Sad day for the web, as Jeff Keller announces DCResource to close

It's with a great sense of loss that we report news today from one of the earliest digital photography sites on the web, and a longtime friend of the Imaging Resource. Within the next couple of weeks, the Digital Camera Resource Page is to publish its final review, ending a run of over fifteen years and almost 600 reviews.

Although DCResource had successfully weathered the difficult economy of the last few years, the site was no longer proving economically viable. DCResource founder Jeff Keller announced his decision today on the site's news page, noting that his final review will cover the 16 megapixel, Android-powered Nikon Coolpix S800c -- quite a contrast from the 1.3 megapixel Ricoh RDC-4200 with which the site pioneered the digicam review business.

 

Digital photography was a very different beast back when Jeff Keller launched the Digital Camera Resource Page in late 1997.

While it will close to new reviews, Jeff notes that he intends to keep DCResource online as an archive for the foreseeable future. The DCResource forums will continue to operate until the second quarter of next year, at which time they'll be closed to new posts. As for Jeff, his reviews will continue, but in a new venue. He'll be transitioning to the Digital Photography Review early next year, where he'll take up the role of senior editor.

Imaging Resource publisher and editor-in-chief Dave Etchells commented:

"I'm personally saddened to see Jeff hang up his hat as an independent web publisher. Jeff was a true pioneer in the field, as DCRP was one of the first digital-camera review sites anywhere on the internet. I'm not sure whether Jeff or Steve Sanders (of Steve's Digicams) was the very first, but Jeff was certainly someone who led the way in the camera review space for all of us who followed after.

I've known Jeff personally for almost all of that time, and he's somehow managed to be one of the most pleasant, friendly people I know, regardless of whatever vicissitudes the online ad biz happened to be throwing at him at the moment. Jeff will obviously continue to be a part of the online camera review space, albeit working for our esteemed competition DPReview, but I feel I've lost a buddy and fellow traveler, and mourn the loss of his independent voice. Warmest best wishes to you, Jeff, I hope your new role will be all you've been wishing for!"

All of us here at Imaging Resource join Dave in wishing Jeff all the very best. If you'd like to offer your thoughts, thanks, and well-wishes, we're sure he'd love to hear from you on the DCResource forum, Facebook page, or via e-mail.