Hi guys,
after reading this thread and thinking about similar threads in the past, I can't help noticing that there are some common arguments that keep being made again and again. I'm explicitly not excluding myself, if I think about my own contribution to similar threads in the past. So basically in order to make fun of myself I've made up a little form that can be used to summarise the most common arguments about Russian (Soviet, East German etc.) photo equipment - actually it's a translation of a German form I posted on a different site:
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rxmd's Communist Camera Discussion Summary Form, English version, v1.0
You are posting about [_] Soviet/[_] Russian/[_] East German photo equipment, in particular about __________.
The content of your post can be summarised as follows:
0. General line of argument
[_] 0.1 You are expressing a positive opinion
[_] 0.2 You are expressing a negative opinion
[_] 0.3 You are expressing a mixed opinion
[_] 0.4 You are not expressing an opinion, or saying something completely different
In particular, you are using the following arguments:
1. Arguments against
[_] 1.1 The camera is [_] unreliable/[_] ugly/[_] erratic/[_] has eaten my dog.
[_] 1.2 The lenses are [_] mediocre/[_] bad/[_] unacceptable.
.... [_] 1.2.1 This has been objectively proven, namely here: [
link]
[_] 1.3 In order to take pictures with it, the camera needs to be serviced all the time.
[_] 1.4 Cameras are for taking pictures and not for [_] tinkering around/[_] collecting.
[_] 1.5 It's [_] a copy/[_] a cheap knockoff of the __________.
[_] 1.6 Why not buy [_] the original/[_] an ________ instead - [_] that would get you something solid, [_] especially since analog photo equipment is so cheap nowadays anyway.
[_] 1.7 You get what you pay for.
2. Arguments in favour
[_] 2.1 [_]The/[_]My camera is [_] reliable/[_] beautiful/[_] consistent/[_] gives me a nice feeling when fondling it.
[_] 2.2 The lenses are [_] not bad/[_] good/[_] outstanding.
.... [_] 2.2.1 This has been objectively proven, namely here: [
link]
[_] 2.3 It's normal that old cameras have to be serviced now and then, and it's no different with a ______.
[_] 2.4 I like to [_] tinker/[_] collect.
[_] 2.5 You get the same problems with the original.
[_] 2.6 The camera is an [_] equivalent/[_] superior alternative to the ________, [_] moreover since I couldn't afford one on my [_] student/[_] hobbyist budget.
[_] 2.7 You otherwise simply won't get a complete set of equipment for a comparable price.
3. Other common arguments
[_] 3.1 My parent poster is [_] amazing/[_] weird/[_] competent/[_] incompetent/[_] an idiot/[_] ___________.
[_] 3.2 Go take pictures instead!
[_] 3.3 These threads are a bit repetitive.
.... [_] 3.3.1 Let's make a standard form for the most common arguments.
4. Other general characteristics
In addition to this outline of your argument, your post can be characterised as follows:
[_] 4.1 You are [ ] explicitly/[ ] obviously/[_] apparently relying on [_] your own experience/[_] a friend's experience/[_] hearsay/[_] a web site, namely [
link].
[_] 4.2 You have attached pictures to your posting, in order to demonstrate the following:
.... [_] This piece of equipment takes great pictures.
.... [_] This piece of equipment takes terrible pictures.
.... [_] There's something wrong with mine.
.... [_] Look at my [_] dog/[_] cat/[_] porch/[_] bookshelf/[_] offspring.
[_] 4.3 The content of your posting isn't new; it has been posted by [_] yourself/[_] _______ in the following location: [
link].
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