Are interest groups overrated?

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Since photography is one of my special interests, I have been joining a few photography groups. However, I could not even open conversation with other members. The reasons are: 1) They talk about expensive equipments I never consider to own; 2) I have a very different idea of aesthetics - they focus on colour, composition and other technical details while my style is rustic monochrome with strong expression; 3) Most of the time they talk about something else which I have no knowledge / interest.

So it seems having a common interest does not help much with socializing in this case?

I've never had much luck in making friends based on shared interests. Most of the friends I've had in my life if you were to line up our interests or hobbies there would be nothing in common. (Of course, most of those friendships ended at some point too, so maybe I'm not the best one to speak on this).

However, it's not like I have a better idea for meeting people. If nothing else I suppose a "shared interest" group gives you an excuse to meet other people and see if you might find an individual amongst them all that you do click with. On that basis, keep shuffling through them, just don't waste time trying to connect to the people that aren't right for you. Theoretically. the more people you come in contact with, even briefly, the more likely you are to find another "few and far between" true person.

Interest groups can be a necessary evil. I didn't learn everything about my car that I know without Maxima.org and Z31performance.com, however I'm banned from the first one cause I didn't like a BMW and the second one I'm close to being banned from because certain members have a problem with me.

I find that where I focus on improving my car by reducing weight (mainly cause I'm poor and I like that it has NO drawbacks) they would rather spend money, add parts that make their cars heavier without removing anything. Their cars are undeniably faster I won't even lie but when I'm through I'm going to be blowing through corners way faster than they could ever hope, getting more gas mileage than they could ever dream and money permitting I'll be up with them in the acceleration department.