Camera Reviewing Ain’t Easy

I’ve just finished a three-part review of the Pentax K-7 for Mike Johnston’s “The Online Photographer” blog. Feel free to click the link I’ve provided if you’re interested. I always welcome constructive feedback—but before you comment, here’s a little background information that might better inform your opinions: It ain’t easy reviewing today’s cameras.

Back in the days of film cameras, there were only a few modes and methods of operation you had to deal with. Many of them were fully manual, so if the exposure or  focus was off it was than likely your fault, not the camera’s. It was also understood that if someone liked processing their film a certain way, it had nothing to do with the camera itself. Now the “film” is built into the camera and so is the processing; but the image can also be processed by a multitude of raw developers. As a result, processes and results vary. Who’s “right” and who’s “wrong”? Hell if I know, and I suspect I’m not the only one confused by the flood of contradicting data.

Now add in the fact that today’s cameras are like little computers and each brand has its own distinct operating system. The operating systems are similar enough that if you’re used to Nikon’s system you can still figure out Canon’s or Pentax’s or vice versa, yet they are different enough that you have to invest a serious amount of time to learn each one well. You wonder why it takes the technical review sites so long to complete a review of a new DSLR? Here’s your answer. Learning everything you need to know about a new camera is a lot more work than you might think and it’s not necessarily fun.

Frankly, a guy like me, who has other obligations and interests, just doesn’t have that kind of time. In this respect I think I’m more typical of the average amateur photographer than not. I learn what I need to produce a representative range of photos (i.e. action, macro, portrait, wide angle, telephoto, available light, flash, etc.) and save the rest for later.

The one thing I do have in my favor is years of experience with a wide variety of cameras, from 35mm rangefinders to 4x5 view cameras; from one of the original digital cameras (the 8-bit, black and white-only “Fotoman”) to today’s top-of-the-line DSLRs; from processing and running densitometry tests on film to processing raw images with every popular raw processor on the market.

I wouldn’t necessarily claim that this makes me an expert—there’s always someone who knows more than I do about any particular subject (or thinks they do)—but I know enough to get consistently high-quality results from practically any camera I lay my hands on. True, it’s a lot easier to do this with some cameras than others, and some are designed for specialized use. When this is the case I do my best to state my opinions on a camera’s strengths and weaknesses; what it’s good for and what it isn’t.

A final word about weaknesses: All cameras have them. The catch is that what one photographer sees as a weakness another sees as a strength, or at least a non-issue. What’s too big and heavy for one is just right for another. What someone considers a huge file size is adequate resolution for another. Difficulty focusing under a specific set of circumstances means nothing to someone who never shoots under those circumstances.

If your biases are anything like mine then it simply boils down to this: If a camera consistently delivers great photos with minimal effort on my part, it’s a good camera. If I can still get great photos but it’s more trouble than it’s worth, then it’s not the camera for me. No matter what camera I use, I’m constantly reminded of the fact that good pictures don’t take themselves. In the end, if your pictures aren’t good enough, the chances are you don’t need a better camera; you need to become a better photographer.

Comments

[Rich]

Gordon, let me say that your review of the Pentax K-7 had an honest and sincere tone. I recently purchased the K-7 just for the limited lenses, which for me is the more important aspect of a camera system. The body will have a technical window in which it is considered "up to par" against the competition (even though I keep mine for 3-5 years). The lenses, are where it's at as far as I'm concerned. I've seen too many charts and tables trying to compare camera systems... who cares. It's all about the shooting experience and your review focused on that aspect which photographers like me appreciate. The camera is a huge step up for Pentax and should be a solid foundation for their future bodies. Let's just hope they don't forget that people still just like to take photos...

[Frank M.]

"If a camera consistently delivers great photos with minimal effort on my part, it’s a good camera."

Quite true, but I would say that it is not just a question of the effort involved. The pleasure one takes from using a "good" camera may be related to other more subtle and subjective aspects. I believe that's what most Leica users will say about why they love their rangefinders so much...

[Miserere]

I agree it's tough, and I should hope anybody who's picked up a digital camera would appreciate that.

I liked the review, which focused more on what it was like to shoot with the camera, rather than how the camera shoots. There is a difference :-)

So the big question is...have you been lured to hang around Pentax for a while, or are you sticking with Canon?

[Nikhil Ramkarran]

It makes a big difference to have a review from a photographer whose primary consideration is to take pictures.

I do read the very technical and detailed reviews also, but the ones I find most informative are the ones from photographers like yourself, Mike Johnston, Michael Reichmann and others.

This is why, despite a (formerly) firm resolve to wait until next year to get the K7 (when prices go down) I caved within days of your review and made my purchase yesterday to replace my K10D.

I (and others) appreciate the effort that goes into one of these reviews, particularly when it isn't your profession, so, thank you.

[Gordon Lewis]

"are you sticking with Canon?"

Only for the time-being. If I can scrape up the scratch for a K-7 and a lens or two it's a strong contender. The new Canon 7D (what's with all the sevens these days?) is also tempting, but it's bigger, heavier and a lot more expensive. OTOH, the 7D now offers the option to set which function (aperture or shutter speed) the rear dial controls in manual mode, so... I'll keep you posted.

[Lou Doench]

". The operating systems are similar enough that if you’re used to Nikon’s system you can still figure out Canon’s or Pentax’s or vice versa, yet they are different enough that you have to invest a serious amount of time to learn each one well."

I dunno, I moved from my D1x to my K10D with minimal effort. My brothers Canon? May as well have been designed to be used by Martians, or some creature with 3 arms. Canons completely baffle me.

[JMR]

I enjoyed the review. It was well written, and I really like what I read about the K7. I also learned about what the green button is for after more than a year of using my K10D. LOL.

For quite a while, from what I could gather in reading various sites, like Luminous Landscape, Pentax was not even considered in the big leagues. Like the top mechanical cameras of yesteryear, which levelled out in performance and build quality somewhere in the 1980's, the top digital cameras of today will level out sooner or later. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, as I don't feel like upgrading every few years. Already they are talking about holding steady at the 10-15 megapixel range and trying to find ways to increase dynamic range and sensor ability. Is this not analgous to making improvements to film? The issue for many will be, as you said, is it worth it to change camera systems if you have a large investment in another brand? I don't see any appreciable difference, (at least to me and my photographic needs), in image quality between the top brands. I am still stewing about all my Nikon mechanical gear and what to do with it!

JMR

[Nic M]

Hi Gordon, Re: "the option to set which function (aperture or shutter speed) the rear dial controls in manual mode."

This has been offered as an option on the K10D, K20D and the K-7. I still have the K10D and thought to ask about this at DPR forums.

I also looked at the K-7 PDF manual, which I have a copy on my computer and this function is mentioned twice in the manual: Page 86 and 106 under "e dial in Tav & M modes".

On the K-7 go to custom menu, page 4, option 26 - under 'e dial in Tav & M modes'. Make your choice and you should be right as rain.

[Gordon Lewis]

Nic,

I already knew how to do these settings. I only mentioned this feature because it's absent on my Canon EOS 30D and most other Canon EOS DSLRs I'm familiar with. The EOS 7D may be an exception, but I haven't had the chance to use one yet.