How about splitting up EOS section?

[PekkaM]

Now that the photo galleries are divided into smaller sections, the EOS area is by far the most popular in number of messages. I was wondering, if it could be divided into smaller pieces also?

Like:

EOS General (bodies, using them, etc.)
EOS Accessories (flashes, batteries, tripods, etc.)
Lenses (lenses, filters, extenders, etc.)

Also I'd like to see use of search function enforced a bit more. Endlessly redundant threads about popular subjects make for filler but not much else...

Well just suggesting, thanks anyway for great forum! :)

[aam1234]

Good idea, especially the lenses section.

[Tom W]

HOw about one for cameras and lenses, and another for senseless rants about new posters and scamming flash schemes?

OK, J/K. I actually think separating the lens from the bodies might be a good idea, though I'm not unhappy with what's there now.

[scottbergerphoto]

Personally, I think that all the senseless rants (and misogynous posts) should be redirected to dpreview.com, they do seem to enjoy that there(rants, but throw in the misogynous posts for free) . The problem with that is, what's senseless rant to me might be concise, erudite, and highly informative to someone else. There's the rub.

I agree that some further division of the EOS section might be worthwhile, but I just work here. Let's see what kind of response this thread gets.
Regards,
Scott

[IanD]

By dividing the section into bodies, lenses, and accessories it might be faster for folks to find answers to questions. A fourth section for rants about poor service, hacks that turn cameras into microwaves etc could have a direct post link to DP :) :) :) :) :)

[gramps]

"EOS General (bodies, using them, etc.)
EOS Accessories (flashes, batteries, tripods, etc.)
Lenses (lenses, filters, extenders, etc.)"

those three seem good to me, I wouldn't split it into mant more..at least not for now.

[Jyoti]

Ummm... how about sub-sections for different bodies? Or is that going too far?

It'd be useful for me as I wouldn't have to wade through loads of posts about bodies I don't have, since subject headings are often engimatic bordering on cryptic.

Just a thought...

[Pekka]

I think a split in two is the best option now. So I'll suggest

Canon EOS digital cameras
Everything about digital EOS cameras, accessories and usage.

Canon EOS lenses
All about EF and EF-S lenses, extenders, third party lenses, filters, usage and maintenance.

[scottbergerphoto]

A section on Lighting (studio and small flash) perhaps?

Scott

[Scottes]

My suggestion would be Cameras, Lenses, Accessories.

[aam1234]

A section on Lighting (studio and small flash) perhaps?

Scott

That would be great.

[EoSD30fReAk]

My suggestion would be Cameras, Lenses, Accessories.
this is also what i thought
sounds great

[Pekka]

Ok, the last suggestion is:

Canon EOS Digital Cameras
Everything about digital EOS cameras (DSLR), choosing them and using them, tutorials, reviews and news.

Canon EOS Lenses
All about EF and EF-S lenses, extenders, third party lenses, filters, usage and maintenance. Reviews and demo photos.

Canon Accessories
Accessories and their usage. Bags, tripods, lights, batteries, straps etc.

Ok?

[iwatkins]

Sounds good, but possibly change:

Canon Accessories
Accessories and their usage. Bags, tripods, lights, batteries, straps etc.

to:

Accessories
Accessories and their usage. Bags, tripods, lights, batteries, straps etc. (any make)

so that any make of item can be included in discussions.

Cheers

Ian

[Mogwyth]

Ok, the last suggestion is:

Canon EOS Digital Cameras
Everything about digital EOS cameras (DSLR), choosing them and using them, tutorials, reviews and news.

Canon EOS Lenses
All about EF and EF-S lenses, extenders, third party lenses, filters, usage and maintenance. Reviews and demo photos.

Canon Accessories
Accessories and their usage. Bags, tripods, lights, batteries, straps etc.

Ok?
Sounds good to me.

[robertwgross]

So far, it seems like a lot of posters have trouble figuring out how to get their first post into the right forum to begin with. If you split up into smaller and smaller ones, it seems like that will make it harder for the first-timers and probably make more work for moderators. I'm not certain that is desired.

Belmondo will have to apply for overtime pay.

Let me play Devil's Advocate (again). What's wrong with it the way it stands?

---Bob Gross---

[Canuck]

Ok, the last suggestion is:

Canon EOS Digital Cameras
Everything about digital EOS cameras (DSLR), choosing them and using them, tutorials, reviews and news.

Canon EOS Lenses
All about EF and EF-S lenses, extenders, third party lenses, filters, usage and maintenance. Reviews and demo photos.

Canon Accessories
Accessories and their usage. Bags, tripods, lights, batteries, straps etc.

Ok?

It might also be worth adding a "new 2 DSLRs" for those who haven't ever shot DSLR.

[KennyG]

I only have one comment. The volumes of posts do not justify a split.

[Cadwell]

I like the EOS section the way it is. I can't honestly see the point in making the split and as Ken says, it's not THAT busy (except when a new xxD comes out and the place gets filled with "I have a new camera" threads).

[tim]

I'd rather we stayed with one forum. There's no need to split it, and if there were three forums i'd probably not bother to read them all. New people would also get less help.

I really don't see any advantage to spilling them up.

[Pekka]

The biggest reason for splitting should be categorizing posts for those who seek certain information. Secondary reasons are shorter index pages and better overall structure for choosing discussions.

Splitting does not need to happen soon, or ever - that is why want to hear your opinions.

[tim]

I vote for never.

[mjordan]

We had a fairly long thread about this a few months ago and our opinions were asked on what we thought about it. Unfortunately, a few people didn't like some of the opinions that where given, even though they were honest opinions, just not part of the popular group.

Now that the Photo Sharing area is split up, I only visit one forum most of the time and maybe one other one every now and then, even though I know there are probably images that I'd like to see in some of the others.

I think it would be a shame to split up the EOS forum. To much of what is talked about is good across most of the EOS cameras and talk about lenses and the cameras go hand in hand. There is no way you are going to be able to police the postings unless the moderators are more active in "moveing" messages back and forth.

The more you split, the more diluted you make the whole thing. But when it comes down to it, Pekka, it's your site.

Mike

[tim]

Yeah, can I vote to put the photo sharing forums back to one or two as well? I don't bother visiting them any more.

[Pekka]

For Photo Sharing the split was a boost and as you can see Nature & Animals and People forums are very active now. Travel & Landscapes is doing fine, too. All the other forums there receive posts nicely and what is more important big majority of posts get good discussion and comments, much better than before.

If you don't want to click couple of times to go between forums from posts, you may find the top navigation link useful, click the blue link to get to forum selection:

Canon Digital Photography Forums > 'Photo Sharing' section > Travel & Landscapes

New posts lists all new posts from all forums. Back button on browser takes you back.

[wintoid]

I'm already struggling with the large number of forums for sharing photos. I definitely prefer not to split any more forums (fora?).

[Vita Rara]

I am solidy in the don't split the EOS forum camp.

1. I don't think the traffic warrants it. In the case of the photo sharing forums it did. Newly posted pictures would fall off failry fast, now they don't and people can look at what they want. This isn't the case in the EOS forum. Posts do not fall off the front page nearly as fast.

2. Discussion of SLR's being separated from the discussion of the lenses that work with them seems to be slicing it fairly thin to me. If I wanted to ask a question about what combination of lens and body to use where to do I post it? In my mind these topics go hand in hand.

3. Personally I generally visit one forum on this site, the EOS forum. Call me lazy but that's what I have time to read in general. I don't like to think about where I saw a thread to go read up on it. For me they are in the EOS forum. I have a one stop place to look.

4. Dillution. This is somewhat related to 3, but I'll state it in more general terms. Absent a critical mass of posts readily accessible to the reader there are fewer reasons to come to a site. If they need to switch around to various subject areas it can by too much work. Critical mass is essential to a forum's success. Absent it, there is little reason to visit.

Those are my thoughts for the moment. I say leave it the way it is. In my view it's not broken.

Mark

[Pekka]

Ok, EOS split has been cancelled :)