Forum update document for discussion

Like it. I would add the PST in Photography Technique(s)

Thanks a lot for making and sharing the list!

I still have to take a more detailed look at it and think about some of the things, but what I (naturally) noticed, is that the "Adapted lens" section is gone completely. While I understand that in the current state this isn‘t a very active subforum, I view the chances of ever creating an adapted lens community under the banner of "others and miscellaneous" as absolute 0%.

Perhaps there‘s a chance of finding another subsection name which might be able to encompass what "adapted lens talk" was about. Are medium format and large format under the "others and miscellaneous" category as well?

"Photographic Science & Technology."
a la DPReview

This is a good approach.

I think that you may wish to consider collapsing all of the brand-specific camera forums into only 4 categories (the names might be better worded):

‘medium/large format photography” (all medium/large format types)
“SLR photography” (all 35mm types, FF, APS-C, 4:3rds, etc)
“Compact/travel/mobile”
“Other”

IMO, and I know that many folks do NOT share my opinion, BRAND specific forums are irrelevant for a site that wants to discuss the results (I.e. images) or the process of creation. Leave that up to DPR for as long as it lasts under new management.

+1

In general I approve of the changes. However, I suggest that dividing the various computer and mobile operating systems into separate categories might result in a more useful discourse.

The idea of a searchable “tag” is an excellent one. Maybe down the road!

As for turning some folks off, it will absolutely happen, regardless of the revised direction of this site.

I think that the central question is how this site will carve out a strategic niche for itself given that DPR (and all of its gear-based forums) remains alive. I see little benefit to having gear based forums in both places as, I think, over the medium-term, perhaps even the short-term, the market leader - DPR - will have many more users wanting to talk about gear, gear reviews, gear, gear, gear and more gear…… and those interested in gear will spend and increasing share of their screen time on DPR at the expense of participating in quality gear focused discussions on this site.

Regardless, my opinion is just that. The ownership team will consider all options and likely come up with the strategic direction that they deem best. Thank you all for continuing to lead.

OMG

I like the new layout. It's more compact and at least to me less confusing.
Bob

I think there ought to be an MF forum, where Hasselblad, Pentax, Fujifilm, Phase One, and others are discussed.

If that's the case a divide by format in general as @DMCO has suggested might make more sense in my opinion. I'm sure that you, or someone else with significantly more knowledge than me on the matter, may be able to find better names/dividing lines for the sections which were mentioned!

I like the idea of getting it down to 5 or 6 categories. And I would also suggest to not use "Other" for any of them, but perhaps group some things together, like "Accessories/Film photography/Manual lenses" (or something similar) for the last section. I feel like besides some consistency in the underlying connections it's also important to not have them be too dissimilar in size.

I add my vote for an Adapted Lens forum.

I am in favor of having a Medium Format/Large Format forum. We also could have one of each, but a LF only Forum could be a lonely place for quite a while. There is a LF community but it hangs out elsewhere.

Rich