"Does that camera have f-stops?"

[n5jrn]

Have you ever been asked about f-stops when using a camera in public?

I find it one of the most common questions when using what is obviously an older (and thus, non point-and-shoot) camera. I don't think I've been ever asked about shutter speed or manual focusing, just "f-stops" (and it's always "f-stops", never "aperture settings").

My guess is that this is because most people have some general idea of what shutter speeds are, but they have no idea what f-numbers are. So quite naturally they phrase a question in terms of what is to them the more arcane parameter.

 

[Keith]

Don't laugh ... five or six years ago I wasn't sure what an f-stop was ... and I didn't really know what a prime lens was and how it related to focal length either ... I thought zooms were 'it!' 😱

 

[Rob-F]

I've been told, "I know I have a good camera; it has one of those f-lenses."

 

[sepiareverb]

No, it's digital so it has G-spots.

 

[sepiareverb]

STOPS. G-stops.

 

[Particular]

I've never been asked about f-stops. I've been asked almost every other question.

Yesterday I was asked if my R-D1 was a Holga. They asked again when I showed it up close, and seemed somewhat disappointed when I said Epson.

 

[FrozenInTime]

Wish I had a Minolta TC-1 :

Then I could reply - No f-stops ; but it's got Waterhouse stops.

http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?MinoltaTC1.html~mainFrame

I remember around 2000 always being asked if my tiny Minox 8x11 was a digital camera. Sadly the digital dream has never reached the same level of miniature perfection.

 

[dof]

I've been asked that question, but honestly not in a few years. I wonder if the general knowledge of things like "f-stops" is fading away along with things like "dial tone".

 

[JamesFromSydney]

I've had several people ask if my Crown Graphic is a box brownie.

 

[maddoc]

What are f-stops ?

 

[Keith]

What are f-stops ?

Like truck stops except more fun! 😀

 

[Stuart John]

When I go out with my Yashica D it usualy goes something like this,
"That's an old camera, can you still get film for that thing?"

 

[mooge]

... c'mon guys, f-stops aren't nearly as funny as f-holes.

the weird question I get asked is if my camera still works. umm, well I am taking photographs...

 

[n5jrn]

When I go out with my Yashica D it usualy goes something like this,
"That's an old camera, can you still get film for that thing?"

Perhaps I should make a poll with that question. I probably get asked it more than the f-stops one!

 

[nikon_sam]

Maybe I'm old but I still say ASA...
My license plate say "FSTOP45"...I haven't seen it for a while but I used to see the people in the car behind me explaining what that meant...

 

[Paolo Bonello]

When I go out with my Yashica D it usualy goes something like this,
"That's an old camera, can you still get film for that thing?"

Reply;
"No, I'm just pretending to take photo's, you wanna turn? (insert crazy laugh)"

 

[Ronald_H]

It gets worse... you simply cannot ask an average person to make a snapshot of you with your manual camera. If I set up everything they don't understand how (or why) you need to focus, especially with a rangefinder. Maybe that's why my M2 has a self timer...

And the question: Can you still get film for that? Is one I also har quite frequently.

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Have you been asked about f-stops when photographing in public?

Yes. But not "does that camera have f-stops?". So no vote 😉

 

[Brian Legge]

That sounds like 'does your camera have manual control', or something along those lines.

I was recently asked if my Autocord was a Brownie; are Brownies more known these days? Thats the second time I've been asked that question about a camera in the last 3 months.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I get asked "does that shoot black and white?" a lot.
...even when shooting my M9.
Thank you Leica for making my digital really look like an old film camera.
Now I just need that paint to brass a bit more.

I get the black and white question about any of the cameras I'm shooting. I don't think I've been asked the "f-stop" question though.

I did once have someone ask me if my IIIf was the new Leica digital, to which I replied, "no it's quite old but I'm using my fingers to operate it, so I guess it's digital." (oh how I wish daily for Leica to come out with a IIIf digital replica.)

Phil Forrest