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

[Øivind Tøien]

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.

The yearly reminder in the Google calendar that I set up last spring worked well for me this time around, avoiding the unintended lapse in renewal I had in the past. I highly recommend this simple measure.

[Michael Erlewine]

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.

I see, NikonGear is not really for gear discussion anymore. Things have changed.  I did not understand that, and will go elsewhere for discussing new lenses, etc.

[Snoogly]

I must admit that after I noticed (two months late ..) that my membership had expired I didn’t rush to renew. As much as I love and admire all the images posted, it’s just not enough to make me want to pay for membership.

Something is missing, which as maybe stopping the 1000+, or more, non paying lurkers from not paying.

I love this place, and the inspiration I get here, but sadly I have to question if it is actually worth paying for.

Please don’t flame me. I am just saying it is as I see it.

[KarlMera]

I must admit that after I noticed (two months late ..) that my membership had expired I didn’t rush to renew. As much as I love and admire all the images posted, it’s just not enough to make me want to pay for membership.

Something is missing, which as maybe stopping the 1000+, or more, non paying lurkers from not paying.

I love this place, and the inspiration I get here, but sadly I have to question if it is actually worth paying for.

Please don’t flame me. I am just saying it is as I see it.

I agree, I often think so, but what do you miss exactly?

[KarlMera]

I see, NikonGear is not really for gear discussion anymore. Things have changed.  I did not understand that, and will go elsewhere for discussing new lenses, etc.

In the beginning I also was interested in lenses and cameras, but in the meantime I see lens testing and lens glorification as a mistake and wasted time over years. I am only interested in results, these results are made by the photographer, not by lenses and cameras. Not everybody who has an expensive camera is a good photographer because of that.
I also do not think NG has a duty to make product advices and tests.

[Michael Erlewine]

In the beginning I also was interested in lenses and cameras, but in the meantime I see lens testing and lens glorification as a mistake and waisted time over years. I am only interested in results, these results are made by the photographer, not by lenses and cameras. Not everybody who has an expensive camera is a good photographer because of that.
I also do not think NG has a duty to make product advices and tests.

I have been taking meaningful photos since 1956. If this is what NikonGear has become, so be it. I am not interested in what you describe above, a sorry end to a great forum.  If this is the general tone of this forum, may it RIP.

Nikon Z7II, Nikon "O" CRT 55mm f/1.5 lens

[Akira]

i understand that NG is here to discuss photography-related topics.  Gear is an important part of the photography simply because you cannot take pictures without the necessary equipment.  So, the gear-related discussions, reviews, or technical advises are essential parts of this forum.  That's why NG has dedicated sections for the gear.

On the other hand, I believe that all participants here know that the one behind the camera than the camera itself.  Recently, I don't participate in the gear talks very much simply because I'm pretty much content with what I have now, and not because the gear talk is unnecessary.

[KarlMera]

I have been taking meaningful photos since 1956. If this is what NikonGear has become, so be it. I am not interested in what you describe above, a sorry end to a great forum.  If this is the general tone of this forum, may it RIP.

Nikon Z7II, Nikon "O" CRT 55mm f/1.5 lens

We have different opinions, this is ok. Your picture is for me an example of a "very high quality" picture, could be however also made with other lenses and cameras.

[Michael Erlewine]

We have different opinions, this is ok. Your picture is for me an example of a "very high quality" picture, could be however also made with other lenses and cameras.

Again, your reasoning leaves me cold. That photo could NOT be made (at least easily) with other lenses, due to the special character of that particular lens. So, please, enjoy your photography. Yet if you imagine you are representing this forum, your logic is not helpful to folks like me. If your approach 'IS' the general consesus, let me hear this from others and I will happily not hang out here. Creativity cannot be confined and also survive.

[KarlMera]

It is not about me or my photography, we should think about the future of NG and find solutions.

Different opinions are quite normal.

[Frank Fremerey]

If we ae losing folks here, there must be some vitamin or ingredient missing.

In my book, CURIOSITY drives the people into or out of the forum. Second "secret ingedient" is Community. We are together now for 20 years and most of us came as fans of "nærfotograf / Bjørn Rørslett". We traveled together a lot as a community and organized in person meetups.
GEAR is in the name and this might be misleading.
AGE is important, we have nearly no members below 50. I guess we have less members below 40 than member over 80. With age comes bags of gear, so for the residents gear ist not so important anymore. I bought my last new item in November 2023, so one and a half years ago and it was important only insofar as I requested this from Nikon long ago. I asked for a FM-D camera as I called it and I got it with the Nikon Zf and interestingsly enough not with a Nikkor lens but with a Voigtländer Lens named Nokton Z 1.0/50mm. This gear made me take more photos and every person 60+ I met picked up the camera and felt at home "back in the days" ... I love the kit and enjoy it very much, because this is the way I learned to take photos in 1983!
What can get more people regularly involved into our forum?Statistics could help to find more Involvement
Which articles are most popular by number of views?Which artcles are most popular by number of replies?Which articles involve many "non supporters" we want to convert into supporters?What do these articles have in common and can we strengthen that strength?With the "daily blog" now called "weekly blog" I started a regular involvement effort in January 2016, which is now in its 10th year and counting: https://nikongear.net/revival/index.php?topic=2411.msg29009#msg29009 Maybe we need more of that, like --- do you remember the "Edit Challenge" we used to have? The winner of the last Edis challenge posts a RAW file and everyone is invited

[Lars Hansen]

...your reasoning leaves me cold.

+1

If your approach 'IS' the general consesus, let me hear this from others and I will happily not hang out here.

Michael, I would be very sorry se you leave if that is your intention. I've always enjoyed and valued your brand agnostic contributions, detailed articles and approach to your photography - imo very important contributions for the diversity on NG.
I've been a very, very happy Z7 owner for some years now - partly inspired by your posts. It's definitely the best camera I've had for my kind of photography. No mirror and very effective IBIS/VR - fantastic for handheld photography even in low light: improved gear, more flexibility yields better results and, to me, more joy and inspiration in my photography. Whether I'm a good photographer is of least concern for me here on NG.               

[KarlMera]

Hello Frank,
your thoughts about statistics and articles are very interesting and constructive.

[Frank Fremerey]

The yearly reminder in the Google calendar that I set up last spring worked well for me this time around, avoiding the unintended lapse in renewal I had in the past. I highly recommend this simple measure.

IO have "auto renew" plus I like to add some money manually to the address provided with the subscription

[Frank Fremerey]

I have been taking meaningful photos since 1956. If this is what NikonGear has become, so be it. I am not interested in what you describe above, a sorry end to a great forum.  If this is the general tone of this forum, may it RIP.

Nikon Z7II, Nikon "O" CRT 55mm f/1.5 lens

Dear Michael!
I do not see the difference between you and Karl, except for the wording.
You got your style of imaging which is a kind of a spiritual journey as you have often described in the past.
I never quite understood your obcession with gear, because as you say, MEANING is what you aim for.
Love
Frank