thrice wrote:
One thing that keeps me coming back to the Alt forum is that the regulars here obviously are rather intelligent.
I find myself arguing with people on other forums about fundamental optical, ergonomical, electronic and software issues that are so plain and obvious yet they consistently disagree with baseless arguments. It's quite exhausting.
The kind of person who seeks a way outside of the norm to improve the imaging quality, ergonomics or enjoyment of their photography must be rather intelligent and rational.
I've certainly had my run-ins when difference of personal aesthetic opinion arises (hi Richard) but the user-base of this sub-forum seem very informed and no one has to repeatedly cover basic optical theory to make a point.
If this comes across as a bit of a rant thread about other forums, that's because it is. ...Show more →
The Canon and Nikon forums draw a greater cross-section of the photographic world. The majority tend not to buy manual focus lenses, RF'ers, or alternative gear. Those that do are most likely to have more photographic knowledge and many participate regularly on this forum.
I'm finding this forum very helpful in making M mount buying decisions. The side benefit has been the knowledge gained from the non-Leica posts.
I'm working at a media startup offering a multi-dimensional visual experience (www.flaii.com) and our intern is working on building a media space with hundreds of licensed photos we purchased. But then he discovered that he needed a few more for his plan. So, I sent him to my flickr page to grab a few more. He remarked on one photo and asked "How did you make that?". My response without even thinking was "I used a Zeiss 35-70 in macro mode." Thanks Everyone!
I'm working at a media startup offering a multi-dimensional visual experience (www.flaii.com) and our intern is working on building a media space with hundreds of licensed photos we purchased. But then he discovered that he needed a few more for his plan. So, I sent him to my flickr page to grab a few more. He remarked on one photo and asked "How did you make that?". My response without even thinking was "I used a Zeiss 35-70 in macro mode." Thanks Everyone!
From your info, we know that you are a good photographer, but I must said that you are a good insect trainer too!
Let me reprise the question "How did you train those insects to form a circle?"
hans98ko wrote:
From your info, we know that you are a good photographer, but I must said that you are a good insect trainer too!
Let me reprise the question "How did you train those insects to form a circle?"
I'll take credit for the insect training but that is about it.
After our intern's dumbfounded look I realized that he was asking the same thing. The ants are circled around a drop of sugar water that I spilled while filling the hummingbird feeder.
I don't go into the Canon/Nikon sub-fora, I'm sorry if my post seemed to criticise them. On FM I only really look in the photo forums and the alt gear forum.
Carsten probably knows what spurred this thread, a reply of mine on L-Camera-Forum that was clear, concise and even referenced a text on fundamental optical theory which explained that it is a lens that causes "purple fringing" and pretty much every kind of lateral and axial CA. I even followed it up with a film shot showing purple fringing and still people said it wasn't the lens and proposed it might be things like stray UV light, or microlenses
Spyro will know that I struggle with an Australian pseudo-photographic forum that is 99% gear measurebating about who has the most focus points or the largest aperture.
And lastly Ulrik would also know that certain RangeFinder specific Forums respond very negatively to any test or opinion that highlights the certain benefits of any other camera system than their own.
This alt gear forum has a wonderful cross section of different technologies, mechanics, priorities and tastes when it comes to photography, and the people here tend to all be rather balanced and open minded.
Thrice your rant is so tame compared to some in the Canon gear and Nikon gear.
I agree that alt users are more open minded,
not locked into the mindset if it ain't a Nikkor on a Nikon or a Canon EF on a Canon body with IS/VR, fast AF that never front or back focuses, edge to edge sharpness at all apertures including wide open, a sharp copy of the lens then it is a good lens.
If it ain't Canon or Nikon and GOD forbid no AF then it is no good.
Gee if we had that mindset then Zeiss, Leica, Voigtlander, ... may as well just close the doors, and all those great old MF lens by Nikon, Canon, Olympus(Zuiko), Contax.... would end up in landfills. Just think of all the Lead pollution from all the good ole lens that have lead in the glass.
Thrice the purists should be thanking the alt users for saving the environment.
There are quite a few good people in the Canon and Nikon forums, but sadly there too many purists ready to pounce on those with a different view.
We are a bunch of people who dare to venture away from the reassuring and comforting "total look" of belonging 100% to the Canon or Nikon communities. This indicates, if you don't mind a two-cent psychological approach, that we don't need/care for wide acceptance/acclaim. Hence our openness to others and other ways, because, as I. B. Singer would have said, we are not looking for our pictures to save ourselves and/or the world...
Hey did you paint your red dot black or did you buy a black dot? I asked the Leica disty here and he's requested black dots from Leica but he says he isn't hopeful. DAG is sold out of em.
I painted one, which worked out okay, but this one is a real one. I walked into my dealer, and noticed that those red leather things they have on the counters to put lenses and cameras on have a black dot in the corner. I asked if I could buy one somehow, and they pulled out two from a drawer. I don't know if every dealer stocks them, but there are several cameras in the Leica M range which have a black dot, including the black M8.2, so there is at least a chance. I still have the second one, and it is going on my M9
Thanks Everyone! 
