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The field has been cut in half
Round one of DPReview March Madness kicked off last week and thousands of you voted alongside the DPReview editors to determine who got to advance and who was sent packing in defeat.
We’ve updated the matchups to vote on (click the image above to see it larger).
Things are getting weird this round with lots of odd matchups (prime lens vs. natural light?) – if you’re having trouble, just decide which one you’d kick off the island.
Which contentious contender will make it to the final four and ultimately be crowned the DPReview March Madness 2023 Champion?
It’s up to you to vote and decide.
Please note that for the best experience, we recommend voting on our desktop site.
Poll Rules:
This poll is meant to be a bit of fun. It’s not sponsored, promoted or paid for in any way and DPReview doesn’t care how you vote. Our readers’ polls are run on the basis of trust. As such, we ask that you only vote once, from a single account.
Round 1 – Results
Photo Division
Film vs Digital
| Film | Digital | |
| Reader poll result | 9.5% | 90.5% |
| 4pts | 41pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 100% | |
| 45pts | ||
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 14pts | 86pts |
| DIGITAL WINS | ||
Street photography with a 35mm vs a 50mm
| 35mm | 50mm | |
| Reader poll result | 70.4% | 29.6% |
| 32pts | 13pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 66.67% | 33.3% |
| 30pts | 15pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 62pts | 38pts |
| 35mm WINS | ||
Prime lens vs Zoom lens
For some categories, the DPReview team debated amongst ourselves. What follows is an edited version of this conversation:
Dale Baskin: I love shooting with prime lenses, but I also like to travel light. A small mirrorless body and a compact zoom provide a ton of flexibility when traveling, albeit at the expense of some flexibility for shallow DOF shots.
Jordan Drake: I bring primes when I go shoot for fun, but when I’m working it’s typically a couple zooms in the bag.
Shaminder Dulai: I like primes when the assignment allows for it, I like how it forces me to work within the limits of the lens and be more creative within those limits. There’s something nice about walking around with an 85mm and thinking, boy I wish I had the 35mm but let me think about how to compose the scene with what I have. I like the slowing down, it helps me turn off my a part of my brain and be present and focus.
Matt Waller: Prime, but I cheat because I use Micro Four Thirds and can fit five or six of them on me in different pockets.
| Prime | Zoom | |
| Reader poll result | 57.1% | 42.9% |
| 26pts | 19pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 66.67% | 33.3% |
| 30pts | 15pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 66 | 34 |
| Prime WINS | ||
Natural light vs Controlled light
For some categories, the DPReview team debated amongst ourselves. What follows is an edited version of this conversation:
Matt: Controlled light. This is an ambition pick, as I’m not at all good with flash, but shooting in Seattle the natural light basically goes missing for half the year, so I need to get on board with it.
Shaminder: I went with natural light, but I hear you Matt and know exactly what you mean. Seattle winters (and falls and springs) can be a sea of gray. I think for me natural light is my comfort zone because I learned how to leverage natural light with bounce cards and mirrors mostly out of lack of access to studio lights when I was starting out. I also feel like studio lighting is easy to get wrong and overdoing it with perfection screams this isn’t real.
| Natural light | Controlled light | |
| Reader poll result | 86.6% | 13.4% |
| 39pts | 6 | |
| DPR Editors picks | 66.67% | 33.3% |
| 30pts | 15pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 79pts | 21pts |
| Natural light WINS | ||
Video Division
24 fps vs 30 fps
| 24 fps | 30 fps | |
| Reader poll result | 55.9% | 44.1% |
| 25pts | 20pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 100% | |
| 45pts | ||
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 70pts | 30pts |
| 24 fps WINS | ||
Shutter angle vs Shutter speed
For some categories, the DPReview team debated amongst ourselves. What follows is an edited version of this conversation:
Richard Butler: Since it’s in the video division of the competition, I have to opt for shutter angle. Being able to maintain an appropriate exposure time when switching from, say, 24p to 60p (and back!) speeds up the process and makes mistakes much less likely.
Brendan Nystedt: Ditto Richard.
Matt: Shutter angle, Jordan’s DPReview article convinced me.
| Shutter angle | Shutter speed | |
| Reader poll result | 38.2% | 61.8% |
| 17pts | 28pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 100% | |
| 45pts | ||
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 72pts | 28pts |
| Shutter angle WINS | ||
Emmanuel Lubezki vs Roger Deakins
For some categories, the DPReview team debated amongst ourselves. What follows is an edited version of this conversation:
Shaminder: Both of these men are masters of their craft, and I love that Deakins started a podcast sharing his knowledge during the Covid-19 pandemic (might be one of the few good things to come out of it), but forced to choose I have to go with Lubezki. Three consecutive Oscars for films (‘Gravity,’ ‘Birdman,’ ‘The Revenant’) with three different and unique challenges showed his range and how he marries practical with digital filmmaking to create a seamless story. And I haven’t even mentioned The Tree of Life! Side note, Deakins gets a lot of deserved props for ‘Blade Runner 2049 and 1917, but do yourself a favor and go back to watch ‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford’ and ‘The Man Who Wasn’t There.’
Jordan: I love Lubezki’s style, but Deakins has shown himself to be a master of a huge variety of looks. Fun fact: When I worked at The Camera Store, Lubezki came in while he was shooting The Revenant. I’ve never been more intimidated by anyone, so I cowered in the video department while he talked with the staff. Apparently he was gracious and approachable, and it’s one of my big regrets I didn’t join in on the conversation. I even had a Blu-Ray of one of his movies (‘Y Tu Mama Tambien’) in my camera bag that I didn’t think to get signed!
Shaminder: You didn’t get it signed?!
Dale: Great story, Jordan! I few years ago Rishi and I had the opportunity to interview Emmanuel Lubezki a week before he won his third consecutive Oscar for best cinematography. It turns out he’s also an enthusiast photographer and was a DPReview reader. We talked quite a bit about his camera at the time (a Nikon D810) and how he shot differently with digital compared to film. You can read the interview here. It was a fascinating conversation and we talked for over two hours because he was genuinely geeking out with us. Fun fact: our interview was actually the #1 Google hit when searching for ‘Emmanuel Lubezki’ for a couple of years after that.
| Lubezki | Deakins | |
| Reader poll result | 37.2% | 62.8% |
| 17pts | 28pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 40% | 60% |
| 18pts | 27pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10 | ||
| TOTAL | 45 | 55 |
| Deakins WINS | ||
Final Cut Pro vs Premiere Pro
For some categories, the DPReview team debated amongst ourselves. What follows is an edited version of this conversation:
Richard: Apple annoyed a lot of users when it completely reworked FCP to more closely resemble iMovies. And I understand how maddening that must have been for FCP 7 users who’d developed familiar workflows. However, as a beginner, this change gave me an easy jumping-on point and gave me a route into video editing I might not have otherwise had.
Shaminder: I was one of those annoyed. I used Final Cut Express and FCP and was all in, but then they just ruined it. I tried to stubbornly stick to using FCP 7 for as long as I could, but I finally jumped ship. It took me forever to unlearn the hotkeys and shortcuts from FCP when I moved to Premiere. And yes, I know you can change the keyboard shortcuts in Premiere to match FCP, but at some point I just had to rip the bandaid off and embrace Premiere’s quicks and way of doing things. Now, I’ve heard that FCP is much improved today, but the idea of jumping back over again and investing in relearning it, I just don’t have the time for it.
Dale: I was one of those FCP 7 users, and I *hated* FCP X when it was introduced. The workflow was different enough that it didn’t make sense, and there were important features missing. Once I took the time to learn the FCP X approach to editing, however, I’ve never gone back. I’ve used Premiere a lot out of necessity, but I can cut a project much more quickly in FCP X and it’s more fun. (Though DaVinci Resolve is giving it some good competition now.)
Shaminder: Resolve is growing on me, but I’ve also been on the other end of receiving edits from someone working in Resolve and struggling to get files broadcast-ready and everything going wonky with color and proxy files. Sometimes there’s something to be said for things just working.
Jordan: I don’t love looking at spinning beach balls when I edit, and that’s been my primary activity when working with Premiere the last couple years. Resolve is certainly becoming tempting right now though.
| Final Cut Pro | Premiere Pro | |
| Reader poll result | 51.3% | 48.7% |
| 23pts | 22pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 83.33% | 17% |
| 38pts | 8pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 61ps | 40 |
| Final Cut Pro WINS | ||
Wild Card Division
Shallow DOF vs Deep focus
For some categories, the DPReview team debated amongst ourselves. What follows is an edited version of this conversation:
Brendan: I’m going to say deep focus just because it’s underappreciated. Both are valid in the right context! I was thinking about how impactful and cinematic expansive landscapes can be when you feel like you can see forever into the distance. That’s the power of deep focus.
Dale: Agree with Brendan on this one – there’s no right or wrong, it’s all about context and I use them both. However, maybe I like using shallow DOF when appropriate because it’s one look that smartphones still can’t quite replicate.
Jordan: I spent too many years with a tiny-sensor camcorder, so I’m still digging shallow DOF.
| Shallow DOF | Deep focus | |
| Reader poll result | 68.6% | 31.4% |
| 31pts | 14pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 71.43% | 28.57% |
| 32pts | 13pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 63pts | 37pts |
| Shallow DOF WINS | ||
Viewfinder vs Tilt/Touch screen
For some categories, the DPReview team debated amongst ourselves. What follows is an edited version of this conversation:
Matt: Tilt screen! Easier to tap to focus, clearer to MF on, stealthier for street photography. Still not quite sold having on a TV ¼ inch from my eye.
Shaminder: Old habits die hard, I think I like the viewfinder because it’s familiar but also because when I’m working I don’t want everyone being distracted and starting at the guy with the glowing light on his face. I know the viewfinder eats up more battery, but darn it, that’s what spare batteries are for.
| Viewfinder | Tilt/Touch screen | |
| Reader poll result | 78.7% | 21.3% |
| 35pts | 10pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 66.67% | 33.33% |
| 30pts | 15pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 65pts | 35pts |
| Viewfinder WINS | ||
Have your portrait made by Annie Leibovitz vs Platon
For some categories, the DPReview team debated amongst ourselves. What follows is an edited version of this conversation:
Dale: Leibowitz, though it’s a bit of a toss-up. Can I choose Douglass Kirkland? 🙂
Shaminder: It’s gotta be Annie, if only to see up close a master of putting people at ease and seeing the story within a pose. She told the Queen to ‘please hold,’ just think of the stories she must have!
| Leibovitz | Platon | |
| Reader poll result | 69.2% | 30.8% |
| 31pts | 14pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 100% | |
| 45pts | ||
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 76pts | 24pts |
| Leibovitz WINS | ||
UV filter vs Naked glass
| UV filter | Naked glass | |
| Reader poll result | 33.8% | 66.2% |
| 15pts | 30pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 50% | 50% |
| 23pts | 23pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 48pts | 53pts |
| Naked glass WINS | ||
Reader’s Choice Division
From dept. of not happening: mirrorless cameras w/o video vs stop making special edition Leicas
| Stills only mirrorless | Sp. ed. Leicas no more | |
| Reader poll result | 39% | 61% |
| 18pts | 27pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 33.33% | 66.67% |
| 15pts | 30pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 43pts | 57pts |
| Leica WINS | ||
Jordan Drake vs Gordon Drake
For some categories, the DPReview team debated amongst ourselves. What follows is an edited version of this conversation:
Jordan: Gordon. I’m nicer, but Gordon is obviously much more accomplished.
Shaminder: Gotta be Gordon: He won’t take my calls and that just makes me want him more.
Gordon: How did you get this number?
| Jordan | Gordon | |
| Reader poll result | 70.8% | 29.2% |
| 32pts | 13pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 66.67% | 33.33% |
| 30pts | 15pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 62pts | 38pts |
| Jordan WINS | ||
Compact camera vs Cell phone camera
| Compact | Smartphone | |
| Reader poll result | 57.6% | 42.4% |
| 26pts | 19pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 50% | 50% |
| 23pts | 23pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 49pts | 52pts |
| Smartphone camera WINS | ||
Nikon Z 9 vs Canon EOS R3
For some categories, the DPReview team debated amongst ourselves. What follows is an edited version of this conversation:
Dale: EOS R3 – for one primary reason: eye-controlled AF. I appreciate that it doesn’t work for everybody, but it works *really well* for me.
Matt: Z9 – it has a tilt screen!
Shaminder: As a decades-long Canon user, I have to recognize Nikon really moved the goalposts with the Z9. Since we’re in this mount transition with mirrorless, it’s really making me think about which system I invest in moving forward (and that includes Canon, Nikon, Sony, Lumix and Fujifilm – so most of them.)
Jordan: Z9. No luck with eye control for me.
Brendan: I haven’t tried either so I have no preference here.
| Nikon Z 9 | Canon EOS R3 | |
| Reader poll result | 73.3% | 26.7% |
| 33pts | 12pts | |
| DPR Editors picks | 80% | 20% |
| 36pts | 9pts | |
| Coin flip | 100% | |
| 10pts | ||
| TOTAL | 69pts | 31pts |
| Nikon Z 9 WINS | ||
Judging rules
A quick reminder of our rules.
Winners will be selected through the following combination of public votes, DPReview editors’ votes and a coin flip:
- 45% readers choice votes (% of user votes for a each team, multiplied by 0.45)
- 45% DPReview editor’s choice (% of editorial vote for each team, multiplied by 0.45)
- 10% coin flip (because chance is a part of March Madness and everyone loves a Cinderella story)
Round 2 – 8 Matches
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The unexpected closest matchup of Round One turned out to be the battle between compact cameras and smartphone cameras. It was the only match in Round One to be decided by a coin flip. Fare thee well mighty compact, the people have spoken.
Other close matches were the debate over whether lenses should be kept naked or have a filter screwed in at all times (naked won), and the cinematographer match with Emmanuel Lubezki vs Roger Deakins (Deakins advanced).
Our next round looks to really ramp up the madness with some expected matchups. You may be asking, how can I weigh the merits of a camera body against a lens, or a master of portraiture against the merits of bare glass – embrace the weird!
Ask yourself if you could only save one, what would you advance and what would you destroy?
If you were forced to wipe one from the face of the earth, what would you give the boot?
If you can only have one, would you rather live in a world without A or B?
(And a reminder, our polls are meant to be for fun and we don’t care how you vote.)
Without further ado, here are you matches for Round Two:
Photo Division
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Round two voting ends March 15, 2023
Video Division
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Round two voting ends March 15, 2023
Wild Card Division
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Round two voting ends March 15, 2023
Reader’s Choice Division
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Round two voting ends March 15, 2023
Author:
This article comes from DP Review and can be read on the original site.
