What do you thank YouTube for?

[Ariston]

It makes me happy that YouTube helps drive demand for certain models of cameras, especially when I prefer the other.

For instance, I much prefer the RB67 over the RZ; and YouTube has helped ensure that the RZ and its lenses are astronomical in price, while keeping my RB gear reasonably low. There are other cameras I have that I really love that will never meet the cool factor, and I am glad for it.

I am also happy that YouTube seems to drive a lot more color film; because is seems a lot more of us here use black and white, and I'm not sure color would be around if it were not for YouTube. I use more B&W, but I would hate to see color disappear completely.

What do you thank YouTube for?

 

[Vaughn]

Old Peter and Dudley routines...

 

[sydwhitaker]

I've heard about some really fantastic cameras through Youtube. One that springs to mind is the Agat 18k which is, thankfully, not yet well known enough to skyrocket in price. When I was first getting into this hobby nearly a decade ago, I also found it really helpful for learning the basics of photography, I've always been more of a visual learner. The hipster types are no fun, but we're all in this boat trying to enjoy ourselves.

 

[Huss]

Animal/pet rescue vids. Shuffle dance tutorial vids. That one channel where a dood eats MREs from 100 years ago and somehow is still alive.
Anything that has good content on whatever camera gear I have become curious about.

 

[GregY]

Nothing photographic...... but all those live recordings & old videos of live jazz

 

[Craig]

The Virtual Railfan feed from Revelstoke BC. How else would I know that the local bears have learned to look both ways before crossing the railway tracks?

 

[runswithsizzers]

I'm just thankful I don't have to watch them (YouTube videos). I'm more of a reader.

Video is a great media for story telling and entertainment, but for conveying knowledge and absorbing information, text is often superior. Text is random access. I can quickly skim over the boring parts, or I can read the difficult parts more slowly. I can instantly read a sentence, a paragraph, or a page a second time if needed, or a third. Video is linear. Every minute takes a minute to watch, no matter how inane or complex.

If I read a word I don't understand, I can just highlight it and have my computer look it up. If I hear a word I don't understand, I have to pause the video, then type the word into another application - assuming I can spell it.

For some how-to procedures, video can be very helpful, if done well. Sometimes it's easier to show which screw needs to be turned rather than describing it in words. But many videos are not done well. Once I watched a YouTube video showing how to overhaul the carburetor on a chain saw. The guy used a glass top patio table for his workbench, and the whole time his next door neighbor's little doggie was jumping on the fence in the background, barking it's head off.

So in general, I am not a fan -- but I can recommend any Photoshop / Lightroom video tutorials done by Julieanne Kost <https://www.youtube.com/@jkost/featured> She gets right down to business without the groan inducing distractions that are all too common on so many YouTube videos.

 

[DWThomas]

I use it as a juke box, especially while out of circulation during Covid, I discovered all sorts of fascinating "world music." And there are all sorts of useful videos about repairing things, as well as showing photo techniques.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

Those fantastic Kitty videos.

 

[gone]

Fix it videos, downtown cruises through cities I might like to move to or visit (it has helped a LOT knowing which ones to avoid!) and eBike reviews. You have to sort through a lot of crap to find the good ones but it's often worth the time and trouble.

 

[albada]

Episodes of Gilligan's Island.

 

[David Lingham]

but all those live recordings & old videos of live jazz

Second that.

 

[madNbad]

Fifty ways to load your Leica!

And dashcam videos.

 

[BMbikerider]

A never ending source of amusement at the prices people are willing to pay for what is in effect junk!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Removing lens that jammed on Hasselblads, cocking Hasselblad lenses that uncocked, open cases and fix automobile GPSs, several other repair videos.

 

[MattKing]

Analogue Andy, of course
With an "honourable mention" to Braxus Photography Fun

 

[Buzz-01]

Well, besides a lot of interesting videos about camera repair, youtube taught me pretty much the full process of darkroom printing!

I've watched endless amounts of videos explaining the process until I thought I was confident enough to try it myself.
Since I didn't have the luxury of having someone around to teach me in person, youtube was the next best thing.

 

[jay moussy]

Odd or little-known car racing series replays.
Look for the (Mazda Miata) MX-5 Cup series, it is a hoot!

The beautiful work done by retiring camera repair folks, passing on their knowledge to the community.

 

[mshchem]

its fun

 

[Vaughn]

...

And dashcam videos.

Driver's Ed on steroids!

...basically what one can expect other drivers to do...which is anything...

 

[rcphoto]

The Virtual Railfan feed from Revelstoke BC. How else would I know that the local bears have learned to look both ways before crossing the railway tracks?

Was anyone else expecting that bear to "disappear"?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

It makes me happy that YouTube helps drive demand for certain models of cameras, especially when I prefer the other.

For instance, I much prefer the RB67 over the RZ; and YouTube has helped ensure that the RZ and its lenses are astronomical in price, while keeping my RB gear reasonably low. There are other cameras I have that I really love that will never meet the cool factor, and I am glad for it.

I am also happy that YouTube seems to drive a lot more color film; because is seems a lot more of us here use black and white, and I'm not sure color would be around if it were not for YouTube. I use more B&W, but I would hate to see color disappear completely.

What do you thank YouTube for?

The problem is I bought my RB67 gear new. So I would like to see RB67 resale prices go up. It depends on who's ox is being gored. People are foolish to buy the RZ. Buy the RB, I guarantee it's better.

 

[VinceInMT]

I'm just thankful I don't have to watch them (YouTube videos). I'm more of a reader.

^^^ This ^^^

That said, I do like the how-to-it aspect of the platform. Reading about how to center the main jet in an SU carburetor is fine but seeing it make all the difference.

 

[Helios 1984]

Repair & maintenance DIY tutorials for cars, snowblowers, power tools, sewing machines, cameras, big and small appliances etc
Also for Hands (Docuseries), British Pathé & Jay Leno's Garage.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

I've used YouTube a lot when repairing my Cadillac CTS. Its kind of a pain to work on compared to other cars I have owned; watching experienced mechanics has helped me diagnose unusual problems, and has even helped me with mundane repairs.

I also use YouTube to teach people; I have a channel with tutorial videos that I have made about film developing, film scanning, photoshop and lightroom, and printing. I have a second youtube channel for videos of my cat, Sneaky, who is more famous on Facebook and Instagram than I am.