Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

https://alphauniverse.com/explore/
https://alphauniverse.com/stories/sony-400mm-f-2-8-g-master-field-test-polar-bears-churchill/

Sony has a great series of experiences and pro shooters sharing. Yes they are selling their products
but these like the polar bear link above are really what pros do to travel and handle situations.
They call it Sony alpha universe. link above.
What they bring on shoots was interesting. Take one super good lens and a couple of extenders
and a higher res camera like the a7r III 42mpx.
I dont want to sound like a Sony fan boy but with Canon & Nikon now having mirrorless the focus
has slipped on what Sony is doing. Their newer a7 III is a perfect example for 2k.
I would like to hear about your quick learning experiences. Reading a manual which I have
doesnt help much in how you use your cameras.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, online videos can be invaluable. I often look up something online in general or on YouTube and find excellent instruction.

On the other hand, you have to wonder what some people were thinking when they make and post their horrible videos.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

There are millions of sites out there aimed at photographers. Googling the phrase "photography training" comes up with 2.6 million hits! Some of them are run by camera and software companies, or professional training companies. Others are run by bloggers trying to grab YouTube revenue. The spectrum is broad and deep… and well-fertilized!

Yes, as good as many of them are, the Pareto Principal applies... Roughly 80% of what's there is noise, and 20% is useful information. It's important to find authoritatively authentic sources with verifiable information. And it's important to do your own cross-checking to be sure what you read or watch from a "reliable" site is truly the good stuff, because the 80/20 rule applies there, too! It even applies to the top 20%, once you filter out the bottom 80%.

All that said, I've learned quite a bit by reading camera and other equipment manuals since diving head first into serious photography in 1968. I've also learned to decipher Japlish/Jenglish, that particularly poor ESL translation of Japanese into English that seems to permeate many product manuals written in Japan. Patience and determination ARE rewarded.

My wife's in Sweden this week, so last night I watched about 30 short clips of random topics on YouTube. The content ranged from okay to a pure waste of time, with more time wasted than spent well. However, as a trainer and producer of training materials, I learn something about my craft every time I watch any sort of How To or instructional video. (Mostly, I remind myself that production values like scripting, lighting, deliberate and precise framing and focus, steadiness, editing, and consistent sound, DO count!)

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I don't know what you mean by saying, using a manual does not help much in how to use ones camera, that's all I ever been doing, read the manual that came with the camera and that's has always been all I needed to know how to use those cameras!

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Speter I didnt mean that reading the manual isn't basic understanding of the workings of the camera.
But understanding how you want to use the camera and how to set it up. Todays cameras are full of menus with decisions to make that are not apparent. If you are that savvy then bless your knowledge and
experience. People and organizations who know cameras put up many videos on youtube that
help create what you want. Good luck.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I know you are savvy Jerry. Their are photographers and videographers that as you say have really
good insights into the camera. Some like Videomaker, newsshooters and even when thinking of purchasing. Philip Bloom was invaluable in helping improve and do some video projects. Ken Rockwell used to have naysayers but I think he is a go to guy. He will tell you when a lens is a dog. Most are very helpful. A guy who uses Sony a7's for weddings was amazing his knowledge of the cameras. Stay well. T

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Than that has to go with understanding of basic photography, and I do understand what you mean, but a manual is not about that, its only good for that one specific camera and its operations, and for that, I find manuals the best material to read on how to operate said camera!

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I have been lucky enough to win many awards in US and Europe for Art Direction a number of years
ago. I think what we are talking about is a knowledge ofr creative and the cuture of art.
I never really thought about the manual for a camera being why I had a creative skill
to create interesting graphics.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

You are totally changing subjects here!

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Learning online is usually never the manual. It is the way photographers and videographers
create the shots and how they wan't them to look. And the decisions that make some photography
look how you wanted it to and achieving that image. Video resources help make us
artists with the camera. Or professional recording of products and people.
Or open new ideas and approaches to your work or art.
This is not off subject. This is the subject.

User ID

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I never use videos for quick learning.

1. I despise videos in general.
2. I prefer slow learning over quick !

I do sometimes get a David Busch book
becuz he goes more in-depth about some
functions that the OEM manuals neglect.

.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Exactly what I said, that it has to do with understanding of the basics of photography, and that's not what a manual is about!