K14
Well-known
I'm sitting here chuckling while writing this post.
I bought a nice black 135 Hektor this week and took it out with me on my daily walk mounted on my barnack with the VIOOH finder.
As I was walking down one of my well travelled streets, a car backed out of the driveway of a house behind me. The car was coming my way but traveling very very slow. I thought nothing and the car turned around in a cul-de-sac and left.
Another mile or so into the walk a local cop car passed by. 5 minutes later the cop car came back up from behind. He stopped and asked me where I lived. I told him a couple blocks away. He asked me my name and I told him. I asked him why and he said they were looking for someone the same build as me. He didn't explain further and left.
As I made my way around the block I saw 2 more patrol cars and a police bike pass by. The neighbors out in about wondered what was going on.
Never in my 5 years of walking the hood have I been stopped. I figure someone took my Hektor/VIOOH combo as some kind of firearm. Hard to tell if it was really me they were looking for or if there was someone else. I'm sure the officer would have told me more about the person of interest in case I ran into him on my walk.
So break out that black Hektor/VIOOH combo and give your neighborhood a stir and have a good laugh.
You all have a good weekend!
Cheers,
Gary
I bought a nice black 135 Hektor this week and took it out with me on my daily walk mounted on my barnack with the VIOOH finder.
As I was walking down one of my well travelled streets, a car backed out of the driveway of a house behind me. The car was coming my way but traveling very very slow. I thought nothing and the car turned around in a cul-de-sac and left.
Another mile or so into the walk a local cop car passed by. 5 minutes later the cop car came back up from behind. He stopped and asked me where I lived. I told him a couple blocks away. He asked me my name and I told him. I asked him why and he said they were looking for someone the same build as me. He didn't explain further and left.
As I made my way around the block I saw 2 more patrol cars and a police bike pass by. The neighbors out in about wondered what was going on.
Never in my 5 years of walking the hood have I been stopped. I figure someone took my Hektor/VIOOH combo as some kind of firearm. Hard to tell if it was really me they were looking for or if there was someone else. I'm sure the officer would have told me more about the person of interest in case I ran into him on my walk.
So break out that black Hektor/VIOOH combo and give your neighborhood a stir and have a good laugh.
You all have a good weekend!
Cheers,
Gary
raid
Dad Photographer
This sounds creepy, Gary. Watch your back.
Richard G
Veteran
Any unusual configuration causes puzzlement and undue engagement. In Cairns I waited to cross the road with a guy who could not believe his eyes when he saw my chrome M5 with a tiny Skopar 25 and Zeiss finder. It was some time before his girlfriend regained his attention. The Hektor would look pretty long on that Barnack. I've stopped catching planes carrying my Leitz tabletop tripod, carry-on or checked because of it's suspicious shape. That cop was very good at his job and didn't match you to the suspect. If he'd been brilliant at his job he'd have had one look at you, laughed and gone for a coffee.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Or maybe the police were telling the truth, and the neighbour thought you looked the same as the wanted man, too. Or he was worried about someone casing his house with a 'telescopic' lens, with a view to future burglary. But without being unduly paranoid, I have to admit that your explanation is by no means unlikely.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
Bugleone
Established
Maybe you were very,very lucky and met an intelligent policeman,...alternatively, perhaps you are unaware WHOSE house you past carrying a camera......
There are buildings in London where you can wave a camera about, but there are oterh innocent looking buildings where jsut to have a camera outside will result in the fast appearance of police as if by magic.....
There are buildings in London where you can wave a camera about, but there are oterh innocent looking buildings where jsut to have a camera outside will result in the fast appearance of police as if by magic.....
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Not just in London. I mean, I didn't know that the country house I was photographing had anything to do with royalty. At least, I assume it was royalty. And even if I had known, would I have been shooting 6x12cm with a 150/4.5 Apo Lanthar on a tripod-mounted MPP Mk. VII?
The Gloucestershire police in their Range Rover were very polite. They accepted that I had a perfect right to shoot from the public road, and did not try to discourage me. But no-one got out of the helicopter that briefly touched down and then took off again. This was 25-30 years ago.
Cheers,
R.
presspass
filmshooter
Try a Visoflex with the televit and a 560. That, too, draws stares, although it's not something you would normally take on a walk.
K14
Well-known
Actually I would like to do that someday. There is a nice view of the Olympic mountains on top of the hill not far from my house. I was hoping to get a clear shot of the snow caps using a longer lens like the Hektor.
I'm sure I will see an entry in the local police blotter about this. I will let you all know if I do and what was seen from the other side.
My next venture will be scouting some fall foliage with my Anniversary Graphic mounted 7" Aero Ektar reconnaissance lens. I'm sure I'll peak some interest there as well.
Gary
pschauss
Well-known
I was once stopped and by the Long Island Railroad Police while taking pictures at the Speonk station with my Kiev 6C and Zeiss 180mm/2.8 lens. I can't imagine why I looked suspicious with that rig. In any event, he copied down my driver's license and told me that since I was not on LIRR property I was free to take pictures.
In any event, he copied down my driver's license and told me that since I was not on LIRR property I was free to take pictures.
K14
Well-known
I was once stopped and by the Long Island Railroad Police while taking pictures at the Speonk station with my Kiev 6C and Zeiss 180mm/2.8 lens. I can't imagine why I looked suspicious with that rig.
That's a good one Peter! I have a Kiev 60 here with the 30mm Arsat fisheye that gets some comments every once in a while. That 180 would sure be a sight to see on that rig.
I want to do some night shooting during the winter this year, not in the neighborhood but in the downtown city streets here. Given the situation I've experienced, I may just visit city hall and give them a heads up. I have to dig into what other night/early morning shooters do in this case.
Cheers,
Gary