I don't hate anything about it, so perhaps my feedback isn't what you want, but I'll give it a go.
I really like David Vickers's articles and some of the other general articles. Some of the how-to articles are interesting and some seem, well, too basic (like the camera strap one). But in general I would prefer more detail or length in the how-to articles. Or at least some references at the end to sources of more detailed information (websites or books). For example, the fill-flash article was a good topic, but I thought it was covered a bit too briefly to be of much help to most people. If other articles were meant to be follow-ups, perhaps that could be better laid out on the table of contents.
I'm not the target market for the equipment articles, but they seem just too hit-or-miss to me. For example, I'm sure if I were interested in a Mamiya M645j, your exhaustive study would be just the ticket. But if I'm looking for a medium format camera and wondering what my options are, there's nothing for me here. Let me emphasize: this isn't a criticism. What you give us, for free, is what you give us, and I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth. I'm just saying, I would think more general articles on, say, options for medium format, with explanations of the pluses and minuses of all systems, would be more useful or interesting for most readers. At least as a jumping off point. For example, there's a brief meditation on someone's journey to using 8x10 cameras. That might be a good companion to a more general article on large format photography. Formats available, pluses and minuses, equipment you need, how to get started, and a bibliography of images/photographers and suggestions for more detailed reading. If you have the basics, then you can add the more esoteric or personal features and be more appealing to more readers.
I like the idea of showing portfolios. But again I find the ones I have clicked on to be too brief. I would rather see more images and fewer words in the portfolio section. Just my opinion. Or maybe just rename it "The Story Behind the Image" or something. That would actually do it for me. Labelled as a "portfolio" I expect lots of pictures. Presented as a story behind the image, one or two images and some brief text is perfect.
Finally, a few unrelated comments to throw at the wall. First, I wonder if the requirement to register and remember your password might limit a quest for more readership. Also, I think if you put up articles more frequently, people would get in the habit of stopping by more often. You'd have more mindshare.
I think the magazine is a great idea, and I'm behind it. I was very impressed with David for starting it, and remain so. I guess the question I would ask you is, what are you trying to be? Are you trying to be a general resource? Are you trying to create a how-to magazine about film? In either case, I think you would need to exercise a bit more editorial control, in thinking of general topics, assigning them and pushing the authors for more detail and length. That takes a lot more effort and time, and you guys are just volunteers, so it might be too much to bite off. (Also, having been an editor, I know it's not so easy.) If you do it well, of course, you can create something special. Or, on the other hand, are you trying to provide an outlet for people to publish articles on whatever interests them in film photography? If you are, I think that's fine and wonderful, I just don't think that will create a broad appeal amongst a general readership. And I personally think you should be satisfied either way. I think it's great to create something like this. If other people don't like it, let them start their own magazine.
Bottom line, I think it starts with you all deciding what you want to be, and what you think you realistically can be, given the constraints. And then focusing your product to provide that.
Great job so far, though, and my thanks to you and David.
-Laura
