using a 'big' lens

back alley

back alley

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when i walk the streets and aim my little rd1 with a little rollei 40 attached...it would seem that on one in particular really cares what i am doing.
if when caught aimimg this rig at someone, they seem to not take me too seriously.
like i'm using a toy or old dinky camera.

but i notice that when i aim my rd1 and 50/1.1 rig at folks that many do notice and have that 'is he taking a pic of me?' look on their face.

is this really happening or am i merely adjusting to using a much bigger than 'normal for me' lens?
 
Yeah people associate size with seriousness. Ridiculous.
But the 1.1 isn't really that big compared to some DSLR rocket launchers attached to them. You should be alright.

Maybe it's just all the shiny glass that attracts their eye?
 
Juan Valdenebro said:
It clearly happens... Small lenses are great help.......
Click to expand...

Joe, Juan knows...I tried 3x with the beautiful rendering cv 35/1,2 and 3x I found she was too honking big for my street work. It would be like going out and walking around with a nasty-won't-go-away erection....you start to think everyone is noticing it, and eventually they are! At least, to your mind they are: and that does affect you and your shot-making attitude.

For me RF photographic gear essentially involves compactness. Even my biggest lens, a lux 75, which to me is a big bad dude of a lens in terms of RFs, when compared to SLR lenses, it is not such a 'Bertha'🙂

Thomas
 
Actually something to consider, when I was using the 1.1 with a ND8 filter on it, people didn't pay much attention. Probably thought the lens cap was still on.
 
Yes in my experience it is one factor, a bigger lens draws more attention. But so do all the little behaviour cues that you broadcast - if you feel conspicuous using it, that will affect how people perceive you.
I'm noticing many more people on the street now with DSLRs, and as they become more commonplace, I think people are tending more to ignore them.
People are attuned to noticing anything unusual. Then they decide whether it's a threat or not (from our predator-prey origins). I think visual cues in behaviour are the primary deciding factor there. Just my opinion...
 
Joe - Methinks you are imaging things. My guess is you are somehow behaving differently with the "big" lens -- maybe a small change in your style that you are "telegraphing?"

Unless you switch from RF gear to a DSLR and 70-200mm, the equipment is NOT what is being noticed - it is YOU. In my experience, I see no noticeable difference in reaction from people when I shoot my ZI and CV 35/1.2 versus the same body and the CV 35/2.5 Pancake -- as long as I am consistent with my approach to street photography (which I adopted long ago and have kept to this day).
 
I think it must come down to attitude and behavior... If you're using a small camera in a sneaky way, that draws attention. Even though small digicams are ubiquitous... And a large camera can be seen and instantly dismissed as working gear if you act like you're working.
 
B.J.Scharp said:
Another trick is using something wide (<24mm), and composing with the subject away from the middle. They won't even know you're pointing the camera at them... 🙂
Click to expand...

thought that implies certain composition and everyone looking at picture will know this is superwide trickery 🙂
 
I see tourists, especially Asians (Japanese and Koreans mostly) with black DSLRs and huge zooms all the time where I live (Oslo). Someone with a small, shiny and "weird" camera like a rangefinder or oldschool DSLR in bright metal is much more out of place than all the tourists with DSLRs 😉 At least to my eye.

On the other hand, street shootin' of people without their consent is against the law here (sucks), and even if most people don't know that, I don't think they fear being photographed. At least I haven't gotten suspicious looks walking around with a DSLR and a 70-200 2.8.

In the end, no matter what camera and lens - smile once in a while, enjoy yourself and have a good time and I don't think people will care all too much. It's all about karma.

Mac
 
back alley said:
... am i merely adjusting to using a much bigger than 'normal for me' lens?
Click to expand...

Perhaps.

I wonder if, when you are shooting with what you perceive as a very large lens, you do not have different - more noticeable - body language. A smaller lens may make you feel more invisible, and so you act that way, and people react to you less because of it.
 
I agree some bigger DSLRs, as they're so common, can be less obtrusive these days than a RF with a medium-big lens... Another thing is that most people with a big DSLR take "tourist" shots and "my couple" or "family" shots... That's less suspicious than someone alone shooting and composing more carefully and looking for less touristic situations...

Cheers,

Juan
 
No matter what I hold people react the same to me.

Then again, I'm an overrated photographer.
 
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I hate to break your little bubble, but your little Leica lens doesn't make you invisible. You work the streets enough and people are going to notice that you're taking pictures. What is the issue?
Taking shots on the street where I live is perfectly legal and I do it all the time. Just today, someone said to me, "Got enough cameras?" I was like, "Yup," click. I use the Nikon D3 F3T with motor drives, Leica M cameras, long lenses, short lenses and everything in between. It makes no difference unless you project the negative energy onto yourself. The last couple of weeks, I've just had the best time shooting on the street. For the most part, people smiling and happy. I'm there.
Of course, there are always going to be those that give you grief, like the construction workers that gave me the finger last week 🙄.
I just smiled and kept shooting. And when they started to get nasty, I told them to **** off. And then walked away and kept going, happily taking "my" pictures.
Not everyone is going to like you sticking a camera in their face. Fair enough. You can't win them all. The thing is to "keep shooting." Keep looking for great images when you're out there.







Nikkor 28 1.4 AF-D on Nikon D3



Nikkor 800 5.6 IF-ED AIS with TC-301 on Nikon D3







Nikkor 300 2.0 IF-ED AIS on D3

I would post some new examples with the Leica M and Widelux F7 but my lab has been down for the last couple of weeks. But I can tell you that I've done some really good work as of late. Even if I haven't seen the film 😛. I just know. And next week when I see my results from the 20 or so rolls I'm getting back, I'll post some shots.

My secret is really simple. I've just been fearless and utterly and completely confident. If I go to the corner store, I bring a camera, or two. And when I see a shot coming and I already have the settings right and lift the camera and click, it's done. If there is more than one shot, I just keep clicking. And yes, I smile after the shot. I'm grinning like a madman 🙂. And then I'll put the camera down and talk to people. It's been the best time I've had street shooting in years. And I've made some new friends in the process.

The thing I want to share is just get out there and shoot. Burn film, or memory cards, and lose the whole "worrying about what people think and what camera/lens have I got" thing.

Are you there to get some great images or not? Hesitation is close to fear and if you hesitate on the street, the subjects can smell your fear. Smell it from a mile.



Nikkor 300 2.0 IF-ED AIS on D3 hand held

 
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Look Juan, how many opinions do I need? Isn't that the point of these discussions? Clearly my opinion differs from yours. So be it. We don't have to think the same. It seems you're trying to set the discussion to support your opinion and I'm working mine. If you think small cameras help you, good for you. Whatever blows your hair back and gets you out shooting.

I'm not saying that it doesn't matter. I'm saying that it makes no difference. The fact is, it takes guts to raise a camera and photograph a stranger. I took this one 20 years or so with a tiny little Rollei. I still remember that my heart was pounding in my chest when this lady looked up and the camera went click.



I think the thing that I want to frame is that not everyone with a big lens hides behind trees trying to be sneaky (not that I've never done that). Nor do I think just because a photographer "chooses" to use a large lens it makes him or her the centre of attention on the street. It's been my observation that it's more about how you carry yourself on the street and do the act of photography than the equipment you carry. But that's just me, and my experience of shooting over the last 20 years with all kinds of cameras around these parts. I'm sure it's different in other places. But I do what works for "me." I'm sure you're the same.





I used to shoot with a 4X5 Speed Graphic on the street. There is no hiding that thing. It's a camera, I'm a photographer. If it makes a difference to you, fine. To me it's all the same. Street photography.
I don't change as person going from one camera to the other. Why should it matter? Granted, I'm not saying that the people I'm shooting are not aware of the fact that I'm going to take their picture. But it's not like I live in New York where there are hundreds of people on the street. If I see anyone walking I'm lucky. Most people drive everywhere. Even to the store for a cold drink.

If you want the truth, most people are now in the malls. And shooting in their is tricky, being private property with security and whatnot. Not that I don't bend some rules now and again.



The fact is, I love shooting strange-looking people. And the best way I've found to do that is ... any way I can. And to me I can make whatever camera I happen to be using ... work.









 
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