A review of an article written for F-Stoppers by Lee Morris.
The Nikon DF Represents Everything Wrong With Photography
Or does it?
I have a bad distaste for the bullshit club. The elitists who sit on the sidelines telling others what ‘should be’ without getting in the game. I have never held professional critics to high acclaim either… once it becomes a profession there is a compelling NEED to slam artists as the critics greatest fear is to be thought of as going ‘too lightly’ on someone who was less than stellar.
Add to that the need for the critic themselves to be thought of as far more sophisticated, and far more in tune with the art than the average schlub and you get film critics hailing slop like “Gravity” while passing on films that do well because they were loved by the ‘masses’ – or to critics – ‘the dirty unwashed…’
Enter this terrible article by F-Stoppers written by a photographer named Lee Morris. It was a bitter, mean spirited article that sought to place Mr. Morris as that ‘on high’ photographer passing the judgement wand over those who didn’t quite ‘measure up’ to his high, high standards.
A NOTE FROME ME (EDITED IN)
Look, let me be clear. If you have a camera, and you like that camera, you can keep that camera. No one will be taking away your camera and forcing you into another camera.
Thank you.
“The Nikon DF Represents Everything Wrong With Photography”
We could wonder at this statement as something to marvel at, but really – what does it mean? What is wrong with photography anyway? I did not know that the wheels were off the rails in photography, did you? But – hell, it’s an online journal and we all know the importance of link bait. Pulled me in – guess it works, eh?
“Are we excited about this camera because of the photography we will be able to capture with it or are we excited because we will look trendy and fashionable holding it?”
Reading a little further in the article, one wonders who ‘we’ is. Clearly not him.
And the question asked begs another question… Why are you so concerned? Does it matter to you what the reason is for another’s interest?
Motive is now a point of contention when wanting to buy a camera?
Really?
“Cameras look the way they do today because they have been made to fit comfortably in your hand. I’ve never heard a professional photographer complain that a camera was too big or too heavy.”
What? Cameras look the way they look today because some designer built them that way based on design points that were measured and specced based on lots of reasons. Ergonomics is only one… And really? If you wanted an ergonomically created camera, it would most definitely NOT look like a DSLR. They are built to look like film cameras. They even have a ‘film chamber’ style – box/back/lens to them.
I take from the statement about weight that he doesn’t remember the very successful campaign that Olympus did with the release of the OM and the OM2… all about weight. The Nikon F3 was smaller than the Nikon F2 – and lighter – and those were features.
That apparently no one wanted – at least in Mr/ Morris’s world.
Personally I have heard many a photographer – me raising hand – that would like to see a less bulky camera, although I do love the feeling of my motor driven old F2’s. Manly men type of machines.
And things change.
“It’s always been really strange to me that this whole micro 4/3 explosion has happened because I feel like I have a pretty decent camera built into my cell phone.”
OK. What do we do with this information, sir? You don’t get it, much of the rest of the photography world does. I guess you… don’t. Feel free to not purchase a micro 4/3 camera. It’s allowed.
“If I want to take a professional picture, then I’m going to grab my professional camera.”
No such thing, Mr. Morris.
Define a “professional” image.
Define a “professional” camera.
Really cannot be done. Professional photographers have been making images on everything from home-made pinhole cameras to the most expensive one-off’s ever created (think the massive Polaroid machine). There simply is no definition of either that makes any sense at all.
But what Mr. Morris is saying is that he feels more “professional” when he has his big DSLR in his hand. Fine – but isn’t that what you are telling the rest of us is ‘wrong’ with photography? That need for ‘show’?
“So please don’t try to tell me you need a DF because it’s so easy to travel with and then strap a 70-200mm to it.”
Ummm… OK… no, wait. I have to tell you that I won’t be finding it easier to travel with and then strap (strap?) a bigass zoom to it. I don’t use bigass zooms. I use really small primes. Don’t tell ME what lenses I have to use… fair?
And really, what if I did? Would that diminish your photographic experience or life in any way… at all? Have you ever seen a 600MM on the front of a D4? I have… that massive lens makes the camera seem terribly small – and holding it quite a challenge.
So what?
“There is also no way that holding this camera with your fingers will ever be more comfortable than a full-handed grip on today’s cameras.”
So you are an expert in my fingers now? I shot with an F3 for nearly a dozen years. I am perfectly capable of knowing how my hands grip that camera… with love and affection. And no, they never got tired or irritated or – whatever.
So to that statement I simply say – “way”.
“I think it’s safe to say that this camera’s buttons were not chosen with ergonomics or speed in mind, they were chosen to make it look like an old camera.”
Hmmm. maybe. Why do you think speed is important? Not every photographer is into ‘speed’. You want to see speed, use “P”. Lots of photographers – me for one – like the idea of slowing down the process. I never had a winder for my Hasselblad… I LIKED cranking it. It made me pause between shots for a breath. I had motors on my F3’s and would fly through film – a roll in a few seconds in a lot of shoots… only to be handed a second camera from an assistant frantically rewinding and loading the first. And I would choose the large view cameras when I wanted to make sure that things slowed way down.
Those choices were important to me. They were important to a lot of photographers. In fact, up until the F4, whether to motorize the advance of the film was a choice we made as well. And lots of shooters like Eugene Smith chose lighter cameras over the weight of those early motors. Yeah – weight and size did matter to them as well.
“Do you know why older cameras had a mechanical shutter release cables? Because they hadn’t invented better technology like self timer, infrared, or radio triggers.”
Better? Never had the battery go out of my cable release, never had any interference issues with my cable release, and I never had to make sure I had the right frequency on my cable release.
Better sir, is a term not suited for this discussion.
(And the self timer is quite old in camera construction… makes me wonder how much the author really knows about this stuff.)
“When I saw a picture of this camera being used with a physical shutter release cable it was proof that my theory was correct: so many people don’t care about pictures anymore, they just want to be “photographers.” “
Another whiner. Soooo concerned about how many people are photographers… You know what, Mr. Morris, it is exactly that point that makes me excited. I LOVE that there are lots of photographers. I LOVE that others have found the absolute joy of image making, and are finding ways to express themselves. I don’t find it an abomination, nor do I think there is something ‘wrong’ with photography because of that newfound expression.
I genuinely feel a bit sorry for those photographers who seem to be so put out by the fact that their art is enjoyed by many others. And, Mr. Morris, we are ALL photographers now. Get used to it.
When I saw that cable release, I thought about the tactile thrill of holding that shutter button and pressing it at the exact moment when all came together in my viewfinder. I had a physical connection to the camera that was real. I do not feel that when connected by wireless – and there are most definitely a time and place for that wireless connection.
We get to make that choice. Choice is good in my world.
“Using an outdated/obsolete device to take a picture makes you more of an artist today.”
No, sir. It simply is a choice my hands and heart makes. You may feel free to not ever use these old, antiquated tools. I would like to make the choice TO use them if I wish. That OK with you? If I ask nicely?
“This product exists to appeal to the same people who have gone out and bought film cameras recently because they are “too artistic” to use digital like everyone else.”
(I promised myself to not go to my usually outraged voice, but this statement pushed me to the edge of that promise. Deep breaths…)
That statement is so arrogant, so self-centered and so desperately out of touch with the subjects he is talking about that it brings into question his bona-fides. “Like everyone else…”
Does he know about artists like Richard Rinaldi, or shooters like Jennifer Boomer?
Wait… no, he doesn’t. Never mind. Let’s move on.
“You may not shoot video, you may not care about video, you may hate that still photography and video are merging. It doesn’t matter what your opinion on video is, the fact is that removing features from a product does not make a product “revolutionary.” “
I have not seen that term used with this camera. Have you? We call that a “straw man” argument. And maybe the ‘revolutionaly’ approach is the size and the way the features ARE laid out – even though not to the liking of Mr. Morris.
I am glad I do not have to worry about my opinion on video while reading HIS opinion on this camera. So many opinions… I would get lost.
“If Nikon had a logical reason why this camera couldn’t shoot video then I would be fine with it but we all know with a simple software update the camera could shoot amazing video like every other DSLR.”
More arrogance (unfounded I am afraid) on display.
It doesn’t have video. I don’t want the camera to have video. I want the camera to be the camera. I have video on nearly every other camera, and I simply do not want it.
I still have the right to NOT want something, don’t I Mr. Morris? Is there a form that I need to submit to be allowed to want what I want?
“When I first saw this camera I have to admit that I was excited, and for many reasons I still am. But I had to ask myself why?”
No. Really. You didn’t.
“Is this camera going to help me take better pictures?”
An interesting question, Mr. Morris. Does any camera in your opinion help make a ‘better’ photograph? I am not in that group. I think that the photographer makes the image, and the image is all I care about. A crappy photographer with a Rebel can get a 5DMKIII and guess what – still shitty photographs, just sharper a bit.
And online it makes no difference anyway. And so many photographers are simply shooting for online delivery that the idea that a Rebel cannot compete with a 1D in a 900 pixel wide image is laughable.
But I am not laughing.
“Is my photography business going to improve if I buy it?”
Nope. Would your photography business improve if you bought a Hassy? If the answer is yes, move heaven and earth to get it. I simply cannot imagine what piece of gear could improve one’s business. Dollars for marketing, or a studio in a better neighborhood – maybe. But a camera?
“Am I only excited because this camera looks different than other current cameras, or does this product only appeal to me because it reminds me of the first camera I ever owned?”
I don’t know. If it was, is that wrong?
Are the people who lovingly restore their vintage cars everything that is wrong with transportation today?
Are those who ride the older style motorcycles, the retro Triumphs and BSA’s and Indians everything that is wrong with motorcycling today?
Are those who listen to music on vinyl, preferring it to the CD everything that is wrong with recorded music today?
Or are they folks that make a choice. They choose something that may remind them of a time when the camera was an extension of their eye, and did only what we wanted it to. When part of the process was to choose the film type, the ISO, the processing baths… when the camera was simply a tool for the eye to look through and the brain to calculate… the heart to feel.
Perhaps it is something that brings them closer to a time that they remember and love… like a sentimental Hallmark card, or watching Costner plow the field waiting for someone to come.
That is isn’t what is wrong with photography today.
What is wrong with photography is everybody getting all vexed over what someone else is doing. What is wrong is that we have a whole new crop of people TELLING us what is good, what fits our hand, what will not be worth it to us.
TELLING us instead of allowing us to make choices based on our own needs, wants and desires.
“I’m honestly really excited that Nikon is doing something “different” but at the same time I would hate to see this camera, which I believe in many ways is a massive step backwards, become the best selling “pro” camera simply because it looks cool. We buy things every day because of the way they make us feel and that’s fine. I believe this camera will bring a lot of people a lot of joy. I just don’t want you to forget that we are supposed to enjoy photography, and not just being fashionable photographers.” (And yeah, I left out the link to the author’s workshop in the Bahamas… will let you go there on your own.)
I am staggered by the arrogance and the fake humility on display here. He is trying to ‘save’ us from the pitfalls of buying a camera because we like it, or how it looks, or because we can stand around with it and a bottle of Pabst Blue Ribbon listening to our AM radios and singing DooWop? It’s OK… we don’t really need saving. We are capable of making a $3000 camera purchase without being totally, you know, clueless.
Seriously.
No, there is nothing wrong with photography today. The problem is with photographers.
And possibly photo media… ya think.
Always has been.
EDIT… I was accused of removing a comment that was not favorable to me. I assure you I did not. Here is the screen shot for those of you who may have been told that I did. You can scroll to the comment on your own, but I thought this was really a cool way of adding a little graphic to the fun. Heh.
Amen. You’ve hit the nail perfect, true and square. The problem with photography today are the “I’m all that and a bag of chips” crowd, know-it-alls that attempt to dictate personal opinions and tastes as the reason YOU should or should not like a product.
There is an elitist club of people going around, people who’s knowledge appears superficial and incomplete, their history somehow lacking. The FStoppers article has come off like some inflated piece by Fox news.
For the record, I don’t shoot with the Nikon brand so I could give a crap less about what product is being attacked (being an Olympus shooter I am used to the elitist bashing by those who never seem to actually leave their computers to shoot). Shoddy and biased reviews is why I dumped DPReview (though they may have cleaned up their act I haven’t been back to notice) and why I try to stay away from the Hipster-mentality photographers and their little islands of make-believe world where everything is crappy except what they have going. It can be a drag.
Thank you.
“I’m all that and a bag of chips”
I’m really hoping to see a photographer using that as a tagline one day.
It does boggle the mind. Justin.
Well said. Any jackass with a keyboard can bash the creative work of a team of incredibly dedicated designers and engineers. Perhaps the creators of the Df are actually proud of their product and hope that people will enjoy using it.
I would think they are VERY proud of it. As well, can you imagine the time and money that went into the design, tooling up and production to MAKE the thing? To think they would do that in a vacuum, with NO idea of whether there is a market is something only someone who has never REALLY been in business could assume.
Bravo, sir!
🙂
Very well put! Really enjoyed your post and I wish there were less people worried about what someone might say about what they are shooting with and more worried about going out and making pictures.
So agreed.
The fascination with the ‘tribe’ mentality makes me wonder where the real work is happening.
Something to be said for a photographer who loves the craft so much, he’s willing to share it with anyone who is interested. Boo to the elite club. Yay for the professionals, the amateurs, the soccer moms, the hipster teen, and everyone in between who loves the capture, and savours the moments.
Double Yea!
I love photography and am happy as hell that others do as well.
Excellent.. raw words, but charged with real logic
Thanks, Lex.
:: No, there is nothing wrong with photography today. The problem is with photographers.
No, I suspect the problem is just as much you, who responds to an unimpressive article questioning the Df design ethos by leveling ad hominem attacks.
Not sure you have a grasp of “ad-hominem” but thanks for reading and commenting.
🙂
Enter this terrible article by F-Stoppers written by a photographer named Lee Morris. It was a bitter, mean spirited article that sought to place Mr. Morris as that ‘on high’ photographer passing the judgement wand over those who didn’t quite ‘measure up’ to his high, high standards.
Aren’t you doing the exact same thing? Only you’re not attacking a product, you’re attacking him.
Yep.
If you set yourself up to judge, be ready to be judged.
No worries there… And I never attacked him, I attacked his ideas, his elitist statements of ‘fact’ that simply aren’t.
Should we let those statements go down as some sort of fact?
I won’t.
And really, he was not attacking a product, he was attacking the people who would want that product.
Anyway, thanks for reading.
To each his own I suppose. I read his article first and thought nothing of it. I don’t seem to think any article without quotes or proper attribution is anything more than one person’s opinion. Then I saw yours and it just seemed mean-spirited and angry. I’ve reread them both and I don’t think yours is as mean as it did on first read. But it still comes off a little angry. Then again, I shoot Canon, so I judge people on whether their lens is white or not.
That last part has tongue planted firmly in cheek.
Yep.
Angry as charged.
And I shoot Canon.
When I am not ranting about nincompoops who are insulting me, and my choices. I don’t deal well with that… and I am a bit mean spirited as well… to people who couch their elitist crap under the guise of ‘opinion’…
🙂
While I don’t like the “elitist reviewer” types anymore than the next person, the fact of the matter is the Df is a contrived bit of camera engineering. Complete with fake “wear and tear”, it’s obvious what the goal for this camera is, and that is to appeal to the camera hipster crowd out there. It “looks more authentic” apparently.
I don’t really see much reason to fault people who question the Df and other cameras like it. It’s one thing to want that older camera look like the X-100 because it’s smaller and less conspicuous when doing street photography for example (that would be a practical reason which can improve the quality of your pictures because the people around you may be less self-conscious than if you’re toting a D800 around). It’s another thing to simply “make something that looks old” and have no functional reason for doing so.
That’s what the Df is. A cosmetic solution in search of a problem. Its pictures are not likely to be any higher quality than its predecessors, and there’s no real innovation.
Of course, people should be able to buy what they want without fear of abuse, but they shouldn’t expect people (with a camera like this) to say nothing either. Criticism is part of life. There’s a right way and a wrong way to do it, but here I think Nikon has dropped the ball and lowered their standards by catering to a niche that is not that important or helpful in making better pictures. You certainly can’t claim this camera is less conspicuous as it’s pretty large and definitely an attention getter (unlike some of the other retro looking models from Fuji, Leica, etc).
“…obvious what the goal for this camera is, and that is to appeal to the camera hipster crowd out there. It “looks more authentic” apparently.”
And that offends you? Why? Why do you care who it is aimed at. If that is not you, ignore it.
“I don’t really see much reason to fault people who question the Df and other cameras like it.”
I do. I think the attacks are not directed at the inanimate object, rather those who want to enjoy it.
“It’s another thing to simply “make something that looks old” and have no functional reason for doing so.”
Chrysler did pretty well with the PT Cruiser. It led sales for at least a few years. Same with the little Chevy truck, and the new Ford Mustang is quite a ‘throwback’. I suppose it is possible that the are companies and audio companies making retro looking CD/MP3 players are totally off their bonkers… but I sort of doubt it.
“That’s what the Df is. A cosmetic solution in search of a problem.”
No sir. It is a camera. One that Nikon will sell or will not sell. Creating the false flag of deciding that all who buy it must be hipsters is both offensive and simply wrong.
“Of course, people should be able to buy what they want without fear of abuse”
… and here comes the “but”…
“but they shouldn’t expect people (with a camera like this) to say nothing either.”
You are really saying that I must listen to people who feel so entitled and elitist and generally full of themselves about why or why I would or would not purchase… a camera?
It’s a camera.
“here’s a right way and a wrong way to do it, but here I think Nikon has dropped the ball and lowered their standards by catering to a niche that is not that important or helpful in making better pictures.”
You know, I heard that about the iPad, the laptop, the iPhone, the iPod, the builtin meters in SLR’s, 35MM was supposed to destroy photography, autofocus, ETTL, and – digital photography itself.
All were stupid ideas bound to fail – according to the people not involved in the research and creation of them.
To think that NIKON is too stupid to know what will sell or not just rings hollow to me. They have a target they will reach… easily. Quickly.
It IS a boutique camera. It is NOT a camera for everyone. If one is looking for all that Nikon can deliver to the digital image, I suggest they not look at this camera… it is not designed for them.
“ou certainly can’t claim this camera is less conspicuous as it’s pretty large and definitely an attention getter (unlike some of the other retro looking models from Fuji, Leica, etc).”
No I can’t. I am not sure I want to. I can certainly tell you it is NOT my reason for wanting one. I could care less about pixel peeping and video and on-board processing and shooting modes and presets and even buffer speed.
I want one because it will remind me of the joy I had shooting my F3.
And somehow that makes me a hipster and not worth the time that NIKON put in for someone like me? I make no false claims to size being important or quality of the image (it should be pretty good with a D4 sensor), nor do I want functions I do not use or video or whatever.
I. Don’t. Care.
I should just STFU and buy a NEX… I guess.
But see… I just cannot do that.
Hey, Don… 🙂
Us photographers really do have a nasty habit of shooting ourselves and each other in the foot, don’t we?
Stay well and thanks for speaking up…
Angela
Yes we do, Angela.
Yes we do.
Good one Don. Just linked back to it. And I’m glad if you’re better.
Thank you sir.
I guess if I am still able to get pissed off when someone is insulting me, I must be on the mend…
🙂
I never comment but MAN!!!!! that was an epic READ!
thank you!!!!
You are both a gentleman and a scholar sir.
Might I be able to interest you in a return to “Pure Writing” as well along these same lines of logic?
http://gallery.photo.net/photo/17587213-lg.jpg
EEEEK…
Not sure that is even close to an equivalency… LOL.
Shouldn’t it be a quill and scroll?
Arrogance around us in everyday life situations is a common problem. The way you answer this ‘white glove’ thrown into the photography world of internet media is unusual and amazing at the same time. There is too much hate around and love and enjoyment is being left behind. One of the reasons I think is that these days media can be used by anyone who wants to express his own opinion in public in front of the millions of other readers, wanting to be visible at any costs … The consequences are huge. I have read both articles and after reading the one by Lee Morris I felt cold running through my bones. I felt hammered. I did not know why, there was something in me, a part of me which was sad. The camera was not even announced yet and it was already being executed by that writing. Of course guys at FS are running business so they pushed it hard yesterday to gain clicks while the theme was hot on Nikon Rumor which they used as a source… I can understand that, for many that is the life of making money. But until today after I read yours reply to this ‘arrogant’ titled article I realized what I missed in that cold writing of Lee Morris. I felt his mind counting disadvantages of the new coming tool and the controversy in his writing how he would love to like this camera if it … There was no passion though in that piece of his writing which would made me actually believe he was right. It sounded like his theory had good points at first to me, but deep inside I felt there is something missing. The passion and love of photography of its own. I am just a regular guy with a camera, who shoots for living and live for love of my family. It really does not matter for me if I pick up D3s or my small P310 when I see my daughter and son laughing and playing. The moments can be precious around us during our lives and even if I had not had a camera to capture them I lived that happiness of it being thankful to see and feel it in front of me happening. That moment stays in my mind for good. There is too many Lee’s out there these days and the life is too short for to follow every single articles they produced. So thank you for yours, the opposite of the other one, but even though you expressed your ‘anger’ in it, you did it such a way, I have now a way better feeling in myself then I had yesterday. Sometimes the look into a mirror is needed to realize when the line had been crossed. I hope HE reads your reply in person to realize he pushed things certain direction too far for a reason. Was it worth it though? … Just my opinion, and thanks to the internet we have our chance to express ourselves like you two did. Enjoy the moments guys, all of you :). Thanks. JP
A very heartfelt and expressive comment JP.
I can tell you love photography as much as I do.
Thanks.
I can see that this camera has divided opinion and got people talking which will please Nikon. I am not a pro, I wanted to be but I didn’t enjoy the experience. I used to have a D700 and I still have my FE. I now have a D800 but it had been out for 18 months before I made the upgrade.
When using my D700 all I really wanted was the same camera with a D3S sensor, or the D4 sensor. At the same time I still like to run film through my FE , I love how it looks and how it feels and how it slows you down and makes you think before taking the shot because you don’t want to waste that frame………
Who did they build the DF for? Me I think.
So I am with you all the way, there is nothing wrong with photography today it is strong and healthy and happily I am almost past the point of giving a flying fart what anybody else thinks about my purchase choices. It is between me, myself and I. It’s just a shame that I am not in the market for one right now or else I’d have one in a heartbeat.
In fact my only issue is that despite the exchange rate Nikon UK want as many pounds Stirling for one in the UK as Nikon USA want in USD in the States.
I am disappointed that Nikon took the ‘elitist’ mode on the camera. The pricepoint is too high by nearly a grand, so it doesn’t have as much wide appeal as I believe it should have.
Nikon wanted a ’boutique’ camera that was purposely priced out of the market of beginners and pro-ams… although I think that should have been their market all along.
But I don’t work at Nikon… heh.
An interesting read, but frankly unnecessary. Seems to me its more about you opinion of Lee Morris than the camera
It was not a review of the camera. I don’t review cameras. Never have.
I review people who denigrate photographers, have no passion for photography, and put themselves in the position of telling photographers what they should and shouldn’t do.
Cameras are simply tools.
The other tools are my target.
“the other tools are my target.”
bravo!
🙂
The same day the Df was released, I happened to be reading one of the essays in Susan Sontag’s “On Photography”, in which she describes, in 1973, how looking backward is sometimes necessary for the creative process. She criticizes the Futuristic apotheosis of speed. The essay still describes us well today. I’m not sure I love this camera, but I love that Nikon, and Fuji especially, have released cameras that aren’t simply variations on the same one design.
I agree with that.
Looking back is nothing new in the creative process. All sorts of artists have looked back to see what was in order to craft what could be. From music to poetry to dance, there has always been a bit of nostalgia/re-discovery in the creative endeavor.
I once remarked to a composition teacher that I did not listen to the Mozart Piano Concerti because I only listened to modern music. “I like the new stuff”, I remember saying.
He smiled, “If you haven’t heard it, I would imagine it would be new to you…”
I can remember that moment like it was yesterday.
That one line changed much of my creative life, and how I think of the timeline of the act of making art.
Burn-Out vs Passion.
In reading both articles it reads to me that Morris is bitter and burned out in the trade of photography. So shut the F*** up and find something else to make a few bucks from. I have friends that shoot film and others that shoot digital. I don’t care how they capture what they they do. I love it all. I tote a D3s (heavy bastard) because it is the tool of choice for me, not for camera envy. The bottom line is that we capture it, share it, learn from it and do it again. ART!
Thanks Don
So you really ARE a photographer, Robert. I know so many people who are indeed photographers… first and last, photographers.
Not camera collectors, or pixel peepers, or elitists with all the latest and greatest… but people who care about the craft, art and life that is photography.
Thanks for the kind words.
Wow. Quite the emotional rant you gave us. Best of all, you took the cheapest and easiest path for criticism and did it sentence by sentence instead of the more rational method of seeing the OP’s main point, which I wholeheartedly agree with.
You might think photography’s future is in pretty, niche cameras, but I prefer to think it is in images. And THAT, my friend, plays a large part in what is wrong with photography today. For proof, one need look no further than your emotional and irrational rant over a review of a piece of gear.
There are two kinds of people, today, who consider themselves photographers. One cares more about the image, the other more about gear. Which are you?
“Wow. Quite the emotional rant you gave us.”
Thanks.
“Best of all, you took the cheapest and easiest path for criticism and did it sentence by sentence instead of the more rational method of seeing the OP’s main point, which I wholeheartedly agree with.”
I always look for the easiest way possible.
“You might think photography’s future is in pretty, niche cameras, but I prefer to think it is in images.”
I don’t think think anything about the future of photography being in ‘pretty’ niche cameras. Where in the hell did you get that point. I am NOT a gear head. My focus was on HIS claim of gear centricity that I faulted.
Talk about missing the point. Jeeez.
“or proof, one need look no further than your emotional and irrational rant over a review of a piece of gear.”
Perhaps you may want to take a moment to read it again. I was ‘ranting’ over HIM telling people what gear TO and TO NOT buy, while I was saying it sholdn’t matter. If you saw his drivel as a review of a camera – one that he didn’t even have in his hands – YOU missed the point of his article. Not me.
“There are two kinds of people, today, who consider themselves photographers.”
No, there is not.
“One cares more about the image, the other more about gear. Which are you?”
Well, a simple search of my site, one with probably less than a half dozen gear related threads, and many more rants against gear heads would be too difficult to do, so let me answer you this way.
The IMAGE is all that is important to me. Which is WHY I don’t go out and tell people what camera they SHOULD buy, or how someone wanting a camera that THEY want is what is wrong with photography today.
You asked me the question, now here’s one for you.
YOU are a gearhead, pixel peeper. YOU are the one that would like to see people follow YOUR thoughts about gear. My argument was for the freedom of a photographer to make their own decisions based on their OWN image needs.
You want them to follow yours – or that other guys… cause YOU know best.
How’s that for line by line…. always looking for the easy way out.
Do you always delete comments which are critical? Seems a bit overly sensitive, to me
Are you blind… I never delete any comments on this site. Your comment is right there on the page above me.
I am the ‘gear head’ who taught his CreativeLIVE course with a Rebel.
I agree, Don. If someone wants to buy the new Nikon more power to them, and if the design inspires them to do better work even more power to them. People take inspiration in different ways. If someone doesn’t want to buy it either that’s fine too. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong with photography. Having not seen it is person, it does seem smaller than their other cameras which in my opinion is the biggest benefit. Not sure why that other writer would say he’s never heard of a pro complain about camera size. Has he never met a street photographer or travel photographer? I bought a Fuji XE-1 this summer for that very reason. So I can comfortably carry it on my shoulder all day in any sort of situation rather than stash it in my backpack.
I cannot agree more.
It is certainly a strange time when people are telling photographers what kind of camera they should buy, when nearly any camera out there is good enough to make amazing photographs.
If it ends up making a choice based on what you think is cool, or color, or weight, or pixel count, or lens selection or whatever the hell one wants to make the choice based on… that is totally fine with me.
As long as they keep making kickass images, does it really matter to anyone?
One final comment: We should consider ourselves fortunate to live in a time with all these camera manufacturers and choices. Keyword being choices. You don’t have to buy anything until you find the one that strikes your fancy.
So true, Richard.
Think about this for a second. Lets say the DF arrived last year, and the D4 was announced this week. This is how it would probably play out on the blogs: “The D4 has the same sensor as the DF and all I’m getting is video, 11 fps, and a battery grip!” “$3000 more! No way Nikon!” Oh the humanity. Mass hysteria. Cats would be chasing dogs.
I would love to have this camera. I was tempted to jump on it, my reasoning being I could essentially get a D4 for half price without the features that I really don’t need. But, I’ll pass for now. Good luck to those who will get it, I can’t wait to see your images.
Rych… you are so right.
I think the manufacturers and marketing folks realize this as well. They prepare for negative press and negative ‘pundits’ who are really ad-hominem attack dogs.
You are right to turn that paradigm around though… and that is funny.
I may have to use this… if you don’t mind…
Please do, I don’t mind a bit.
Don’t worry if don’t like it you have the choice, just don’t buy it.
Good post. I was reviewing consistently the following web site that i’m astounded! Handy info specially the last aspect 🙂 I cope with this sort of information a lot. I became looking for this type of facts for an extended time. Thank you in addition to all the best ..