I miss this place!

Hi all,

Been a long time since I posted in here. To be completely honest, I am fed up with the Nikon forums! You guys and gals don't know how good you have it here. I used to be a pretty regular poster here as I owned the wonderful 5D (my first DSLR) and then moved up to the 7D. It was here and dyxum that taught me so much! People were not afraid to post and give critiques. We all talked about what the new camera would be, but it never got into "bashing" the other brands. Yes there were a lot of concerns when Sony came along and many people bailed (yes, I am one of them) but as we know now, Sony is a serious player. Even still, there was no "hate"....like there is in the Nikon and Canon forums lately. I can't believe how many posts there are about the D300 vrs the Canon 40D and how much venom is spewed. I mean some of these posts would break out into full blown fist fights if they were in person! YUK! Even if you go into the D3 and MrkIII "pro" forums, it is much the same! (check it out!) Now I am not saying you guys were perfect (When I left and made a post saying as much, it went to 150 posts, then I was told to "just leave" which I did...for the most part...) but most of you were so helpful that I still came here to lurk/learn after switching to Nikon gear. I have learned that no matter what tool you are using, learn it well and practice. Follow people who are better than you. Strive for perfection and share your knowledge to those getting into the hobby. Look at others peoples photos...study composition, lighting, and their feelings they generate. Sounds basic right? Well you can no longer do that there....and that is why I am back looking around here!

So, if you don't mind hearing from a Nikon shooter talking about PHOTOS, every once in a while...

And if you want to talk gear, thats OK too as long as there is no bashing and "smack talk"!

Thanks for your time, and happy shooting!
--
Brian

Nikon D300 & D200, 200-400 f4 VR, 70-200 2.8 VR, 105 VR macro, SB800, Tamron 17-50 2.8 Sigma 10-20. Panasonic DMC-fx01
My picture page:
http://www.pbase.com/cleanmaxx_brian/

My 91 Nissan Sentra SE-R
http://www.jbl.com/car/featured/installs/sentra.aspx

Hi Brian,

I also miss the group of people that made up this forum. As you I moved on to another brand and find that while I'm thrilled with my equipment I do not post very often in the canon or nikon forums.
Having said that, Happy Holidays to everyone.
wj
--
various cameras

Brian,

I know what you mean about the nikon forum, a bunch of barracudas. Check out The Nikon Cafe for friendlier treatment.
http://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/index.php
--

'A man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on.'
Winston Churchill

Brian,

Welcome BACK! I sent you a few emails two weeks ago... Not sure if they went through but I'm glad you're posting again. I've got to stop by one day and show you the A700 and show you how your two lenses have been holding up 100-300mm APO and the 50mm Macro...

That D300 sure must be sweet in YOUR hands!

cleanmaxx brian said:

Hi all,
Been a long time since I posted in here. To be completely honest, I
am fed up with the Nikon forums! You guys and gals don't know how
good you have it here. I used to be a pretty regular poster here as I
owned the wonderful 5D (my first DSLR) and then moved up to the 7D.
It was here and dyxum that taught me so much! People were not afraid
to post and give critiques. We all talked about what the new camera
would be, but it never got into "bashing" the other brands. Yes there
were a lot of concerns when Sony came along and many people bailed
(yes, I am one of them) but as we know now, Sony is a serious player.

Click to expand...

--
-Alex

From the minds of Minolta to the imagination of Sony, Alpha, like no other.

http://www.pbase.com/lonewolf69

This forum is more like a Kuan Yin temple compared to those ultra popular forums. Gads

There seems to be a little more forgive and forget. Probably has something to do with age and memory loss though. he he

Schwany said:

This forum is more like a Kuan Yin temple compared to those ultra
popular forums. Gads

There seems to be a little more forgive and forget. Probably has
something to do with age and memory loss though. he he

Click to expand...

Less of a warzone than the other forums.

There are no new KM cameras, so we have nothing to talk about on that front, or to compare to. Which is sad, but also great in a way. Because we can spend time looking at peoples work, ideas, and most of all worrying about photography, rather than mine is bigger than yours debates ;-)

I know what I prefer..

--



Clint is on holiday! Soon to return! ;-)

Barry Fitzgerald said:

Schwany said:

This forum is more like a Kuan Yin temple compared to those ultra
popular forums. Gads

There seems to be a little more forgive and forget. Probably has
something to do with age and memory loss though. he he

Click to expand...

Less of a warzone than the other forums.

There are no new KM cameras, so we have nothing to talk about on that
front, or to compare to. Which is sad, but also great in a way.
Because we can spend time looking at peoples work, ideas, and most of
all worrying about photography, rather than mine is bigger than yours
debates ;-)

I know what I prefer..

Click to expand...

I would agree, it's nice to see a few of the old timers dropping in. It's unfortunate the Sony SLR forum is turning into a Canikon type forum.
--
Shawn

Howdy Mr Lonewolf
I don't think I got your e-mails...use cleanmaxxbrian at gmail dot com.

The D300 is a very nice camera...finally I can use ISO 800 again! One of the many things I missed from my Minolta gear.

Ooooo you got a A700!!! I played with one at the Photo Expo at the Javits Center with a grip and that 16-80 lens. Now that felt great! I love bigger cameras...everything I owned after the 5D has a grip. My buddy who was sticking up his nose at the Sony got to hold it too and was...gulp! Impressed! I told him some of the great features that were carried over from the Minolta (No stupid top LCD, being able to make changes without going into ANY menus, and the eye start etc...) and that this company is a real contender. I was also VERY happy to see the "Minolta Shrine" that had such classics as the 7000 film body, the Beercan, and other cool pieces of history.

I really wish Sony was faster to the field with that A700...I surely would have stayed. (I would also have a much fatter wallet!)

lonewolf69 said:

Welcome BACK! I sent you a few emails two weeks ago... Not sure if
they went through but I'm glad you're posting again. I've got to
stop by one day and show you the A700 and show you how your two
lenses have been holding up 100-300mm APO and the 50mm Macro...

That D300 sure must be sweet in YOUR hands!

cleanmaxx brian said:

Hi all,
Been a long time since I posted in here. To be completely honest, I
am fed up with the Nikon forums! You guys and gals don't know how
good you have it here. I used to be a pretty regular poster here as I
owned the wonderful 5D (my first DSLR) and then moved up to the 7D.
It was here and dyxum that taught me so much! People were not afraid
to post and give critiques. We all talked about what the new camera
would be, but it never got into "bashing" the other brands. Yes there
were a lot of concerns when Sony came along and many people bailed
(yes, I am one of them) but as we know now, Sony is a serious player.

Click to expand...

--
-Alex

From the minds of Minolta to the imagination of Sony, Alpha, like no
other.

http://www.pbase.com/lonewolf69

Click to expand...

--
Brian

Nikon D300 & D200, 200-400 f4 VR, 70-200 2.8 VR, 105 VR macro, SB800, Tamron 17-50 2.8 Sigma 10-20. Panasonic DMC-fx01
My picture page:
http://www.pbase.com/cleanmaxx_brian/

My 91 Nissan Sentra SE-R
http://www.jbl.com/car/featured/installs/sentra.aspx

Hi Shawn,

Yup...as the new cameras come out and people find how close they are in specs and performance, it seems everybody has to defend their purchase decision.

And God forbid someone goes into the forum without a long history of posts in there...instant TROLL!

imarollingstone said:

Barry Fitzgerald said:

Schwany said:

This forum is more like a Kuan Yin temple compared to those ultra
popular forums. Gads

There seems to be a little more forgive and forget. Probably has
something to do with age and memory loss though. he he

Click to expand...

Less of a warzone than the other forums.

There are no new KM cameras, so we have nothing to talk about on that
front, or to compare to. Which is sad, but also great in a way.
Because we can spend time looking at peoples work, ideas, and most of
all worrying about photography, rather than mine is bigger than yours
debates ;-)

I know what I prefer..

Click to expand...

I would agree, it's nice to see a few of the old timers dropping in.
It's unfortunate the Sony SLR forum is turning into a Canikon type
forum.
--
Shawn

Click to expand...

--
Brian

Nikon D300 & D200, 200-400 f4 VR, 70-200 2.8 VR, 105 VR macro, SB800, Tamron 17-50 2.8 Sigma 10-20. Panasonic DMC-fx01
My picture page:
http://www.pbase.com/cleanmaxx_brian/

My 91 Nissan Sentra SE-R
http://www.jbl.com/car/featured/installs/sentra.aspx

There are two "A" mount forums here. this one and the Sony one.... I have maintained that this forum is much less hostile, there are no chest beaters here, no "In your Face" discussions , and most of all no "Know it all's " or no been there done that people... we almost lost this forum with 5 days of lonely threads on the first page... A few of us have tried to breath new life into this forum, and it seems to be working.. I have maintained all along that anyone is welcome here, Some of us have upgraded to the A700 and are encouraging other mature members to post here. I hope that as the Sony stable develops further, that those folks can come here and discuss the latest of A mount offerings. Every review seems to say that Sony has used the DNA from the 7D to develop their new camera line. It is evident when you pick up an A700 that it feels and looks and acts like a Minolta camera.
--
Capturing memories
Bill
USA



Please visit my Gallery at:
http://evil-twin.smugmug.com/

EvilOne said:

There are two "A" mount forums here. this one and the Sony one.... I
have maintained that this forum is much less hostile, there are no
chest beaters here, no "In your Face" discussions , and most of all
no "Know it all's " or no been there done that people... we almost
lost this forum with 5 days of lonely threads on the first page... A
few of us have tried to breath new life into this forum, and it seems
to be working.. I have maintained all along that anyone is welcome
here, Some of us have upgraded to the A700 and are encouraging other
mature members to post here. I hope that as the Sony stable develops
further, that those folks can come here and discuss the latest of A
mount offerings. Every review seems to say that Sony has used the DNA
from the 7D to develop their new camera line. It is evident when you
pick up an A700 that it feels and looks and acts like a Minolta
camera.
--
Capturing memories
Bill
USA

Click to expand...

I agree wholeheartedly with everything you said, Bill. I just sidelined my 7D (but can't let it go) in favour a new A700. But I still prefer to frequent this forum, even if I do not post very often.

There is clearly a mature outlook on things here, which I am more at home with. Although I am hoping this forum will not become a home for seniors (;o) - I am in denial about that too.

We will always need fresh ideas and new ways of expanding our craft or hobby. Encouraging "cross-pollination" with ideas and features from folks using other brands is a great way to keep our minds open. I like the idea of reading and seeing good things from other forums here, without having to weed through the acrimony elsewhere.

In short, Bill, I want to thank you for taking the initiative to encourage others to visit as often as they wish and leave the bashing to the unbashful.
--
Roger M

Schwany said:

There seems to be a little more forgive and forget. Probably has
something to do with age and memory loss though. he he

Click to expand...

HEY! I resemble that remark! ;o)
--
Karen Brittan, Minnesota, USA

'The trouble with having an open mind is that people keep
coming along and sticking things in it.' Berkely Breathed

I by no means, want to take any credit for trying to keep this place going...I knew the Sony forum was not for me, and after some encouragement not to throw in the towel on this forum, I decided to try to be more active here.
--
Capturing memories
Bill
USA



Please visit my Gallery at:
http://evil-twin.smugmug.com/

MsBritmor said:

Schwany said:

There seems to be a little more forgive and forget. Probably has
something to do with age and memory loss though. he he

Click to expand...

HEY! I resemble that remark! ;o)
--
Karen Brittan, Minnesota, USA

Click to expand...

Hey,
As soon as I find my reading glasses, I will .......

Darn it. What was I going to say? lol

We aren't the SLOWEST forum,
but we are trying!

We can do it!

--
Rick C

'Semper Photographis' --Always Photograph

That's not really what I meant. When it gets to 3 weeks on the first page, that'll be slow. Maybe casual pace would be a better descriptor.

Kuan Yin was/is(?) the Bodhisattva of compassion whom helped everyone without reservation. Just in case that got lost in translation.

I do have some age related maladies, which I shouldn't be projecting... he he

AarSee said:

MsBritmor said:

Schwany said:

There seems to be a little more forgive and forget. Probably has
something to do with age and memory loss though. he he

Click to expand...

HEY! I resemble that remark! ;o)
--
Karen Brittan, Minnesota, USA

Click to expand...

Hey,
As soon as I find my reading glasses, I will .......

Darn it. What was I going to say? lol

We aren't the SLOWEST forum,
but we are trying!

We can do it!

--
Rick C

'Semper Photographis' --Always Photograph

Click to expand...

It's good to hear from you again, welcome back.

It's good that you appreciate the civility in this forum as we do. It is not by mistake or happenstance however. For many it has taken some real work and desire to see this place continue to be so great and friendly under dwindeling circumstances.
When visiting the other formentioned forums causes stress, what is the point?
I certainly, for one, agree with the "no slamming and trash talk."

I just hope that our forum is still appreciative of our Minolta, Konica-Minolta, Sony, A Mount system's presence and not of everything but.

If others would like to join this forum I think that is great, I just hope that they don't take away the very reason they like it and miss it.

I'm just kind of making a new years wish I guess, and would like to also wish you a "Very Merry Christmas."
Darwin

I've found a larger monitor and bigger font helps.


This is a great forum. Even if and when I move to a sony dslr, I'll stay here...it's in my "DNA" !!!

--
Mark Pernal, FPSA
Lk Mary, FL
http://fotobuftx.brinkster.net/gallery/
http://fotobuftx.brinkster.net/warbirds/
http://www.photosig.com/go/users/view?id=21985
artsy stuff: http://www.paintermagazine.co.uk/show_profile.php?username=mpernal

Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D dslr
Minolta Maxxum 9000
Konica Minolta Z3
Minolta DiMage 7(ug)
Minolta HS(d)5600 flash
Konica Minolta AF DT 11-18mm f4.5/5.6 (D)
Konica Minolta 28-75 2.8
Tamron 200-400mm LD AF
Promaster (Tamron) 18-200 EDO
Minolta 50 1.7
Minolta 35-70 AF

Thanks Mark. Me too.
Darwin

NikonCafe.com is where I do my Nikon related posting and I hang around here and the Sony Forum on this site.

The viciousness on the Nikon forum is incredible although that is generally replicated amongst many others.

Fanboys rule the roost on DPReview and I think this one is actually good because there is nothing at stake although it has always been fairly civil.

The thing though is that while it has led to some leaving, the bear pit atmosphere on this site is perhaps part of what makes it successful and if Phil was to clamp down with heavy moderation, the site will suffer IMO.

--
http://dakanji.com

--
Darwin