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Changes coming

Godfrey

Godfrey

Well-known member
hmm. I've done less and less medium format over the course of this past year because the latest Leica M generations provide more than enough of what I need at much less weight and fuss in use. If the forum is moving to be exclusively MF and LF, well, there's not much in that for me these days and I'll likely bow out quietly.

I'll miss other participants from these pages.

G
 
Jorgen Udvang

Jorgen Udvang

Subscriber Member
Another, rather dangerous, side to this is the shrinking scope of medium format. In reality there's only one brand left, Phase One. To call the current Fuji and Hasseblad cameras "medium format" is little more than a marketing ploy. Their sensors are a mere 26.6% larger than the "full frame" sensors (sensor diagonal). While they both offer exceptional image quality, that is probably more due to great lenses than to sensor size. And just for comparison; a "full frame" sensor is 53% larger than an APS-C sensor, more in the case of Canon.

In reality, the border between "full frame" and most current medium format cameras has become very fluid. Apart from P1, photographers choose between them based on brand preference, lens choice and economy rather than image quality. The question then becomes if a forum like this can survive on the users of mostly one brand plus vintage backs that will become increasingly difficult to service, and those enthusiasts who use medium and large format film. Fuji and Hasselblad users may still stay here, but as has been mentioned before, those Fuji users often also shoot other formats, like Fuji APS-C.

What I would personally have wished for is categories based on format/sensor size. However, most photographers seem to be brand enthusiasts, so I'm not sure if that would gain much traction. Additionally, differences in lens mounts etc. might render such a suggestion impractical.
 
KeithL

KeithL

Well-known member
I've been using various formats over the years and posting here for longer than I care to remember but have never thought of this place as a "technical forum". Had I known that others felt this way about GetDPI I doubt I would have ever started posting here in the first place.
 
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olafphoto

olafphoto

Administrator
Staff member
I read all your thoughtful comments and ideas. We really appreciate all the feedback. Many comments suggest that things are fine. or in other words "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" so why changing anything. Unfortunately, to put it simply "It is broke." Forums are dying and this forum is no exception. Without new ideas and new members eventually we will have to close it down. There are too many forums for everyone and about everything. We specialise or we die. I apologize for putting this so directly but this is the reality of the industry now. We are lucky that Capture Integration supports us and we have amazing team at our magazines. Eventually, this forum needs to be re-imagined and it needs to grow. It has always been mostly technical forum and I don't see any change. In fact, we introduced numerous sections about creativity and image-making but they were met with minimal interest from the members. Our team will be making some important decisions soon and as always, we take your concerns and ideas very seriously (I read all your posts). In the meantime, I wish you all the best in the upcoming year. I am confident that together we can make this forum insightful, fresh and relevant.
 
darr

darr

Well-known member
olafphoto said:
I read all your thoughtful comments and ideas. We really appreciate all the feedback. Many comments suggest that things are fine. or in other words "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" so why changing anything. Unfortunately, to put it simply "It is broke." Forums are dying and this forum is no exception. Without new ideas and new members eventually we will have to close it down. There are too many forums for everyone and about everything. We specialise or we die. I apologize for putting this so directly but this is the reality of the industry now. We are lucky that Capture Integration supports us and we have amazing team at our magazines. Eventually, this forum needs to be re-imagined and it needs to grow. It has always been mostly technical forum and I don't see any change. In fact, we introduced numerous sections about creativity and image-making but they were met with minimal interest from the members. Our team will be making some important decisions soon and as always, we take your concerns and ideas very seriously (I read all your posts). In the meantime, I wish you all the best in the upcoming year. I am confident that together we can make this forum insightful, fresh and releva
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The forum is already regarded as “The Medium Format Forum” across the web, so it is pretty much already in a niche of its own. What is your objective for this forum or maybe what I should say, what do you want this space on the web to be?
 
P

Paul Spinnler

Well-known member
I wonder what is the more broader reason why forums are dying? Is it a generational thing? Where are all the newcomers going to talk about their interests?
 
darr

darr

Well-known member
FB does not inspire me to interact. I belong to a few photography groups there, but only so I can view images, but I do not care to upload my own. Here, it feels like being part of a neighborhood, whereas FB, for me, feels like a global directory. It lacks warmth and community.
 
Knorp

Knorp

Well-known member
darr said:
FB does not inspire me to interact. I belong to a few photography groups there, but only so I can view images, but I do not care to upload my own. Here, it feels like being part of a neighborhood, whereas FB, for me, feels like a global directory. It lacks warmth and community.
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Ha ! But then, like me, you're an oldtimer ... ;)
 
S

spassig

Member
Hey
I was very happy to find this forum in the past. I‘m sure the users here are very courteous.
I don’t find this in a german forum.
Can olafphoto write what he specifically expects from the users? Or is it a financial problem to continue to exist?
I hope that getdpi continues to exist!!!!!!!

Jochen (Germany)
 
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Jorgen Udvang

Jorgen Udvang

Subscriber Member
darr said:
Thank you, Bart, for recognizing my years of experience and the wisdom that comes with them. I am devoted to the art and craft that is for sure. :)
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I don't think young people use FB much. Instagram on the other hand seems to stay popular. Where do photographers go? They retire and then they die. I'm not joking. Look at camera sales. All the camera forums became popular when camera sales exploded the first 10-15 years of digital photography. Now we are back to more normal sales figures, and only the genuine enthusiasts are left. The majority of the rest have changed to smartphones, devices that are not so interesting to discuss, since most of the process is computerised.

I have looked around a bit, and this is still one of the most active forums, and still one of the most friendly. Many post great images here, and the members represent a very diverse selection of photographers. Oh well.... we'll see.
 
B

B L

Well-known member
Since joining,I hvae no negativity to report,eveything is positive with the team at GetDPI and members,I call vast global family.Just recently,I started a thread asking for some help from US members ,if anyone could buy an item from CI and ship it to me in UK.
Within minutes our friend Darr messaged me to buy on my behalf and ship it to me. CI has a policy not to sell any item costing less than $500 to internation buyers but Steve was willing to "bend" business policy a little! And the purchase went smoothly.
Many thanks to Darr for his helping hand and many thanks to Steve to serve a forum member.
I/we want to see this forum site continues from strength to strength. Most members if not all should consider atleast once a year donation,
 
olafphoto

olafphoto

Administrator
Staff member
Knorp said:
Yep, if you would believe it, this forum is at a dead end. Apparently it's just a matter of time before the proverbial plug is pulled ... 🔌
Or am I just gloomy because of the dreadful weather here ?
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Indeed, the weather is dreadful and we are entering the most depressing time of the year according to scientists :) Having said that, the reason we have this conversation is that we all care and want this forum not only to exist but to flourish.
 
Godfrey

Godfrey

Well-known member
Olaf,
Can you tell us what metric you use to determine what you are looking for in order to say, "the forum is flourishing"?

G
 
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