Are we doing the right thing?

Maybe it is just me, but I think I see a decrease in forum postings on TDP. I hope I am wrong. We should promote TDP and its value on other sites, to new camera enthusiasts.

There is no other site I have ever heard of that has the LENS COMPARISONS that TDP has. And the un-biased body reviews too. What a RESOURCE.

When you buy something from B&H or ADORAMA, are you doing it thru TDP?

I try to spread this site around on other sites whenever I can. Is eveyone else doing so too? Any time you see the 1,000,000,000th time someone asks how lens X looks vs. lens Y, who do you refer them to?? The TOOLS section of TDP?

Not getting preachy, here, I hope. Just supporting something I think gives value to people. Happy new years, friends!

It is a good thought and reminder that when purchasing from Adorama, B&H, and Amazon, clicking through TDP icons is a great way to support the site. Linking back to TDP is always a good idea as my understanding is that is one way a site builds clout in search engines. But I did a few random searches and TDP is still on the first page. I do both when appropriate.

Regarding the posting slow down, first off, I agree. I've noticed a small down turn of new people asking about lens choices...not huge, as there have been a few. I am not sure why this is. There has been a small down turn in the pros on TDP for awhile, but they are several that are still around as I can see them posting when something interests them. The biggest down turn I've seen in the last few months is from regulars, but that has happened every winter that I've followed the forum. I've always attributed it to weather and the holidays.

So, I didn't find your post preachy...it is a good reminder to do such things and I think we all agree, this is a great forum.

I have certainly brought many people to the site and have even conference called with a friend using the resolution tools. I miss Dan Browning's knowledge he has been rare since moving to Nikon.

I have benefited greatly from the expertise on the site, beyond the technical expertise. The spirit of helpfulness of the TDP'ers is simply not found anywhere else exceedingly few flames and wonderful apologies the one or two times it happened - even a TDP'er will have a bad - just less common than most.

I am hoping the slow down is that people are out taking pics and enjoying their equipment and sharing images, etc.

My perception is that there was a leap in technology 2 years ago or so, and lots of the tech was robustly reviewed and debated (sensor resolution mostly) I am wondering if people are searching the site for the answers to the questions before asking them and making use of the wealth info in the historical archives?

I enjoy the discussions of the TDP community, the questions, answers, and insights - even though I don't have a lot of time to push the shutter button, I can relive some of those moments with the discussion groups here.

Honestly, the quality level of images posted here is quite high compared to most sites. Maybe I should post more pictures here too, but you want them to be representative of the site's quality. Before I post anything here I want tho make sure they must be really good!

Dave

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Originally Posted by Dave Throgmartin

Honestly, the quality level of images posted here is quite high compared to most sites. Maybe I should post more pictures here too, but you want them to be representative of the site's quality. Before I post anything here I want tho make sure they must be really good!

Dave

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Agreed.....but a person can contribute a lot more than just images and one is always free to ask for help with problem images or how to improve. I hope no one is being intimidated by the images already posted as I really do learn a lot from studying other people's work.

I have not posted much lately mostly because work, weather, short daylight hours and holidays have consumed my time. I still read the forum daily and I do try to spread the word about this site as it is unusually nice.

Maybe if the posters here would spread more rumors, flame a bit more, be hyper critical of everyone’s posts and work then offer veiled criticism we could get a few more posters and be as popular as some other sites. Don't forget we would also need at least one if not two grammar police (I had a word other than police but it was a bit offensive).
You can increase the post count on the forum by just disagreeing with one part of a persons comment and picking on it. Their overall point can be valid, you just have to debate the small minute points in their post and try and show they do not understand what they are talking about.

But then the threads stay fairly civil here, and it is probably why some of us prefer this site. It is not the dark side of the forum scene.

There will be a seasonal downturn due to holidays, but also due to less light, less wildlife, increase hassle just getting outside in winter. I know it's summer down under, but there's far fewer members from the southern hemisphere.

I limit my number of posts because I expect there's a limit to the number of shots of Bella and Zuni that the general public is willing to put up with. :) For example, I had a third day of dogsled photos, but didn't think anybody would miss them, and some might be annoyed at seeing yet more of the same.

I also tend not to post many "great shot" and "+1" type posts. I find reading a forum filled with 90% of posts like that can get annoying. I tend not to have any in-depth critique to add, so no posts. I also worry about my lack of "great shot" type posts, because when I get them I appreciate them, and I'm depriving you guys of that. I honestly do like many shots posted here, but only comment of a few extra remarkable ones. It would be nice if we could +1 or "like" a post if we enjoyed the pictures, or learned a valuable insight, so we could show appreciation without worrying about clogging up the forum.

David, I don't think you have to worry about clogging the forum. The OP's point about the forum is correct. Over the last few months it has gotten very slow on the forums.

I say keep posting the Bella and Zuni photo's. Those who are not interested will just click out of the thread. Those of us who have never even seen a dog sled will keep on viewing.

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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

Maybe if the posters here would spread more rumors, flame a bit more, be hyper critical of everyone’s posts and work then offer veiled criticism we could get a few more posters and be as popular as some other sites. Don't forget we would also need at least one if not two grammar police (I had a word other than police but it was a bit offensive).
You can increase the post count on the forum by just disagreeing with one part of a persons comment and picking on it. Their overall point can be valid, you just have to debate the small minute points in their post and try and show they do not understand what they are talking about.

But then the threads stay fairly civil here, and it is probably why some of us prefer this site. It is not the dark side of the forum scene.

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I think I know which forum you are talking about :) and while I do read over there, I prefer to post images and contribute over here. Quality before quantity. Btw TDP is referenced quite often over there.
The decline in posts is only temporary and seasonal I think.
I do spread the word about TDP as often as I can. Maybe we should also share/like TDP articles on social media when there are new reviews or relevant news.

I've been using TDP for years for reviews of lenses and equipment, I think it is probably the most comprehensive website in that regard, but somehow didn't know about the forum until a few months ago. I started reading some threads and it seemed like a civilized and self moderated forum that I'd like to be a part of, so I joined. The maturity level around here is great. I've done a lot of browsing the net looking for reviews on stuff, and very often a link to something on TDP pops up on other forums, but usually are pointing to lens reviews or the ISO standard crops, not too much points back to the forum.

Hi, I first discovered The Digital Picture when I was considering buying the T1i and googled "Canon T1i review". This was late 2009. Since some time after I purchased the camera (around spring 2010) I've been a member of the forum. I've posted some photos, participated in some discussions and I've also made some "+1 posts". Still I haven't been very active on the forum. The main reason for this is the language obstacle - I'm Swedish, and even if I'm usually able to make myself understood in English it's still my second language. For me it requires a lot more effort to write something in English than in Swedish (I suppose native English speakers can get a hint of it if you consider posting something in French, Spanish or whatever your second language is). However I'm quite fond of this forum and I hope it will remain online with its positive attitude for many more years. I'll keep making my sporadic posts and hope my presence (and my probably somewhat weird English) is OK with all (or most).

BTW - I know of at least three photography interested Swedish friends that I introduced to TDP. They regularly read what's written here (news section as well as forum), but they're not comfortable enough with written English to post something themselves. I suppose the world is crowded with people like them - people that read much of what we all write but hesitate to say something themselves. That alone justifies the existence of this forum, and I'd love to see it rising in popularity/posting frequency. I'll try my best to contribute during 2013, but I honestly count on you Americans/Englishmen/Australians etc to continue making this forum worthwhile. Enough said - now I should go back to working on my contribution to "post your best of 2012".

Finally - to any American who may be interested in hockey - congrats to the win in the Junior World Championship! The Swedish guys were actually quite close to a draw in the third period, but the US victory was quite fair and undisputable. Maybe next year...

For me this is the only photography site I frequent. Look at a few others time to time, but find people in forums and site reviews most suited to me right here.

As mentioned above, Holidays keep me away from computer and posting, and short winter days keep me from getting out and taking many pictures. (I have about 7hrs daylight right now)

I don't know others locally who are into photography, but when I find someone i tell them of this site.

Just liked the site on facebook as well, maybe it will help draw more in.

New camera(7d) and lens(17-55) should be here next week, I'll likely be posting more soon.. but I don't want to post just for the sake of posting

Still learning, I find this forum helpful with realistic advice. I read a few other forums and find that the advice there can get very opinionated at times. In life, there is usually 100 ways to do everything and it seems to me at least, that folks here try to understand your goals and offer some advice to help you get there. Other forums tend to be "this is how I do it and everyone else is wrong". I do like the slower pace and more family like atmosphere and I hope to be able to contribute more down the line. Hopefully this can be a more active forum without losing the spirit that makes it special.

Eric

Yeah, i've definitely noticed the slowdown too, but i don't really take it as a bad thing, and i'm probably contributing to it as well. As most of you may know by now I bought my first house a few months back, and working on it has taken up most of my time recently, it's not finished by a long short (you can probably hear my missus whingeing about my unfinished path from here). That and cleaning up the farm we were house-sitting for the last year, and my missus kicking the tenants out of her flat and doing it up to sell as well didn't help things. So all forms of photography have taken a back seat for me, with the exception of continually buying more and more crap off ebay.
Just for an example, when I take pics off my 7D, i dump the RAW into a folder called 'new', then go to dpp/wine and batch-process to jpeg for triage and deletion, then I sort them into folders by event or location or whatever. That folder is now 1000 photos big, oldest unsorted photo is October 1st. I've got photos from a few gigs, my Aunty's 50th wedding anniversary, 2 bucks' days and 3 weddings to go through. (don't worry, I was just in the audience at the weddings). And that's not counting all the film i've been shooting lately, which takes longer to batch-scan for triage and re-scan with wet-mounting at full-res, then curves and sharpen etc.

But I still come around, mostly when I'm at work or weekends. Problem is that at work I keep my browser window small so people can't see what i'm doing that's not work, so I only read the text and can't look at all the 'best' photos fullsize, only when I get home if I have time. So I only really respond to text-discussions when I can.
Anyway, in 2 months I've got a friend coming out from NL to visit here, we're going to drive the Great Ocean Road to Tasmania and back. Already I'm thinking I might need a few new CF cards, or rebuild my laptop and take a spare hdd. I'm already trying to decide on cameras, the 7D, 8-16, Samyang 35, 70-300L are a must, probably the Bessa L and 21mm Skopar, and maybe the Mamiya 645 and Flektogon 50mm, plus a whole bucketload of Velvia 50 in an esky (might need a new esky or there won't be any room for food). So you can all expect a lot of spamming of wonderful Australian Landscapes about this time next year when I get to process them all...

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Originally Posted by cls

The main reason for this is the language obstacle - I'm Swedish, and even if I'm usually able to make myself understood in English it's still my second language. For me it requires a lot more effort to write something in English than in Swedish

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For what it's worth, and not to downplay the considerable effort it may require, your English reads better than most everyone else's on this site :)

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Originally Posted by DavidEccleston

I also tend not to post many "great shot" and "+1" type posts. I find reading a forum filled with 90% of posts like that can get annoying. I tend not to have any in-depth critique to add, so no posts. I also worry about my lack of "great shot" type posts, because when I get them I appreciate them, and I'm depriving you guys of that. I honestly do like many shots posted here, but only comment of a few extra remarkable ones. It would be nice if we could +1 or "like" a post if we enjoyed the pictures, or learned a valuable insight, so we could show appreciation without worrying about clogging up the forum.

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It would be great if we could add something like "like" or "comment" on a photo where it doesn't become part of the main thread but rather a subdirectory. Not sure if that is possible. While I do some "+1" and "really wicked awesome photo" comments, I actually hold back for the reasons that you mention. It is one nice thing about also being in contact with many on TDP on flickr. I can hop over there and comment without clogging TDP threads.

Since getting into photography last year I have found TDP to be an invaluable source of information. The knowledge gained from this site was invaluable in making my hardware decisions. The information Bryan provides forced me to think beyond my primary interests and factor in decision points that I was not even aware of before reading his reviews. Same goes for the forum, so much talent here and the depth of the knowledge base is unreal. The only other site I check daily is POTN, but the size of that site is very intimidating for a newbie like me. Makes me appreciate this site even more.

I haven't posted much to the site as of yet, mainly because I feel that I'm just getting to the point of having something worthwhile to contribute. I fully expect that to change and my plan is to get more involved and make TDP my first and last stop of the day. All sites wax and wane to some degree I guess, but this community shows heart and seems to have a solid group supporting it. I only see good things to come.

Dave

My subject matter has decreased due to the winter months and I don't really get out that much. That being said, I do check the site regularly and enjoy reading the new stuff. There is a very intimidating amount of awesome work posted here. For those who are intimidated to post, everyone started out learning and it takes practice and learning from others to get better. Post your photos and enjoy!

Maybe the reason it has slowed down is that everyone is switching to Nikon.
After all they do make better cameras than Canon.
At least that is the rumor I heard.

Heard the same rumor and have to admit that I did give the Nikon D7000, D300s and D600 a serious go. None could hold a candle to the Canon's I tried out (60D, 7D, 5D Mark II) and the distortion on the highly touted Nikkor 18-200mm VR was a real shocker. But then again, I haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in many moons. :rolleyes:

My EOS 5D2 / EF 24-105mm combo makes me happy, happy, happy! :)

Ha...I was amazed no one picked up on your last post to this thread.....

But, come on, if you want to do the nikon fanboy thing, at least talk about how DXO has rated the Sonikon sensor at 110 (thousand) out of 100 :p

Just so you know, you are wrong, haven't a clue and Minolta is going to make a huge come back and take over the dSLR market....true story, I heard it from camera salesman at Camera's R Us who talked to a Canon Rep in Laos.

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Originally Posted by Kayaker72

Ha...I was amazed no one picked up on your last post to this thread.....

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:) It really has gotten slow here.....

Don't forget to that somewhere in the world Nikon outsold Canon. Also Canon made less than a billion dollars last quarter and may be in bankruptcy someday.
Also they keep releasing lenses I do not want, and if I do not want them others may not either. I have no use for the new 24-70mm f/4 or the 35mm f/2.
What were they thinking?

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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

....What were they thinking?

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I KNOW!!!

And the copy to copy variability lensrentals found with 24-70 f/2.8 II is horrendous, the fact that it doesn't have IS is unforgiveable and they can't deliver anything on time since the earthquake (wait, that much is true ;))

I have switched to Nikon 5 times....since lunch......

:D thats the line I can't go any farther and bad mouth my new 24-70 f/2.8 II. Sure there are some issues with QC but....it is an awesome lens....
I am convinced, I am not switching.....

I just can't believe what I was thinking about giving up over a few mp.

you guys have been spending too much time on the other side :eek:
or not enough, because you have not mentioned Dxo Score or Dynamic Range yet

Ok...good place to draw the line....

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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

I just can't believe what I was thinking about giving up over a few mp.

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I was actually hoping that Daniel would post more photos showing what it is capable of. As I would be swaping out my EFS lenses anyways, I'd probably take a quick look at the D800 if I were to go FF.

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Originally Posted by ahab1372

you guys have been spending too much time on the other side :eek:
or not enough, because you have not mentioned Dxo Score or Dynamic Range yet

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Maybe ;)
....but it does show how quickly the posts can add up if you just post conjecture, opinion, etc.....

Granted, I don't want to pick on any one site...maybe a few threads within one site...but I do look at a couple of sites and learn things from each one....but, TDP is by far my favorite.

@cls Your English is very good ...

Hi everyone,
I also did a Google search, '60D review', Im new to the-digital-picture but not to photography,Im just relearning everything all over again ...
I got lost in Reviews, Tools, News, Galleries, Community, Site Index and could not find my way back to your forums easily, if I hadent previously bookmarked it, I would still be looking.
Im not sure why the forums are slow, but it isnt the time of year ...

My posts and replies have been less recently because of personal things going on. This time of year probably promotes more of those "things" than any other.

I still get a kick out of every +1 or great shot that is directed my way and any indepth CC is always appreciated and on this site I know is aways meant with the best intentions.
You get what you are prepared to put in and I think any encouragement offered to contributors new or old is the fastest way of increasing contributions and therefore the exposure of this site.
However I do shake my head at some people that make their first post a "For sale" post, but that's probably just me. I contribute to one other site, where the comments are a lot more incisive, but my contributions are very low there, but I'm working on it. But this is my favourite and the site that I will try harder to encourage more contributors.

The friendly, good natured banter between Rick and Brant is always a good laugh, but I think they should both stop pretending that they aren't Nikon spies trying to get us all to embrace the dark side.:p

This was the first photography forum I joined after getting my first DSLR. I'm sharing and talking less, and shooting more. Been a good year for me.

But I came back. Have a feeling I always will. Love this site.