The Straw Man Argument Can Be Deceptive

Ruins of San Geronimo de Taos Mission and cemetery, Taos, Pueblo, New Mexico (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, 12-100mm f/4 lens @ 34mm; 1/320th sec. @ f/8; ISO 200

Recently, my good friend and fellow photographer Peter Frailey (you really should check out his excellent photography here), who is like me also a micro4/3 user, pointed me to a You Tube video by a couple of guys who publish under the moniker The Slanted Lens.  He and I often discuss the pros and cons of using small format digital cameras versus larger format cameras and he thought I would enjoy this particular video.  

In essence, this particular video is about The Slanted Lens guys testing, side-by-side, four cameras representing four different sensor sizes—medium format, 35mm size, APS-C and micro4/3.  They set up a couple of photographic scenarios and then compared the resulting enlargements.  Afterward, they drew their conclusions as to which camera produced the best images.  These guys put out some interesting content and I'm in no way criticizing what they produce.  In fact, you may find some of their other content worthwhile to you as well.

I watched this particular comparison video, found it very interesting, but thought their test was somewhat flawed or didn't represent a "generalized" reality in some respects.  Also, I thought their conclusion, based upon their tests, was foregone and why were they even performing these tests?

Brooks Jensen, the editor and publisher of Lenswork Magazine, Lenswork Podcasts, photographic books and other excellent content as well as the two to three minute "Here's a Thought" daily photo monologues, evidently saw the same video and had some interesting analysis in his recent Lenswork Podcast entitled, "The Best Tool For The Job."  I think his analysis is not only interesting as it pertains to this particular You Tube video and camera "tests," but something for all of us to keep in mind whenever we read or see gear tests in whatever subject matter it may be, from camping equipment, to cars, to pots and pans, to refrigerators.  It is all about the "straw man" argument and how it can be deceptive if not recognized.

Here is a link to the original You Tube video by The Slanted Lens guys and link to Jensen's response.  I think you may find it worthwhile to watch and listen to these two short presentations as they can open your eyes when, in the future, you are looking at comparisons when researching to buy something.  It also reinforces the notion that, like hammers, not one is good for all jobs nor is one camera the best for all applications.  Which is the best one?  As it is all too common, the answer is, "it depends."

DISCLAIMER:  I have no affiliation nor derive any monetary or other benefit from  Lenswork, Brooks Jensen, The Slanted Lens, You Tube or any other entity.  It is just me trying to pass along information that I think you may find valuable and helpful in your photographic endeavors.

Join me over at my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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