You may have noticed that there’s a few links in the upper right hand corner of the Lens Database pages relating to registering and logging in. I think it is time we explained why the site accepts logins and requires registration for a number of tasks.
The general vision of the site is a collaborative place where camera hardware enthousiasts can share information and compile a large knowledge base of cameras, lenses, and accessories. Well, a major part of that is collaboration, and the ability for anyone to edit information, add links, and score lenses. Of course, this requires a certain level of trust that the users will not abuse or vandalize the database. The easiest way to do that is to require registration before a user can modify the database. This at least lets us track who is vandalizing the database and stop them before any real damage is done.
There are other advantages too: linking specific users to site information allows special features such as customized price displays, automatic tracking of prices on specific items, etc. Furthermore, it provides a method to track reviews and comments and give rewards where rewards are due (more on that later!).
So, with that in mind, we urge you to register. It is very easy, only requires your name, e-mail, and country (plus a password of your choice that is not visible to anyone else!), and lets you access all features of the database. And we promise, the number of registered features for the database will grow quickly!
Also, we promise that you will never receive any unsolicited spam mail (infrequence announcements about UCDB excluded) and your name and e-mail will NEVER be sold or given to any other third party!
If you have any questions, let us know!