I'll be 57 this year and have been shooting for 50 years. My first camera was a Vivitar XV10 that took K mount lenses. Around age 10 or so I got a Canon A1 (all black - I thought I was the bomb!) and shot that until 1988 when I got my first autofocus camera - a Nikon n8008. I also shot Rollei TLR and Hassy and even 4x5. I shot Nikon until I got fed up with the original z7 and rented an a9ii and the "new" 2-6 for an owl trip up north. I came home and announced to all my Nikon friends that it was all for sale. It was late 2019. Since then I've been shooting nothing but Sony bodies (a9 (gone now), a1, a1ii, a7r4 (gone now) &a7r5). I also picked up a used a7iii for astro.
I have never gone on the Canon board and I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've been on the Nikon board. However, I have never commented on those boards. I gave up Nikon 6+ years ago. What could I possibly contribute to that forum?
I can't for the life of me figure out why people who have abandoned Sony (not those who shoot 2 platforms) but those who have completely made the switch, come on the Sony board and complain about Sony or the offerings. If I had that kind of time, I'd be out shooting more.
Ha Ha. When I can't shoot, like right now while I sit in my office, at my desk listening to hold muzak, I come on this forum to pass the time and hopefully learn something. Trust me, when I can shoot, I do. Lately I'm seeing so many that have left Sony commenting on their new platform and why it is so much better. All brands are good now. Some are better than others in certain aspects, but if I miss the shot now I know it's my fault.
Maybe they are just trying to justify the change in their own minds
ps09 wrote:
I can't for the life of me figure out why people who have abandoned Sony (not those who shoot 2 platforms) but those who have completely made the switch, come on the Sony board and complain about Sony or the offerings. If I had that kind of time, I'd be out shooting more.
That isn’t just a Sony thing. As you say, you don’t frequent the other boards, so you probably aren’t aware of the folks who “complain about [the other brands] or the offerings.”
It is useful to know about the features and the pluses and minuses of other brands, but I share your feeling about those who feel compelled to trash that brand(s) that they (currently at least) don’t use.
I think there are a few things gong on:
1. Some may be congratulating themselves on their decision, or perhaps more accurately reassuring themselves that they made a good choice.
2. There can be a kind of sports fan mentality at times, where it is “my team no mater what!” It is a bit like those folks who get interviewed before a big game saying stuff like, “We’re going to stomp them! They don’t stand a chance!” ;-)
3. Some just like to stir the pot. We’ve got a few posters on FM who seem to have a bad word for every brand. :-)
At the same time, it isn’t wrong for people to post in forums for brands they don’t use. I’m an example. I don’t own any Sony gear — I’m here to become acquainted with the brand since I am planning to move to Sony and I want to learn more about the brand and the gear.
There are lots of reasons for switching brands, but some of the folks who do it frequently are trying to scratch a different itch than actual photography — it may be more about the thrill of buying new stuff, combined with the eventually diminution of that thrill after the purchase. (We’ve got a few FM’ers who kind of obviously fit into that category, buying tons of stuff from every brand and then eventually bad-mouthing all of it except for their current love.)
To some extend it just comes with the territory, and you can mostly ignore it. ;-)
In the end, I often think of something I heard/read once that I’ll paraphrase: “Of all the important decisions you’ll make as a photograher, “Canon, Sony, Nikon, or Fujifilm?” is just about the least important.”
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chez wrote:
Well here you are complaining about the complainers. Go out and shoot more!!!
And here you are, complaining about the people who complain about the complainers… ;-)
Because I’m generous and helpful, I’ll pre-write your reply for you: Feel free to copy and paste: “And here you are, complaining about the the people who complain about the complainers complaining about complainers.” ;-)
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About that “stuck in the office” thing…
I realized a few years back that most of the posts here come on weekdays during work hours. ;-)
This is exactly what we are doing too. When stuck in the office and can't shoot we like to complain, praise and discuss our toys
ps09 wrote:
Ha Ha. When I can't shoot, like right now while I sit in my office, at my desk listening to hold muzak, I come on this forum to pass the time and hopefully learn something. Trust me, when I can shoot, I do. Lately I'm seeing so many that have left Sony commenting on their new platform and why it is so much better. All brands are good now. Some are better than others in certain aspects, but if I miss the shot now I know it's my fault.
Maybe they are just trying to justify the change in their own minds
No complaints here---I am a dual system user (Sony and Canon). In 2026, there's no difference in IQ, skin tones and etc.......so keep on taking pictures!!
I don't spend any time on the other boards. I don't have too. All my friends that shoot other brands give me enough info about why what they are shooting is better. All of my Nikon friends marvel at the 300 2.8 and it's ability to take both tc's so well. They keep waiting. I would never think of going on the Nikon forum and talking about the Sony lens.
