yes, i agree that there's so much to learn. and everyone else always has something to offer.
let me clarify that i am absolutely ok with people who at least have a rough idea what they want to buy. say, take for example, consider:
1) hi i am new here and i have been reading some of the posts here and i have finally decided that i want to take up photography. however, i am still quite undecided as to whether i should get a prosumer (have been looking at canon s5 is, and sony h9) or a dslr. wonder if any of the bros here could advise me on the matter.
against
2) hi i am new here and i want to take up photography? what camera should i buy? can all of you please give me suggestions?
firstly - both tones are great. they aren't angst-inducing in any way. but which do you feel more revulsion for? the first person has obviously taken the trouble, shown his interest. the second, well maybe not definitely, but more or less looking to be spoonfed. so what do you do?
secondly - how would you reply to 2 even if you want to help? this is like saying that you want to buy a pair of shoes. and then keeping quiet. so what do you want? brand? type? purpose? it is to me, indirectly rude, since you are asking for help, but you don't even know what you want to ask.
the suggestion is to keep quiet. well if i keep quiet there will be other kinder souls (yes, kinder no doubt) who will reply with equally amusing replies like "buy d40, you will not regret it love love love" or lagi best "buy nikon d3, it is the best camera available today". i think i had done this in the past the best way i could - i say very nicely that they need to be more focused and selective than just that, and well, they continue asking for a recommendation anyway. and this reinforces their behaviour, i've noticed. most people who shoot off their mouth with such questions go on to start similar threads. for every tom, dick and harry question a google click away.. they will instead, take more time and start a thread on clubsnap.
so what am i to think? attention seeker? lazybones? what would you want me to think? i think such an attitude should be discouraged. one might say that i am doing this not for them, but for myself, and i would not deny that. the world would be a much more efficient place when people learn to find things out for themselves.
like they say
give a man fish, he will survive for 7 days. give a man fishing skills, he will survive for life.
what sort of "fish" would you rather give a man? once again, i stress that i am utterly self-orientated and would like to save the amount of time filtering through threads which deserve help and threads which don't. but it is a good excuse, is it not?
although i've been shooting on and off for a number of years, i still consider myself a newbie when it comes to photography. there's just so much to this craft, that one just keeps on learning new things.
i admit, i too have requested some advice on which dslr to purchace, it being my first dslr. i just wanted to find out the pros, cons and nuances of the models i had in mind from those who were using them and were more familiar with the equipment.
yes, i've learnt that a bit of research does help narrow down the choice from the myriad of models available, and i guess this is all we ask. in the end, i went down to a few shops, tried out the models i selected, spoke to a few people, got their prices and went home to think about it. simple as that. but in any case the feed back i got from the forum was very helpful. i think it's a matter of asking the right question.
at any rate, if the question is too inane, simple, basic, etc. you don't have to post a reply. if you need to rant, do it in a new thread aimed at the posters in general instead of individuals.
in closing, my favourite question was "is it 'shuttle' or 'shutter' speed?" pick up any, ANY, photo mag or book and you'll have the answer right in your face.
just my 2 cents.
