It's pretty clear that a lot of the photographic internet would rather see an MTF chart rather than an interesting image. And all the chatter is about specification and performance of cameras and lenses rather than the aesthetic quality of a photograph. It's like what you are creating with your camera is less important than the equipment you used to create it. Discussing what paint brushes an artist uses rather than whats on the canvas, or what kind of strings a violinist uses rather than the musical performance. I know of no other form of artistic expression where the means of producing it are regarded, by many, as more important than the actual artwork itself. And that's so so sad.
The great thing about photography is it allows us to offer our personal view of the world around us. To entertain, to shock, to document, to amuse, to make us think, to change our minds, to demand action, to see beauty in the mundane and to develop as artists should be our goals. But instead we are concerned merely with who has made the best purchasing decisions and what gear performs the 'best', whatever that means. OK some people may be embarrassed by the photography as art concept and it's not easy to show your images in public if you are not confident in what you do. But just to retreat into specifications as a photographic 'conversation' while being easier than exposing yourself yourself to criticism, is no genuine alternative. It makes about as much sense as sculptors arguing about the merits of chisels.
