My Future Reviews

S

Sean Reid

Guest
For well over a year now, I've been trying the balance the time I need to write my kind of reviews (usually quite detailed and in-depth) with the time I need to do the photography and other work that pays the bills and supports my family. In essence, I can't continue to write for free because it requires too much time and I have too many other responsibilities, two young daughters, etc.. I want to continue with my specific approach to reviewing and that approach requires a great deal of time and effort. All of the writing I've done for LL has been for free, as agreed, but I can't afford the time needed to keep working that way.

So...this fall I'm going to launch a subscription web site and the vast majority of my future reviews will be published there (only). I'm expecting to include at least ten reviews a year there but there may be many more. There will also be other kinds of articles geared to serious photographers (professional and amateur). I have a fairly good sense of the kinds of photographers who read me now and my content is going to be geared accordingly. As one might expect, there will be a particular emphasis on rangefinder-related reviews including a test of the full range of new Zeiss lenses (Leica mount), the Leica digital M and other pre-production or production digital rangefinders and lenses as they become available to me. I also expect to test the Leica R digital back and other Leica products as I have a particular interest in their cameras and lenses. And...if there is sufficient interest among site subscribers...I will be testing both film rangefinders and RF lenses on film bodies. In fact, the content of the site is going to be significantly influenced by the desires of the site subscribers. If a large number of site subscribers wish to see a certain product reviewed, I will make my best effort to write about it. There will no forums, just editorial content. Anyone who's read my reviews of the Epson R-D1, various lenses, the Leica Digilux 2, Olympus E-1, etc.. will have a sense of approach I'll take for reviews on this new site.

Other sites earn money through advertising but I'd prefer that my site have no advertising and be under no obligations (subtle as they may be) to advertisers. The site will be the result of a simple barter, my subscribers' payment (collectively) for my time and expense in creating content and running the site. Anyone interested is welcome to e-mail me.

Cheers,

Sean
 
Thanks Chuck, subscription will likely be $25/year.

Cheers,

Sean
 
I'm very interested. I'd also like to see some R-D1 specific tips, either in usage or post processing since you have so much experience with this camera and PS.

On another matter, if you get Epson's ear, please ask them when the Mac users will get a standalone Epson Raw program.

CM
 
CM,

Thanks. I did raise the issue of PhotoRAW for the Mac with Epson product manager Phil Amato and it was supposed to have gone on the "to do" list. I'll try to remember to mention it again the next time I speak with him.

Han,

Thanks. The primary content of the site will be reviews of cameras and lenses, but I may, additionally, take it in various other directions as well (various ideas are percolating).

Cheers,

Sean
 
Sounds interesting. For what my opinion's worth, I would suggest you add a bulletin board to the site, though. It costs a minimal amount to maintain, and that way you'd encourage people's own follow-ups, feedback and user reports, which would encourace people to visit the site more often.
 
Jorge OK'd an announcement from me about this...

I've just launched this afternoon and anyone who subscribes this week will have a subscription that runs through 12/31/06. The first piece up right now is a short essay on small-sensor cameras which I hope will be interesting to all kinds of photographers. That piece will be followed by a full review of the Canon 5D sometime before December 10 (hopefully sooner). Scheduled to come in for testing in December are the Leica R9/DMR with various lenses, the Zeiss Ikon with various ZM lenses and the 1Ds Mark II. See the site home page for other planned articles.

Rangefinder cameras (digital or otherwise) don't seem to be a high priority at most of the major review sites. I will be covering rangefinder cameras and lenses extensively because I happen to love them. Sometime soon, I'll be writing an article on how the R-D1 has held up to a year of professional use and travel. Included in that will be discussions of things I've learned using the camera over the past year.

I will be doing my best to make this site unique and worth reading. It can be found at http://www.reidreviews.com

Cheers,

Sean
 
Last edited by a moderator:
As a recently rangefinder lover/convert (My 20D and good collection of "L"glass has been collecting dust for a while now), and considering my purchase in a near future of the RD-1 (we will have to blame you on that one Sean....) include me among the interested. I´ve enjoyed your frank,clear and un-biassed aproach to reviews, and look foward to read your future work.

Thanks and keep it coming.
ERIK.
 
Last edited:
Thanks very much Erik. Feel free to subscribe whenever you'd like.

Cheers,

Sean
 
Back
Top Bottom