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What is the role of an on line magazine camera critic? And should we trust their conclusions?
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Jan 12, 2022 03:56:30   #
OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919
 
Critics can make or break a new camera model or new camera changing concept. What emoluments might they receive from manufacturers in their review processes? Are those disclosed fully. Which concept cameras were discarded because reviews killed the market for a product. When have critics skewed tests to favor one product over another in a visible manner? These are just some of the possible questions in this thread.

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Jan 12, 2022 04:23:36   #
User ID
 
.

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Jan 12, 2022 04:31:06   #
lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA
 
OldSchool-WI wrote:
Critics can make or break a new camera model or new camera changing concept. What emoluments might they receive from manufacturers in their review processes? Are those disclosed fully. Which concept cameras were discarded because reviews killed the market for a product. When have critics skewed tests to favor one product over another in a visible manner? These are just some of the possible questions in this thread.


Like reviewing anything, honesty and objectivity.

Though this posted question (thread) seems to have a spin from its outset before any other UHH'er replied.

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Jan 12, 2022 04:45:46   #
OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919
 
lamiaceae wrote:
Like reviewing anything, honesty and objectivity.

Though this posted question (thread) seems to have a spin from its outset before any other UHH'er replied.


Yes, dream on. That is the dream about all journalism---but do you believe it to be true, amiaceae?---yes, that is a spin. If it were a fact in Camera, philosophical, economic or political journalism--the world would be a better place?----ew

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Jan 12, 2022 05:28:45   #
BebuLamar
 
I guess there may be some of them that lie but most of them tell the truth. But I always separate facts from opinions. I make use of the facts they found because they had the camera in their hands. I ignore any opinions they may have. If they say how big how heavy how fast a camera is I believe them. If they say it's a great or lousy camera I don't care. I will be the judge of that.

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Jan 12, 2022 05:45:02   #
OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919
 
One of the greats in photography declared that to test a camera he looked out his NY office window and took a few shots and looked at them. Scientific lens charts and other tests can be tilted toward the strengths or weaknesses of various lenses.Particularly zooms are variable as you well know. And high ISOs can produce artifacts under different conditions and tests can be slanted to favor on camera over another since nearly all critiques compare models. The thread is not a trick--it is to find people who disagree with critics about cameras they own and why.----ew

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Jan 12, 2022 05:54:59   #
camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.
 
My take on this. Not all reviewers are paid. If the reviewer has big hands he could find lets say a mirrorless camera inconvenient, which is not for a person with small hands. The placement of certain switches or buttons in a camera a reviewer could find annoying while it is a godsend for someone else.
The same goes with lenses, some reviewers like a lens and it could be not what the doctor ordered for another. All wide angles are going to have distortions, all zooms are going to have optical compromises, primes are going to have a fixed focal length and not all of them are going to be exceptionally sharp. With a prime zoom is made by coming closer or stepping away from the subject.

I remember the tests made on cameras and lenses by the Modern Photography staff. I ignore how they made those tests but when they tested the first version of the 24-120 lens made by Nikon they claimed professionals used it because of its sharpness. Well, we all know many reviewers did not agree with them. I used one of them, it was a good lens but not outstanding as Modern Photography called it. If the magazine altered their testing to favor a company I do not know. I tend to not rely on reviewers that I know are paid although I admit they tend to be honest but not always. If I am interested in a lens or a camera I tend to test it before buying and when that is not possible I read the reviews of photographers like you and me that have used the product and even so I do have a critical eye. The 17 mm f2.8 Zuiko for micro fourth thirds cameras has a great review from Olympus but the majority of reviewers claim it is not a good lens. I bought mine practically brand new, maybe the previous owner read the unfavorable reviews and sold it but the lens has been an excellent performer in my Olympus bodies.

So, my advise, try to test a camera or lens before buying or get independent reviews then decide if the camera or lens is for you. A good advise, do not buy a lens because it is sharp buy what you need for your photographic style. Do not buy a camera with a lot of bells and whistles buy the camera you feel comfortable with and what will do what you want from it. Be your own reviewer.

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Jan 12, 2022 06:02:23   #
Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley
 
If I want reviews on a certain camera, I will go to youtube and peruse the user video reviews there.
Then I will separate the wheat from the chaff to determine if that camera may be one I want to buy.

will

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Jan 12, 2022 06:05:39   #
BebuLamar
 
I misread the tittle. Do I trust their conclusion? I do trust that most of them honestly stated their conclusion but I don't care about their conclusion because mine would be different.

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Jan 12, 2022 06:35:39   #
Jimmy T Loc: Virginia
 
OldSchool-WI wrote:
Critics can make or break a new camera model or new camera changing concept. What emoluments might they receive from manufacturers in their review processes? Are those disclosed fully. Which concept cameras were discarded because reviews killed the market for a product. When have critics skewed tests to favor one product over another in a visible manner? These are just some of the possible questions in this thread.


Trusted critics present just some of the data points I consider and weigh before I make a decision to purchase.
The "opinion" of a critic is never considered by me unless it is based on verifiable "Objective Quality Evidence (OQE)".
Other than that, a critic's opinion may as well be an Amazon rating, which sometimes makes me . . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

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Jan 12, 2022 06:35:58   #
billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
 
OldSchool-WI wrote:
Critics can make or break a new camera model or new camera changing concept. What emoluments might they receive from manufacturers in their review processes? Are those disclosed fully. Which concept cameras were discarded because reviews killed the market for a product. When have critics skewed tests to favor one product over another in a visible manner? These are just some of the possible questions in this thread.


No, IMHO, critics CANNOT make or break a new camera model.
I have my own mind and read multiple reviews, you will always find some bias in ANY review. You have to take the highs and lows and see what's in the middle.
ie. Don't believe everything you read on the internet, newspaper, magazine, or any where.
I have found if I follow my common sense I am rarely wrong.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
Bottom line, a competent photographer can capture great images with most any modern digital camera.



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Jan 12, 2022 06:44:54   #
Rongnongno Loc: FL
 
A simple, answer: No.

Longer: Trust the feedback of existing users. This means, do not be a 'first adopter'.

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Jan 12, 2022 07:33:54   #
rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona
 
I rarely read or view any critics' comments about equipment prior to trying/buying the equipment myself. What I do is read the manufacturer's technical specs. I've rarely been disappointed.
--Bob

OldSchool-WI wrote:
Critics can make or break a new camera model or new camera changing concept. What emoluments might they receive from manufacturers in their review processes? Are those disclosed fully. Which concept cameras were discarded because reviews killed the market for a product. When have critics skewed tests to favor one product over another in a visible manner? These are just some of the possible questions in this thread.

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Jan 12, 2022 08:46:52   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
If someone buys the cameras with their own money and reviews and posts their results for your review, many times, for free to you, what are you going to do, not trust your own lying eyes? You can always buy the equipment yourself, if you're so much smarter and wealthy. Start your own review website, build the better mousetrap.

It's rather easy to make everything into a Conspiracy when you don't know anything about how things work. Does the sun still travel around the turtle holding up the earth?

If you read the reviewer's profile and background, you can start to remove the veils and blinders from your eyes and step into a bright and shiny world of knowledge and understanding. If still you think there's a bias, account for that bias or change who you spend your time reading. Or again, buy the equipment and do the work yourself. BTW - there are some rather well-respected reviewers that are widely known to be bias-against certain brands. Do you have problems with their credibility too?

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Jan 12, 2022 09:51:30   #
BigDaddy Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
 
OldSchool-WI wrote:
Critics can make or break a new camera model or new camera changing concept. What emoluments might they receive from manufacturers in their review processes? Are those disclosed fully. Which concept cameras were discarded because reviews killed the market for a product. When have critics skewed tests to favor one product over another in a visible manner? These are just some of the possible questions in this thread.

I have read reviews on camera's I've owned to see if the reviews matched what my first hand experiences and thoughts
were. If you wonder about a reviewers integrity you might give that a spin...

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