a funny thing happened...

G

georgef

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...at a photo fair I was at last weekend.
Among the numerous tables of exhibitors selling, trading and generally talking to all and having a good time, there was a table set for the "Toronto Photography Club". The older gentleman (60s) attending the booth was very pleasant, but everytime I walked by making eye contact he smiled but never offered a word...It must be the tattoos :)
No problem, I am easy..its all cool.

After I went by maybe 6-7 times, he noticed I was wearing my RD1 on my shoulder, lens off, the rear (LCD flipped in) visible; given the clever disquise of the RD1 back as a film body, he took a look and approached me in a very friendly manner. "...I did not see you are using a LEICA" he said and proceeded to give me a pamphlet and sign-up form for the club.

I thanked him and moved on, with a distinct and annoying feeling similar to what I would get if someone caucasian approcahed me because I am white...I did not mind the reason he did it, I DID mind the reason he did not previously.

"...castes within castes within castes..." Nitsche
 
Well, from the Dept. of Looking for the Bright Side, perhaps he didn't talk to you earlier because they're a film-based club (or he's a film-based member) and he didn't want to waste your time if you weren't a film user...I have no idea...I am tickled by the mistaking of the R-D1 for a film body...and I could be completely wrong...
 
People with tattoos are thugs. People with Leicas are classy.

... That didn't sound quite right. Of course, not all people with tattoos are thugs. But white people with tattoos are most definitely so ;)

... Oh, how insensitive of me. I didn't mean to say you're a thug. All the other white people with tattoos are. You, on the other hand have a Leica, so you're okay.


... What? It's not a Leica?
 
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Tatoo's don't mean anything anymore. They used to be a sign of roughishness. Now, they are a fad more than anything else.
 
lubitel said:
Leica users just approach other leica users. I think thats pretty normal.
Click to expand...

Why would they want to speak to anybody who hasn't the class (read money) to use Leica?

shutterfiend said:
People with tattoos are thugs.
Click to expand...
I'm no thug. I have tattoos (my avatar may have given that away). I don't use Leicas but I err towards the classy at times. Who knew that stereotypes aren't always true.
 
sweathog said:
Why would they want to speak to anybody who hasn't the class (read money) to use Leica?


I'm no thug. I have tattoos (my avatar may have given that away). I don't use Leicas but I err towards the classy at times. Who knew that stereotypes aren't always true.
Click to expand...

Don't shoot! Don't shoot! I'm sorry! It won't happen again. Here take my wallet.
 
Sterotypes are useful to a certain degree. However, as with everything, sterotypes change with time. These days everyone has tattoos and film cameras, even Leicas, are worth their weight in scrap metal (now, I'll really get shot!).
 
Some guy at a football game started talking to me the other day just because he thought it was cool that I had a film camera, and it was just an old Minolta SLR.
 
lubitel said:
Leica users just approach other leica users. I think thats pretty normal.
Click to expand...

Its not just that; people of all sorts do that. PRO DSLR users socialize with the like; DSLR users also do; P&S users, well, they don't really care that much :) ...

What bugged me, I guess, was the gentleman's point of view that using a LEICA actually gave substance to my photographic skills.



...and that whole thing about the tattoos, well, the guy did not really think anything of them....that's why it was so easy for me to approach him again at the parking lot afterwards and steal his wallet :D :D
 
A couple of people have been intriuged , in a nice way with my er... tribute ex-USSR [ £60 ] ''Leica '' - but as for Leica appeal today ... my Leica IIIf was £350 - less than most digiboxes , hardly outside the reach of of most ... indeed i can't stand the snobbish stuff that gets in the way of taking pics - instamatic / digital / SLR / rangefinder / even , heaven forbid a 'phone - they are just tools towards creating or simply caputuring something of the moment .

dee
 
"Tatoo's don't mean anything anymore. They used to be a sign of roughishness. Now, they are a fad more than anything else."
wow! two generalizations in one sentence... isn't there some kind of nerdy word for that? man nerds are smart...
 
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