Article:To whom it may concern.

When people ask about my cameras on the street... I just tell them that it is a digital camera based on a 1950's design... that's usually enough to make them stop asking questions.
 
I think it's easier to come up with a MP value for whatever film camera I might be using. I'll try to keep the number low enough as not to enter into the MP competition with the questionnaire's camera or the object of his buying survey. I work with cameras for a living.. these people make me crazy. The first question is usually: "is that a XXX brand/model camera?". If I say yes or no, I open a conversation. My usual reply is, I'm trying to work, if you want to hang around until I'm finished, I'll try to answer your question. If I'm using a film camera, and it's recognized, I'm generally dismissed as a goof ball and they leave laughing. I find that is the best I can ask for.. as they are not hanging around..

I wonder if it might be good to dress my digital gear as film gear? I live/work in a tourists town.. lots of questions when working outdoors. p.
 
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I read just enough...
I've never thought of fibbing...just tell them it's an older version of the newest version and make up a number...I think I'll try that next time...it will save me having to explain that you can still buy film and they won't think I'm ghetto for still using it...(film, that is)
 
nikon_sam said:
I read just enough...
I've never thought of fibbing...just tell them it's an older version of the newest version and make up a number...I think I'll try that next time...it will save me having to explain that you can still buy film and they won't think I'm ghetto for still using it...(film, that is)
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I don't care what they think... This is all driven by marketing people. It's BS. I'm just a guy with a camera..trying to take a picture. These people are more interested in cameras than they are about pictures. If they cared about the picture I was taking they would ask.. they ask about the camera..not the picture
 
Just checking in here, since I wrote the article currently under, umm, "scrutiny." :)

I do regret that some readers mistake my tongue-in-cheek approach to discussing rangefinder advantages as "condescension." 'Twas absolutely not the intent, but in today's hyper-polarized world, I can understand how faux-exasperation can be confused with actual exasperation. If I didn't know me, and didn't read carefully, I might draw a similar conclusion.

In reality, I simply used my actual on-street discussions to "frame" the crux of the article -- rangefinders. Specifically, the article addresses a trend I've noticed recently -- that many people (including the press) are beginning to hang the name "rangefinder" on mirrorless, live-view cameras. My hope is that we can nip this trend in the bud -- I am not putting down "evil" cameras (I quite like them, and once owned a G1 and am considering a GH2). The article simply attempts to explain why these cameras are NOT rangefinders (or even rangefinder replacements), and what specific advantages an actual rangefinder has (for certain types of shooters).

Is the article too long? For many, probably. But my regular readers tend to appreciate the length and depth of my articles. Personally, I think they make a nice alternative to the "aggregator" type articles that abound. In this particular case, my elaborate "framing" of the article seems to have somewhat obscured its actual intent. It's as if I put an overly-ornate Edwardian frame around a simple black & white photo -- the frame becomes the topic of discussion, not the photo.
 
Well, I enjoyed it and appreciated what I found to be a humorous tone.

Thank you.
 
egor - thanks for your comments. I also had the same impression as others regarding the condescending tone, but understand that wasn't your intent. All the best with your blog!
 
Yeah when peopl ask me I just say 40mp because thats theoretically what I can get from a perfect neg on a drum scanner. Shuts them up too =)
 
PKR said:
I don't care what they think... This is all driven by marketing people. It's BS. I'm just a guy with a camera..trying to take a picture. These people are more interested in cameras than they are about pictures. If they cared about the picture I was taking they would ask.. they ask about the camera..not the picture
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About half the time I'm asked if it's digital is while I'm sitting in a restaurant and my Nikon F2a w/MD-2 is sitting on the table...I wasn't taking a picture so they were interested in the camera...
When actually shooting with the F4e or F5 I get the same question...they never really look at the camera...they just assume it's digital since they sorta, kinda, if you squint real hard look like one...
I don't really care what they think... :D
 
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nikon_sam said:
About half the time I'm asked if it's digital is while I'm sitting in a restaurant and my Nikon F2a w/MD-2 is sitting on the table...I wasn't taking a picture so they were interested in the camera...
When actually shooting with the F4e or F5 I get the same question...they never really look at the camera...they just assume it's digital since they sorta, kinda, if you squint real hard look like one...
I don't really care what they think... :D
Click to expand...


You know, i speak a little Franch, Spanish and I could get some help with the Russian i had 1000 years ago. Maybe I'll just try to answer in a language that i figure they wouldn't understand.
 
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