Forum update document for discussion

True, but is it necessary to make the gear forums unattractive? I'm okay with getting them a bit smaller and lower, but basing them on sensor size is not good. It will lead to more fanboyism, not less. It will put more emphasis on an aspect of cameras that is less important than sometimes thought
And if this site really gets into good gear review, those interested may be gone.

Anyway, no-one has to follow a forum that does not interest him/her. I don't care about birds, so I don't go there

a) I agree. Phone A R E full fledge cameras

b) I shoot Z system, I post in Z talk, I read Z talk > it's a nikon - that's ok<

c) If there is a lens I'm interested to, it's in the Z talk

for the Forum I use the All Thread view so I see the universe.

( remove Z talk and I'm lost - non-interested in Canon, Fuji, or OM for instance )

I don‘t have any personal experience with it, but it might be true that there‘s too much emotion/conflict attached to sensor sizes and their differences to use that as dividing lines.

I don‘t fully get the notion of "but I only want to read about brand XY" etc. but because it is about gear it probably makes sense to have unique distinctions there even if they are somewhat inconsistent. A "Third party lenses" sub does only make sense when everything is divided by brands as well. A solution like that might be an acceptable compromise for most, I‘d assume!

Good grief- quite the hissy fit and storming off in a huff like an attention seeking infant. Get a grip, and calm down girl!
While you are pouting, contemplate whether this is the type of moderation needed here:
www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67128502
Totally unnecessary and typical of the nonsense moderation going on there. We don't need that over here on this site.

Agreed.

... and just as I've tried to make a case for giving everyone a chance and stressed that you actually didn't insult EdShapiro in this thread, you deem a response like this a good fit.

You got it wrong! I am not angry and storming off, I am just disappointed and leaving quietly. I am not seeking attention, especially from you. Infantile? Name-calling," hissy-fit, calling a man a girl? Kindergaten stuff. I am not insulted- I used the wrong word- I am disgusted!

Typical online troll. You don't know me, who I am, waht I do, and waht I have to offer. I am just a faceless name on a website. I made no reference to the old DPR forum- never had a moderation issue there.

When you say "we", do you speak for everyone on this site? If so, you certainly don't need me aroundd here.

Good grief- quite the hissy fit and storming off in a huff like an attention-seeking infant. Get a grip, and calm down girl!
While you are pouting, contemplate whether this is the type of moderation needed here:
www.dpreview.com/forums/post/67128502
Totally unnecessary and typical of the nonsense moderation going on there. We don't need that over here on this site.
[/quote]

You got it wrong! I am not angry and storming off, I am just disappointed and leaving quietly. I am not seeking attention, especially from you. Infantile? Name-calling," hissy-fit, calling a man a girl? Kindergaten stuff. I am not insulted- I used the wrong word- I am disgusted!

Typical online troll. You don't know me, who I am, waht I do, and waht I have to offer. I am just a faceless name on a website. I made no reference to the old DPR forum- never had a moderation issue there.

When you say "we", do you speak for everyone on this site? If so, you certainly don't need me aroundd here.
[/quote]

So what do you 'suggest' in terms of moderation Ed? Common sense suggestions outside the usual no threatening behaviour or porn, or any of the other stuff we can all agree on.
Where do you draw the line as to what is not acceptable for all? Free speech, non inclusiveness, off-topic, shackling the first amendment, etc..etc..?

I would look for ways to engage the audience beyond the give & take of an exchange of text posts on a forum. For example, schedule photographers to make presentations on YouTube, Zoom or another platform. Those could range from 45-minute talks by a photographer of some standing with Q&A at the end to short 5-minute presentations by...anybody...on a photo they recently made and, possibly, a technique they used to get the shot, and anything in-between.

Offer constructive critique sessions. It might be one photographer's photo that gets critiqued or it might be a longer session during which several submitted photos are critiqued. If it's constructive and focused on helping photographers grow, people will submit their photos or participate with constructive commentary.

Schedule occasional events in which one or a few topics are presented for discussion by a host plus 1 or 2 guests with live Q&A by the audience. You could kick up some sand on the beach and probably find a few folks with opinions to share on AI 😉

There are a variety of ways this could be taken. I'm sure others would have some creative fun input in this regard. One of the goals, of course, would be to schedule or host events that aren't time-intensive for you or the hosts. Keep it relatively simple, casual, fun...and manageable. If four types of events are scheduled each month - presentation, critique, topical discussion, an "Open Mic" during which members share a photo or two - that would average one type of event per week with no more than one-a-month for any specific event.

As with most advice, mine is freely offered. The cost is in the taking and following of it.

So, back on topic: If a majority of people here prefers some form of the first (brand based) approach of the gear section, is it possible to get a "Third party and adapted lenses" sub or something to the effect? What do others think - modern third party lenses outside of the big manufacturers (like Laowa, TTartisan etc.) might fit in nicely with older lenses for the most part, right?

Some great ideas in there! 👍 I have no clue if any of the people from the current team are able to produce anything like that, particularly on a regular schedule, but if it's indeed possible to make it "relatively simple, casual, fun" as you suggested, it could be a good addition.

I basically agree with Robert .. Looking at DPR the conversations were generally based and carried on by tribes, members who associated with those with a similar interest -- Camera Silos and Photo Threads. .. and generally having had those associations for years .... With photographs the C&C and 4/3rds Weekly thread are examples .. They had been active for more than a decade in the same 4/3rds Forum over on DPR and in recent years members rarely participated in both... When they moved here both received a sub-forum. .. C&C has maintained the Weekly thread and little conversation goes on in the sub-forum outside that thread. It seems to continue to work well. .. The 4/3 Weekly tried to convert the sub-forum into a substitute for the Weekly thread and seems to have failed as members felt uncomfortable with that and have mostly returned to DPR and a Weekly Thread ...

However this is Your Forum and if you want to change the discussion I look forward to how it goes .... For my interests I may have to return to the 4/3rds tribe! . ... It takes time to join and be accepted into another Internet tribe ..... and I'm getting older ...

WhyNot

Good question. However, if you believe PetaPixel genera covers it better.
petapixel.com/black-and-white-photography-guide/#:~:text=The%20medium%20earned%20its%20position,both%20film%20and%20digital%20cameras.

Leica has produced B&W versions of their digital cameras starting with the M9. Pentax now produces a B&W digital camera. Of course one can still get black and white film in all sizes up to 16x20 sheet film. The movie Oppenheimer is shot in both color and black and white to separate the dichotomy that was his life and deeds. The movie, "The Last Picture Show" would not be on the Library of Congress' list of most significant films if the story were told using color film. The only reason I asked is that it was removed from its current location and did not appear anyplace else as if it was totally being eliminate as a forum topic.

Here is also a pretty good discussion while Black and White photography is its own genre.
iceland-photo-tours.com/articles/photography-techniques/ultimate-guide-to-black-and-white-photography#
kirkville.com/the-semiotics-of-black-and-white-photographs/

The genre of B&W is restricted by its monochrome nature with only tonality, form and texture to define it. To me Black and White is to important and too unique a medium and topic to be eliminated from the forum as a discussion topic.