An observation and plea

[Cadwell]

Over the past few months on this forum I’ve noted an increasing tendency for people to give seemingly authoritative answers based on what they’ve “heard”, “read” or “been told”. Often these answers are misguided, incomplete or just plain wrong.

Whilst I am sure that people are doing this from the very best of intentions, i.e. the desire to be helpful, I can’t see that providing information on this basis is in actual fact helpful for anyone: Quite the opposite in fact.

So here’s a little plea to the community in general; please, please, please stick to what you actually know about. Don’t praise or cast aspersions on a lens you’ve never owned or used. Don’t rabbit on about an EOS xxx when the closest you’ve come to one is Jessops’ window in Basingstoke. This is a great forum and a fine source of reference and help for all Canon users, it would be a shame if it ceased to be that.

And no, I’m not taking a pop at anyone in particular (most of us have been guilty of this from time to time - me included) nor am I referring to a specific post / topic so please don’t take personal offence. This observation of mine isn’t aimed at you… but if the shoe fits

[dewmuw]

Good points mate and duly seconded.

[Steve Parr]

As someone who gets more than a fair amount of his photographic education from this Forum (is that good or bad??), I'd go along with that.

I try to not even pretend that I know what I'm talking about when it comes to photography or gear. I'll comment for days, however, on my 85mm f/1.8.

And, if anyone needs advice on guitars, well, that's my gig...

Steve

[aam1234]

Been waiting for somebody to say that for a looong time. Thank you Cadwell.

[Redbird_xo]

Excellent points indeed!

Cross referencing posts volume with respective contents will tell part of the story.

[Pekka]

Very well said.

[Sean-Mcr]

It's a thin line i know, i'd give somebody an idea of what lens that they might want to look at then it's up to them to do the research.

[Rob612]

Ditto

[CoolToolGuy]

A good, periodic reminder for all of us.

Have Fun,

[weemannie]

As a relatively new member, I would like some advice on this issue, please.

I read numerous photo magazines and books, particularly if I am about to make another purchase (less so, now I'm on this forum ) and assess the various reviews of different bits of kit. Also I subscribe to the excellent EOS magazine which often has some first class articles.

If I see a thread which asks a question about an issue I have gleaned some info on, should I not be sharing it? I should add that I have in the past, more about techniques rather than equipment, and always emphasised that it was something I read.

If this was wrong, then I'm sorry. I love this community, and would not intentionally do anything to devalue it

[Longwatcher]

I have to say that I disagree with the basic premise of this thread. Although I agree with the spirit of the premise in that off-the cuff remarks should not be made without some knowledge base to judge from.

If someone has done the research, then why should I have to do it, vice versus, if I have done the research why should someone else if I can provide the results.

For example 85/1.2 and 85/1.8 (both excellent lenses) I own nethier (although I am saving towards the 85/1.2) I have high confidence that the information I give about these two lenses is correct in the general way I give it, The primary sources for my knowledge is Canon's museum/Bebit lens data, multiple forums, and my knowledge of optics. Meanwhile, because of the cost of these lenses there is a limited pool of people who actually own them, thus it would take considerably longer for someone requesting information to get it. This would also apply to cameras.

Although I own a D60, 10D and 1DsMkII and have played with a 1DM2, I feel reasonable certain that information I provide on 300D will be accurate (as long as I avoid feature differences, which I could, but have not looked up) and also on 350XT and 20D because I have knowledge of how these operate because of my possession of the cameras/lenses I do have versus statistics given by manufacturer. And my last example is Tamron lenses, based on my own personal knowledge of Tamron lenses I would classify them as complete pieces of crap. But because I have READ and HEARD about the current quality of these lenses, I feel I can now make a fair recommendation in their favor on occasion.

So If people only comment on personaly confirmed knowledge then everyone has to wait considerably longer for information that may or may not be more accurate then that presented by informed people. The wise reader knows to read or listen to multiple sources of information before forming a final opinion and I presume they are doing that until proven otherwise (but I am a cynical-optimist by nature).

Just my opinion,

[aam1234]

Hi weemannie,

IMO, it's perfectly fine if the person makes it clear that he/she read about that particular subject but doesn't have a first hand experience with it.

[Tom W]

Originally Posted by aam1234

Hi weemannie,

IMO, it's perfectly fine if the person makes it clear that he/she read about that particular subject but doesn't have a first hand experience with it.

Indeed, passing on information is fine, as long as it's presented in that manner. It's especially helpful if the information comes from a good source. For example, saying that you heard that everybody on XXXxxxxx website thinks that such-and-such a lens stinks is not quoting a good source. However, saying that William Castleman tested the lens on his web site and found it to be less sharp than another lens is a pretty good source. Providing links helps, too.

Cadwell's original post is a good reminder to all of us, myself included.

[Sean-Mcr]

I'm a much newer member

You don't have to own something to be able to appreciate and share your opinions on it. I'm not a person to say don't get that get this, i'll say what might suit a given subject.

What this thread i think is about is just stopping planket sweepeing staments.

I personally don't think you need to have a certain lens ect to talk about it, if it's to say you might want to check this out ect.

[jfrancho]

Sometimes not knowing the level of experience a person has can lead to poor advice and debates over what the right solution would be. I think it is the responsibility of the original person that made the query to relay their level of comfort with using a technique so that other options or workarounds can be explored. I have been personally criticized for giving advice that was not wrong, but required a prerequisite piece of software or equipment. I do not think such criticisms help the asker very much. I have also been caught chewing on my own foot as well, but you cannot learn without making mistakes. I'd say there are more than enough knowledgable members here that we can self regulate bad advice. In fact, I'd say that if you know otherwise, it is you responsibility to post the correct info.