’s frustrating when some PR types decide that you’re not “valuable” enough to give advance information or hardware to. I value your site and link to your reviews quite often, so to me you’re certainly an authority in this field and shouldn’t be ignored. I’ll do my part to voice my concerns to Canon.
Jason Dunn
Executive Editor, Digital Home Thoughts
http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com
about 3 years ago
I never knew there’s such as site as DigitalCameraInfo. That site cracks me up (ie. shooting rubber ducks as “Wildlife Sample”) and don’t even mention about the ISO performance test. And what’s up with the image sizes and page formating? Seems like someone is still using 640X480 resolution; May be it’s designed for EEEPC users
I feel very sorry for you Jeff. I gotta say, I’ve bought S230 (yes, it’s a long long time ago) and replaced it with SD1100 all because of your reviews (I also own E300, L1 and D80, just to claim that I am not biased). I’ve always thought Canon among all digital camera manufacturers, except may be Sony, has the best marketing geeks and they are just about to throw one of their best marketing support out the window! Seriously, this is disappointing Canon. I hope someone from Canon is reading this; You’ve dropped the ball this time!
about 3 years ago
Hey Jeff,
any news so far from Canon? I’ve been writing to them 2 days ago. Hope you got my mail. Please give us some news as soon as something happens. Thank you !!
Simon (from Germany)