Composition versus camera gear? Lessons from Flickr Explore on the popularity of vintage lenses.

[@MattTaggart]

So many of your observations had me nodding my head. One thing to add to the Flickr algorithm is it rewards frequent posting (365 projects for example). There is definitely a legacy glass fan base that lives there. Your contribution in the form of lens evaluation is adding value to that community.

[@bransoncarlton4939]

Location, Location, Location! Whether its nuts in a table, or glorious landscape. Then Composition!

[@jimschmidt7303]

I wish I could give your videos a like every time I watch them. Great photographer and video-ographer

[@paulstevenson200]

Your work reminds me of David Thorpe and that is my highest compliment. Knowledgeable, well paced and thoroughly engrossing. And many thanks for not inflicting muzak on viewers. Lovely work. Thank you.

[@Simonsutak]

Thank you!

[@vicroyer2745]

You've encouraged me to enroll on Flicker. Thanks! I'm ready..

[@Simonsutak]

Great!! Have fun!

[@AI3Dorinte]

Beautiful work, thank you!

[@antonia4722]

I found your channel a few days ago and have to say that I'm really enjoying it. You take some really lovely images and you knowledge is a joy. I look forward to learning a lot from you. Thank you!. :o) xx

[@Simonsutak]

Thank you so much for your kind words. Glad you're finding the videos helpful.

[@behunin1963]

Love the way you think. Variety gives the eye and mind opportunity to stretch. It also gives the world opportunity to see, what may seem mundane, as something beautiful.

[@spectralcav]

Personally, I tend to judge the popularity of my Flickr photos by the number of faves and comments compared with the number of views. Eg, an image might have 700 views and 85 faves and I see that as being more successful than an image with 80,000 views and 700 faves. Explore seems so arbitary, and those chosen images are so rarely images that I'm particularly happy with, so I don't give Explored images much additional credibility. It's nice to have a bit of additional exposure but as to attaching any additional credence to Explored images, I'm not so sure. I was approached recently for permission to use an image to illustrate an article about dealing with Grief. The author had been tipped-off about the image by an individual who'd found the photo inspirational in her journey to get over the loss of a loved-one. That meant more to me than any number of faves or Explores could ever do. I'm really enjoying your videos - I use old film era lenses almost exclusively and we share a number of favourite old lenses :-)

[@Simonsutak]

Yes, I agree! The faves to views ratio is important. I did an analysis of this once, I should dig it out. And I value my non-Explored photos with more faves than some Explored photos, as much better achievements. And then I have this photo. It has given me more amusement than most. www.flickr.com/photos/95859572@N06/10455435994/in/album-72157635912277744/ Over 18,000 views and only 2 faves, and those faves were only because I showed a forum group how it was possible to get loads of views and no faves, and then two people fave'd the image! Thanks for the kind words and congratulations on that inspirational image, that means a lot.

[@spectralcav]

@@Simonsutak Ha ha - you can add another view to that image ;-) Flickr can be a funny place. I have followers who fave an image now and then and others who fave just about everything I upload; it's hard not to find some faves to be more authentic/meaningful than others. I follow a few members who seem to achieve hundreds of faves very rapidly for every picture they show. I follow some others who take incredible images but don't upload frequently and their photos only ever achieve single figure faves. I don't think there is necessarily a direct correlation between the number of faves and the quality of the photograph but I guess they're the only metric on offer by which to judge 'successfulness'. There's not much point to a photograph if it doesn't have an audience and Flickr's a good way to give your shots some exposure but, to me, there's a danger that it just becomes a numbers game and I'm quite resistant to that mindset.

[@MattSchulze]

@@spectralcav I totally agree with your assessment of "view vs faves". What I value even more than faves is comments that are individually written and show that the viewer has engaged with my image in some way. There seems to be a correlation between how many followers person has and how many faves they routinely get. More often than not a person with say 5000 followers seems to get faves in the hundreds very quickly.

[@Simonsutak]

This is a re-uploaded video - with higher HD photos. I'm grateful to the two people who commented on the first up-load.... snapppypic 1 day ago This is so interesting! I have used Flickr for a decade, but never realized there was this much analytics available to pay attention to. What a fun why to look back at your images and dig into the data... for curiosities sake. Thanks for putting this whole thing together. D1N02 3 days ago My most viewed albums is also one of my oldest ones. The Vivitar 75-205 Macro Focussing Zoom 1:3.8. I think it is due to google indexing it (I think via the Pentaxforums lens review I did). It was my first legacy zoom. Most viewed image is not a very good one. Maybe the day it was explored and how high up on the pages it ends up also has something to do with it

[@wardlerigg]

Very interesting, and a good moral at the end. Made me smile.

[@lsdustyrhodes]

Lovely work, Simon. Thank-you for your contribution.

[@Simonsutak]

Thank you!

[@nandavenkat]

Good content. Calm and professional

[@RichardBO9]

I have just discovered this awesome channel, looking for lenses for my new-to-me Pentax K1. You have many lovely images. It seems to me one of the underlying messages of this video is to show people what they can't ordinarily see. Unique composition is more important than anything else. Subscribed.

[@Simonsutak]

Thank you - and enjoy that K-1, it's a very good camera for stills.

[@alain7066]

Wonderful content and so well narrated and illustrated. Awasome!

[@martinb.770]

When I was looking vor my first DSLR, I intended to go for Nikon, but by chance, due to some el cheapo (30 bucks!) Zenit with PK-bajonet and ... a Helios I had lying around, I got interested in the Pentax and M42 ecosystem and went with it (Pentax K100D super) and never regreted it: it was the cheapest way (Nikon charges 3x as much for a body that can do that) to be able to use aaaaaallll these nice old lenses and even for the later MFT camera I instantly ordered the matching adapters. Guess, I should re-start hunting for some of these treasures.

[@edwinlanuzajr.3007]

Beautiful photos.I am all pumped up. I have always LOVE pics from old lenses 35mm. I have Contax film camera and lenses and have given images in 3d look. Buying a Fuji x t3 and will be adapting older lenses. There was a 50mm shootout including nikon Leica and zeiss c/y. Contax zeiss 50mm f1.7. I believe was on top. Photos are inspiring. BLESSINGS

[@KimHojbergJensen]

Lots of inspiration! With only 4 photos in Explore I often wonder why. Vey good idea with an album per lens. I am close to 40 lenses now, and they are coming in quickly, Thanks to your videos 😅.

[@ahoyhere8113]

really appreciate all your videos - so calm and info-packed. you’ve really helped me understand the lay of the land, not having bought lenses for years and years! thank you!

[@bradfordjeff]

For all of the photos I have taken with the Helios 44-2, my friend has nicknamed it the "Ukrainian Folk Music Album Cover Lens".

[@blood_n_guts_murphy]

Fascinating. Great shots and insights. I usually leave the title blank, will try adding as I think I have only had one explored.

[@paduchiu]

A pleasure to watch your content!

[@Simonsutak]

Thank you!

[@rickweaver2111]

Thank you for your channel. You’ve inspired me to have some fun playing with my old Takumar lenses. Cheers!

[@donquique1]

I recently got two of 8 photos submitted for the black and white takeover selected. They are my only two explored. I do not expect the bot to select my other photos after I got those two selected I do not obsess about being explored anymore. It is being gamed by a lot of people.

[@SOD9627]

Amazing content, very watchable style, thank you

[@neilpiper9889]

M42 55mm super Takumar 1.8 is my favourite lens on my Spotmatic

[@camloff]

Thanks for the lens world reviews. Superb.

[@Simonsutak]

My pleasure!

[@michaelbuckley8986]

I have a Flickr account.Haven’t posted anything for quite some time.Must start again soon.👍

[@neilpiper9889]

I have a 1981 Helios 135mm F2.8 lens made in Japan and imported by the Soviet specialists, Technical and Optical Equipment in London. It has a built in lens hood and has great bokeh, colour rendition and sharpness.

I've just discovered your channel. Subscribed right away. I will follow you on Flickr for sure.

[@thephilsharp]

Thanks for the video. But I think making any creative decision based on 'will the algorithm like this?' is a backwards way of working.

[@Simonsutak]

I agree! We should all be faithful/truthful to our own creative spirits. All I'm saying is that you can also have some creative fun trying to second-guess (or game) an algorithm, and then seeing how other people like, or don't like, the results.

[@stillinthestream]

Love the frank discussion of Flickr and it's mysterious algorithm for choosing what get's explored. I have not be able to find any reliable elements to "make it" into Explore, and like you, often find myself scratching my head at what get's picked. In the end, I think you are right, composition is way up there in terms of where we should put our time and effort, but I also think gear is important, maybe not for Flickr, but definitely for my taste. Likes is one measure, but some of my favorite photos, mine and other people's, are overlooked. I think it might have to do with screen size. Some of my favorites really need to be viewed on a large screen... anyway it is an interesting topic, and this video of one of the best I've seen on it. Well done.

[@bradmiller9993]

Super cool.

[@ReinoldFZ]

While a time I had an account there I closed it and only go to the web to check some groups of digital and film cameras. With the new owner I knew they would give a bit (and understable) push to paid versions.

[@dianecotton9531]

Always enjoy your videos. Keep them coming! I've been on Flickr on and off since 2016 and haven't cracked the Explore nut. Oh well! Think my compositions are a bit boring!

[@PhilEvansOnline]

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. I'm just beginning so have lots to learn. You have provided me with a great lesson.

[@ericchouinard8075]

Nice, thank you.

[@SMGJohn]

Its a great message, I like to add that a lens will certainly help with composition such as Helios and their unique swirly bokeh. Apparently Soviet lens designs are still made in DPRK (North Korea) a friend showed me one of his all Korean lettering but the build quality was out of the world, proper old fashion metal build and large glass and gave amazing good characteristics, it is such a shame that the country closed for so long as I wanted to go there and buy many of their lenses that they make as I am big fan of the Soviet glasses.

[@Simonsutak]

Interesting....I'm doing more research on this, thank you.

[@ano_nym]

If the country wasn't "closed" they probably wouldn't make those lenses. You can go on tourist trips there though, don't know how much hassle it is, and don't know if you will have any opportunity to buy lenses. But it wouldn't be surprising if the country didn't want some influx of dollars, so perhaps there are shopping opportunities.

[@SMGJohn]

@@ano_nym DPRK is self reliant and manufacture as much as they can themselves, DPRK also make digital cameras, although the ones I tried looked like copies of old Canon EOS bodies although you gotta start somewhere I guess.

[@ano_nym]

@@SMGJohn What I'm saying is that if they were an open country they would probably make the same lenses as other countries these days. Not the old simpler designs. As they would have access to the same machinery and manufacturing processes as others. And be connected to the global market and subject to its demands, which seemingly doesn't want these lens designs anymore. Sadly enough on the last part, it's strange that no one has picked up on that market, perhaps the competition against used prices is unbeatable. Or that many simply want them because they have a history, that a new lens with the same optics simply wouldn't be as interesting.

[@SMGJohn]

@@ano_nym You can still buy new Russian lenses that still uses the same old machinery from Soviet era with same old design since Russia is too poor to make anything new they keep producing the old and tried designs.

[@MysterDaftGame]

I got my first explore today, a spider web close up with my 44-2, black and white !

[@Simonsutak]

Belated congratulations! You're on your way. Once I'd got my first Explore, it seemed to be easier to get more. There appears to be a 16 day gaps between Explore opportunities now. What's your user name on Flickr? I'd like to see you photo.

[@MysterDaftGame]

@@Simonsutak it's Maxime Athier ! I'm following you 😁

[@MysterDaftGame]

I've had a 2nd one since

[@ano_nym]

I think I saw one of those Pentax 135/2.5 at a thrift shop for like $15... It was there for a few weeks too... I should have bought it I guess, but didn't know it was anything special.

[@jimmyuptain2740]

That last photo comment made me giggle. BTW, it is a great photo color or B&W...

[@KevinBrown-iy3xl]

An excellent video, well produced with interesting content. Thanks for sharing you number too. Reversing front elements sounds scary to me, but I know it is done for effect sometimes.

[@Simonsutak]

Many thanks!

[@jimmylittle3008]

It's an interesting video. I honestly expected it to be more about the title. I expected that in short order you would explain why lenses don't matter. Then show off a series of iPhone/kit lens shots that where simply beautiful. I was surprised to see you still talking about lenses half way through. Because I was looking for a video on composition I was kind of disappointed to see more videos about lenses. That said I found your findings to be interesting. And your video was interesting. Keep up the good work! :)

[@mufeproduction2751]

13:32 I love your videos sir, very informative and to the point. please do a video about vintage lenses for videography. thanks

[@TheApp9]

The last picture seems to proof my point that all the „pros“ saying „invest in Glas not in camera“ are wrong. I am not a pixel peeper. I do not crop 400% in the corners to see if my 24MP camera (former I had an a7sIi with 12 mp lol…these guys should not go under an a7rIII) is sharp there. The pic life’s from what it shows, how this is captured, if it transmits a feeling or story. Therefore you do not need a sigma art lens but a camera which helps you with good features and usability: full frame makes your pictures immediately better, highly discussed but it is this way, in some cases quick and reliable AF (why do I need an adapted 2.000 usd lens on an Sony a7sIi which nearly has no functioning af), focus crop, focus peaking, flat profiles, stabilisation, uncompressed raw, 2 card slots, quick processing, non grainy sensor and so on….. It isotherm tool that helps you bring your ideas and creativity efficient and effective on the sensor. Let’s be honest friends of mine are using an 400 dollar canon DSL’s and their pictures are ugly. I can add grain in Lightroom afterwards, they have it out of camera. No dept of field, no colors, no dynamic range so highlights or shadows are most quicker gone than at my camera and all this not depending if they have 2000 usd or 30 usd Helios 44-2 Glas on it. So the gear makes your ideas on sensor. The Glas is just like the kind of pencil you select. You can achieve character and style with low price Glas. If I see pixels in the corner at 600%…I don’t care. I would never look for this. A picture is good in my eyes or not. Doesn’t make any difference if I can zoom in like crazy. So better invest in a good camera and Glas can be vintage and cheap. Or even new cheap glas. But first give your camera an update. I know what I am speaking about. I had the a7sIi with nearly no AF and 12MP. Absolutely no need for better Glas. The resolution is not given by the cam and non sharp images are the cameras fault. Don’t depending on the af abilities of the Glas.

[@trinityharbour7054]

I enjoyed this!

[@ronmasters751]

You’re on a 16-day Explore cycle. Expect another on 12 December. Thanks for this interesting analysis.

[@Ethronic]

Really good content, thank you

[@doubleyoubrothers]

Lowe your video I just purchased helios lens :) May I ask you kindly where were photo taken on your last seconds of video. Photo you taken on your phone

[@Simonsutak]

Hi, and many thanks. The phone photo was taken on the London Underground, at Embankment Station. Here's a link to my Flickr photo... www.flickr.com/photos/95859572@N06/46853120184/in/album-72157671032910066/

[@doubleyoubrothers]

@@Simonsutak Thx for sending me link. I just followed you. Funny think I been in place just a few weeks ago from where you took pic for your cover photo.

[@tanyeewei]

I didn't realise flickr is still going strong! Though it had withered in the past 10 years

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

On the topic of getting on Flickr Explore, I don't know if you're aware of this relatively recent Flickr blog post on Explore: blog.flickr.net/en/2020/11/11/explore-accolades-and-faqs In my experience, you can get an image on Explore about once every 2 weeks.

[@dbkfrogkaty1]

OK, you got me. Now I need to bust out some of my old M42 Takumar lenses and take some more photos. It's been awhile.

[@Simonsutak]

Great - go for it!

[@acatselidis]

Fantástico! Parabéns pela excelente análise.

[@tylerbrown9797]

4:03 faststone image viewer representtttt

[@av8bvma513]

DO NOT feel 'guilty' for post processing! Ansel Adams "Moonrise at Hernandez New Mexico 1941" takes him 40 to 50 minutes of selective dodging and burning (from two pages of notes!) to make each print.

[@suet3277]

Flickr is miss leading...the views are not single views but can be from blogs etc. Explore is not based on quality but the quirky bot rating on favourites, comments and when you posted. Nothing to do with quality.

[@forrestunderwood3174]

The photo at 6:42 appears to have a UFO in the upper left corner.

[@bessersegelnat]

How can you figure out, if a Super-Takumar 50mm f1.4 has 8 or 7 elements?

[@Simonsutak]

I covered this in my video on the Takumar 50mm f1.4 lenses. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXjCZ2x_aZp7aM0

[@19Photographer76]

Hi Simon, thanks for the video on the element reversal, what side of the spanner did you use, points?

[@Simonsutak]

I use the flatten side. I find points can slip and scratch....except for some really fiddly lenses where I have to use points.

[@19Photographer76]

@@Simonsutak Thanks!

[@johndaubney7311]

Great job ! One question for you. The Pentax takumar 50mm f1.4, 8 element vs 7 element versions . Is there really a difference ? I’ve been purchasing vintage stuff for about a year and living it but have not delves into Pentax as of yet so I figured the legendary 50mm f1.4 is a good place to start. Your thoughts ?

[@peoplez129]

The extra element generally increases sharpness, especially corner sharpness. The lesser element versions of them are really only sharp in the center. The sad part, is a LOT of places will sell the lesser element version for the same higher price as the better version, so you have to watch out when buying them. Honestly, I would say that it is worth it to get the higher element versions. They are far enough apart in quality as a $300 vs $600 lens would be. The corners are pretty bad on the lesser element versions.

[@patrickhin4301]

Were you using a full frame camera for your photos?

[@Simonsutak]

I use a mix - Crop: Pentax K-3 and Sony a6000, and for full frame Pentax K-1 and Sony a7iv. The majority of the photos in this video are from crop sensors, none are from the a7iv as it wasn't out when I posted the video!

[@patrickhin4301]

@@Simonsutak mft not as good on vintage lenses?

[@AndrzejWilk]

great

[@Vass881234]

Does explore exist anymore? I had loads and I'm very ameteur

[@Pedro-tl7jg]

Just in case you didnt hear it in the video. Explored

[@Simonsutak]

The big EX!

[@jozseflernyei2560]

Should check that if you are not premium then the algorithm shits on you?

[@Tugela60]

Vintage lenses are all about snob value though 😂. It is a way of saying "I am better than you, because I embody the true soul of the craft, as evidenced by my taste in fine antique lenses" 😂

[@MrGranovski]

From Flickr?

[@johnjon1823]

As far as macro photography, it is kind of fascinating. However, I don't think even an electron microscope would be able to magnify the brains of some politicians large enough for either lobe to appear in the visible universe. Apparently sub-atomic macro photography is needed to explore the realm of political leadership, let alone which lobe may be too shrunken. Although there was a movie "The incredible Shrinking Man" 1957 - I shall endeavor to contact him. ;) Nice video and information, very useful. Best wishes!

[@mortimersnerd8044]

Because we only do photography for the likes. When that's the motivation, pictures come out as bland, boring decorations that look no different from everyone elses shots. Flicker is designed to homogenize photography

[@CeroYoutubo]

NFT explore

[@UmbertoAmante]

The whole purpose of photography is to make photos of "birds"*! After that then cats. *bird is Brit slang for girl/woman in case you have never watched a movie or TV....LOL

[@Metaldetectiontubeworldwide]

post cats and your a made man on flikker , yt and insatagram ...lol

[@anewevisual8930]

flickr is so irrelevant in 2020 lmao

[@nyccontrabass3489]

Blah blah ego blah blah

[@CarloFromaggio]

Taking images just to receive likes....something is broken.

[@Simonsutak]

Yes, simply chasing likes/Explores as some people do is strange But I think feedback on one's photos is helpful and encouraging. Personally, I don't post family and friends photos on Flickr. So photos posted there are more experimental or challenging or tests, and as I said feedback is welcome.

[@pacoiec]

Man, your photos are so boring. Come on...

[@denniswilliams4789]

Useless.