Aware of DPR's "Buying Guides" in various categories?

l_d_allan said:

This forum gets a LOT of posts on "Help me select a camera for [fill-in-the-blank].

I'd really suggest someone who is about to post such a question to look over the already-available resources on the DPR web-site. Please ...

.................

DPReview has a series of helpful, up-to-date Buying Guides to assist with this:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/ca..._source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

These include (simply a summary of the above link ... all within past 6 months, and which may be regularly updated to stay relatively current):

Enthusiast's Compacts (advanced point-and-shoots):
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/6489685206/enthusiast-compact-camera-roundup
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/0445208298/dpreview-recommends-best-compact-cameras-for-enthusiasts

Best interchangeable lens cameras under $1000 (DSLR's and mirrorless):
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/89...t-interchangeable-lens-cameras-for-under-1000

Best cameras for social photography:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/1359068061/dpreview-recommends-best-cameras-for-social-photography

Entry level mirrorless:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/9961962217/entry-level-mirrorless-camera-roundup-2013

Best compact cameras for travel:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7118583476/dpreview-recommends-best-compact-cameras-for-travel

Consumer DSLR roundup:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7526513643/consumer-slr-camera-roundup-2013

Best waterproof cameras:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/3436829389/dpreview-recommends-best-waterproof-cameras

Best cameras for beginners:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/3301669051/dpreview-recommends-best-cameras-for-beginners

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In this case, if you give links for dof, exposure, or assume that everybody reads thoroughly the camera manual, then there is no beginner forum anymore...

It is really natural to ask such questions, it is so difficult to choose a camera that you feel the need to discuss with more experienced users.

Christof21 said:

l_d_allan said:

This forum gets a LOT of posts on "Help me select a camera for [fill-in-the-blank].

I'd really suggest someone who is about to post such a question to look over the already-available resources on the DPR web-site. Please ...

Click to expand...

In this case, if you give links for dof, exposure, or assume that everybody reads thoroughly the camera manual, then there is no beginner forum anymore...

It is really natural to ask such questions, it is so difficult to choose a camera that you feel the need to discuss with more experienced users.

Click to expand...

I agree with allan......I don't mind helping someone who at least narrows down his choices after some amount of research so those links posted are valuable and should be investigated by beginners.

It's those threads where newbies are completely clueless as to what their own needs or criteria are that are annoying.........

--
"Five out of four people have trouble with fractions."
Regards,
Hank

Hank3152 said:

Hank3152 wrote:
It's those threads where newbies are completely clueless as to what their own needs or criteria are that are annoying.........

Click to expand...

Also annoying, at least to me

• Vague Subjects by OP ... such as "Help" or "What camera?"
• Projections from the replier that their circumstances and "use cases" are similar to OP
• Replies where the OP was barely skimmed, so answer isn't necessarily relevant.
• Lots of obsolete and/or incorrect and/or biased info propagated by non-objective owners
• Threads that are hijacked by contending owners of alternative cameras.
• But, such are forums on the internet. Sigh.
• To me, the ""Buying Guides" are written by well informed and reasonably objective writers, and appear to remain relatively current as newer Guides are published.

Hank3152 said:

Christof21 wrote:
In this case, if you give links for dof, exposure, or assume that everybody reads thoroughly the camera manual, then there is no beginner forum anymore...

Click to expand...

Would a "Beginner's Forum" with many fewer redundant OP's be a bad thing? I'd be happy with many or most replies to vague/redundant OP's be something like "See [fill-in-the-blank] article".

Also, I suggest people who answer those 'What camraa.....?" threads think it through a bit. Now there are many, many, many helpful and thoughtful replies on this forum, BUT there are also a few who seem to have one answer for any question - "Get a DSLR." Common! We're supposed to be the helpful ones. There was one that recommended a DSLR for a 4 year old, another that recommended a DSLR for someone that has only $300 to spend - oh, and get a couple of extra lenses - others that recommend a DSLR for a grandma who will only shoot birthdays, Easter, and Christmas. That kind of stuff is a sure way to: 1. Get someone to spend a lot of money uselessly, and 2. To turn them off to photography - and it's mean. For a real newbe don't start at the top, learn a little first.

Now before the howling starts, I say again - There are many, many good, thoughtful, and helpful responses on this forum - and, yes, DSLRs are wonderful, but let's work on always being "appropriate," and I agree, most of us do - but for the few..... be real.

Depends on angle of view.
In fact it can be meant good way if someone recommends DSLR for not just standard situation. Because this is where DSLRs really kick in compared to compact cams. This is where you need it. This kind of unhealthy thinking you have shown can be seen in every aspect of technology and gear - you get good gear for poor situations, and you don´t use it´s max abilities in normal situation. That´s how it is. Deal with it. For example audio system power output. You play at home, and you don´t need more than 10W of power from small, not very sensitive speakers. But you pull it out on the garden once a year, and you burn it that day, because it was weak. You wanted to play loud ONCE a YEAR, so you need that 1000W gear. You don´t have to buy it, you can lent/hire.... and more examples can come, but I guess you get it). Used 1000D or even 400D with stabilized kit lens is for $280 in our country, so... The question is DO you really want to make better images, or you DON´T?
You need to pay the price, and we are mean to push people to do it, because otherwise on "extremely your side", it will end like:
A: I want some RC plane. Saw XXX for $100. Is it any good?
B: No. Get YYY now on discount for $190. It does fly, you can buy cheap spare parts, and you will be happy. But If you don´t want to, buy cheap...
C: Agreed...
A: So I bought XXX for $100 and it does not fly, what should I do?
B,C: FU BFU GTFO.....

So Those who mean it seriously maybe want the best for those people. And I´d agree this is not any extreme advice. $300 for good gear is nothing, and if one thinks he can buy house, two bi... ehm wife, two cars, 3000W audio system, best bike, 500hp car and "TOTAL" camera for one normal wage, we can´t help here. Not possible. Go to find another, cheaper hobbies...

l_d_allan said:

l_d_allan said:

Hank3152 wrote:
It's those threads where newbies are completely clueless as to what their own needs or criteria are that are annoying.........

Click to expand...

Also annoying, at least to me

• Vague Subjects by OP ... such as "Help" or "What camera?"
• Projections from the replier that their circumstances and "use cases" are similar to OP
• Replies where the OP was barely skimmed, so answer isn't necessarily relevant.
• Lots of obsolete and/or incorrect and/or biased info propagated by non-objective owners
• Threads that are hijacked by contending owners of alternative cameras.
• But, such are forums on the internet. Sigh.
• To me, the ""Buying Guides" are written by well informed and reasonably objective writers, and appear to remain relatively current as newer Guides are published.

l_d_allan said:

Christof21 wrote:
In this case, if you give links for dof, exposure, or assume that everybody reads thoroughly the camera manual, then there is no beginner forum anymore...

Click to expand...

Would a "Beginner's Forum" with many fewer redundant OP's be a bad thing?

Click to expand...

unavoidable ! See also in other forums the redundant information. This is not inherent to the beginner forum unfortunately...

I would not blame any beginner for asking an information, even if he can find really easily the information.

But I understand your point.

l_d_allan said:

I'd be happy with many or most replies to vague/redundant OP's be something like "See [fill-in-the-blank] article".

Click to expand...