DPReview's Future, Gear Patrol Acquisition, and Camera News
The DPReview Shutdown and Resurrection
In this episode, the hosts are joined by Richard Butler from DPReview to discuss the tumultuous period surrounding the site's threatened closure, the eventual acquisition by Gear Patrol, and their path forward.
The Behind-the-Scenes Reality
• Direct and Ominous News: The team was informed directly about the impending closure of the site, which came as a absolute shock to both the staff and the community.
• Preserving the Legacy: Despite the difficult news, the staff were given the unique, albeit painful, opportunity to end the site in a controlled manner, resulting in the creation of a moving documentary looking back at 25 years of history.
• The Power of Community: Richard credits the massive outpouring of support, frustration, and direct feedback from the community as a likely factor that influenced Amazon's change of heart and the subsequent acquisition by Gear Patrol.
Moving Forward
• Core Team Remains: Despite the turbulence, a significant portion of the original staff remains, working to address a backlog of camera reviews.
• Business as Usual (Mostly): The DPReview forums and the current content model will continue as normal. There are no plans to merge the DPReview brand with Gear Patrol.
"Nobody in their right mind would do anything to change [the forums]."
Wildlife Photography and Hardware News
OM System Bird Photography
• OM System's Pro Capture Mode is highlighted as a "game changer" for wildlife photography, allowing photographers to buffer shots before fully depressing the shutter.
New Camera Launches and Recalls
• Phase One XC: Discussed as a high-end, $62,490 medium-format travel camera, though the hosts question the market for such a specialized, fixed-lens system.
• Nikon Z8 Recall: A small batch of cameras was recalled due to issues with the lens mount. While negative news, the hosts praise Nikon for identifying specific serial numbers, unlike past recalls that were vague and drawn-out.
Photographic Hazards
• The hosts share harrowing stories regarding the physical fragility of high-end glass, reinforcing why sports and action photography are often perilous for expensive equipment.