Sonny Boy Havidson
Established
What is odd indeed is that I was only asked this when using the Leica or a Rollei 35. With the TLR, I got more interesting questions: "It is a 'cord or a 'flex?" (OK... It was in Hamburg) or "Is it an Hasselblad?" (I am still surprised that people know the Blad and can confuse with my Rolleiflex).I've experienced the same when I use a TLR. People like to come and talk about my camera. Usually they start it with "can you still by film for it?".
Sometimes some guy with an digital EOS propose you to use his tripod (Yeh dude! I use 400 ASA film and my lens is f/3.5 at maximum aperture like your plastic zoom!).
In fact, the best camera to be seen is a folder. Take an Ikonta or an Isolette to do some street shoting and you will see...
Bingley
Veteran
I've had the same thing happen on any number of occasions when I was shooting my M2 at an event also being covered by pro photogs. They've struck up conversations about their old Leica, or commented on the M2 being a real camera. One called me a luddite. I took that as a compliment...
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
If you want to see some necks snap try photographing in a public place with a Crown Graphic.
When I did some street shooting in West End a while ago in two hours I had three separate conversations with people who were fascinated by the camera ... and all were amazed that film is still readily available! A couple were very keen to have their photos taken.
When I did some street shooting in West End a while ago in two hours I had three separate conversations with people who were fascinated by the camera ... and all were amazed that film is still readily available! A couple were very keen to have their photos taken.
bwcolor
Veteran
I recently spent three days in Disneyland, Anaheim, Ca. I alternated between three real cameras and the best I could tell...and I was looking...those were the only real cameras in the whole park.
Luna
Well-known
From now on, every person I see with a camera I'm going to say "I see you are using a real camera."
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
what most don't realize is that usually comments like this are made in a patronising way, to a 'luddite' or 'eccentric', and not out of admiration for - or a desire to emulate your method of working. I usually just mumble something like - 'yes - I really must try to afford a modern camera'....makes them feel even better!
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
people always like to 'humour' and 'encourage' eccentrics!If you want to see some necks snap try photographing in a public place with a Crown Graphic.
When I did some street shooting in West End a while ago in two hours I had three separate conversations with people who were fascinated by the camera ... and all were amazed that film is still readily available! A couple were very keen to have their photos taken.
Savara
Member
I disagree, I think calling you luddite was more a delusion. You are not enforcing a legacy technology or fight against any kind of revolution, right?One called me a luddite. I took that as a compliment...
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Insofar as people comment at all -- a few times a year -- they seem to refer to all my Ms, film or digi, as 'real' cameras. Then agan, I suspect that most of 'em don't realize that there is such a thing as a digital M.
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
Luna
Well-known
Insofar as people comment at all -- a few times a year -- they seem to refer to all my Ms, film or digi, as 'real' cameras. Then agan, I suspect that most of 'em don't realize that there is such a thing as a digital M.
Cheers,
R.
I know the feeling. I get the same thing when I shoot my totally awesome 5D Mark II. Don't people know about the 1Ds?
alan davus
Well-known
In early January I was hiking down the Cobb Valley in New Zealand's S. Island. A s**t of a morning, rain peeing down. I stopped at the old Cobb Hut about 9a.m. for a short repite just as a bunch of older trampers were packing up to leave. I had my REAL camera (so I thought), the M6 with a 35 attached out to take a photo. Then one of the old guys pulled out a TTL; I looked and said to myself, "Now That's a real camera."
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
So if someone comes up to me and says ... "Wow a D700! I've heard a lot about these ... clean images right up to 6400 and beyond or so I've read ... what a cool camera!"
Is the person:
(a) An idiot for mistaking a DSLR for a real camera?
(b) Someone interested in the advances of digital photography?
(c) An M9 owner slumming it?

Is the person:
(a) An idiot for mistaking a DSLR for a real camera?
(b) Someone interested in the advances of digital photography?
(c) An M9 owner slumming it?
Dave Wilkinson
Veteran
A bit off topic - but I get comments of a similar nature even without a camera!...I always have my pipe going, and people say - "oooh - you don't see many men with those these days!" (three times yesterday!)....or - "Oh - it's Sherlock Holmes!" :bang:.....God knows what would happen if I had the '39 Leica too! 
Mongo Park
Established
Had a 13 yr old girl stare at my camera at a lunch in a restaurant with a bunch of friends and families and pronounce "Wow, that's cool". T'was a Contax IIA with Zeiss Opton Sonnar and metal hood. She then proceeded to quiz me about it and film photography. A convert, maybe.
When I had my spanking new D700 when it was first released, ppl never stop and say 'that is a nice camera'
Since using my zeiss ikon and MP, I've had quite a few strangers stop and say nice things about my camera. .....
Yeah, me neither. My Leicas get a lot of comments. My D700... not one. However, the D700 is still a real camera.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Had a 13 yr old girl stare at my camera at a lunch in a restaurant with a bunch of friends and families and pronounce "Wow, that's cool". T'was a Contax IIA with Zeiss Opton Sonnar and metal hood. She then proceeded to quiz me about it and film photography. A convert, maybe.
This is a welcome counterpoint to the more usual stories of being threatened. assaulted or arrested for being in possession of a camera within 100 metres of a child...
Cheers,
R.
Luna
Well-known
So if someone comes up to me and says ... "Wow a D700! I've heard a lot about these ... clean images right up to 6400 and beyond or so I've read ... what a cool camera!"
A true test of the Leica attitude. You'll have to judge each on a case by case basis.
januaryman
"Flim? You want flim?"
Shot a bunch of candid photos of a friend's son who began posing when he spotted me bring my Canonet up to eye level. When I smiled and thanked him for the poses, he wanted to see the photos. I explained I needed to rewind the film and get it developed and scanned and then I could send him a copy. He looked at me like I was crazy and asked why I didn't just go to the store and buy a camera. I assume he meant "a real camera." You know, the kind that shows pictures on the back.
Everything's relative.
Everything's relative.
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