I think you're right and I think what these time-wasting "this Vs that" posts/ threads really do is to drive people away from the forum as they find it more difficult, time consuming and annoying to wade through and to find the more useful and interesting information, specifically in the MF section which is supposed to cover MF/LF work and gear.
Yair
1487 views in one day would indicate a lot of interest.
I think that people look for comparisons. Just look at any field... cars, motorbikes, kites for kitesurfing. This vs that is part of the decision making process.
With photography the image speaks clearly. Putting the images side by side makes it a lot easier to make a choice. Functionality is harder to grasp and that is where
the opinion of others helps.
There is a strong presence of dealers and manufacturers reps on this forum that want to and need to make sales. The discussion has a balancing effect.
Experienced photographer compared to dealers and manufacture reps that have a strong monetary interest to promote their product.
Please not that I said compared, non vs.
One thing I have learnt in the business of photography is that it has been far more fruitful to listen carefully to the art directors that have been critical
of my work and portfolio than wade in the (still much appreciated) praise of others.
When I buy something I look around and go head first for what inspires me or what I desire. In today's world what you tend to fall for has more to
do with marketing, image and constructed reputation. Once I'm all pumped up about what I want I then become my own devil's advocate and
it becomes about why I should not buy it. I go from want to ... do I need it... is there something as good... maybe better... how will this impact getting other things I need.
I also think that it is of great relevance that other formats be discussed in conjunction with MF if the images that these format produce are
of a quality that puts them in the league of even just some of the current MF offerings.
The final product is not the camera (unless you are an equipment collector) it's the image. The starting point should be there. I think that the this vs that
on this forum along with high res downloads does this very well.
This is a Discussion Forum. But it is also simply text. It's not loud, it does not interrupt one's dinner. No one has to read anything.
While you say this turns people away the number show the opposite.
Phase One High Speed flash sync. 1/1600 3074 reads.
Phase One Schneider lenses (origin) 1223 reads despite being closed within a day
Nikon D800E v.s Hasselblad H4D40: my in-studio test-review 6498 reads
About the Phase One / Hasselblad focusing 2287 reads
People who ask about the D800 have never experienced medium format 13628 reads
(I only started 2 of those threads... so the credit is not mine
)