To support your statement about schools, my department chair gave his exam for a general science class to his ten-year-old son and he did better than his class averages. You just have to compare fifth graders and their interest in science to incoming college freshman to see something is going wrong somewhere between those years. I'm sure universities share some of the blame.
A bit late but I think the answer is one simple thing: hormones.
I am often in mixed company with other photographers, and I am sure you have meant the ones who say that their particular brand is the best.I believe all manufactures make good cameras, and choice is subjective. At one such meeting I met a particular obnoxious Canon Owner who was shouting that Canon were far superior to Nikon cameras, Normally I do not react to such fodder , however I thanked him for his opinion and the sent him the following image. Sorry I do not know the author of the image but I think it was appropriate for this Canon Owner.
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DSLRGearNoIdea
November 2011. Ngorongoro Crater.
Larger Image:
http://blg.nikonsrc.com/image/ls2pyw2qjWjsrWACu3fb72Bu0FLtEi1PBX9VvNpaVzOoTL5RnfJyo-97ksGSfQw8_eAT_60jDC4/item.JPG?rot=1
http://www.photographybay.com/2009/11/17/awesome-story-from-shooting-leopard-seals-in-antarctica/
That looks like a 400mm f/2.8 with a TC-17EII. The one to look for is the new 800mm with the TC-1.25E ED. LOL
Wow what great experence! I could only dream of something like that! I'll add that to the Dream Machine thread!
Don't try this at home folks. I am a professional [P].
At one such meeting I met a particular obnoxious Canon Owner who was shouting that Canon were far superior to Nikon cameras, Normally I do not react to such fodder , however I thanked him for his opinion and the sent him the following image.
Sorry I do not know the author of the image but I think it was appropriate for this Canon Owner.