Please Sort It Out

Not on it's needs, once threads like this disappear from memory the site will be invigorated. Others might be happier on slr.eu but the grass isn't always greener (Thoughton's behaviour as a mod at one time was despicable to say the least).

I want a strong and vibrant PU but NO MOD-BAITING. It's tiring.

Peter (WJ) you are right there should be no mod baiting, but by the same token the mods should also respect the views of the members and reflect the views of the members not just take anyone down for not toeing the party line

As a new member looking at this with what I hope to be a fresh set of eyes, I would like to offer up my take on this matter.

It does show that this site has had it's day, ruined by a few bullies with a do as I say not what I do attitude, which is fine if thats how it's been agreed how you are going to run it.

But the three mods, John, ken and Nigel do need to look in the mirror and ask themselves, do we talk to people and act in this manner in the real world or just when we are hiding behind a compter screen.

After seven days at being a member on here i think I can answer a big yes, the grass is very much greener. And I for one will Not be returning and informing as many as I can not to make the same mistake i have.

The worst thing about all this is the way we Pentax photographers are being split ... Worse than any forum policies or mod behaviours. We should be a close knit bunch, there's not that many of us anyway. Its not fair that we should have to face this 'them and us' type of choice between forums. I want to feel free to make a choice based on what's most important to me, not just respond to peer pressure.

I've been mentioned in despatches over in the .eu and described as 'slandering' that site, accused of 'working for PU'! All because I have stood up and resisted attempts to disrupt and denigrate this forum. I have heard all the frustrations from the upset ex members, and I understand them, but we can't all share them ... Just because I have pointed out the things I still value here, such as the presentation, gallery and navigational strengths, and that I don't feel comfortable with the .eu site, that makes me an enemy? It shouldn't be like that. That is the real pity. We ordinary members need to find a way to stay together so we can all benefit from everyone's experience and skills.

Banning someone without notice or proper explanation is not a way to run any forum. Now I've been banned I have no right to reply, no right of appeal, other than to create a new account. As my new account has not been active for 30 days I can't even PM the moderators, which is daft.

So I'll have to write it here.

John, I'll afford you 24 hours from the time of this post to reverse my banning. That's more notice than I've been given and no explanation other than in an off-topic post.

Democratic? I don't think so. Adult? Definitely not.

If you choose to reinstate my account once you've slept on it, I'm happy for you delete this user account and all it's posts.

Should you choose to uphold my ban you are formally instructed to remove all my content from the day I joined as mannesty, and all of my images on here.

Whichever you decide, please do me the courtesy of sending me an email explaining your decision. Thank you.

Peter Smith.

Must admit I decided to curb my posting in here for a while as I wait to see what new measures will be brought into the forum but I still read the posts on here most days and I have to say this .... Just how many times do you intend to leave?

Edit: Forgot to add : way to go John, a real lesson in how to win friends and influence people ... not.

I suppose as someone that's free thinking and of free will and does condone the type of bullying that I have had to suffer in the short time i have been here,

I suppose I can change my mind and make my own decisions as and when I please, can I not. As this is the most interesting the forums got since I have been here.

I've had disagreements with the mods, one in particular, and sometimes their modus operandii is subject to debate but there is a limit to the baiting that has been going on, the behaviour of some has been unacceptable.

Let's not forget one thing, the mod team (correct me if I am wrong) but I believe John, Ken and Matt are forum members just like us, and not paid. Yes, their decisions are somewhat suspect at times but I've seen worse on other forums.

I miss the old days. If this was in a pub we would be watching flying bar stools whilst swimming in a lake of blood, beer and broken glass.

I guess heavily pressing a keyboard is the way to go but nowhere near as photogenic.

The Mod team is actually very easy going and consists of Myself, Ken and Matt. Unfortunately Daniel hasn't got time to be with us much these days, but is there in reserve so to speak. Nigel is not a moderator.

We are all ordinary members, so when you think the members should have their say we're included in that as well. There is no pay, and we spend hours sometimes removing spam and solving problems, which we gladly do, including sharing our own expertise freely. All decisions are made in good faith. You might do differently, but that's life. On other forums I respect whatever decisions are made, whether I agree with them or not.

There are no agendas, no secret meetings, no plots.....just a love of photography and of Pentax cameras and lenses in particular.

I would urge everyone to just enjoy themselves on Pentax User (the title is a good clue as to what we're about) and wait and see what further features might be dreamt up by the team.

I'm sure Mannesty would agree if he still could...
"Easy going" wouldn't be the first predicate springing to mind. But that's probably just me.

It isn't just you ... I laughed out loud at the claim.

I just hope the forum runs at least until 21 May 2015 so I get the full value for my Plus membership, although I could say that has been refunded by winning a camera in a quarterly competition.

I have always fely that these have been dismissed out of hand previously. I have utmost appreciation for the behind the scenes work of the moderators dealing with constant spam and attacks on the forum. The time they devote to the forum I don't think we really appreciate. I have tried to express that appreciation by PM. However, the forum has been ill and ailing for a while. I first came to the forum being rather in awe of the quality on show, that quality has now I feel reached a nadir. I am glad that there is an acknowledgement that suggestions are being taken on board, I have always felt previously that any suggestions were summarly dismissed. Here are mine:

Non Photography Related Content

This should be allowed in my view, up to a point. I would not like to see political, religious or other potentially controversial and divisive content. However, I would like to see an area where a member can call upon support from other members and where lighthearted chitchat is available.

At the moment we have a very firm censorship policy for non photographic content where non-controversial threads are simply dismissed without explanantion and yet there is a long rambling thread entitled 'another pointless thread' which for me is just that, impenetrably rambling. Do one thing or the other, apply a bit of emotional intelligence or rule consistently with a rod of iron. Do anything but send mixed messages and hopefully apply the former. The current format is nonsensical.

Non Pentax Related Photography Matters

I can understand this up to a point but it seems rather obsessive. Pentaxians sometimes move to other brands and at this point the forum seems to wish to disown them and wishes them begone. Why? In my experience some very fine photographers have moved to other brands, some of our finest. If I were Pentax I would want to know why they felt the need. What does Pentax not offer them? Surely this is some of the most valuable product strategy and marketing information available. Secondly, let them show non Pentax photos then let us Pentaxians show that photos taken with a Pentax can be as good or better. Don't be weak, have more confidence in yourselves. Finally, many photographers choose the equipment that suits their needs and that often means using two or more brands. I use Pentax as my main camera, for a pocketable option then other brands might well serve me better. That doesn't make me disloyal but I feel this forum treats me as such for suggesting it Pentax can recognise that by making a better alternative than other brands but they need to know my requirements. I understand that the forum should not be used to promote other brands at the expense of Pentax. However, the forum should be used to indicate to Pentax what kind of future products Pentaxians want. And I reiterate, bring on other brands, don't be scared of them, just do better.

Discussion Of Other Forums

This forum should not be used to promote other forums at the expense of this one. I don't like to see attacks on the forum, alter aliases just to make mischief. However, a blind approach of simply denying any kind of discussion of other sites simply provokes that kind of behaviour. It is inevitable and it is entirely counterproductive. The members here are fully aware of the existence of other sites. They are not stupid. The better approach in my view simply is to make this forum the most attractive place to be then mentions of other forums won't make any difference,

Subjective Moderation

The big moderation mistake and the root cause of the festering discontent which has again reared its ugly head in my opinion stems from a couple of years ago. Thoughton posted some images of a photographic re-enactment of a video game. Although being entirely within the remit of the forum the thread was deleted for being a bit silly. The site owners supported the moderation decisions. That lead to some unfortunate behaviour, the establishment of a rival site and the sweeping under the carpet of issues that were never satisfactorily handled and which we are again seeing, except more so. I don't believe moderators should be arbiters of taste or quality. Indeed, I have seen some subsequent posts from moderators which I regard as merely family snaps of little general interest and certainly holding no more photographic merit than that displayed in that thread of Tim's. The members can make up their own minds on the issue of photographic merit. Such censorship is patronising, condescending, hypocritical and wrong. And it has never been addressed.


I wish to see this forum thriving again as do many of us, I owe much to this place. Set the tone right and the content will largely look after itself and the members will largely behave themselves. I would like to see a forum that properly showcases Pentax, is confident in the face of other brands and other forums and can show that Pentaxians are a match for anyone. No need to be scared, no need for constant censorship, just encouragement for self-improvement.

Thank you DrO, a great demonstration of how to present arguments and even criticism without resorting to personalities and abuse.

That can be worked with.