Poll pondering

I often wonder what the point of your reader poll is and the poll ‘Do you currently use a “classic” film camera?’ highlights the problem. According to your results 75% of your readership do use film. What nonsense! All your result says is that ‘75% of those who replied’ use a film camera. I suspect that the reply rate was much higher amongst film users than digital users. Andy Shand You’re right Andy – as with all polls and reader surveys, they only tell you about the tastes of those who reply, and certain niche groups, such as film users, are very good at ‘rallying the troops’ when polls like this come around and thus distorting the voting. But the polls still provide a useful barometer for readers’ opinions, and of course they provide a talking point and generate lots of debate among the readers. We are, however, planning to take a break from the polls for a while, as we also consider some other changes to AP to ensure it remains the best photography magazine in the UK – Nigel Atherton, editor