Response to the Future of NikonGear.net/.com/.org

[Hugh_3170]

Me too Anthony. 

And I take the point that one can always include a donation payment at anytime.

I would be happy to pay €30 pa.

[Jürgen Pfeiffer]

Me too Anthony. 

And I take the point that one can always include a donation payment at anytime.

I could not find out, how to make a donation to NG. I went to "profile info -> modify profile -> actions –> order" but a 20€ paypal payment just resulted in prolonging my subscription into the year 2026. So, anyone can tell me how to make a donation th NG?

[ColinM]

Lovely thoughts Michael and an interesting comparison with music festivals

And so, we might want to examine what is happening that photography forums are declining. Any suggestions?

So.
I've always visited forums like this one to

• Find out things
• Learn about new products
• Get inspired by the ideas and work of others
• Get feedback from others on my own ideas and creative output

Note, this could apply to photography, music,  poetry etc

When trying to establish the decline in use of forums, what puzzles me is:
Where do people now go to satisfy the needs I've listed above?

Also new people are only going to find their way to Nikongear through
- A search engine
- A link somewhere else, like social media

We can't influence search engines much, but we each have the ability to share links to (for example) Facebook, "X", Instagram  etc

Any thoughts on any of the above?

[Snoogly]

YouTube is another possibility. I am sure Grey’s of Westminster would be happy to do a piece about it - if approached.

[Bruno Schroder]

Also new people are only going to find their way to Nikongear through
- A search engine
- A link somewhere else, like social media

We can't influence search engines much, but we each have the ability to share links to (for example) Facebook, "X", Instagram  etc

Any thoughts on any of the above?

I'm writing a long piece with several follow up which I'll publish here and promote on my X, Bluesky and IG accounts. I also intend to "social post" pictures taken with the Heligon 42mm with a link to the post I wrote here several years ago explaining how to make it "camera ready".
I'm interested in seeing what happens.

[Frank Fremerey]

I'm writing a long piece with several follow up which I'll publish here and promote on my X, Bluesky and IG accounts. I also intend to "social post" pictures taken with the Heligon 42mm with a link to the post I wrote here several years ago explaining how to make it "camera ready".
I'm interested in seeing what happens.

1) If we increase unpaid for traffic I guess that the costs will go up at first. So we should encourage people to become paying members
2) more "newbies" will mean more moderation is necessary to accomodate people from "all walks of the net" to the ONE PLACE with next to no TROLLS

[Frank Fremerey]

I could not find out, how to make a donation to NG. I went to "profile info -> modify profile -> actions –> order" but a 20€ paypal payment just resulted in prolonging my subscription into the year 2026. So, anyone can tell me how to make a donation th NG?

My impression is that we send our money to the Paypal-Address: nikongear***2015***gmail***com where you have to replace the first three stars with nothing, the second with the at-sign and the third with a dot
I guess noone will be unhappy if we donate to this Paypal-Address, I will do it right away!

[Frank Fremerey]

Sie haben 200,00 EUR an nikongear2015***gmail***com gesendet.

[Erik Lund]

Thank you Frank 

[Jürgen Pfeiffer]

My impression is that we send our money to the Paypal-Address: nikongear***2015***gmail***com where you have to replace the first three stars with nothing, the second with the at-sign and the third with a dot
I guess noone will be unhappy if we donate to this Paypal-Address, I will do it right away!

I couldn't find this gmail address anywhere on the Nikongear website. While I'm sure you wouldn't send 200 euros to an address you don't know, I would feel more comfortable if the address for donations was listed on the NG website.

[Frank Fremerey]

I couldn't find this gmail address anywhere on the Nikongear website. While I'm sure you wouldn't send 200 euros to an address you don't know, I would feel more comfortable if the address for donations was listed on the NG website.

Look it up in Paypal.

It is the Paypal-Account you pay your subscription to.

You pay to exactly the same account as you pay your subscription

[Jürgen Pfeiffer]

Thank you Frank, done.

[Birna Rørslett]

Thanks to all for any contributions you make

Do keep in mind that participation in NG activities is the most valuable currency so to speak. That reaches beyond posting images  - we also need discussions and interchange of opinions, suggestions of targets for trips and meet-ups, and whatever else occupies photographers' mindset. All within the framework of NG Guide Lines, of course. The NG admins don't want to step in to moderate exchanges more than absolutely necessary, and rather not at all.

[Ian Watson]

Thank you, Frank!

[KarlMera]

NG makes advertisement for Nikon cameras and lenses, the Nikon company should get a supporter.