How do you explain to people, simply?

msbarnes

msbarnes

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I'm sure many here use film cameras, rangefinders, TLR's, etc. Buy Leica, Zeiss etc. Things that are a bit "non conventional".

How do you explain your choice of cameras/mediums/brands to the lay person? Every so often I get asked these questions. I do have my reasons, as many of you do, it's just too long and tiresome too explain so it is easier for me to relate it to something else.

Film vs digital: Oil vs acrylic painting. Different aesthetic qualities.

RF vs SLR: Motorcycles vs sedans. Different experiences.

German vs Japanese: German products make me feel better.
 
Maybe a little smart-a$$ed, but you could say "If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand.":D

Seriously, your comment about different aesthetics (tastes or feel would work too) seems like the best and easiest answer.
 
Are you getting accosted? (sarcasm)

But seriously, why is it uncomfortable? "I like it better." "Something to do." "A hobby."

Shrug and smile.

Most people that ask me are just curious, and then they're like, "oh cool."

I generally don't go into some hyper-technical powerpoint presentation--nor is that ever desired.

People that ask are simply interested (most of the time). Interested people are generally the good guys.

If they ask if I have a digital, or why don't I go digital, I say I don't have one, and that I'll go digital whenever they stop making film.

I say I just like film better.

If they say they didn't know you could still get film, who cares, niche market---hell, I'd sound like an idiot asking questions at a gun show (not a gun owner).

We may be different, you and I, but I've never had a problem talking to people about this. I'm fairly extroverted and have never had trouble starting conversations with strangers.

I might be reading this wrong, but it seems like you look at these types of exchages as some sort of intrusion.

I do not.
 
I mean how do you explain your preferencs for the cameras/lenses you use.

I mean, with RF's you can get into compactness, superior optical qualities, frameliens, mechanical feel, etc. but then people ask why not an iphone? X100? D800? or things like that. Some people just do not understand that it is more complicated than that.

I know that you don't really need to explain your preferences, or you can talk for 30 minutes on why you prefer one or the other. I just find it easier coming up with analogies. It makes them think.

"I like it better" is fine too. I'm more interested in seeing how others approach this "issue". This isn't a serious thread...just curious, really. With people on the streets I say "i like it better" but with my closer family/friends I say a bit more.
 
i just say i have a film camera.. and if they ask more i say it's a 35mm film camera that usually finishes the convo with people I don't wanna get intimate with..


All though I have friends that are not into photography so of course RF culture will be foreign to them so you can't blame them..

One time I explained to this guy that RFs were used as radars in WW1 and the camera focusing mechanism wasn't consumer marketed but for the military at first , unlike SLRs which were made for consumers first which made it sound more superior.. I guess


AND if someone is makign fun of your gear or they just don't get you , smile and walk away.. WHAT MATTERS IS HOW MUCH THE GEAR MEANS TO You AND NOT SOME PERSON YOU ENCOUNTER FOR 5 SECS
 
I think there's generally two types of people who ask: those who are genuinely curious, and those who want to debate.

For the curious, I'll share with them aspects I personally enjoy from my experience (the immediacy of controls, the guessing, Sunny 16, pre-focusing, having something tangible, the delay of the image). As for the latter, I admit my preference for film is completely illogical, that digital would be more practical, and the debate usually ends and we can talk about the experience.
 
Not that I "explain myself' or justify my use of film I do answer the rare questioner. I tell them I'm just weird that way, like my old stuff and like knowing i have a physical backup with a negative. :) Actually I'm more likely to be asked about my cameras or get a wow I remember those when they were new kind of thing.
 
I tell them that I like to do the process and I like to use old cameras.
I don´t tell people that there is a truth in using a special technology, it´s only my personal pleasure to do so. I found that most people give a s**t about the aesthetic qualities of different media, but that they are pleased when I tell them about my personal pleasure when using old gear.
Speaking only about my personal feeling about analog photography didn´t bring any debates so far. The responses were completely positive.
 
msbarnes said:
I mean how do you explain your preferencs for the cameras/lenses you use.

I mean, with RF's you can get into compactness, superior optical qualities, frameliens, mechanical feel, etc. but then people ask why not an iphone? X100? D800? or things like that. Some people just do not understand that it is more complicated than that.

I know that you don't really need to explain your preferences, or you can talk for 30 minutes on why you prefer one or the other. I just find it easier coming up with analogies. It makes them think.

"I like it better" is fine too. I'm more interested in seeing how others approach this "issue". This isn't a serious thread...just curious, really. With people on the streets I say "i like it better" but with my closer family/friends I say a bit more.
Click to expand...

Right, right. I gotcha. If they ask why not just an iPhone, you could just say "better image quality," and make up something about how digital can't do colors the same.

Now if the same guys is tossing around iPhone, x100, and D800--that joker aught to know better---especially if he/she's ref'ing an x100.

Needless to say, that's a bit of an unrealistic hypothetical, still.

Now you mention "friends and family"--here's what I do (well, have done--past tense)

This is what I do if I have time:

I focus on the object. It's easier.

I tell them I like it better because I like the cameras better. I let them hold them (I have an M2 and M4-P).

I tell them they're solid brass.
I say "no plastic." I say "it feels like a gun," when I hand it to someone. They always agree.

(I said before I'm not a gun owner, but I've fired a few)

I say it has more gears than a Swiss pocketwatch (I have no idea if this is true), and it takes no batteries (this always astounds people).

I show them how it focuses--then I reiterate the "no batteries thing."

If they're still interested I talk about developing film, and metering, and guessing exposure.

However, in my experience, people love (I mean love) show and tell.

The tangible object sells it. On some level, they get it.

However, some people just don't care, and I'm cool with that.

I just take their picture, and go on with my life.
 
The shortest explanations are the prints. Show them the prints, so that they will understand. On the other hand, if they still won't understand, the answer could be, that they do not see a difference, or that your prints are not good enough.
 
I usually say, an RF is just a different method of focusing that I prefer.
Film...I develop myself and I prefer the look over digital.

I had a guy at a coffeeshop "instagram" the cameras I was carrying. That was kind of annoying.
 
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