Confused and Frustrated by camera grouping

[Gary Naka]

So HOW are dSLR and film cameras similar, such that they are grouped together?
And why are dSLRs and mirrorless are NOT grouped together?  They are both digital cameras.

As it is grouped, there is confusion.

• If I want to look for a thread on Nikon or Canon mirrorless cameras, there isn't a Nikon or Canon sub section under mirrorless.  The Nikon mirrorless threads are in the Nikon section in "dSLR and Film Cameras"  😵
• Same with Olympus/OMDS mirrorless, I have to look in the Olympus section in "dSLR and Film Cameras"

To ME, it seems to make better sense to have a FILM Camera group and a Digital Camera group.
Where Digital = dSLR and mirrorless

[Gary Naka]

The section "Leica and Rangefinders" runs into a similar confusion.
Leica makes BOTH film and digital cameras; just like Canon, Nikon and Olympus. 
And Leica made film SLRs and rangefinders, just like Nikon and Canon.

 

The problem is, we have small and medium format camera brands with product in multiple categories. 

- Film:  Nikon F, Hasselblad 501CM
- dSLR:  Nikon D700, Hasselblad 501CM+digital back
- Mirrorless:  Nikon Z7, Hasselblads X2D

And there are other brands in multiple categories; Canon, Olympus, Pentax, etc.
And these companies eventually ending with mirrorless cameras, or gone.

- Fuji makes/made both small and medium format digital and film cameras.

 

There is a section for "classic manual film cameras"
But again we have issues.

The Nikon-F is a fully "manual" film camera, so it matches the section name. 
But the F-5 isn't a fully manual camera.  Nor are many of the later consumer film Nikons.
Better to just label it FILM cameras.
Or you need another section for "Modern Film cameras."

Add a subsection "SMALL format" cameras, for 35mm and other formats smaller than medium format.
Or a separate "SMALL format FILM Cameras" section.

And you NEED subsections for "other brands/types" that you do not have a specific subsection for.
Exakta, Mamiya, Topcon, 16mm compacts, Minox, etc.

 

We have a "medium and large format" subsection under both "DSLR and Film Cameras" and "classic manual film cameras"
This one is just as difficult.  See the comment above with Hasselblad in three categories.
 

Admittedly the problem is not simple.
But mixing different organizations (camera type and brand) and not accounting for technology migration (film to dSLR to mirrorless) is a problem.
 

[BeBu Lamar]

Yes there is problem but I really don't know how to solve it. There is always some source of confiction and gray area. It seems any time one tries to categorize something there is always the problem. 

[William Michael]

On 2/25/2023 at 5:26 PM, Gary Naka said:

To ME, it seems to make better sense to have a FILM Camera group and a Digital Camera group.
Where Digital = dSLR and mirrorless

That's a suggestion, thank you: if not already read, please see this conversation - LINK

WW

[samstevens]

On 2/24/2023 at 10:26 PM, Gary Naka said:

So HOW are dSLR and film cameras similar, such that they are grouped together?

They both help the person holding them to make a photo?

Edited February 26, 2023 by samstevens

[Gary Naka]

A trap that you do NOT want to get into is to get too granular.

Example, then you need Nikon, Canon and likely more subsections under
- small format film cameras
- dSLR
- mirrorless cameras

It is a tough balance, if you go granular, you can get very specific.
But then that section may get very little traffic, and people stop looking there.
Example, I would not make a subsection for Nikon rangefinders.  It was before I started in photography, but Nikon did make rangefinders. 
Maybe that would go under "classic manual film cameras," in a subsection "small format cameras," for ALL the old rangefinders.

[PapaTango]

Maybe we could ask for a simpler collection of boards.  Gut the granular, and go right to:

• Camera Stuff
• Darkroom Stuff
• Picture Stuff
• Everything Else

Not hard to figure out, and would look great on a smartphone.  The trouble is you give it a week, and there will be a thread complaining about the lack of a Nikon subforum... 🤪

[samstevens]

2 hours ago, PapaTango said:

The trouble is you give it a week, and there will be a thread complaining about the lack of a Nikon subforum... 🤪

Simple solution. Add a fifth category to your wisely succinct list ... 

• Complaints*

*Just don't be surprised if it overtakes the other 4 categories in popularity. 😱

Edited February 28, 2023 by samstevens