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

[Michael Erlewine]

I am doing a lot of hiking. Yesterday I hiked part of what is called the "Dragon Trail," a difficult trail following the mighty Muskegon River. This trail has a very narrow trail often 100 feet above the river with not a sheer cliff, but a steep bank and one that is very curved, banked, and would be very damaging if you slipped. There is no way I can carry my large cameras, tripod, etc. on that trail. Plus the sheer movement of my body to maintain my balance pushed my body so that it used muscles apparently I don't use hardly ever. It was very painful after I got home.

I have an iphone 16 Pro Max, which is about the best iPhone from Apple that is available. My rules for myself is that I use the bigger Nikons or the Hasselblad when I am not going too far from the car (less than 1/2 a mile or so) and I used the iPhone if I am hiking.

I consider the iPhone I have (45 MP or so) plenty good enough when I cannot carry the larger cameras. I agree with those who say whatever camera we want to use is a camera. It's up to us to be able to use it to advantage. Here is an iPHone image that is not great, but it captures what I could not capture. IMO, trying to limit equipment here on NikonGear is not something that would increase usage of this forum.

If we are dwindling in numbers, it's a reflection on us, of course, but it's happening all over also.

[KarlMera]

 but it's happening all over also.

That does not make it better, only a change would bring an improvement

[Michael Erlewine]

That does not make it better, only a change would bring an improvement

I don't post here much anymore because there is little interest, and since I am using the Hasselblad X2D more and more, there is less and less interest here for that camera. I can't say other forums are any better, but IMO we would have to change up quite a bit to remain current. There is the same crew here than tinkers with lenses and I support that, but other than the "themes" I don't find much happening here that interests me. And I am not 'theme' oriented myself, but it is a way to survive. There is so much new equipment being released that I doubt many of us could cover it all or are even interested in most of it. Looking at other forums, professional photographers are complaining about this or that and having more trouble making a living. I never chose to make money with photography. I am just an amateur in that regard. Frankly, I see no forum that I feel like hanging out at, so this is not a slam on NikonGear, but rather this is just the way it is right now. I post on my own blog site or on local groups of photographers because they are interested in what they post, but there is no technical discussion. I am still here, but am having trouble finding photos or discussion that interest me as they once did.

I am still doing still life such as this, with the Hasselblad X2D, XCD 80mm f/1.9 lens.

[KarlMera]

I don't find much happening here that interests me. I am still here, but am having trouble finding photos or discussion that interest me as they once did.

That ist exactly the point, but not only for you, also for newcomers.

But my question is what would be interesting for you?

[KarlMera]

I don't post here much anymore because there is little interest, and since I am using the Hasselblad X2D more and more, there is less and less interest here for that camera.

The reason could be the price, and most here have (Nikon) lenses, which do not fit

[Michael Erlewine]

Well, Yes! The price,. I had to sell dozens of fine lenses to afford a used Hasselblad X2D and enough lenses to make sense.

What originally interested me about NikonGear was the lens evaluation of B. Rørslet, a careful evaluation of a great many lenses. I still go back to that original site to refresh my understanding of those Nikon lenses. Other than that, there is Thom Hogan, who does a good job on lens evaluation and Lloyd Chambers, who does an excellent job of lens evaluation, but recently has spun off more into politics, which is not my long suit. When I watch YouTube lens evaluation, I just have to laugh. There is little to nothing there that I can  learn.

Being an American, I'm by definition not European and can't easily get to your meet-ups. I'm sorry I can't hang out with many of you. I can't help but feel left out. And NikonGear is not so much about photographs as it is about photo gear, and that is fine by me. But there is not so much of even that of late.

The best living phorographer I have ever seen, and of course this is just my opinion, is Ming Thein.

https://blog.mingthein.com/

Thien is not only the best compositional photographer I know of, he went and worked for Hasselblad and is responsible for many designs in the Hasselblad X2D Camera, and for designing the Hasselblad X2D 80mm f/1.9 lens, the fastest Hasselblad lens, and although heavy and clunky to drag around, I drag it around all the time because of the incredible clarity and use it provides for my work.

I am no longer tinkering with the many Nikon 55mm macro lenses, but have moved on to the Nikon Mirrorless cameras and especially the Nikon "S" series lenses of which I have most of them. I find Hasselblad not only expensive, but the X2D offers me the best color I know of, and I have had all kinds of mirrorless cameras and lenses. The XCD lenses are incredibly good, IMO. They have pretty much cured me of focus-stacking, although I still do some.

One shot with the Hasselblad lenses and I have most of what I sought to get with my Nikons. I like to learn through photography.

As to how to attract young or even new members, I don't know of anything new under the sun other than comraderie, hanging out, sharing inspiration and enthusaism for gear and..... PHOTOS.

You tell me what you like about this forum. I don't think there is a better one, but good as we are, it seems we are flagging.

[Lars Hansen]

Lars, if discussing of specific aspects of the perceived image quality is to prevaii, do this in another thread.
 
NG members do photography in many ways. There is, and should not be, any "standard".

We do love our gear and these days, that includes our phones.

Birna, I was reacting to Karls post and hoped for a simple reply. I'm not starting a discussion, but just wanted to know Karls definition of "high quality pictures" and if/how Karls own images fits that definition. An image example could be fine.

I reacted because I find it very relevant for the discussion in this thread - a site mantra of "only high quality pictures" could definitely put me off as a member. But maybe attract others.   

I will remove my previous post - to avoid sparking a discussion 

[Hugh_3170]

Maybe the NG accounting systems are a little too “genteel” when a members subscription reaches its end date?

A gentle reminder perhaps should be automatically sent out to the individual by the NG systems as a PM on the expiry of their subscription?

I have put a reminder in my electronic diary, but I suspect that not all of us do this.

[Birna Rørslett]

Without entering into some of the arguments put forward here, I think we ought to ask ourselves a very basic question. A question as old as photography itself, I surmise.

Will better gear make us a better photographer??

Personally, I'll answer a rresounding 'NO'. Based on my own, life-long experience. Image quality comes from the photographer.

[KarlMera]

Will better gear make us a better photographer??

No, but the question here is how can we stop losing supporters and members? And how do we get new members?

[Birna Rørslett]

The NG member community, and the no-ad policy, are what make the site unique. Thus all contributions and interactions therein are most welcome.

The reason I asked the question is to pin-point that we should likely concentrate more on the results, not  the means to get to  that end. It is of course thrilling to get new "toys", but will the toys change the mindset of the photographers?

[KarlMera]

We are currently a 90/150.

What does that mean, 90 Supporters? Today 86?

[Birna Rørslett]

A lot of subscriptions have elapsed in the last days.

I look up the numbers usually in the morning, and sometimes not every day. The News headline should be up-to-date.

[Ian Watson]

The NG member community, and the no-ad policy, are what make the site unique. Thus all contributions and interactions therein are most welcome.

It may be that we have fallen into a companionable silence. There is no shortage of good photographs here but discussions have dried up. I will do my bit to think out loud more often.

[pluton]

 And NikonGear is not so much about photographs as it is about photo gear, and that is fine by me. But there is not so much of even that of late.

I disagree.  Nikon gear was oriented more toward equipment at the beginning, but that has shifted over the years. The Themes and Daily/Weekly forums seem to be the most active.  Should Nikongear compete in the Attention Economy, with click bait controversies and the like? I suspect no one here would be much interested in spending the time required for such an operation.