why is gear talk more popular than photo talk?

I suppose part of the 'problem' is that gear is something we can fiddle with and fondle whereas all we can do with a pic (if we didn't process it) is look at it.

Another part of the problem is not necassarily knowing what we are allowed to say about a pic, is it just "Yes, I like it" or "perhaps that bit could have been placed over there" or a 2 page essay on what we think of it?
 
mpaniagua said:
Just got a thought: Funny that a rangefinder forum has only one rangefinder related post on the homepage atm :)

Have a happy Valentine day


Edit.- Sorry there are two of them :) Missed Hologon post.

Marcelo
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What one day represents? Absolutely nothing in terms of accurate assumptions. :)

Hugs and Kisses,
Ko.
 
The thing is the forum has branched out due to two reasons... 1) mirrorless and 2) digital. You could argue that these two things have kept the forum relevant, but some will argue that it has ruined the forum. In many ways...for a few of us even, mirrorless digital has a similar spirit to RF cameras (vs. SLRs) when compared to DSLRs. To film diehards, this makes them want to puke in their mouths. In reality, we are very lucky in 2018... all film gear is still available and we have amazing digital cameras at all price points. It's a great time to be into gear.

On the other hand, photography seems to be at an all time low respect wise in many circles. Cell phones and social media have cheapened photography (or people's views on photography) while also making it accessible to everyone everywhere (a good thing). Photography has way too many uses and genres for everyone to agree on images. Any thread on a well known artist photographer is as divided as it can be with some claiming BS and others claiming genius. Art is not easy to understand. You have to buy into the gimmick a little and some people just don't like what is being sold.

It's easier to agree on gear.
 
Almost every forum related to photography I'm ware of is related to gear.
P.O.T.N. was Canon DSLRs forum and Nikon public was somewhere else.
APUG was film forum. It was even Canon 5DMKII forum for videogaphers and who knows what else.
It changed by becoming broader, like RFF now is about Fuji X, Ricoh GR and else photography closer to RF style.

From what I have seen on these forums I'm 100% sure what gear dictates the results on pictures. I'm still active on P.O.T.N. but I have zero interest in photos. So is the APUG. Too much of the photos taken with gear I'm not into.

Same for Instagram. I can't find anything interesting and appealing to look at. Pinkhassov included...

I'm free to make my choice where to look at for pictures. I'm finding RFF Gallery and rangefinder.ru Gallery to be in sync with my tune. I just like it.

And I just purchased my first book by Robert Frank. The Americans. It is in sync with me.
I wonder which camera he used for it. Lets google...
https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138203

The case is closed.
 
Thanks very much, Robert. To be honest, the problem, at least for me right now, is finding the time to provide useful responses in the recent threads for discussing fotos. That's because, a) I'm still so excited about finally being able to post my pix on RFF, and b) the toooo many assignments and exams I have to mark!
 
We have photos in RFF, the gallery, the various W/NW Words No Words threads, the thread pictures of the week and others.

When I find a photo interesting to me I always (ok not always but most of times) try to comment and explain why I find it good or interesting, the subject, the way to frame, to treatment or post processing. I believe this can be more constructive that only comment "great photo" or "I like it" with no idea of the reasons.

I would encourage other members to explain their opinions on the photo they like. In my opinion it would be an improvement.

robert
 
robert blu said:
We have photos in RFF, the gallery, the various W/NW Words No Words threads, the thread pictures of the week and others.

When I find a photo interesting to me I always (ok not always but most of times) try to comment and explain why I find it good or interesting, the subject, the way to frame, to treatment or post processing. I believe this can be more constructive that only comment "great photo" or "I like it" with no idea of the reasons.

I would encourage other members to explain their opinions on the photo they like. In my opinion it would be an improvement.

robert
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Robert, you contribute a lot to this forum. I should follow your example, but you're a tough act to follow!
 
Yes, Robert does what he does, and it is very constructive at RFF. For example, Robert's input encouraged me with using my Polaroid 250 camera.
 
You are too kind guys!

For me RFF is similar to a pub or a café where after work you stop and spend a little time to relax.
Sometimes you find people with interesting stories to share, other times not so much and you just sit down and relax.

But two things are sure about RFF: the amount of knowledge at your disposal when you need and the generally friendly atmosphere compared to other photo forums (probably plural is fora, not sure :) )

I stumbled in RFF when looking for info about the Epson RD1 which unfortunately I didn't buy. So it was gear related :)

robert
 
A few further thoughts:

Unless we take pictures just as a record, then whether we realise it or intend it or not, each photo is 'art' to some degree as it's a form of self expression about what we take a photo of.

I only half agree that 'gear' doesn't matter as if the 'gear' isn't capable of doing what we want then we can't take the pictures we want. I've yet to know of a professional who only uses an Agfa Super Solinette etc. they all use the gear necessary to get the shot.

Talking about gear can help us learn how to use it properly and help us take better pics, so talking about 'gear' isn't as 'bad' as some may think.
 
Visiting RFF for some discussions is quite relaxing to me, and I have posted many threads and have read/participated in many threads.

I have learned a lot about photography and also about some equipment here. For balance, I also visit a few other photo/camera websites, but my presence here accounts for about 95% of my photography website visits.

It is a great Cafe, as Robert called it. Some prefer a Cappuccino while others want Espresso.
 
I come here for gear talk.

As someone who joined just a few years ago, with a history of film SLR's from the 1970's, RFF was a treasure trove of information about the strange & fun world of rangefinder cameras.
(tongue in cheek warning) Now with the resurgence of film, get ready for tons of people with the same old questions.

jsrockit said:
Not much happening that is new in the world of rangefinders though...
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gear talk is more objective, more easily quantified

photo talk is totally subjective and not so much right or wrong

which is the better photographer
Capa or that snooty French guy who decided he wanted to be a painter?

good luck with that ....
 
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