RFF - Let’s Not Lose Focus!

[splitimageview]

Hi everyone,

We just want to share a little reminder. One of the things many of us love about this forum is that it’s a place where we can focus on photography (and of course, gear!) and leave the heavier topics of the day at the door. With that in mind, we’ve decided that political posts won’t be approved here, no matter what “side” they may lean toward.

This isn’t because politics don’t matter (of course they do!), but because we all come here for something different — to talk Leica, Sonnar, Zeiss, lighting, street, composition, among many other topics, and to catch a nice break from the noise elsewhere.

Think of this place as a cozy coffee shop where the only debates allowed are “rangefinder vs. SLR” and “RAW vs. JPEG.” 😀

The moderators will step in when needed to keep things on track, whether that means editing, deleting, or locking a thread. Please remember we are volunteers who give their time to keep the forum welcoming. We’d much rather spend our time away from heated discussions, playing referee in political scrums.

We are grateful to all of you for helping keep this space positive and fun. Thanks for understanding and for continuing to make this community one that people look forward to visiting.

Happy shooting!

@splitimageview @Sonnar Brian @CameraQuest @rover @Doug

ADMIN EDIT

RFF would not exist without its volunteer moderators. Forum moderating is difficult because any action generates both agreement and disagreement.
Its a task that takes a lot of time and a lot of effort with very few acknowledgements of appreciation or understanding.

Mods keep RFF working, every day solving member's problems of one sort or another.

Lastly we have once again proved that Politics (or anything close to it) is a good thing to avoid at RFF before tempers flare.
Its easier to avoid Politics to begin with than cleaning up afterward.

Best to Everyone,

Stephen

 

[former member]

Thank you for posting this, and thanks to all for their support.

 

[bcostin]

Thank you!

 

[dexdog]

to catch a nice break from the noise elsewhere.

Well said. This is why I have been following this site for over 20 years.

 

[Mos6502]

Extremely disappointing.
While I understand that a handful of our members are not mature enough to handle discussions of current events without embarrassing themselves, I don't see why the majority of us have to shut up to keep them happy. If they don't like it they can always just not click on a thread, or add a person that makes them uncomfortable to their ignore list.

I suppose I will log off for a few years and return when the world is sane again.

 

[deadrangefinder76]

Roger that !cool!

Thanks! hang loose!

 

[Darthfeeble]

Excellent idea. Much appreciated

 

[CMur12]

I agree.

Even if you forgot to reference Minolta Autocords, Mamiya TLRs, and lesser brands like Rolleiflex. 😎

- Murray

 

[KeithH]

Completely agree. 👍

 

[sojournerphoto]

I’m fine with this. But n line discussion too easily descends into accusation and unpleasant behaviour, often between people who would be friends with a good natured disagreement in real life.

This doesn’t stop people’s character or even views from shining through and in today’s polarised line world a little peace is a good thing.

You forget to mention the EVIL viewfinders - or perhaps they are banned too😉

 

[sojournerphoto]

I

Extremely disappointing.
While I understand that a handful of our members are not mature enough to handle discussions of current events without embarrassing themselves, I don't see why the majority of us have to shut up to keep them happy. If they don't like it they can always just not click on a thread, or add a person that makes them uncomfortable to their ignore list.

I suppose I will log off for a few years and return when the world is sane again.

I chose to leave the only other forum I participated in when a question I asked in a political discussion was met with a tirade of, entirely unfounded, accusation. It just wasn't worth the effort to either call it out or to continue. Since then that particular forum has descended into continuous self-reinforcing one-sidedness.

Online with people you don’t have to face is a poor place for political discussion.

 

[CMur12]

I would rather not even know the political leanings of my fellow forum members. I come here to flee that. I just want to relate to others here as fellow photographers, with the good will of that common interest.

- Murray

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I got warnings on Reddit for providing the statistics instead of virtual signaling to the left.
Now this...
Mama Russia would never let me go...

Photography is about associations, which igniting conversations. Rangefinder photography, real one is about life, not bimbos, dogs and flowers, cheesy landscapes.
Opening thread demanding to free Palestine is one thing, talking about photos from demonstration event is another.

 

[p.giannakis]

Extremely disappointing.
While I understand that a handful of our members are not mature enough to handle discussions of current events without embarrassing themselves, I don't see why the majority of us have to shut up to keep them happy. If they don't like it they can always just not click on a thread, or add a person that makes them uncomfortable to their ignore list.

I suppose I will log off for a few years and return when the world is sane again.

I really enjoy your contribution and photos you post in here - I really hope you'll change your mind and stay 🙏

 

[Yokosuka Mike]

If people got something to say, say it with photographic images, not with meaningless or hurtful divisive words.

Photographers tell their story through/with images. Sometimes that requires digging deep within one's self to find the pictures to tell one's story.

And, for the record, I like pictures of dogs, flowers, cheesy landscapes and all the rest. I find the word "bimbo" offensive.

All the best,
Mike

 

[splitimageview]

Extremely disappointing.
While I understand that a handful of our members are not mature enough to handle discussions of current events without embarrassing themselves, I don't see why the majority of us have to shut up to keep them happy. If they don't like it they can always just not click on a thread, or add a person that makes them uncomfortable to their ignore list.

I suppose I will log off for a few years and return when the world is sane again.

That's actually the entire purpose of this policy! To keep some measure of sanity here in an insane world.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts—honestly, we understand where you’re coming from. We know that most members here are thoughtful, respectful, and fully capable of discussing current events maturely. The tricky part is that political discussions, no matter how well-intentioned, tend to spiral and often end up making members at the least uncomfortable or even drive them away from the forum. We’ve seen this happen again and again, and it’s never something we want for anyone here.

Our goal is definitely not to silence anyone or play favorites. We simply care about keeping this a welcoming space for all our members—regardless of their perspective. When things get heated, it starts to alienate both sides, and suddenly it’s not about photography anymore, but a debate that leaves people feeling excluded or even worse, members pitting themselves against other members. That’s something we genuinely want to avoid.

Another major factor is our moderators. We are all volunteers who dedicate time to keeping the forum friendly and organized. People who donate their time because they enjoy discussing hobbyist-collector-enthusiast photo topics shouldn’t have to spend that time “refereeing” the kinds of arguments that political topics almost always spark. It’s hard enough to keep up with all the photo gear controversies, not to mention the time and effort preventing spam posts! 😀

We really hope you’ll stick around and continue sharing your photography and ideas here. If nothing else, we wish you happy shooting and hope you’ll stop by anytime for a bit of creative escape.

 

[boojum]

The just decision. Thank you so very much.

 

[ellisson]

Agree with this policy. But recall, the post that re-ignited this issue of politics in matters of camera gear was from CameraQuest regarding cancellation of camera shipments. It was quite natural to contribute our thoughts about those cancellations and the source. It was going to be political by its very nature. This is the world we live in, like it or not.

 

[das]

Agree with this policy. But recall, the post that re-ignited this issue of politics in matters of camera gear was from CameraQuest regarding cancellation of camera shipments. It was quite natural to contribute our thoughts about those cancellations and the source. It was going to be political by its very nature. This is the world we live in, like it or notIs

Just a question for clarification -- so, are we not allowed to talk about the substantial effect of the tariffs on the photography hobby because that discussion would be "political" in nature and/or would foreseeably lead to "political" discussions? But if Kodak or Sony decided to raise its prices 200% overnight, that would be fair game, right? I do not see how the cost of photography, regardless of its cause, would not be an appropriate conversation topic, one that people who are not affected by it are free to ignore.

 

[tbhv55]

This is getting a little silly, IMO. The thread which prompted this one was started by the Head Bartender, and the subject matter was the effect of a specific policy upon the equipment-buying photographer. On a forum about cameras and photography, I would have thought this a valid discussion point.

I find it hard to believe that it is considered beyond the members of this forum to conduct a sensible, restrained, and polite discussion on such a subject. If a thread starts to stray into uncomfortable territory, then the mods can lock it. I don't see the problem.