What Changes Improvements Would You like to See at DSLREx?

[CameraQuest]

Hi Folks,

What changes / improvements would you like to see at DSLRExchange?

Additional forums etc?

Thanks

Stephen

[harbourlight]

Stephen,

First on my list would be a TLR forum. Either here or on RFF -- whichever makes more sense.

A Forum on Scanning and Scanners, or maybe Scanning/Postprocessing, might be useful if you want to pull in more of the SLR crowd.

The file-size limit on uploads is a bit low for me. A winter shot (lots of white) scaled to 800 pixels on the long side, 72dpi, comes in at around 250K with metadata left in, and it won't upload due to file-size caps. I think a cap of 280-300K would be reasonable.

The two versions of the board are somewhat out of sync. I'd like to see this board, especially the gallery section, work the same as the one on RFF.

A full-time volunteer administrator would be helpful -- a person who has more than moderator privileges. I had to switch ID's from GeneW to harbourlight because something went wonky with my account and I could no longer upload photos under GeneW. There was no one around who could help. Emails to Jorge went unanswered (he's a busy person).

Do you have a vision for DSLRx? Would you like more emphasis on film photography or the (implied) emphasis on digital?

Open-ended: what about classic SLR/TLR cameras? Is there scope for that here?

Gene

[Pete Chipman]

Hi, Stephen.

...the font size, or lack of it. I have friends who simply can't read the small font. Not to mention, if you have a description of a photograph, people often gloss over it because even if they can read it, they simply miss it because it's so small. My other issue has to do with "pending approval" images that I posted earlier.

I've got a few other items I'll post later, but first I'll pass on an idea to harbourlight regarding file size.

Photoshop Trick--> Reduce an image to the visual size you want it to appear on screen. Once you've done that select "Save for Web." This will bring your picture up again with settings. One of them is a quality slider. Slide this to the left until you're under 180K. Most times, you won't be able to visually tell the difference between full quality and your new setting. However, the visual dimensions will stay the same. I slide mine down to about 100k to 150K with no noticeable degredation in quality on the screen.

Stephen, you might want to post something similar to this size reduction trick, as I'm sure this is a common dilemma.

Pete.

[Flashover]

Gene I have been talking to Jorge via email and have increased my Mod controls slightly but the admin has the power to change forums and make major site changes. Still working on some of the kinks.

[harbourlight]

Pete, I know this trick, but I don't use Save for Web because it strips out valuable metadata.

I can save my images via Save As with a lower quality, but I sometimes DO see a difference and don't like it. Not that I use full quality either. After years of doing this I've got my settings just right for quality and reasonable size.

What I do sometimes is move my saved files into a separate directory, open them with Irfanview, and resave them. The size shrinks quite a bit (I think Photoshop bloats the image) without losing metadata, but it's a two-step process and hence a PITA.

Gene

[mikeg]

Hi... I still feel a Film Forum is missing. A place is needed to address exposure & development issues, scanning, resizing...
and perhaps, file management as well.

And, a separate Editing Forum, could address Editing issues, such as using Photoshop, PS Pro & Irfanview etc. BTW: photo.net has some excellent parameters for what constitutes a 'modified image'... and what, not.

There are a fair number of OM-1 enthusiasts here, and it's high time for an OM system forum!

Under lenses, a Cosina-Voigtlander Forum would also be welcome. Some of our members are great innovators, in using quality lenses with adapters, for superb pictures.

And, finally to tap into some local wisdom, "Shwoya-shwoya!" That's Arabic slang for "Whoa, slowly-slowly." Many of the changes in RFF are, indeed for the better... yet some feel, it's too much, too fast.
Ciao, mike

[Gordon Coale]

A M42 section under lenses and maybe a M42 section under cameras.

[Al Patterson]

I'm with Pete. The extra font sizes and colors available on RFF are a great help for those of us with 50 year old eyes and bi-focals...

[sblair]

I would like to see classifieds and/or a place to sell photographs. Most people on this site would not be buying them but I think we could get others that are interested in photo art to buy photos.

I also believe that to help Jorge out members should pay a small fee, like he did on RFF, to support the site.

[sblair]

Another thing that might be fun is a monthly contest. No prizes but lots of good feeback and a way to challenge our creativity.

[mikeg]

If an option is set up to help support DSLRx with member
donations, it would be best without the RFF 3 stars.

Also, I'm with Pete & Al for extra font sizes & colors.
mike

[CameraQuest]

Guys,

donations won't be accepted, I don't feel right about that.
if we put in classifieds like RFF, it will be for $2 per ad, maximum 30 days

some new forums just added.

Stephen

[mikeg]

Hi Stephen,
I'm awake & Online while our EST, DSLRx & RFF buddies are sleeping; am 10 hours ahead of PST. Delighted to see OM & Oly Pen Forum. Also, 30 day, $2- classifieds for members is a great idea.
Ciao, mike

[harbourlight]

Thanks for the new forums, Stephen.

What is your feeling about a TLR forum to complement the MF SLR forum?

Gene