just start organized threads, one for each lens - users who own the lens post their experiences, sample pics, etc. Someone would kick off each thread (in rough order of lens popularity) with an in depth review, others could post their own thoughts and observations.
A regular format for the leadoff post would be nice, so certain key points get made (build quality, image quality, color, contrast, etc).
Could be interesting. Maybe it could be joined up with the User Rating on equipment that has been "Coming Soon" for as long as I've been on the site (and probably longer, is my guess).
And can anybody tell me why we should reinvent the wheel?
Because there are a zillion threads that read "can anyone tell me about the FuzzyGlass 135 f/3.2 DHL APO XYZ Macro DG?"
If we're going to have it anyway, we might as well put it somewhere central.
Also - FM reviews tend to be short and not backed up with sample shots, and there's no general format so the information is not consistent... I think the community here would do a better job overall.
If this starts happening it would be nice for the threads to all be in their own group, rather than just stuck in the hardware and software grouping or whatever.
I like the ideas of glass reviews, but they should not be forum threads they should be linked off the item page for whichever lens it is.
I don't care much for the idea of sample shots. All you see now via best shots from a lens are heavily edited photos at minuscule size that scored as well as they did in part because of the challenge they were entered in. True sample shots for showing how a lens acts should be 100% crops of test patterns.
And can anybody tell me why we should reinvent the wheel?
Because there are a zillion threads that read "can anyone tell me about the FuzzyGlass 135 f/3.2 DHL APO XYZ Macro DG?"
So I noticed, yes. Much easier to send those guys to FM than to set up an entire review base of our own. Unless we think we can do it better (I don't) or we simply like to do it. In that case, please do reinvent the wheel, and have fun doing it. ;)
And can anybody tell me why we should reinvent the wheel?
Because there are a zillion threads that read "can anyone tell me about the FuzzyGlass 135 f/3.2 DHL APO XYZ Macro DG?"
So I noticed, yes. Much easier to send those guys to FM than to set up an entire review base of our own. Unless we think we can do it better (I don't) or we simply like to do it. In that case, please do reinvent the wheel, and have fun doing it. ;)
Why not have such a section here? After all, there are other photography challenge sites out there and there are other forums. Should this site be abandoned because of that? There's plenty of room, in my opinion, for another set of user reviews on the web.
And can anybody tell me why we should reinvent the wheel?
Because there are a zillion threads that read "can anyone tell me about the FuzzyGlass 135 f/3.2 DHL APO XYZ Macro DG?"
So I noticed, yes. Much easier to send those guys to FM than to set up an entire review base of our own. Unless we think we can do it better (I don't) or we simply like to do it. In that case, please do reinvent the wheel, and have fun doing it. ;)
Why not have such a section here? After all, there are other photography challenge sites out there and there are other forums. Should this site be abandoned because of that? There's plenty of room, in my opinion, for another set of user reviews on the web.
sure, no problem. I wouldn't mind, I just don't see the use of reinvinting the wheel. But by all means, feel free to put effort in anything you'dd like to put effort in. :)
And can anybody tell me why we should reinvent the wheel?
Because there are a zillion threads that read "can anyone tell me about the FuzzyGlass 135 f/3.2 DHL APO XYZ Macro DG?"
So I noticed, yes. Much easier to send those guys to FM than to set up an entire review base of our own. Unless we think we can do it better (I don't) or we simply like to do it. In that case, please do reinvent the wheel, and have fun doing it. ;)
Why not have such a section here? After all, there are other photography challenge sites out there and there are other forums. Should this site be abandoned because of that? There's plenty of room, in my opinion, for another set of user reviews on the web.
sure, no problem. I wouldn't mind, I just don't see the use of reinvinting the wheel. But by all means, feel free to put effort in anything you'dd like to put effort in. :)
I feel sure that, for most of us here, this is a hobby, not something that will change the world or make us millionaires. Effort expended on 'reinventing the wheel' is all part of taking part IMO.
I don't care much for the idea of sample shots. All you see now via best shots from a lens are heavily edited photos at minuscule size that scored as well as they did in part because of the challenge they were entered in. True sample shots for showing how a lens acts should be 100% crops of test patterns.
That's exactly my point - I'd like to see 100% crops of center, edge, corner at different apertures and zoom lengths, straight from camera. I look at the "best shots from lens" and they're basically worthless, as the best folks here could get shots from almost any lens that would amaze me, and I could take terrible shots with the finest lens on the market.
I use the photozone reviews too, which are great because they're very consistent (same reviewers, same format, consistent tests) but they only have what they have and there are some significant holes in their lineup. And I don't think people are going to go buy test charts. But a shot of a brick wall (or other textured surface), say, at different apertures and zoom lengths, would allow some qualitative examination. And for everyone who likes the test charts there's someone who says "who cares, show me how it works in the field."
