Don't be a brand ambassador - RED35 VLOG 129 

I love that you’re drinking a beer 🍺 in the pouring rain!! A man/photographer of the people 😊

Kudos! You are a wise, honest and very intelligent man: that's probably what makes you also an excellent photographer. Thank you for your thoughts.

I understand, you are a professional and make a living from your photography. Ambassador for a camera brand is actually good for us amateurs, who have chosen a certain brand, often due to limited private finances. An ambassador, who for e.g. Olympus and OM often give us good tips, both generally, for how to set up the camera in various situations. As a professional, as you say, the ambassador job can be limiting. While an asset for us amateurs.

I use Sony, fuji , Leica and Olympus and you're right, each one is great for certain things, open mindness IS also what is lacking nowadays in comments and life

Your a breath of fresh air and honest reviews

This narrative makes a lot of sense and is thoroughly honest. In spite of the cunning blower gadget promotion. Interesting too, even when you go off the topic. You are certainly one of the more civilized and trustworthy reviewers out there. I'm subscribing.

Thank you for being transparent Jimmy!! It is really good OM systems allows you to shoot other camera brands, it lets you also compare cameras directly to OM systems, if an ambassador is stuck with one brand for too long, they will always be biased in their youtube videos / reviews, again thanks for being transparent :)

I use OM-System OM-1, OM-1 II and Tough TG-5. I have invested quite a lot in m.zuiko lenses. The investment needed to bring in a second brand is simply to high for me. I also like to learn the camera by heart, so I do not have to look for buttons og scout the menu system. I even sold my E-M1 II because of the OM-1 menu system and bought a second OM-1. An OM-5 would have been enough as a secondary camera but the menu system is the old one, so that was a no go. I have used digital Olympus / OM-system now for 10 years. And before that I had (still have) my om2 film camera. I have had a very short detour to a digital Canon, Nikon DSLR, Sony A7. They took nice pictures, but I didn’t like using them. I must say I like the Nikon Zf. But not enough to start investing in it as a second system.

Hey Jimmy, appreciate your honesty as always but that said the main thing I got from this video was a big reminder how much I for one miss Charlie .... and the special on camera banta you two always had.

some people are planks - i have OM, Fuji, Sony, Ricoh, film cameras. the image is the point not the way it was taken. Take no notice Jimmy you are a great creator, carry on and don't mind the narrow minded people out there.

The strange thing I see with the most ambassadors, that they are all "very succesfull professional photographers" but why do the most BEG for a DONATION. CUP OF COFFEE, become a PATRON or whatever. That is a thing a HATE. sorry. That is my personal opinion ;-)

Speaking absolute 100% sense!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: when I got more into the online 'camera community', one of the things that shocked and disappointed me the most was grown men bickering over brands, the way they used to in the game console wars when I was _ten._ Just look at the title of Robin Wong's last livestream, after his very obvious April Fools video. People are just way too uptight over this stuff.

I watched an old video where you state you are an Olympus brand ambassador. I wondered how that would be affecting you since they switched to OM and they've been making slower progress than some have expected. So I came to your channel and it was pretty funny that this was your latest video.

i appreciate that you do test and use other camera formats and brands. I also love "all" cameras, though I do lean towards mFT at the moment. I think it is wise that OMDS allows you as an ambassador to visibly use of other cameras, there is not one brand or format that is perfect all have their strengths and this includes mFT and OM system cameras.

Love this. So happy to see you healthy and feeling better! ❤️

Well said Jimmy. Indeed photography is the focus, and gear allows us to create them. Being camera enthusiast aka nerds, always fun to try different gears. And financially permitting, own different unique gears, as each has their own USP (unique selling point) and use case. Cheers.

I've always been brand and format agnostic. I use old and new cameras in medium format all the way to 1" in film and digital varieties. I enjoy the differences and it keeps me focused on what matters and that is the finished picture. I could never settle on just one brand or format. So, Jimmy, just go out and have fun! I appreciate your perspective.

Agree 200%!!!!

I hope we will meet one day. Would be a big honor. Maybe we can make a collaborate video 2 ambassadors on the road together 😅 grt guido

Well said, and I appreciate the disclosure in being an ambasaddor. A lot of RU-vidrs simply do not disclose receiving benefits (financial or otherwise). No one cares about brush does a painter use and it should be the same when enjoying photography work. There are a couple of interesting new lenses for the Nikon Z-mount and, if you happen to have them, it would be interesting to know your views as a pro MFT user.

Catching intro scene where every people walk backwards 😂😂😂

Excellent honest review Jimmy

i'm enjoying your content micro four thirds or otherwise... keep up the good work sir!

I've been watching your videos regardless of brand. I really enjoy how much fun you have shooting and looking forward to your retro journey. I'm hoping Nikon heeds your call for retro small, metal lenses. I use Olympus because of wildlife and macro, but I also want to add something new. The weird loyalty stuff online is unfortunate, but my experiences in the field are filled with camaraderie from shooters from all stripes (we all end up talking about how unique our camera's features are and the shots).

as a gearhead this rings true lol. i would love to be an ambassador, but if they wanna restrict my gear then i'm out. life's too short to be stuck on one system/format.

I think it’s natural for content creators and some of their followers to drift apart as the content evolves and the followers develop new or additional interests. I was a Peter McKinnon fanboy for years but I can’t recall the last video I watched now. His content is still great and he taught me a lot, but he’s evolved and my interests have also.

My problem with ambassadors ia that I can't trust them when they "review" branded equipment. It's too much of a sales pitch in the so called reviews. Even non ambassadors, which receive items for review, need to keep the manufacturer happy if they except to receive new stuff in the future.

Thanks for making this video. It has been needed for a while now. As for myself, my daily driver is a Nikon D750 and Z7 II, and then I also use a Sony A7 RII and an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II. I like using multiple systems that broaden my horizons.

How fortunate I’m not an ambassador! Now, tell us more about your small, portable, ingenious blow dryer! What a great idea! Thanks! 😊

Great video Jimmy, you are sharing with us.

I own cameras from many brands. I try to use the best tool for the job. A camera is just a tool, sometimes, I want something that is waterproof, sometimes one that flies, sometimes very low light, etc. There is no such thing as one brand that does everything, let alone the perfect camera, it just does not exist.

Hang on - There are some so-called ambassadors that very rarely show their skills, hardly show their work, and which can be arguably be mediocre and uninspiring. I believe that camera manufacturers chose them purely because they have a RU-vid following where they believe there is a chance they may sell a few cameras.

For me I couldn't do it simply because, no matter what their new name, I still call Olympus, Olympus. I have a history of respecting the Olympus name since the early 1970's, and I ain't about to change no matter what back-room deals the money-men want to make. Olympus IS Olympus. They don't want that, and I don't change.

hope to see more from you on those other brands. i'm very curious now knowing your video is on a gh6 how you manage the AF, tips, etc.

That DJI camera is like an child with ADHD, motion sickness from just you sitting there.

Jimmy what is that little blower I need it in my life!

I think it must be more difficult for OM Systems to get the very best ambassadors due to limitations of a single sensor format. I almost always reach for my EM1 Mkii, but sometimes I need my full frame. Glad I have both.

The other companies has solution for different markets and uses that why they restricts you, so you can use all their gear and promote them.

This is very similar to what Robin Wong said about being an ambassador. He too is an enthusiast and uses all kinds of different cameras. What you say makes total sense. It seems to be a job with restrictions, like any other. Thanks for all the great videos. Informative and entertaining. Keep up the great work! 😎👍

OM-1ii from what is on the market its not a cheap camera. The Nikon Z5 and Panasonic S5 are full frame and a lot cheaper. Some stuff is cheap with M43 but not always. When I think about the benefits of M43 its size and weight. Some people may say the Nikon 24-70mm f4 is small like M43 but being f4 the autofocus won't be as fast as Olympus or OM Systems 12-40mm f2.8 that extra stop of light helps out a lot in very low light auto focus.

How many cameras do you own?

Can I use the Nikkor blow dryer for my coiffure in the field? Inquiring minds want to know. That would be a wonderful accessory in the interest of presenting myself at my very best while shooting in public.

I see, you would also switch from Arsenal to Chelsea,… s long as you get your lens dry 😅

I probably would not make a very good ambassador. I shoot Olympus, Panasonic, Nikon, and Canon. Digital and film. I love all my cameras (if I don't, they're gone). Which one do I love the most? That's like asking which is my favorite child. Answer: it depends on the day. Although I must admit, my top favorites are Olympus, including the iconic OM1n for film which I still shoot.

~ I like your models 'energy'......what happened to Noha?

I actually think it is dumb for them to limit ambassadors. You should be encouraged to try other brands so you could better speak to differences and you would know what innovative features other brands have implemented. Kudos to OM for being smart about that. Keep up the great work!

Fuji was letting photographers in Canada use different brands when Fuji was entering the market. Nathan Elson was a Fuji ambassador and he's been on the TheCameraStoreTV and he would use Fuji and Nikon. He wanted to use Nikon for his faster kind of work and for other things use Fuji. And at the time Fuji's auto focus was not amazing not bad just not amazing. Fuji changed their rules you can only shoot on Fuji and he left Fuji.

I used to own Nikon full frame DSLR and loved it. They introduced mirrorless but that transition and the new offerings just don’t work for me anymore. Fast lenses are too big, heave and expensive. Affordable lenses are way too slow and still on the bulky side or even worse, are extreme external growers. So I decide to explore MFT. The MFT system seems to tick most of my boxes at this stage in life. Tastes and priorities do change over time.

This is a massive problem in photography. When I first got into digital photography 15 or 20 years ago I learned early on that there was a massive sponsorship programs and that all the cameras at the tennis and football were sponsored by Canon - as it is free advertising for Canon. Nikon did the "free cameras for professionals" thing to just like Canon, but Canon does it in a massive way. The way Canon does it is a violation of many laws. Sony started doing it too, but they gave it a proper name "Brand Ambassador" and do it in a more lawful way. Soon we start hearing about Olympus and Pentax "Brand Ambassadors" and many other brands doing it too. The problem is how Canon does it. The sponsored Canon photographers do not divulge to the public that they're a sponsored photographer. This has been going on for many many years like this. Canon also gives away millions of dollars worth of Camera gear to educational institutions as kickbacks for sponsorship and advertising. The secretive way Canon does it, makes it a "Kickback" and therefore a crime because Canon is trying to sponsor as many Photographers and industry establishments like education and magazines, so's that Canon has the whole industry in its pocket. Thats what Canon is doing, and its called "Anti-competitive corporate behavior", which is a high crime. Their activities are designed to push other brands out of the industry to create a monopoly. There is now a tonne of Canon sponsored photographers on youtube making pro Canon videos. They keep coming up on my feed and I have to keep blocking them because its clearly a marketing blitz by Canon as they put as many photographers who are willing to sell out to Canon by making weekly pro Canon videos in exchange for free camera equipment. So they are producing "Infomercials" without disclosing that their content is a commercial and is actually bound by advertising laws, and all the legal ramifications of that, including full disclosure..................... Basically when a Canon sponsored photographer makes a video about Canon cameras and lenses, and fails to state that it is an advertisement and that they are sponsored, they violate the law that governs advertising and the honesty that the laws require. But this is exactly what Canon does in the contract that they make sponsored photographers sign, which is to not tell anyone that theye're sponsored, and that their video endorsements of Canon is actual advertising, but it never adheres to the advertising standards set by every country - which are all generally similar. Canon is bypassing the advertising standards laws by giving camera gear in exchange for covert advertising by so-called photographer influencers. So if Canon and Nikon approaches you to engage in covert advertising using youtube or websites, you are technically bound by your countries advertising standards and you need to issue a disclaimer that you are sponsored - I've never heard a Canon sponsored photographer admit that they're sponsored, just only on the odd occasion they'll admit it. What they are making is an "Infomercial" which is still technically an advertisement. All magazine makers are doing effectively that same thing, the company that purchases the most advertising space in a magazine, gets more positive coverage and positive statements from the magazines so-called "journalists" - More like "Infomercial-ists". So for decades most of the advertising in camera magazines or car magazines is paid for by the camera or car makers, and the companies spending the most gets the best coverage. Here in Australia many years ago, the Volkswagen Golf was declared "The Car of the Year" in the biggest car magazine. But some other journalists came out and stated that the only reason it won car of the year is because over the whole year Volkswagen spent the most money on advertisements in that magazine. The journalists explained that that was how magazines and TV shows work and make their money. Sony started doing "Brand Ambassador" programs as opposed to the Canon and Nikon covert "Sponsored Photographer" program. I've seen videos by newly Canon photographers ditching Sony's program because the kickbacks are huge at Canon, and so they are scoffing at Sony now, and they're all SELLOUTS to a corporation for free gear. If your business is dependent on all your equipment being for free, then you'll push those who have to pay for their gear out of the industry - people who have viable business's and decent talent. Then those sponsored photographers eventually take over the bulk of the industry as "Uneconomically viable" or "trading insolvent" businesses. If Canon keeps propping up private photography business's through its massive sponsorship programs, and those business are not even viable business's or effectively business's that if they had to pay for their equipment they would become bankrupt, then the industry is heavily distorted and at the edge of collapse. Canon sponsored photographers don't see it that way, but they see it that Canon is supporting their industry with the kickbacks of free new products - so they have declared that "Canon is the industry standard". Here's a list of violations of the laws that Canon is doing: 1. Giving free new gear to a sponsored photographer SIDESTEPS "Sales Tax/VAT/GST/State-sales taxes" - and thats a violation of the law. 2. All in exchange for a Photographer creating free advertising on their website and youtube channel, they perform X amount of hours per week - that equates to about $10,000 dollars worth of labor per year. That is for Canon $10,000 worth of free labor, that is tax free, and 401K/Superannuation/Krankenkasse/Retirement-Fund free. So Canon and the sponsored photographer is performing labor WITHOUT paying income taxes or retirement fund benefits that the Photographer is entitled to. 3. Also all employee's are supposed to have their health fund, and workmans compensation paid by the employer. 4. Violations of labour laws: Labor laws also state a "Per hourly rate" for a worker as a minimum protection from greedy corporations who try to make people work long hours underpaid. So if you're getting $10,000 work of free products per year from Canon, then Canon expects you to work on the advertising for two or three times the value they forked out on you - you effectively become a corporate slave working for peanuts to promote their brands. Plus your photography business isn't even viable, and you're just a monkey for a corporation. This all trivializes the per hour labor worth of Photographers. There's probably countless more laws that the whole sponsorship system violates. I'm glad to see that Sony did not necessarily go down the illegal routes of Canon and Nikon instead opting for "Brand Ambassadorships" and not going the "Covert advertising" route of Canon and Nikon sponsored photographers. Canon has apparently been doing this since the late eighties. I got into digital photography as a hobbyist, and after learning all about these crimes and violations of the laws thats created a Canon monopoly or Canikon duopoly, I've been nothing but stunned at the level of utter STUPIDITY of the photographic industry - as its a cowboy industry and not art. For a very long time I had been hearing that Canon and Nikon (Mostly Canon) was called "The industry Standard" - really!!!!!??? Corporate crimes and violations of the laws to create a monopoly and totally distort the photographic industry to put as many professional photographers into Canons Pocket, is an "Industry Standard". I don't like swearing but all the Canon and Nikon users and sponsored photographers are the whole bloody problem in Photography, and they should f off. Perfect example: Canon and Nikon were called the "Industry Standard" for decades, then along comes Sony and develops mirrorless tech beyond Canon and Nikons capabilities. All the while Canon and Nikon sponsored youtubers and magazines were mocking Sony as being crap. Then Sony beats Canon and Nikon, and people start switching to Sony on a huge scale, BUT all the sponsored and fanbois refused to switch, but rather opted to wait till their beloved Canon or Nikon created a system that competed with Sony. Effectively the Canon and Nikon Business models do not do very much innovation and had to rely on Sony do do all the footwork, and Canon and Nikon just followed and mimicked Sony's designs. As all of Canons sponsored photographers engage in their massive youtube infomercial blitz, we will see Sony pushed out again and innovation die slowly. We will see more and more unviable professional photographers pushing down on the photography market working for peanuts and keeping wages low in the industry. The so-called "Industry standard" will be back again as Canikon strangles the Photographic industry with free cameras for lots of free labor in its kickback scheme. If you cannot afford a camera and lens and your business cannot afford to pay for you and your camera gear, then you are trading insolvent. Its as simple as that. Then this is all COMPOUNDED by sponsorship programs that put less talented photographers who are will to sellout to the two corporations for free gear in exchange for cheap advertising labor, and you have a photographer market thats saturated with poor photographers that work for peanuts. Its killing the industry, and its killing innovation. Canon and Nikon are the worst things to ever happen to the photography industry. I have been boycotting those two brands for a decade and more.

DJI pocket 3 movements suck!

It would be great if all companies were the same. But they are not. Panasonic Lumix make great cameras, but they don't invest in the European Amabassadors at all! They closed it down. Its frankly disgusting compared to the U.S ambassadors!

Is this the penance Olympus has ordered from you for your April Fool’s Day video?😂

OM is so underrated

think they recognise you as a schill to be fair 🤣🤣🤣🤣

You: I’m really wet Me: 😳

Huh?

So don't be a BA or do but only an educated one. Did we need to watch you blow dry your equipment in the beginning?

I would love to be a lens ambassador, with a brand that just loves the art and focuses on all types of photography. That's one of my dreams. I get that people will take you more seriously if you focus on your niche, but what if my niche is just photography? I enjoy learning and participating in it all.

Thanks for sharing your happiness, Jimmy! There are too many camera “complainers” out there.

Although now officially retired, when I first became a professional photographer back in the early 1970s, my equipment included Sinar, Hasselblad and Nikon. The right tool for the right job. I still do the occasional 'proper job', as well as my own personal projects. These days I use Lumix bodies and olympus lenses! They do what I need them to now. I have chronic osteoarthritis in my lower back, so M43 suits me down to the ground at the moment. I still own most of my original Nikkor manual focus lenses, and they work really well with the lumix G80 and GX80 that form the backbone of my current system.

We have a lot more important things we should concentrate on than who uses the “best” gear. Being decent human beings for one. All the best to you!

Always try to listen to you although I am wildlife and birds because you are honest and entertaining. However I do think Olympus have too many ambassadors This makes Being an ambassador for Olympus worthless. Thanks for another excellent video.

Costa tripple cap?

I'm confused; the title is "Don't be a brand ambassador", but the content, if I understand it correctly, is here are things to consider before becoming a brand ambassador. Also, you spend the first 2.5 minutes making us watch you dry you equipment - why? And you went off topic too many times causing me to lose track of your message. We've all watched Olympus/OM Systems treat you and other ambassadors like crap (Peter Forsgard, Robin Wong...) So are you a OM Systems ambassador now or not? If so please provide a link to your AOM Systems mbassador page... I cannot find you on OM Systems' ambassador pages. I appreciate your videos and Red Hot Chats w/ Rod. Cheers!

okay I want to be funny in this comment by aligning with many slightly useless comments, about gears but ...... are you also advertising Costa Cafe? 😅😅😅😅

I like that your channel is M43-centric. But if you want to review other gear then that's totally cool. If I dont care, then I won't watch. But I won't criticize you for it. P.S. Gear matters!

I’m a lens ambassador. Nikon 300f4 & 105f2.5 DFC, Fuji 90mm and 50f2, Olympus 12-45f4 & 45f1.8

Inadvertently you become one …😂😂😂

It's now you tell us that? :p

Very good! It wont be a problem for me. In photography I'm always a student and never a master.

Canon, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Ricoh… own & use bodies / lenses from all of these brands. Obviously I have my opinions and preferences, but I can’t understand radical brand loyalty either.

Thanks Jimmy - you make a really good point that "one size (of camera) fits all" use cases isn't true. However, as an enthusiast and non-professional (plus a retiree), I can't afford to have more than one camera body and associated lenses. I had to decide what my primary use cases are and pick a system (on a budget) that was good for those. (Incidentally, were you being an ambassador for Costa in this video? Great product placement 🤣🤣). Love your enthusiasm

Bravo Jimmy. I think in future episodes it would be great to hear about what you think of the different 'shooting experiences' you find with each brand or style of camera. We're all looking for those great images but for me it's the experience of doing it that is just as important. A day out shooting should be a FUN day. I shoot EM-10 Olympus with lightweight primes and it's a completely different experience to my buddy's full frame Nikon with 2.8 zoom! A fixed-lens camera would be very different again....could I? Dunno, it's not discussed enough.

Great vlog Jimmy. Glad I am not an ambassador. Far too much work, restrictions and potential pressure and stress. You are absolutely right about one camera will not do everything. I use OM-Systems, Panasonic and Sony to cover both my wildlife photography and videography. The most important factor for me is to get out and take the appropriate camera and lens for the job, have fun and enjoy myself. When is the next London photo walk Jimmy 😏😏😉😉😊😊. Look after yourself. Peace ✌️✌️

It’s good to know other cameras and what they can do. I have three different brands and I use each differently. For example, my Nikon takes 10 double exposures, my Oly takes 2, my Sony nil. I don’t do video, but more creative/art photography. So, Jimmy, I like the way you suddenly pop up with a different lens or camera, and discuss it. I too mainly use MFT, but the other cameras are handy to have…in case!

Cheers Jimmy , it’s Sean in Atlanta! I appreciate what you’re going through and I agree that you are fortunate that OM System allows you to try other brands because no camera is perfect. Personally, I enjoy watching you try other cameras because it helps me if I decide I want to make a switch. And may I also say that it was great to see images of Charlie again with her incredible beauty and exuberant personality! I certainly miss her as I’m sure you do, as well. I’m glad you are remaining with OM System. They really ticked me off when they let Ambassadors such as Peter Forsgard and Robin Wong go. I think they have focused way too much on wildlife photography which has turned me off to the system all together. Great video, Jimmy, And, I miss being in London and especially Hayes Galleria where you were… Sean

It seems like a rewarding thing - I always look for you when i want to hear about olympus - but definitely it seems like it has a limited timeline.

Great points Jimmy! Your text summary also covered it well! And another great video!

I love dji. But also use a bunch of other brands

Let’s do this

I love you from Japan😊🙏✨

Can you put the link to the blow dryer in the description box please. Thank you.

Jimmy, happiness in a photography journey is absolutely so important. No matter what you do I know a bunch of us, myself included, will be along for the ride right here with you. Keep sharing your knowledge and experiences.

Why you go photographing when raining? My god... 🤦