Non Alpha Means What?

Although I've been a member for over a decade, I've used the site for its technical info on lenses and cameras and have only just started using it as a photographic social media site. I've had Minolta for about 20 years after ditching Nikon and bought my first Sony digital (A900) once I thought it became viable for professional use without a ridiculous cost.

Reading through the rules, I expected that a heavy focus on Alpha cameras would be in place but I'm still a little unsure about what and how much I can post from my other brands/formats.

As an old guy who started shooting for $ in the 1970's, I have a large collection of cameras and try to use them all as often as possible. My primary 35mm is Minolta BUT not specifically Alpha. I DO Have an Alpha 7 but also have a 9xi and other AF Minoltas PLUS a bunch of manual focus Minoltas (XG9, XE, SRT Super, X-300 etc etc) and, of course, a bunch of older Rokkor lenses as well as my Minolta A mounts.

Then there's the 16mm Viscawide panorama, 6x12 swing lens, Fujica 6x9 rangefinder, a bunch of half frames and some 110's, roll film and sheet film pinholes, a 4x5/5x7 monorail, a couple of folding 4x5 field cameras and a home made 12x16 - 20x24" box camera using old brass lenses.

Additionally, there are my other Sony digitals: RX10, ILCE-QX1. These are not Alphas but have their place in my shooting life.

So, given my broad range of interests and formats, is Dyxum the right place for me or will I be frustrated at being 'limited' to 'Alpha' cameras and lenses?

How much 'off topic' (non Alpha) is tolerated and where should I post it so as to reach members and have discussions without upsetting others?

yeah, I read that before I posted. Very subjective and not really helpful.

Say I started posting from my panorama cameras: what's gonna happen?

1.

Kariotahi Beach using a Widepan 6x12 MF camera and 35mm insert.

2.

Maraetai Beach using the diminutive 16mm Viscawide panorama camera (10x46mm negs)

I'm asking this because I don't like the angry Facebook, or the game like Flickr and Instagram. Trying to find a place to 'hang out' with like minded people

"If you really want to push this rule, I'm going to defer further discussion to an admin."???????

I'm only asking a question here and I explained why. I haven't started posting non Alpha en-mass.

I'm disappointed at this veiled reply.

Maybe I'll come back in ANOTHER 10 years.....................

Idleidolidyll wrote: yeah, I read that before I posted. Very subjective and not really helpful.

Can you explain which part of the rules you find subjective and not really helpful.

- no more than 1-2 posts per week
- no more than 4 photos per post

But we're applying these rules with some flexibility and pragmatic. We'll never delete posts from people who exceed these numbers but if it happens more often we might ask you by private message to slow down a bit.

And last but not least have you noticed the film thread? Since film is much more rare phenomena the alpha requirement is a lot more loose there (see the first post) and also for the film challenge using an Alpha camera is not required, but there are some other rules in that challenge we ask you to abide by.

Hope this helps, if not just ask more questions.

Edited by pegelli - 25 August 2021 at 11:15

I'm not a moderator nor administrator, but to me the rule is very simple and straightforward - occasional (not more than a couple of times per week), preferably not more than 4 images per post, taken with non a-mount (or e-mount) gear.

I think that's pretty reasonable, hopefully interspersed with other posts that are taken with that gear.

Dyxum is a friendly forum, well moderated and supportive.
Hopefully we can all relax and enjoy it.

@Idleidolidyll, I've enjoyed seeing your posts so far and look forward to seeing more.

We are photographers. We like cameras. We like lenses (and the other stuff).

Dyxum was founded around the lens database and as such is a key resource for anyone shooting with Maxxum, Dynax and Alpha cameras – the founder was keen to keep a focus on that mount, which was why we were hesitant to fully embrace’ e-mount’ at first (now fully accepted as a way forward for the original mount). That focus was maintained even after that founder switched to Nikon kit.

We run some film challenges which don’t mandate use of a particular system. We do insist that entries to DPCs and exhibition entries are shot on Alpha-system kit.

We were aware that when people changed system they might still like to visit and post, so we made allowances for those members to still post some stuff with their new kit, but so that the weekly exhibitions were not swamped by accidentally including non-Alpha system shots we asked that people post moderately and that they made it clear what shots were taken on so we wouldn’t accidentally include in weekly exhibitions (initially we were deliberately vague but some wanted specifics, hence there the ‘official’ limits outlined in pegelli’s post). On the whole it was a policy that was made on the hoof, not perfect but in general it has preserved an Alpha system focus for the forum. It is a bit of a kludge, but in general, it works OK.

Our rules were set up during a time when photo sites in general were far busier and more difficult to control. Our rules have always been applied pragmatically and the team probably apply them more strictly to themselves than we do to the general membership. We aim for consistency and fairness and tend to have a quiet word behind the scenes rather than call someone out in public. Our current membership is very much self-moderating, so those 'behind the scenes words' are not common these days.

A key thing for any photographic forum is pictures, so it these less busy days, people are probably less likely to pull someone up for posting too many shots from other systems than they would have been – but we do like them highlighted.

The other thing any forum needs is members and a positive atmosphere, so I hope any uncertainly won’t dissuade you from posting. We are not attempting to be the only place people visit, just one that people like to come back to.