from my european perspective the mf dealer as buddy seems to be a US specialty. but maybe this kind of close relation is needed in
a photography field where facts are ignored but fairytales of magic and wonders are exchanged in an strange mix of business interests
and pseudo religion.
Interesting comment.
Perhaps some folks attend dealer outings for
camaraderie as much as in-depth gear review ... in other words for fun. Nothing wrong with a bit of fun. Frankly, technical attributes could more easily be demonstrated in someone's back yard.
I have no idea how things are done in EU, and it is obvious that you do not know how it is here in the US.
I've had two strong, long term relationships with "resellers" of camera gear: A Hasselblad dealer for over 10 years, and a Leica dealer for over 20 years. These "professional friendships" have continued because their after purchase assistance and information has made my life easier.
The Hasselblad dealer spent countless hours helping me achieve certain infrastructure goals, helped train me and others with specialty gear (like a multi-shot back), and even assisted in testing my current gear against a new entry and advised when he thought it not a necessary upgrade. He even came to my studio and helped calibrate/shim view lenses using my DB on a tech camera. Most of all, when I had any issue, he dealt directly with Hasselblad to get it resolved in a fast and efficient manner.
My Leica dealer has helped me by understanding what I needed in my work and maneuvering the complex retail opportunities that are available from time-to-time which has saved me a ton of money. When any issue has come up, he smooths the path, even going directly to the President of Leica USA if it wasn't handled in a timely manner.
As to "fairytales" of magic and wonders as a religion ... I suppose the digital age and resulting scientific/technical obsessions has given rise to such speculations and critical notions. If a photographer can't make a determination of what pleases their eye, solves certain requirements, meets creative needs ... then no dealer, tech assistant or specific piece of gear is going to answer it for them.
MFD isn't a fairytale for me. I see what I visually need and prefer because it is my tastes to be satisfied, and I trust my own eyes more than anyone else's (if that is "magic", so be it), plus leaf-shutter lenses are a fact not a myth.
Personally, I go to a dealer for technical assistance, business/financial considerations, and to try new technical solutions to things I may want to accomplish. I do not go to them for creative advice or aesthetic notions. I have other sources for that sort of thing.
- Marc