Repairs: Videos or text with photos?

[Andreas Thaler]

As an enthusiast, I would like to encourage as many interested parties as possible to also become enthusiasts and repair their photographic equipment themselves reporting about their work.

This would mean further repair reports that would benefit everyone.

Of course, I have to be careful not to get on people's nerves and become a missionary

Anyway I wonder which is better received by the audience. Videos that show complete repair processes, or reports with text and photos that only show the most important things.

I'll do another survey and look forward to your comments!

 

[Ian Grant]

There are greater benefits of Text with Pictures.

Ian

 

[Andreas Thaler]

There are greater benefits of Text with Pictures.

Ian

May I ask you why?

 

[koraks]

Text with photos would be my preference, if I had to choose only one.

Videos are a nightmare to navigate. Text is easy to scroll, doesn't need to be paused etc.

The benefit of videos is that they can more effectively show certain aspects of construction of a device and how to gain entry etc. On the other hand, the synchronous consumption of information doesn't suit all people, and is particularly problematic because of the issues noted above.

The combination of text + photos and a few videos of key procedures would be golden.

 

[MattKing]

Text with pictures - in printable format.
A link to associated video would enhance everything.

 

[Ian Grant]

May I ask you why?

Same reason as @koraks above, and I agree with the term nightmare And what Matt just said.

I make my notes in Libre Office and save as PDFs, as I've often used day from other websites I can't share them.

Ian

 

[Dan Daniel]

Text blocks with either video or stills in video form. I will not listen to a video to find the verbal information- far too tedious. Text blocks make it obvious where information is while scanning. Can pause and read at leisure.

Chris Sherlock could make ongoing videos work as he worked on a camera. I've not seen anyone else who can do that, where real time of repair and talking works out. https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisSherlock

Of course above with separate document of stills and text is even better.

 

[runswithsizzers]

Here is a rant I posted in another thread. Forgive me if you've already read it:

When reading text, I can quickly skim over the information I already know -- and I can stop and re-read anything I don't understand. Or I can copy and paste something I want to know more about into a search engine. Whether the information is simple or complex, relevant or off-topic, video presents all information at the same rate. And if the pace is too fast, or too slow, too bad.​

If the video is very well lighted, steady, and well framed, then video can be better for some things -- like showing technique, or locating small parts on a complex mechanism. But for everything else, text just works better for me.

If you decide to make videos -- and I would advise against it -- then please:

• get right to the point, with no rambling off-topic backstory or stupid shtick
• use a tripod or stabilizer
• get in close
• nail the lighting
• do whatever you have to do to get clean, clear audio
• edit relentlessly, then edit some more

To me a half-way-well-done web document is far more useful for conveying information than a half-way-well-done video.

But chances are, I will never see it, because I avoid YouTube almost completely.

 

[xkaes]

You need both approaches. Some people need video -- it seems -- but other people CAN'T video. So instead of cutting off one group or the other, it's best to offer BOTH approaches.

Think a store that only accepts cash OR credit cards, but not both. DUMB, DUMB, DUMB.

 

[kl122002]

Text with photos, like original factories repair manual, but I prefer words that written in point form rather that paragraphs, and no extra words (like, writers feeling) inside.

Video are great to see how one reach the parts. But at the same time, as I might have mentioned somewhere, it seems to me that some videos could be orchestred: the screws and rings are too loose and openable with a blade screwdriver, which is not possible irl that have seals for gears that never been serviced.

 

[_T_]

The obvious answer is that having both together is better than either one alone.

 

[dxqcanada]

The only camera repair video's I think are worth anything are ones made by people like Chris Sherlock or nobbysparrow that can explain in detail what is going on and why.
I primarily refer to text+images.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Very interesting and insightful statements so far!

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Maybe it's also a generational question as to whether text/images or video are preferred. The older ones among us grew up primarily with books, as well as TV and radio. Being able to read was the key to knowledge. Today that has obviously shifted towards video. I suspect that younger people today are less willing to sit through long texts.

 

[MattKing]

Maybe it's also a generational question as to whether text/images or video are preferred. The older ones among us grew up primarily with books, as well as TV and radio. Being able to read was the key to knowledge. Today that has obviously shifted towards video. I suspect that younger people today are less willing to sit through long texts.

The problem with that is that most people ( ) don't usually read repair texts or watch repair videos for enjoyment or to be generally informed. They read those texts or watch those videos in order to be able to understand how to deal with problems and replicate the solutions in them.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

You should add both as one of the selections. Also inperson.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

The problem with that is that most people ( ) don't usually read repair texts or watch repair videos for enjoyment or to be generally informed. They read those texts or watch those videos in order to be able to understand how to deal with problems and replicate the solutions in them.

Strange, I relax when I read technical texts. Which doesn't mean I fully understand them

 

[Andreas Thaler]

You should add both as one of the selections. Also inperson.

Thanks for the tip, I have added the survey accordingly.

 

[Ivo Stunga]

I can use both - who am I to request info in format that I prefer? It's me who has to adapt to the format in which info I'm after is presented, it's my problem if I like it or don't - entitlement vibes That's how I go about and say THANK YOU to the person providing me help in any format I got that help from.
Avoiding YouTube as a plague is like avoiding books like a plague. Dumb. The content is what matters, not format.

I have used both, but loads of plain text with no visual meterial will be something I'll struggle with. Reading an overly long, rambling post where info can be had in 1/4 of the text - not fun. Reading overly complicated tech piece/rambling - no fun also.

I can adapt, so you do you.

One thing I like is how Silverfast includes QuickTime video instructions hidden under a button near each respective function. Neat.

 

[Andreas Thaler]

Thanks for my part for all the valuable comments!

For my future repair reports I'll stick with text/images and will try to streamline. I will tame my penchant for metaphors that work in German but are sometimes bizarre in English

I also hope that I have Google Translate under control so that there aren't too many ambiguities for English natives, especially when it comes to technical terms. I am always grateful for tips.

I could also make videos with the iPhone, but I would have to look for a host and it requires effort and direction.

What I really appreciate about my colleagues and the moderation work here is the constructive interaction with each other and the great tolerance. This is not a given.

I was in German-speaking forums for a long time and I often experienced bossiness and personal animosity. I don't know if it's because of the German language, which can easily offend someone. In English, even cheeky things still sound polite, at least to me

 

[Andreas Thaler]

For me, excellent examples of informative, understandable and comprehensible texts are the videos on Fix Old Cameras and Fotofix. Unfortunately nothing new has appeared there for a while, but maybe that will change again.

Fix Old Cameras

https://m.youtube.com/@FixOldCameras

Fotofix

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC4FN-rBYS2DxrWd2zs6DkmQ

 

[Truzi]

I prefer (terse) text with pictures (or illustrations). I'm not against videos, but too many times I've been required to watch 20-minute long videos to cover something a paragraph or two of text did (and in more depth). It's also more efficient and easier to reference or search. Much more practical.

Videos can also be more difficult to do well, though are more entertaining. I'll often watch them just to get a basic idea on something, but usually find them inferior when in the process of actually doing something.

I've seen some very well done videos that covered the topic just as well as text/pictures, but again, I don't find them practical when I'm working. In these cases, I usually write down the steps on paper so I can glance at them while working.
Given the choice, I'd sooner go for text & pictures.

 

[Sirius Glass]

While I prefer text and photographs, sometime a well made video showing the movement of parts in detail is necessary.

 

[tjwspm]

If you decide to make videos -- and I would advise against it -- then please:

• get right to the point, with no rambling off-topic backstory or stupid shtick
• use a tripod or stabilizer
• get in close
• nail the lighting
• do whatever you have to do to get clean, clear audio
• edit relentlessly, then edit some more

I also prefer text. If video, please NO music in the background!

 

[MattKing]

I also prefer text. If video, please NO music in the background!

The Oscar Peterson quartet is actually a good source for music that does work .