Myth, Folklore and Subjectivity of Gear Fora

neil_r wrote in post #2289049
The more money you spend on your kit the better photographer you become.

Everyone who looks at POTN really is dying to see pictures of your kids

I just bought this (whatever) what do you think?

AV and TV are for amateurs, real photogs only use manual

There was no post processing in the days of film

Neil you hit on 3 of my biggest ones right there!
That and the "NO, the 100-400 does NOT pump dust"...
and the 5D is not a pro camera.

* Kit lenses are only worth throwing in the trash
* I've spent thousands of dollars/pounds/gurmits on L lenses and huge bodies, so I MUST be a good photographer
* I know lots because I've got a huge post count

Pete wrote in post #2289642
* I know lots because I've got a huge post count

Amen

Hey, hey, hey......we said no ad hominem comments, eh ?

Oh, I love this thread:

1. Photozone/Photodo/<insert favorite 'review' site here> rates XYZ lens very low, so it sucks and you should never ever ever get one.
2. The new 1dsMk9ver421a is out, so your current camera is less than worthless, even though you've only had it for 8 months. You should be ashamed of yourself.
3. The world is ending.......that speck on your photos is dust on your sensor. Start a petition, write your congress-person, threaten class-action lawsuits....
4. "Why do my landscape photos taken at f/1.8, handheld, after drinking 5 triple shot espressos from Starbucks look so soft? Is it because Photozone/Photodo rated my lens so low???"

* The 17-85mm IS isn't a good/sharp lens

Hmmm, I can think of a few:

- Av is the only mode to shoot in, it covers all possible situations, even using flash
- Anything that does not have a mirror is a Point and shoot. This includes all S, A and G series Canons, all view cameras, and all range finders that are not Lecias.
- If there is a Lecia in the name it must be good, even if its next to Sony.
- Ansel Adams is the worlds greatest photographer
- Ansel Adams is working at Dantes shop flipping burgers with Elvis and PetKal.

Moppie wrote in post #2289925
Hmmm, I can think of a few:

- Av is the only mode to shoot in, it covers all possible situations, even using flash
- Anything that does not have a mirror is a Point and shoot. This includes all S, A and G series Canons, all view cameras, and all range finders that are not Lecias.
- If there is a Lecia in the name it must be good, even if its next to Sony.
- Ansel Adams is the worlds greatest photographer
- Ansel Adams is working at Dantes shop flipping burgers with Elvis and PetKal.

nope.. ansel adams is the dishwasher... .. and Petey is the waitress.... .. and have you used a Pro 1 lately.. harder than a DSLR and pretty dang far away from a point and shoot...

sari

PetKal wrote in post #2288909
Sorry Sary, the only one I know who believes that on POTN is Condyke.

Pete wrote in post #2289208
Oh, and:

Everyone should be using the centre-point AF point only

But that is true unless you are using an old Zorki Rangefinder

ejwebb wrote in post #2289281
This is a myth?!?!?!? Oh, no - have to find something else to post...how about my dogs?

Please remember to put pants on them

PetKal wrote in post #2289296
Now, that one has been cooked up on POTN by Condyke and Ronald. The first youngster has been maligning the lens incessantly as a part of his self-denial pleasure seeking, the other boy is still doing the QA/QC testing of an open ended production unit sample of da brick.....I believe he might be on his 8th copy by now.:

I'd have one if it was a good copy and not so heavy and huge. Useless for streetshooters IMO unless you're the macho kind like Ronaldo ... I'd have one in a studio. Folks can just budget to send it in for a fix if they buy one. No big deal.

saravrose wrote in post #2289933
nope.. ansel adams is the dishwasher... .. and Petey is the waitress.... .. and have you used a Pro 1 lately.. harder than a DSLR and pretty dang far away from a point and shoot...

sari

One of more malignant myths propagated on "Flower Arrangements Forum":

"Petkal is incontrovertibly gay".

That is largely spurious. Granted, I do love cheer and gayety as much as anyone, but I also have my morose and somber moments too.

This is a fairly bloodthirsty thread, all those sacred cows shot down in cold type!

I read it once so it must be true
If I say it often enough, it becomes truer
I agree with you so we are both right
I don't agree with you so you are an idiot, a troll, a pervert, a communist, or worse

sounds like a recipe for life, lived at the mundane level aspired to by so many, and amazingly, achieved by so many. Is that the secret to happiness?

Urban myths.

I just saw the other thread entitled "Myth, Folklore and Subjectivity of Gear Fora" and decided that as it was mostly about L glass that I'd start a new thread.

I have heard the following:
1. Canon XT can't focus. Can't take good pictures. It's plastic and flimsy.
2. Tamron lenses are inadequate.
3. Canon 18-55 is useless.
4. Canon 50 f1.8 is brilliant.
5. ProMaster and Tiffin filters are rubbish.
6. Canon BG-E3 is overpriced.
7. Sigma cannot focus.

My experiences:
1. The XT can focus but has problems in low light. A 420EX helps a lot. Focus does seem a little indefinite at times but allowing adequate depth of field should solve that most of the time. A lot of focus issues can be avoided by simply learning how to use the gear you have.
2. I have no problems with my Tamron 17-35 or my 28-75. My Tamron 70-300 doesn't seem to get on too well with my XT. Sometimes it'll work without a problem. Other times I just get endless ERR99. It's not dirt-related but rather -I suspect- light level related. As an example, I put the 70-300 on in order to shoot animals in the zoo. I took 120+ photos without a problem, never removing the lens. Suddenly I had an ERR99. I powered down, powered up and started shooting again. I never had an ERR99 for the rest of the day (I shot a further 100 photos before removing the lens for the first time).
3. The Canon 18-55 is useless. No it's not - as long as it's on a tripod and set at f8-f16. Then it can be amazingly sharp.
4. The Canon 50 f1.8 is brilliant. It might be good value for money but it's still incapable of taking a decent photo. Focussing is always soft - at all apertures and even when on a tripod. I'd rate it on a par with the lens from a throwaway film camera.
5. ProMaster filters are quite decent if you work within their limitations. They're not coated so they really need to be removed for long exposures. They will reflect light so you do need a lens hood and/or shade. Many people mistake camera movement and tiny amounts of flare for softness. It's just not so.
6. The Canon BG-E3 seems expensive but it works. It's made by Canon. It works on my XT. As far as cheaper alternatives are concerned, I always wonder if cheap does not degrade performance. I'm happy with mine. Having said that I bought it more because I could use AA batteries in an emergency than for any other reason.
7. I don't have any Sigma lenses. I had a manual focus Sigma 600mm mirror lens that was widely derided but which gave me excellent photos. Logic dictates that if Sigma and Canon just didn't work, Sigma would stop making Canon mount lenses. I believe this to be an urban myth.

PetKal wrote in post #2290142
One of more malignant myths propagated on "Flower Arrangements Forum":

"Petkal is incontrovertibly gay".

That is largely spurious. Granted, I do love cheer and gayety as much as anyone, but I also have my morose and somber moments too.

oops.. typo.. truly.. I didn't mean waitress I meant Server... sorry....

saravrose wrote in post #2290229
oops.. typo.. truly.. I didn't mean waitress I meant Server... sorry....

Mental image crushed....

....fortunately.

I have a professional gig tomorrow photographing a :- wedding/model/motor sport/kids/other (delete those that do not apply). I have never done this type of thing before any tips?

The myth of course is that some advice from someone I have never met, nor have I seen his or her work is a fair substitute for years of experience.

And just cos I am gready, mirror lock up is essential for any exposure over 60th of a second