Open Mike II: It Only Makes Sense

["Open Mike" is the Editorial Page of TOP,
in which Yr. Hmbl Ed. betimes pouts, oft
proclaims, and ever opines.]

Richard Skoonberg commented, on the "Nikon-RED" post: "I have always had a passion for photography, however, I spent approximately 10 years working as a professional video producer. I made television commercials, promotional videos, and a TV pilot. Unlike photography, video production is more closely related to filmmaking and involves different skills. It is a form of visual storytelling that requires more than just a camera. To produce an engaging video, you must have a well-written script, talented actors, proper lighting and audio equipment, a crew, and access to editing software. You also need money. Using a DSLR as a substitute for a professional video camera is kind of silly. All the extras you need [are] already built into video cameras, so it never made sense to me."

Making sense? There are lots of things we would do if we were sensible. We'd put an age limit on being president (make it so that any candidate has to be in their 40s or 50s on election day; that would do the trick). There would be no McDonalds. There would never have been "infotainment" screens in motor vehicles—I don't know about you, but I've found that I drive better when I pay attention to the road and the actions of other drivers. We'd outlaw tackle football, at least for children. Protect birds. We'd get rid of QWERTY and the legacy horizontal stagger on keyboards. (Mike! Do not go there! Some subjects are just too touchy!)

And we wouldn't put video cameras in all still cameras. Maybe only half of them. Okay, okay, 70%. Doesn't still photography deserve 30% of the market for loyalty after 185 years of faithful service? Stop making all of our tools double as some other tool. 

(I should start an militant movement in favor of still cameras. Placard on stick: HYBRID CAMERAS ARE SPORKS)

There are lots of things we would do if we were sensible.  :-)

Mike, admittedly out of step with the culture...

Ed. note: This post was re-edited late Sunday night. Too late Sunday night.

Original contents copyright 2024 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)

Featured Comments from:

Ken Sky: "Primes are usually better than zooms (for IQ). And certainly single use photography equipment tends to outperform multiple use equipment except for convenience. However, there seems to be a renaissance for vintage style cameras. Old-timers like me never use the video functions in modern cameras. But, we represent a small segment of the market. And no, I will not return to vinyl but you will take my CDs out of my cold dead hands."

Rick in CO: "The simplicity of a Leica M10. Backed up by an iPhone."

Mike replies: Now there's a really elegant little outfit! Retro in the best way, and yet no one could accuse you of not being up to the moment.

Kye Wood: "Knowing the things you removed from the original post, now...I honestly find it quite unsettling that you felt you needed to remove them. I figure this comment won't make the cut. Just wanted you to know that editing yourself is part of how we got to 'here' in the world."

Mike replies: Yes, it's a dilemma, one I have pondered many times. I'm aware that when I self-edit that I'm being "a good German." (Wikipedia says, "Good Germans is an ironic term...referring to German citizens during and after World War II who claimed not to have supported the Nazi regime, but remained silent and did not resist in a meaningful way.") I know I'm not contributing to any solutions. But it's a photography and general interest blog. I wrote a political blog before I started this one, and it achieved 20,000 page views in a year. This blog averaged 20,000 page views a day in its peak years of 2011–18.

I probably do my readership a disservice by proactively editing out progressive ideas just because someone might object. Even if they're far to the right of me, the great majority of TOP readers are plenty intelligent and secure enough to read divergent viewpoints without feeling threatened or responding negatively. I'm that way too—when Trump became the nominee ahead of the 2016 election, my response was to read a biography of him. But there's always that odd-man-out. One guy threatened to leave if I ever mentioned global warming or climate change again. (Guess he just left.) I also had a TOP reader threaten to withdraw his Patreon support and it turned out he wasn't even a Patreon supporter! That takes a bit of cheek.

But in the end, I don't want to make people uncomfortable, and discussions of hot-button topics often do that.

ASW: "I read the original post last night and didn't have any problems or disagreements with the points you have now edited into oblivion. But, I also recognize that you have to walk a tightrope to not make this or that group of folks upset. Knowing that you have a child and now a grandchild, I am glad that you think about these sorts of big-picture issues. Much better than the many folks who can't see past the end of their own nose when it comes to the future they're creating and supporting for their descendants."

Mr Andrew Johnston: "Sorry Mike, you're wrong on this one. The problem with many hybrid tools (spork is a prime example) is that they do neither or no thing well. That's not the case here. Cameras in this class do at least one of the two things well, in many cases both. Something like the Panasonic G9II or S5II is a professionally capable stills camera, on which you can either use the video or largely ignore it (as I do), or use the video and ignore the stills capability (as I have seen done). However when you need the other capability, it's there, just where you need it. And just to annoy everyone, I drive a convertible and use the air-conditioning!"

Mike replies: But as with some of my other enthusiasms, I'm not advocating that there be no hybrid stills-video cameras, just that some cameras not be. Same thing with B&W-only cameras—a small selection (which we now have) is enough; I don't insist that color be banished altogether. Same thing with simple, or rather just-complex-enough cameras (which we do not have, unless you count Leica). Same thing with a TLR-style digital (viewing screen on top with a fold-out hood) which we do not have. Same thing with cameras designed to make files exclusively for use on screens. We also do not have those, at least not in the way I envision them.

And I sometimes drove the Miata in borderline Winter weather with the top down and the heat on!

Jim Arthur: "Infotainment Screens: According to my 2023 CR car issue, the In-Car electronics are the least reliable part of a new car. On page 85 they summarize reliability across 17 categories (trouble spots) based on 300,000 survey responses, and the entertainment/navigation/communication systems have at least twice the problems of other categories. While those infotainment screens can be handy (tempting) for their mapping/communication abilities, they are also data harvesting gold mines for automakers. Mozilla recently published a report named Privacy Not Included that begins…'It's Official: Cars are the worst product category we have ever reviewed for privacy.' Because your phone can be connected to the car, all sorts of information (texts, call logs, health app info, genetic info, etc.) can be collected for resale and you can’t manage (opt out) this data. Soon all cars will come equipped with video cameras that watch the driver at all times as part of the active driver assistance system. Lord knows how they will monetize this new video data. Apparently they already monitor the driver, passengers and nearby pedestrians in one way or another. The report mentions that the Nissan and Kia privacy policies state they can collect data on your sexual activity and sex life…whatever that means. Note that there was also a recent Washington State class action suit against the automakers for data collection."

Comments

[Kye Wood]

Knowing the things you removed from the original post, now... I honestly find it quite unsettling that you felt you needed to remove them.

I figure this comment won't make the cut. Just wanted you to know that editing yourself is part of how we got to 'here' in the world.

[Speed]

Instead of the long comment I submitted last night, how about ...

"One or two words ... Wedding Photographers/Videographers."

[Kirk]

My pet peeve, of course, is the addition of air conditioning to cars. Who thought it was a good idea to marry an appliance to a single use transportation device? Now all cars come with this dual use set up. You have to special order a car without A/C.

It's quite the burden. Especially here in Texas. I'd prefer to haul around a bigger A/C unit on a trailer and...keep these two devices as separates.

Besides, do you know anyone who actually uses air conditioning in their cars? It's such a distraction and maybe only 2.95% of the people who drive probably use them. (Disclaimer: I haven't done any statistical research on this. Methinks conjecture is just fine).

Another case of big industry screwing us little guys.

[Yes, that's the problem...about 1 out of every 6 features provided actually serves a valuable purpose. For instance, backup cameras have reduced the rate at which people back over and kill their own toddlers, which I think makes it worth having on any car. Even one such death averted is worth it. I also really like the idea that Kia implemented in some of its cars such as the K900...when you turned on the blinker, half of the instrument panel would automatically switch to a video view of your blind spot on that side. Excellent idea. As you might know I love IBIS, and the manual focusing aid on the fp is wonderful.

Of course I *could* answer your sarcasm and point out that proper air-conditioning consists of a ragtop you can lower with one hand, like the Miata has--I only once turned on air con in that car, and the car promptly overheated and conked out. I could also point out that Texas was not intended by God to be inhabited by humans other than the Comanche...but I wouldn't want to be ARGUMENTATIVE. ;-) --Mike]

[Robert Roaldi]

One thing I like about modern gasoline powered cars is how much power they deliver these days, but recognizing how incompetent most drivers are, the cars are saddled with electronic controls that effectively reduce the delivery of that power. That "performance" they brag about is for marketing purposes only, a bit like megapixel numbers.

And because it's so difficult to see out of large modern SUV/pickups/Xovers, they had to add cameras everywhere to counteract the recent sudden increase in pedestrian and cyclist deaths.

George Carlin would love this.

[John Berger]

Mike: My suggestion was “chill” …..NOT “re-edit”.

[kirk]

Touché

[Robert Pillow]

From what I understand, film cameras have very limited video capabilities – if any at all. Maybe you should get one of those.

[SteveW]

My first DSLR, the Nikon D40, did not have video. This was 2009. I went through a few Nikons (D5100, D7100, D7500, D750). For the life of me, I would not be able to say when the video capability arrived, I've never once used video. Probably the D5100 had it though.

Since it's a function I ignore, it doesn't bother me. But I understand why it's there just as I understand why it's there in my iPhone. A lot of people love video, especially people younger than me. For a lot of people video capability on their camera is just another form of note-taking, and for sharing on social media. Anyway, I ignore the video feature on my camera, and use it only for taking photos.

But I empathize with your thinking. I try to set up my camera to be as simple to use as possible, trying to emulate the use of a film camera. At the same time, I would not trade my EVF which makes it so easy to get exposure the way I like in-camera.

To be honest though, nothing is easier to use (for me) than my iPhone....

[Dave]

"Who thought it was a good idea to marry an appliance to a single use transportation device?"

That would be the Packard Motor Car Company.

I wouldn't bother to complain to them. They haven't answered anything in years. :>)

[Rob L.]

'Give me better customization options' seems to be one answer to the issue, but it does fly in the teeth of 'make this !@#$% thing simpler to use!'. Having the option of video is great, but being able to repurpose the controls for my needs is better.

But I have cameras to record my family more than anything else, so video is good to have. Also fun to have one camera recording video of the eclipse next month while getting still shots with the other.

I like contingency plans, so give me more. Sporks might be frustrating, but are great for camping. My Leatherman is not my best knife, but it's in my pocket all the time because I never know exactly what I might need, and it's good enough for a lot of silly things. It's wonderful to read a big hardback book, but being able to grab a book or sort through an entire library of stored files and read in the dark? Priceless. Specialization is just too expensive for me.

[KeithB]

Just saw the perfect example of what you mean. An attractive young woman driving by in a 1950's convertible Thunderbird with the top down.

Add a backup camera and it would be the perfect car!

[Paul Martini]

Although I have no interest in shooting video, there's some advantages in having still cameras designed for it, for those of us who do a lot of long exposures and high ISO shooting. Just to cite one example, Sony adding magnesium heat sinks to their sensors.

[Hugh]

Complaining about video in cameras…. Kinda reminds me of those giant lizards complaining about the little furry guys eating all the green stuff, and had anyone else noticed how it seemed to be getting colder. ;)

[darlene]

I started using the electronic shutter in my 907x last year, and what a great option to have. Electronic shutters have their roots in video technology. They've evolved and been refined to suit the specific needs of still photography. But if you are not using the electronic shutter, you will not appreciate where the technology has led us.

[John Camp]

I personally have no interest in video. However, my camera offers the option, which can essentially be fully automatic, except that I have to zoom the lens from time to time. My wife rides competitively, and has asked me on occasion to do a video of her riding, so she can look at weaknesses in technique, in both her and her horses. So, I put a paper napkin on top of a fence rail, to protect the bottom of the camera, flip the video switch, and follow her progress around the arena. The rail holds the camera flat and steady. The video is not professional, but is quite clean and clear, and she is pleased with it. So while I have no intrinsic or aesthetic interest in video, the video option has proven to be valuable. I would now not buy a camera without it, because it's essentially invisible unless you want it to be visible, and there's always the possibility that you may someday find it useful. When we go to competitions, there's always a guy there with a professional rig, and he will sell you video of whatever riders you wish to see, for a modest price. I don't even both to shoot those -- I leave it to the pro.

[JH]

I resemble that comment.....
I lived in Boston for 30 years and while I owned a Miata (1994-2001) I managed to drive it at least once a month with the top down. That was when I was younger and more tolerant of cold weather.
The Miata is a good example of a single purpose "tool." It is great fun to drive on backroads especially with the top down. It is a miserable car in heavy traffic when you can't see anything but bumpers in front and back of you and terrible on the freeway buzzing along noisy at high revs with deafening wind noise even with the top up. But my daily commute in backroads along a lake in Winchester and Medford, Massachusetts with several roundabouts to buzz around made it all worth while.
And I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee to carry passengers, fight traffic and tow my race cars.

PS: When I need video I use the iPhone 14, never my Nikon.

[Bear.]

Was it Enzo Ferrari who didn’t see the point of a radio in a sports car?

[Ah, so that's where I got that. :-). --Mike]

[Jimmy Reina]

I'm usually not a conspiracy theorist, but this comment is interesting- "Cars are the worst product category we have ever reviewed for privacy.' Because your phone can be connected to the car, all sorts of information (texts, call logs, health app info, genetic info, etc.) can be collected for resale and you can’t manage (opt out) this data."

The Honda dealer told me that their infotainment system is Android based. If it is the Google version, we are most likely not the consumer, but the product.

[Moose]

Calling all Cranks, Curmudgeons, Kooks and Other Niche Dwellers! *

It costs serious money to design, revise firmware, make, warehouse, distribute and support a variant of a complex mass market product. Then, people will bitch "They took stuff out! It should be cheaper!".

On my cameras, the Button That Shall Not Be Named, you know, the one with the red circle on it, is redefined as the Magnify function, right near the shutter button, the perfect location.

I suppose I could paint over the red? But really, I use it by touch, not sight.

* Multi card carrying member . . . \;~)>

[ChrisC]

Being in Australia, I managed to catch the original version on my way to work on Monday morning. It’s a shame that you felt the need to edit it. I guess common sense is far from common and its disappointing that people get offended by it.

[James Bullard]

I like sporks. I keep one in the car for when I buy road food that comes with one of those flimsy plastic forks that bend and break easily. As for the video feature in my cameras, I can't afford a professional video camera and for the limited video I shoot, it is more than good enough. If you don't like it, don't use it.

[Jeff Thompson]

Mike
All in one knife,fork and spoon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splayd

Cheers

Jeff