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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South Wales, UK
Posts: 15,385
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Review sites - are they worth listening to?
Here's what Ken Rockwell posted in his 70-200 review (from what I gather he's talking about dpreview)
I rarely listen to what review sites have to say - I would much rather find real world examples of the equipment in use. Half the time the reviewers don't know what they're on about, and in many cases they just do their best to keep their biggest advertisers happy.
It's a shame that so many people rely on reviews from these sites when buying gear. Mind you it serves them right if there are better ways to ascertain whether a product is good or not (eg go look at photos taken with the lens you are interested in!).
Anyway, what do you think about 'reviews' found in magazines and review sites ?
Quote:
There was a review posted on a very popular digital camera website in May 2008 that caused some confusion amongst hobbyists. That website, founded by a photo hobbyist and bought-out by a big corporation, decided to try to review lenses. They got their review of the 70-200mm VR all wrong since they lacked the perspective of a pro photographer, familiarity with optics, and most importantly, any history of shooting full-frame film.
Pros laughed at that review. Pros wrote me from all over the world telling me how their 70-200mm is the best lens they've ever owned, how they earn their living with it day-in and day-out, in the dark, in the rain, indoors and outdoors, and how other pros call them asking what lens was used for such-and-such shot since it was so sharp. One pro wrote that he's glad he never read that review, since if he did he might never take his 70-200 out of his bag!
Since that other website is written by and for amateurs, it missed the boat when it came to reviewing a pro lens. Like many reviews of just about anything, reviews are only meaningful when the person writing the review has the perspective to understand the product.
Pros laughed at that review. Pros wrote me from all over the world telling me how their 70-200mm is the best lens they've ever owned, how they earn their living with it day-in and day-out, in the dark, in the rain, indoors and outdoors, and how other pros call them asking what lens was used for such-and-such shot since it was so sharp. One pro wrote that he's glad he never read that review, since if he did he might never take his 70-200 out of his bag!
Since that other website is written by and for amateurs, it missed the boat when it came to reviewing a pro lens. Like many reviews of just about anything, reviews are only meaningful when the person writing the review has the perspective to understand the product.
It's a shame that so many people rely on reviews from these sites when buying gear. Mind you it serves them right if there are better ways to ascertain whether a product is good or not (eg go look at photos taken with the lens you are interested in!).
Anyway, what do you think about 'reviews' found in magazines and review sites ?
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Kit 1 Nikon D300 Nikon 55-200mm VR |
Kit 2 Nikon D40 Nikon 18-55mm |
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My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7 |
 Senior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Leicestershire, UK
Posts: 2,133
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I find magazine reviews a joke, they often have a main contender missing. I am talking about photographic magazines, cameras, audio/visual and walking gear that I tend to read. For example they will have a review of top prosumer cameras and don't include a significant main camera like the D300 or a 50D. They often just gloss over the detail and end up with a wishy washy conclusion. I thought the review sites like dpreview and imaging resource were quite good and quite technical especially the forums where lots of owners write their comments. All seem to be wary of upsetting the big brands though and you know many brands look after journalists and writers by inviting them to functions, gifts, privlidges...
 Fondly Remembered
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Perthshire Scotland
Posts: 8,168
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I'll read camera / lens reviews or 'head to heads' simply to compare products as it does help you know the facts regarding what does what in terms of functionality.
When it comes to the 'verdict' of which is best - I'll take it with a pinch of salt for the reasons you've already mentioned.
I'd probably read the mags to get a shortlist then go and have a play to see which one felt right for me.
When it comes to the 'verdict' of which is best - I'll take it with a pinch of salt for the reasons you've already mentioned.
I'd probably read the mags to get a shortlist then go and have a play to see which one felt right for me.
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Kit 1 Canon 1D Mark 3 Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II |
Kit 2 1D2 & 40D |
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Portsmouth, Hants, England
Posts: 622
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I use DP Review and Northligh a lot, and they are generally spot on.
However, what Mr Ken Rockwell failed to mention is that reviews are simply opinions, and while he does not agree with the opinion of a reviewer, that does not make the reviewer wrong, nor does it make Mr Ken Rockwell right.
Actually, Ken Rockwell sounds a bit of a snob to me as he was quick to point out his 'Pro' status to the reviewers 'Amature' status, but thats just the way I read it.
Anyway, it is good to read reviews, they will point out the bad stuff, but you do ultimately have to make up your own mind, and to do that you need to read several reviews.
Alan.
However, what Mr Ken Rockwell failed to mention is that reviews are simply opinions, and while he does not agree with the opinion of a reviewer, that does not make the reviewer wrong, nor does it make Mr Ken Rockwell right.
Actually, Ken Rockwell sounds a bit of a snob to me as he was quick to point out his 'Pro' status to the reviewers 'Amature' status, but thats just the way I read it.
Anyway, it is good to read reviews, they will point out the bad stuff, but you do ultimately have to make up your own mind, and to do that you need to read several reviews.
Alan.
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Kit 1 Canon 5D Mk11 EF 85mm F1.2 L EF 17-40 F4 L EF 100-400 F4.5-F5.6 L EF 50mm F1.8 Sigma F2.8 28-70mm |
Kit 2 Canon EOS 30D EF-S 18-55mm EF 35-105mm EF 70-300 |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
 Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: South East
Posts: 1,753
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As WW said, a review is personal - I do look at the benchmark tests some magazines run but normally make up my own mind by testing out the lenses (preferably with my own camera/card so I can take the photo's home and have a look at a 100% crop) or failing that look to see what other shots have been taken with the lens, I never buy based on a review alone.
Some people don't rate Ken Rockwell, so I guess it is down to who you want to believe
Some people don't rate Ken Rockwell, so I guess it is down to who you want to believe
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Kit 1 Canon 20D Canon 28-135 3.5-5.6 IS USM Canon 70-300 4-5.6 IS USM Canon 100 2.8 USM Macro Canon 10-22mm 3.5-4.5 Canon 50mm 1.4 Canon 85mm 1.8 |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
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My Compact/P&S: Canon Ixus V3 |
 Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Warrington,Cheshire
Posts: 252
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I think Geoffrey Crawley in AP is pretty trustworty, but get the impression a lot of the mags particularly PP seeem to be in the pocket of the mags advertisers, for instance how often do you see reviews of the Tokina atx range of optics against the likes of sigma and tamron ?
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Kit 1 Nikon D60 Nikkor 18 - 55 VR |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
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My Compact/P&S: Panansonic FZ8 |
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Kolossi, Cyprus
Posts: 1,554
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I dont think we can discount any review out of hand. I like to research a product by reading reviews - objective, subjective, biased, whatever.... that way I can decide from a more widely informed position.
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 59
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I do find reviews useful especially head to head reviews of say, three wide angle lenses. I find it helps to illustrate different features and saves some of ther hassle of finding all three in stock in one place. It may also point out particular features which appeal in one model or show comparative performances.
Any review will reflect the personal opinion of the writer to some extent and their perspective based on their level of experience or area of involvement and interest.
I have found the reader reviews in DSLR magazine to be amongst the most useful, being written by your average "bloke/lady on the street" and more inclined towards the practical use and results achieved by the gear than the technical wizardry league tables some reviewers seem more interested in.
Posters comments on sites such as this mean more to me than a journalists reams of blurb based more on the data sheets in the box than practical use in the field in a lot of cases.
At the end of the day reviews are just somebody elses opinion and you really do have to go and poke it and look at the results achieved to see if it will suit you.
Any review will reflect the personal opinion of the writer to some extent and their perspective based on their level of experience or area of involvement and interest.
I have found the reader reviews in DSLR magazine to be amongst the most useful, being written by your average "bloke/lady on the street" and more inclined towards the practical use and results achieved by the gear than the technical wizardry league tables some reviewers seem more interested in.
Posters comments on sites such as this mean more to me than a journalists reams of blurb based more on the data sheets in the box than practical use in the field in a lot of cases.
At the end of the day reviews are just somebody elses opinion and you really do have to go and poke it and look at the results achieved to see if it will suit you.
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Kit 1 Canon EOS 450 D EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC Sigma 70mm F2.8 EX DG Macro Canon Speedlite 430EXII BG-E5 Battery grip Slik D5 tripod (old but good) |
Other Kit View my profile to see my other kit! |
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My Compact/P&S: Minolta Di-mage F100 |
 Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 1,880
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I read reviews, but i read many of them by different people to get a general consensus so to speak... i then try it for myself if i am able to borrow a lens or camera.
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Oregon, USA
Posts: 2,657
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Had I listened to reviews I certainly would not have purchased my Nikon S550 P&S. I overcame the camera's reported shortfalls very quickly & love the results. Camera reviews, motorcycle reviews or hairdryer reviews are opinions. some are given after just a few minutes of handling the products. I go with brand reputation first, features second & price third.
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18mm Fujinon 35mm Fujinon 60mm Fujinon 18-55 Fujinon 55-200mm Fujinon |
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My Compact/P&S: Fuji X-E1 |