View Full Version : You have lost your mind with the Forum Categories
Maybe before there were a little too few, but now the number of categories is insane.
There are just too many. I think you're going to dilute all of them and nobody is going to be able to keep their postings straight.
After living with these for a few days, I'll agree with you. Information will not be intuitive to find as time goes by, which could lead to frustration and diminished value.
I guess we'll see what happens, but I hope the forum number holds steady and doesn't increase.
BrianShaw
01-26-2007, 18:46
That was my first reaction, but then I noticed two categories that I often wished for: Kodak Retina and LF Rangefinder. Both seem to be under-appreciated cameras on this forum.
But there is a bit of overlap: e.g., Mamiya 6 and Mamiya 7; 120 Rangefinder and 120 Folding Rangefinder. Perhaps a bit of consolidation could be considered.
Ken Ford
01-26-2007, 19:19
I don't see why it's an issue. I suspect most members use the "New Posts" function instead of wading into the individual forums; "User CP" will keep track of your individual posts.
There's a vB hack that allows you to limit the "New Posts" results to show only your subscribed forums - that would be a nice, logical and free RFF enhancement.
I think the title of this thread is offensive.
There are ways to express dissatisfaction without such unnecessary and insulting hyperbole.
David Murphy
01-26-2007, 21:04
I'd say the title is a little brash and provocative, but I'm not insulted.
On the other hand, I don't see a problem with many categories -- what's the big deal?
NIKON KIU
01-26-2007, 21:10
Maybe before there were a little too few, but now the number of categories is insane.
There are just too many. I think you're going to dilute all of them and nobody is going to be able to keep their postings straight.
Did you just figure-this-out two hours ago?
:p :D
Kiu
clarence
01-26-2007, 21:10
'Xpan Fever' really cracked me up.
The thread title does sound insulting... And while I think the sub-forums are of little importance, this current sizable list is more logically arranged (even if slightly overlapping) and not contradictory.
Kim Coxon
01-27-2007, 01:17
Bearing in mind that there are other open threads on the subject, opening yet another with such a title could be construed as being provocative and maybe even trollish. ;)
Kim
Have a sense of humor. Jeez.
Can we have a forum for trolls? :p
I have to agree here. By having so many forums, you are compartmentalizing everybody from one another. For example, most Leica M users are also interested in Konica, Zeiss and Voigtlander, even if they don't own them. Why do they all need separate forums? This is even more apparent for things like the Argus...by posting in that forum, you have almost no chance of attracting the attention of someone who might answer the question...no one ever reads the forum and there are only 5 threads. But anyway, it seems to me like there would be a greater sense of community if everything was grouped together more communally. I.E. for forums for:
M-mount Cameras
G-mount Cameras
Digital Rangefinders
Screwmount Cameras
Compact/Fixed-lens RF's
Medium Format, Large Format and Xpan
Then of course your news, general discussion, classifieds and W/NW. Everything else is overkill for me anyway...
StuartR,
I've been shooting rangefinders for two decades, much of that professionally, and none of your suggested categories fit my Nikons.
One of the things that drew me to this Website a couple of years ago is the fact that Nikon, Contax, Soviet-equipment shooters and many others are welcome and have a place for message threads that won't get smothered by Leica shooters, who are the overwhelming majority of RF shooters, but who don't have a monopoly.
Just my thoughts. I think the different foums will let someone do some searching and research on a camera of their particular interest, giving less "noise" to wade through.
That's right, read all my other posts carefully. I'm an unrepentant troll, only here to disturb all the precious photographers with slightly out of focus topic headlines.
Does using a rangefinder automatically make you an oversensitive politically correct curmudgeon and humor policeman?
OK, lets all take a breath.
Can we agree that the recent changes are an attempt to make the place a little different, with the hopes it will be a little better.
Obviously the proof is not yet in the pudding as the feedback suggests.
Lets all have fun and tighten down the hatches for the near future to see what happens.
Sorry Vince,
I would be happy to add a Nikon/Contax category as well, that is definitely a large group of shooters. But do we really need separate categories for Argus, Yashica, Olympus, Half Frames, Stereo Cameras, 120 Stereo Cameras, Scale Focus 35's, and Hand made cameras? Instead of having these interesting cameras wasting away all alone, wouldn't they be happier playing all together in an "lovely cameras without their own forum" category?
StuartR,
I've been shooting rangefinders for two decades, much of that professionally, and none of your suggested categories fit my Nikons.
One of the things that drew me to this Website a couple of years ago is the fact that Nikon, Contax, Soviet-equipment shooters and many others are welcome and have a place for message threads that won't get smothered by Leica shooters, who are the overwhelming majority of RF shooters, but who don't have a monopoly.
Just my thoughts. I think the different foums will let someone do some searching and research on a camera of their particular interest, giving less "noise" to wade through.
Robert Price
01-27-2007, 04:41
I think It's nice to see some Individual attention given to some of the more under used cameras. And...I thinkk it will be easier to find a given post for people who don't log in all day to see what is up.
For example, where would I put my Horizont?
Russian RF?
35 Panor not Xpan?
Fixed Lens RF?
I Suggest:
M-mount Digital
Leica M
Leica Screw Mount/Leica Copies
FSU and Russian
Nikon
Contax
Lens and Lens Tests
Medium/Large Format
Photoshop and Software
Classified
General Discussion/Unclassified
Gabriel M.A.
01-27-2007, 04:48
I think the title of this thread is offensive.
I think the gratuitous use of the word "offensive" and "hyperbole" when no offense was given or intended, and certainly a smacking lack of hyperbole, in an accusatory manner to boot, is offensive.
Some of this seems to reflect Stephen Gandy's own site. He is careful to give separate pages to many different kinds of cameras, some of which are quite obscure.
Gabriel M.A.
01-27-2007, 04:53
I'd say the title is a little brash and provocative, but I'm not insulted.
On the other hand, I don't see a problem with many categories -- what's the big deal?
I agree, it is brash, and certainly asking for attention. But "the big deal"?
I thought the "Provide your feedback" forum was to do exactly that. Should people be drummed out of the island for providing feedback?
The tone of the subject title is not helping. I should say this: if it were some other members of the forum, he wouldn't be attacked so.
For example, where would I put my Horizont?
Russian RF?
35 Panor not Xpan?
Fixed Lens RF?
You would post in 35MM Pano not Xpan since the Horizont is not a rangefinder. It is Russian and it is a fixed lens but.......
Steve
Gabriel M.A.
01-27-2007, 05:07
Some of this seems to reflect Stephen Gandy's own site. He is careful to give separate pages to many different kinds of cameras, some of which are quite obscure.
Agreed. But anybody who had been a very regular visitor, would have known that this kind of shift has been tried before and it proved confusion and disorganization a couple of times before.
Sometimes, simplicity truly is best. Not too much, though. Many people interpret that in some way and sway the manic pendulum way.
Maybe there has been now commenting on the use of language, so this has been taken care of in a way. I find the title not chosen well.
Let's focus on the actual subject matter. This is a good chance to rearrange the forums. Maybe a consensus can be reached eventually as long as people here suggest new sets of forums. The positive side of it all is the fact that some other websites would not be receptive to having its members provide such feedback whereas this one most likely is.
Raid
You would post in 35MM Pano not Xpan since the Horizont is not a rangefinder. It is Russian and it is a fixed lens but.......
Steve
Yes, I thought of that but decided to not go back and edit my post. The Horizont is not a rangefinder. So maybe there needs to be a category "FSU/Unusual 35mm format/Almost a Rangefinder/Moveable lens/Pano" specifically for these types of cameras.
Spy Cameras
Non-rangefinders with rangefinders in the hot shoe
Dim Rangefinders
Chinese rangefinders (actually a good serious category)
I would like a StuartR forum for all posts by me, about me, relating to me, inspired by me, or involving any of my cameras or photos.
:) Just kidding, please no one flip out, this is not directed at anyone or anything, I just think that when the forums get this specific, it is heading that way...
So maybe there needs to be a category "FSU/Unusual 35mm format/Almost a Rangefinder/Moveable lens/Pano" specifically for these types of cameras.
Why are people trying to get rid of Panoramic forums? I think it is great that there is a non Xpan Panoramic forum. Maybe combine the 35mm, MF and LF Panoramics into one forum (no posts yet in MF or LF). Even combine them with the Xpan and have a sub section like the Leica M8 / M8 problems.
Gabriel M.A.
01-27-2007, 06:22
Let's have a Black Painted That Weren't Originally Painted Black RF forum.
Also a Purple Skin RF forum. I don't see that anywhere. I know they exist; people love them. How come they're so neglected?!? My RF Shows Brassing forum? :angel:
like2fiddle
01-27-2007, 06:51
I am trying to reserve judgement here. I have mixed feelings about how detailed the seperate forums are. There can sometimes be so much overlap that one might not know where to post a question to get the best feedback. For example: I own a Olympus 35 EC. This camera fits at least three specific categories: Olympus, Fixed lens RF, and Scale Focus 35's. Where to post?
If all of these forums are necessary, then what about finding a way to post to multiple forums at once? Or perhaps subcategories within a forum? I don't even know if these things are possible, but if they are might that help?
>>There can sometimes be so much overlap ...<<
That's true. But there's already much overlap. A good number of discussions about Nikkor, Canon and Soviet lenses have been posted in Leica forums because the lenses were in Leica thread mount.
Okay, I am going to ask a few awkward questions:
-- Why is there a "Scale Focus 35's" forum on Rangefinder Forum?
-- How many 35mm half-frame rangefinder cameras are there? (The only ones I can think of offhand are the Leica 72 and the Nikon S3M, both of which are vanishingly rare and both of which are already covered by other forums. Maybe there are one or two more -- and I'd love to see a list -- but are there enough to need a whole forum?)
-- How many "35 Panor Not Xpan" rangefinder cameras are there? Again, I'd love to see a list.
JLW,
There are no other rangefinder Panoramic cameras but the Xpan. The non Xpan forum is for all other 35mm cameras - yes, NON rangefinder. It seems there a move to expand beyond rangefinders for those who do not shoot with rangefinders only.
Scale focus, large format, and stereo seem to fit the expansion. They are small (I think) specialties that some people here use. There are non rangefinder cameras accepted in a couple of forums here.
I guess we will have to see how this all shakes out.
Steve
I know I've expressed this view before, but I'm pleased if non-RF viewfinder cameras may be accepted equally, as having a similar view of the world. I think there's a fundamental difference in the user experience between "viewfinder" or "direct view" cameras versus those that image the scene on ground glass or an LCD. Of course in the richness of photography, some can do both, and then the distinction can be made, and hairs split, depending on which viewing method is used.
CameraQuest
01-27-2007, 10:17
Okay, I am going to ask a few awkward questions:
-- Why is there a "Scale Focus 35's" forum on Rangefinder Forum?
-- How many 35mm half-frame rangefinder cameras are there? (The only ones I can think of offhand are the Leica 72 and the Nikon S3M, both of which are vanishingly rare and both of which are already covered by other forums. Maybe there are one or two more -- and I'd love to see a list -- but are there enough to need a whole forum?)
-- How many "35 Panor Not Xpan" rangefinder cameras are there? Again, I'd love to see a list.
scale focus -- over a million Rollei 35's
the Ruskie panoramics
Stephen
Ken Ford
01-27-2007, 10:51
I know I've expressed this view before, but I'm pleased if non-RF viewfinder cameras may be accepted equally, as having a similar view of the world. I think there's a fundamental difference in the user experience between "viewfinder" or "direct view" cameras versus those that image the scene on ground glass or an LCD. Of course in the richness of photography, some can do both, and then the distinction can be made, and hairs split, depending on which viewing method is used.
Pretty much what he said. I think of RFF as a home for all enthusiasts of direct view cameras. Besides RFs, I have an Argus A, a Retina Ia and a Nikonos. Aren't they more like a RF than a SLR?
ClaremontPhoto
01-27-2007, 10:53
There's been a Point and Shoot forum here for a long time too.
scale focus -- over a million Rollei 35's
None of which is a rangefinder camera, right?
the Ruskie panoramics
None of which is a rangefinder camera, right?
If the consensus is to turn this site into "Nostalgia Camera Forum," fine -- but that's not why I'm here, and let's at least change the name to avoid confusing newcomers.
If the consensus is to turn this site into "Nostalgia Camera Forum," fine -- but that's not why I'm here, and let's at least change the name to avoid confusing newcomers.
I completely agree. I realise that the traditional RFF reaction to any sort of criticism is to smile pityingly and ask "why can't folks just get along?", but anyone who has been a member for any time will have noticed a continual gradual dilution of the commitment to rangefinder photography. It is very disheartening.
Ian
i vote for more categories. makes things easier to look up. the home page mixes it all up, if that's what you like.
and the "must have a rangefinder" thing is too uptight. plain viewfinder cameras are fine by me.
CameraQuest
01-27-2007, 11:46
please see http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=473000#post473000
started a new thread, similar topic
I obviously agree with the importance of rangefinder photography,
it is just first cousins Rollei 35's, half frame, and even the original Leica A are still very popular with rangefinder people.
Stephen
Rich Silfver
01-27-2007, 11:58
-- Why is there a "Scale Focus 35's" forum on Rangefinder Forum?
-- How many 35mm half-frame rangefinder cameras are there? (The only ones I can think of offhand are the Leica 72 and the Nikon S3M, both of which are vanishingly rare and both of which are already covered by other forums. Maybe there are one or two more -- and I'd love to see a list -- but are there enough to need a whole forum?)
-- How many "35 Panor Not Xpan" rangefinder cameras are there? Again, I'd love to see a list.
scale focus -- over a million Rollei 35's
the Ruskie panoramics
Stephen
a) I would think that jlw was asking why scalefocusing cameras now would be 'allowed' on a dedicated rangefinder site - and not what type of scale focusing cameras were made.
b) What Russian rangefinder, panoramic cameras are there?
c) I think you missed his third question about half-frame rangefinder cameras.
Rich Silfver
01-27-2007, 12:00
I obviously agree with the importance of rangefinder photography,
it is just first cousins Rollei 35's, half frame, and even the original Leica A are still very popular with rangefinder people.
Stephen
So are SLRs, dSLRs, LF ground focusing glass cameras, digital P&S cameras and pinhole cameras.
I visit RFF daily to read/reply and go to the RFF Gallery to look at photographs. For the life of me, I can’t see where giving me several choices to read/reply is a bad thing. In discussing overlapping forums, VinceC commented that “A good number of discussions about Nikkor, Canon and Soviet lenses have been posted in Leica forums...” – which is a good example of the overlapping that’s not uncommon. In my mind, the “good number of discussions … have been posted” = more info = more hits = better forum. Many have come here and stuck because we found a place where we could discuss our “niche” of photography. It’s a no-brainer to me that as the membership expands, so will the number of niches of interest. I, for one, wouldn’t consider it “dilution,” but expansion. “We’ve never done it that way before” is a terrible excuse for not trying something different. Even if it failed back.in.the.day, it could have successful advantages now that RFF has grown.
I’ve stuck around long enough and read enough overlapping threads that my camera herd has expanded or branched out in several directions (far beyond my expectations) and some of them non.RF. I’ll have to say that this was brought about partly by the overlapping of topics that caught my interest and helped me discover new areas. That’s not a bad thing, for me anyway. Film RFs are my main photography interest, of course, and describe most of my cameras. But I also have several non.RF scale focus cameras and I’m glad there’s a place besides “Other” or “Off-topic” where I can post/reply/read about them – here - at the Forum I hang out in. I’m waiting delivery of a lowly Chaika.2. Oooooo, it’s scale.focus, half.frame, FSU. That’s THREE places I could post a comment/question. Choices. Options. How is that a bad thing? Sorry, I just don’t see it.
There seems to me to be adequate tools available here for organizing and keeping track of many threads on many forums. But one has to use them. If anyone needs help with this just ask. There are plenty of folks around able and willing to RE: Or subscribe to the StuartR forum, where all posts are by StuartR, about StuartR, relating to StuartR, inspired by StuartR and only involve StuartR cameras and StuartR photos. ;) (just kiddin’ Stu)
"Let's change the name to avoid confusing newcomers." jlw, with all due respect, how in the Wide.World.of.Sports will changing a site's name cut down on confusion? Have some rangefinder related forums been dropped? Is there less rangefinder information now? IMO, overwhelming majority of discussion at RFF has been and still is rangefinders.
I agree, Rangefinders have lots of cousins and some of those cousins I'm not the least bit interested in. But some of them I am and it's really not that difficult to see their connection to RF photography. I like the new forums. :)
nasmformyzombie
01-27-2007, 13:14
scale focus -- over a million Rollei 35's
the Ruskie panoramics
Stephen
Over a million Rollei 35's, yes, in it's day (late 1960's into the 1970's). But how many are in even sporadic use today? The Rollie 35 is the 1970's Argus. How many people alive today have even seen an Argus in use? I like the variey of the site, but in a word (or a few words), there's too many forums now, period. I figure the list is about twice the size it should be, so here's my list of 14, as opposed to the present 27:
Leica M Digital (yep, includes RD-1)
Leica M
Zeiss Ikon M
Leica Screwmount
Canon RF (could be in Leica screw, oh the horror of it all)
Contax RF
Nikon RF (could combine as Contax/Nikon RF...nahhh)
Soviet RF Copies (could be in Leica screw)
Fixed Lens RF (covers all the fixed lens Yashicas, Olympus, Minoltas, Canons, et. al.)
Panoramic
Medium Format RF (do we need a Mamiya 6 and 7!!!)
120 RF (I don't know enough about 120/large format to go into more detail)
Large Format RF (ditto above comment)
Other Vintage RF (or something more creative to describe "anything else"/"miscellaneous"/"oldie misfits")
Maybe I missed one or two, but I suggest anything over 12-15 categories is too many. There's no one on the planet who knows more about film cameras than Stephen Gandy. An historical review and commentary site like his Cameraquest (an exceptional resource, let it be said) should have many separate categories, but an on-line user forum like Rangefinder Forum should have a much more streamlined structure. And yes, let it be about rangefinder cameras only. As someone else said, this is not the "Nostalgic Camera Forum."
Gabriel M.A.
01-27-2007, 14:07
and the "must have a rangefinder" thing is too uptight.
Great idea -- I shall ask to open a Brush and Canvases forum. "Must have a photo" thing is too uptight. An image is an image, right?
I'll say one last thing: in the past, changes like these were made with announcements and with proper feedback from the community. This has all been one-sided. So much for "nothing's going to change".
I'm not against change. I'm not, however, for contradictions.
None of which is a rangefinder camera, right?
None of which is a rangefinder camera, right?
If the consensus is to turn this site into "Nostalgia Camera Forum," fine -- but that's not why I'm here, and let's at least change the name to avoid confusing newcomers.
Show of hands, who has a Bessa L?
(Please note that answering in the affirmative will not result in your banning)
Al Patterson
01-27-2007, 15:47
Over a million Rollei 35's, yes, in it's day (late 1960's into the 1970's). But how many are in even sporadic use today? The Rollie 35 is the 1970's Argus. How many people alive today have even seen an Argus in use?
After I broke my old Instamatic, my father let me use his Argus a few times until I got another 126 film camera. There are even Argus users on this forum...
Not to mention that the site is being re-orged a tad to reflect the new owner. Many of his new forums I'll ignore as I'm not interested in them. The ones that interest me I'll read.
<hand up> One Bessa-L here. I wonder if anyone here has the Z-I SW or an Alpa 12.
David Murphy
01-27-2007, 16:11
Over a million Rollei 35's, yes, in it's day (late 1960's into the 1970's). But how many are in even sporadic use today? The Rollie 35 is the 1970's Argus. How many people alive today have even seen an Argus in use? I like the variey of the site, but in a word (or a few words), there's too many forums now, period. I figure the list is about twice the size it should be, so here's my list of 14, as opposed to the present 27:
Leica M Digital (yep, includes RD-1)
Leica M
Zeiss Ikon M
Leica Screwmount
Canon RF (could be in Leica screw, oh the horror of it all)
Contax RF
Nikon RF (could combine as Contax/Nikon RF...nahhh)
Soviet RF Copies (could be in Leica screw)
Fixed Lens RF (covers all the fixed lens Yashicas, Olympus, Minoltas, Canons, et. al.)
Panoramic
Medium Format RF (do we need a Mamiya 6 and 7!!!)
120 RF (I don't know enough about 120/large format to go into more detail)
Large Format RF (ditto above comment)
Other Vintage RF (or something more creative to describe "anything else"/"miscellaneous"/"oldie misfits")
Maybe I missed one or two, but I suggest anything over 12-15 categories is too many. There's no one on the planet who knows more about film cameras than Stephen Gandy. An historical review and commentary site like his Cameraquest (an exceptional resource, let it be said) should have many separate categories, but an on-line user forum like Rangefinder Forum should have a much more streamlined structure. And yes, let it be about rangefinder cameras only. As someone else said, this is not the "Nostalgic Camera Forum."
I can only assume Mr. Gandy will want to move the site towards what interests him and helps him promote his business. He's the owner, that's only natural, and it's his right (and makes sense too). I like the new direction.
<hand up> One Bessa-L here. I wonder if anyone here has the Z-I SW or an Alpa 12.
Or a Holga
I must say that I preferred the forum prior to the explosion of categories. I too am a fan of the Cameraquest site and go to it frequently and I have no objection whatsoever to Stephen Gandy's involvement here. My only gripe is that previously if I wanted to look up something to do with a 35mm Yashica for instance I knew where to look. Now a Minister D could be legitimately in a couple of different forums. Similarly with the FSU cameras. I don't have the time to look through the 7 or 8 pages of new posts that are generated every day that some here obviously do. I know that there were some overlapping threads before but the potential for this has increased greatly. I also feel that 15 or so forums would be more that adequate. :(
[I]"Over a million Rollei 35's, yes, in it's day (late 1960's into the 1970's). But how many are in even sporadic use today? The Rollie 35 is the 1970's Argus. How many people alive today have even seen an Argus in use? I like the variey of the site, but in a word (or a few words), there's too many forums now, period. I figure the list is about twice the size it should be, so here's my list of 14, as opposed to the present 27"[/I
In defence of the Rollei 35 and how many may or may not be in use ... one, the camera is damned near indestructable and two, it is a very high quality and quirky photographic device!
I typed 'Rollei 35' into an ebay search and got 169 listings ... when I typed 'Leica M3' in I got 158 which usually only represents around a dozen cameras ... the rest being adds with 'M3' tacked on to make people look!
If Stephen's figure of around a million cameras is accurate I would love to know how many of these are still usable? Off the thread topic I realise but interesting none the less! :)
Great idea -- I shall ask to open a Brush and Canvases forum. "Must have a photo" thing is too uptight. An image is an image, right?
I'll say one last thing: in the past, changes like these were made with announcements and with proper feedback from the community. This has all been one-sided. So much for "nothing's going to change".
I'm not against change. I'm not, however, for contradictions.
run for your life, the viewfinder cameras without rangefinders are going to ruin everything!
That's right, read all my other posts carefully. I'm an unrepentant troll, only here to disturb all the precious photographers with slightly out of focus topic headlines.
Does using a rangefinder automatically make you an oversensitive politically correct curmudgeon and humor policeman?
Please don't hide behind the anti-politically correct argument.
The simple problem was the title was stated as a "declarative":
"You are insane...."
Yes, I find that offensive because it is presumptuous.
If you had stated:
"Are you insane....?"
You would have left the door open for Stephen G. to explain why he's created additional categories.
To confuse "politeness" with "politically correct" is a b.s. argument by someone who probably "knows better" but doesn't want to admit he's just been very rude!
I think you have lost your mind too.
CameraQuest
01-27-2007, 19:48
I think you have lost your mind too.
Guess what Plasmat?
Rudeness and personal attacks are not tolerated on this forum.
Stephen Gandy
schaubild
01-28-2007, 04:16
<hand up> One Bessa-L here. I wonder if anyone here has the Z-I SW or an Alpa 12.
I have even two of the Alpa's. Do I get my own category for them?? :)
Be easier if they were alphabetized. Also, I seem to lose where I have been but that is nothing new.
"Let's change the name to avoid confusing newcomers." jlw, with all due respect, how in the Wide.World.of.Sports will changing a site's name cut down on confusion? Have some rangefinder related forums been dropped? Is there less rangefinder information now? IMO, overwhelming majority of discussion at RFF has been and still is rangefinders.
I meant that suggestion seriously, not sarcastically. A "nostalgia camera forum" (and I'm going to loosely define a "nostalgia camera" as a type once popular but now not in widespread use -- scale-focusing VF cameras, folding cameras, and stereo cameras, for example) might have a lot of utility to people who wouldn't necessarily recognize something called Rangefinder Forum as the place to go for information.
For example, imagine the young photographer who inherited Grandpa's Rollei 35 and is trying to figure out where the battery goes -- if he's well-educated, he would recognize that the Rollei is not a rangefinder camera, so a forum specifically about rangefinder cameras might not be the first place that would occur to him to look for help with it.
As I said, this is not a change that would benefit me personally. I'm specifically interested in the rewards and challenges of rangefinder-camera photography. The rewards and challenges of using a scale-focusing camera are somewhat different, as are the types of photo opportunities you'd pursue with that type of camera. For example, I spend a lot of time holding my breath trying to squeeze off close-up "available-darkness" shots with an f/1.2 lens at ISO 1600; nobody would choose a scale-focusing Rollei 35 with its f/3.5 (or f/2.8) lens for that kind of picture-taking.
But when I conducted one of my recent surveys, I was surprised to find how few RFF members actually care about the rangefinder aspect of rangefinder-camera photography. Many people said they chose RF cameras because they prefer to use film, and/or do their photography the traditional, craft-oriented way, and/or because they like the compact size and feeling of old-fashioned craftsmanship, or whatever.
I choose and prefer RF cameras because viewing and focusing via a range/viewfinder makes it easier to get the kinds of pictures I want to make. A scale-focusing camera, an SLR, or a TLR just doesn't work as well (and I've tried them all!) Camera choice really is all about the rangefinder for me. But I'm willing to accept that that makes me a minority-group member here...
I have two problems with the new category schemes.
Firstly, I just wouldn't know where to put some cameras. For example, pretty much all Olympus or Yashica rangefinders are fixed-lens RFs, excepting a few rare bird which hardly anyone around here uses and which probably don't warrant their own forum. So where do I put this XA post now? Or the question about my Iskra or Moskva?
Secondly, I read RFF by reading the individual forums instead of the "New posts" feature, simply because there are too many people posting and I tend to miss posts. With the new category scheme, I'm going to miss a lot of posts by people who are just as confused as I am about which cameras go where.
I think a category scheme should offer a place for any camera that RFF is supposed to deal with. The new categories are good in this respect, but you can't do everything justice or you need Steinheil and Ansco and Tower forums as well. The system should also ensure that posts that deal with the same camera end up in the same forum so that you have a chance to see them all in one place. This is Stephen's site and he can decide what to do and where to go, but nevertheless I think the new scheme is a bit confusing and could do with some streamlining. There has to be a tradeoff between clarity and having separate categories for everything.
Philipp
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