do YOU guys mind being bothered by others commenting on your cameras?

[doolittle]

I am pretty used to people coming over for a chat and asking questions when I am under way on my motorbike. Kids inevitably ask how fast it goes (and are always disappointed). Grown ups ask about the mpg or tell me about the bikes they had. I enjoy the banter and plan to use it more as an opportunity to get some portraits.

Camera wise , TLRs definitely attract the most attention. Rangefinders not so much.

ps 1.120mph allegedly, but the engine sounds like it will rattle apart long before that 2. 50mpg (bmw r1200gsa)

 

[I Love Film]

"When I hear the words is that a Leica I reach for my gun....."

 

[jsrockit]

Prior to my M8, I had a Nikon DSLR and the huge 17-55mm lens. I recall being on a trip to Puerto Rico, and a woman looked at me and said, "What a serious lens!" .

Perhaps it was innuendo?

 

[furcafe]

Like some of the other posters, I don't mind camera talk as long as it isn't interfering w/something else I'm trying to do, like actually taking photos, buying groceries, or having a personal conversation w/friends.

As far as attracting attention w/old & old-looking cameras, I will quote what I wrote in this thread (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1860527&postcount=59):

In my experience, Leicas (& film cameras in general), mostly attract attention from middle-aged to elderly men. I've had guys literally stare for several minutes before working up the courage to engage in conversation. Since I carry my cameras on a strap "bandolier" style, this often results in them staring @ my chest. I find this phenomenon so predictable, & creepy, that I joke that I now know what large-breasted women feel like. Yo, eyes up here!

I was down in Miami to check out Art Basel & mentioned this to some non-photographer friends during drinks. They laughed, but thought I was exaggerating. Later on, though, as were all standing on the street waiting for the valet to bring their car up, 3 middle-aged European (German, I think) guys walking by suddenly stopped in their tracks, stared @ my Leica & talked amongst themselves for a good 30 seconds, & then 1 of them asked "Is that an M9?"

I'm putting this out there since this could be useful information for straight gals & gay dudes looking for a photo sugar daddy.

​

I think if you're trying to attract the ladies, you would be better off carrying any Polaroid or Fuji instant camera or some type of toy camera (Holga, Diana, Lomo, etc.).

I do get the "Where do you buy film nowadays?" question a lot, but that's mostly from people old enough to remember being able to buy it at the drugstore, etc.

And while I have encountered my share of idiots & douchebags like the situation recounted by I Love Film, gear talk has also led to great conversations & friendships w/some of the best photographers I've had the privilege to meet.

 

[Findus]

I do not mind if people ask me about my cameras and often had nice conversations. I use classic film cameras most of the times and enjoy hearing other people's stories about their film cameras.

However, what I do not like are the folks who stand beside me to take 'the same' photo because they seem to think 'tripod=professional photographer' LOL!

 

[Paul T.]

I love talking to strangers, about anything.... I've had some amazing conversations as a result of people coming up to me in the street or if I've stopped for a coffee....
I only get mildly hacked off when the conversation is about megapixels, and it's always males who bring this up...

I agree.

I'm amazed how many grumpy old gits we have on here! You're out shooting, in the street, some people make comments, some are inane... such is the glory of humanity!

 

[KenR]

Most of the conversations are short and stupid - as everyone has already posted - "where can you get film?" But some are interesting and lengthly concerning gear and home processing. A huge number of people at one time or another processed their own film and did some printing - in high school, at summer camp or in college and love to tell about their experiences with it. I try to encourage them to get back into it, through classes at their local community college, etc. I'm not sure whether anyone has, but I hope some of my enthusiasm for photography and darkroom work translates into their resuming their relationship to film.

 

[zauhar]

I have had a couple of pro photographers who have gone digital notice with fondness my film leicas, one nice guy asked to hold it for a while. Made me feel special! I never feel an urge to hold someone's big ugly DSLR.

I think that anytime someone is not angrily screaming at you when you are holding a camera, you should feel great.

Randy

 

[Bob Michaels]

I was the one who commented and appeared to really irritate another photographer. It was in Havana, it was in the late afternoon and 90 degrees with 90% humidity.

He was wearing a stuffed photo vest and carrying 2 Nikon D-3's. one with a 24-70 zoom, the other a 70-200 zoom. His *ss was really dragging.

I had only a pocket full of film and Zeiss Ikon with one lens in my hand. I simply said "do you sometimes think about returning to film?" He said nothing but gave me one of those looks that could kill as he struggled down the Prado. I should learn to keep my mouth shut.

 

[one90guy]

I spend most of my time in out of the way places, I cross paths with bird watchers occasional. But they seem to be doing there own thing, so its just hello. But I do enjoy talking about cameras and film. My Polaroid 110A has been the most looked at and questions about camera.

 

[E__WOK]

I was walking downtown with my M6 hanging around my neck and some guy wearing a X100 asked me if I had a X100.

 

[jpa66]

I take it stride. If someone wants to comment or talk about cameras as a result of seeing me with a film camera, I'll gladly oblige.

I was just in Venice in ST. Mark's Square walking around with my Rolleiflex, and some guy with a digital slr with a big zoom starts walking closer to me and taking pictures of my camera as it was in my hands! That was kind of weird, but I simply said to him: "Like the camera, huh?" Then he proceeded to tell me that he has a Rolleicord ( which he apparently didn't bring with him LOL ) and that was the end of the discussion ( and I'm glad because I didn't feel like talking about digital cameras and was also wondering why he simply didn't ask to take a shot of my 'Flex in the first place - but there's another thread for that... ).

 

[j_newy]

If you guys ever get annoyed, then you should pull out this

I actually have one of these ''photosnipers'' I haven't yet taken it for a real run as it needs a bit of work, but around my local shop my co-workers thought it was awesome. My friends suggested I take it to my national parliament house, I had to tell them they shoot first then ask questions.

I guess in contribution to the thread, I never approach DLSR shooters, I have had too many bad experiences with "gear heads" and megapixel debates. But if I saw someone with a M9 or a camera I drool over, then I would probably stalk them for a while and maybe say hello if they appear friendly.

My friends comment on my old cameras and as usual the "YOU CAN STILL BUY FILM????" remark is a bit annoying... I normally reply "Yes, you just have to look a bit harder for it"

 

[mwoenv]

One time on the Brooklyn Bridge with my Minolta SRT201 someone came over, obviously trying to be funny in front of the group she was with, and asked what time my camera had to be returned to the museum. I thought that was a riot. At least she knew it was an "old" camera, which it was given her age.

 

[Overkill-F1]

When I shot large format on the steet, I'd get lots of looks, comments and people coming up to talk to me. It came with the territory -how can you expect NOT to be approached when you got a huge tripod, camera with bellows, dark cloth....best comment I got was, "when is the gun powder flash gonna go off?".
.

I was on the side of country road with my large format camera on a large tripod. The road wasn't very busy and the cars are usually speeding , but most of the cars slowed right down as soon as they saw me and my gear. Eventually one car stopped and the driver walked back to see me. He was glad to see that I had a camera on the tripod because his first impression was that it was a radar-gun and I had set up a speed trap.
...Terry

 

[nighstar]

sometimes I get a lot of people staring at my camera and whispering among themselves about it, but only a few times has anyone actually commented about it to me. out of all of the cameras i have the Hasselblad is easily the most recognizable and gets the most comments (which are always positive). no problems there. but i'm always really caught off guard when someone does speak to me about my camera and thus my replies are often careless.... :/

 

[gliderbee]

it does annoy me when people speak to me about cameras. reaffirms the vast perception of the importance of equipment vs what you make with it

I usually answer to this by asking them (with a smile, of course) if they know what wordprocessor the last book the read was typed on, or what brushes were used by the painter of the last painting they looked at. I like talking about cameras (I'm more into LF these days; now, if you want attention, try that ), but I have the same feeling as Marko about it.



Stefan.

 

[freedomflashing]

When I shoot weddings I usually have a Pentax Dslr, Leica M6, and Hasselblad on me. I get comments constantly. Mostly "why do you need some many cameras". Occasionally I get the "those are old! Are you really a professional?" and "What's Film?" comments. I love to talk cameras, so it's ok, but occasionally I'm in a hurry and I get condescending comments on the number of cameras I have and that certainly gets old.

On the street, I hardly ever get any comments. Weird stares; yes...comments; no.

 

[Contarama]

My sister the other day seen my black Canonet...she asked if it was a new product! hahaha

A few years back I had two Contaflexes strapped on at a car show when I was approached by an older gentlemen who was in a wheel chair...he is a good example of the saving graces of some folks...he said "I haven't seen a camera like that in years...is it a rangefinder?" I said no it is a SLR and then he proceeded to tell me how he loved shooting Leicas for many many years and still had a M2 and M3 but never got to shoot much anymore...said he was going to have to get them out again after seeing my gear...

 

[Peter_Jones]

Was stopped today by a lady who wanted to know how old my Rolleicord was , and she was genuinely surprised I could still get film for it.