Nice camera!

[Roger Hicks]

...or a variant thereon, was a surprisingly common reaction to my M9 at Arles. Others asked, "Are you happy with it?" Several were delighted to be able to give it a try.

Quite a few of those who commented were exhibitors. People who care enough to go to the biggest gathering of fine art photographers in the world, never mind the hassle of organizing an exhbition, probably qualify as 'real' photographers. This pretty much gives the lie to those who say that 'real' photographers don't care about equipment. Then again, most of the professionals I know care about their kit.

Quite a lot of Leicas there too. Who's going to be there next year? Where do you get comments about your camera? Another place it happens for me is photokina. And Focus in the UK.

Cheers,

R.

 

[mfunnell]

This appears to have received no comment the first time around - but this is the first time I've seen the thread so I'll say something:

I seem to get comments about my cameras regularly but infrequently. Those infrequent occasions are usually when I'm using something perceived as "unusual" -

* When using my Elmar-M 50. I've often been asked "is that a Leica" even when I've been using my Hexar RF. Put a different lens on and I'm seldom asked.

* When dropping film off to be developed and printed (usually in a camera store). Lots of people in those places have a real interest in the gear you're using and why you keep using film. And that's mostly because it feeds one or other of their own interests. RF cameras are particularly good for this - a Canon 30V gets almost no comment, while a Canon F-1n gets more than one and my M3 often ignites a long discussion.

* When using a big white Canon telephoto (my 100-400 zoom). In an obvious "wildlife" setting I've frequently been directed towards good opportunities - presumably because I'm assumed to have the gear to get the shot, and that is often stated ("you've got the right camera for it").

* When using a lens with a large diameter objective lens (75 'lux, EF 50mm/f1.2, EF-S 17-55mm/f2.8 - or the aforementioned white zoom) which seems to encourage the presumption that I'm pursuing news, or am in some other way a working pro.

* At events such as the OPEC conference (really the APEC conference) in Sydney in 2007, where a lot of "counterculture" types where around. At that event and other, lower key, things - like protests against our wonderful internet censorship plans - I see a lot more people than usual using film cameras. If I'm using something identifiably unsual (like an M3 with collapsible lens, or a Contax G2) I'll often be approached for discussion - whereas with a film SLR (say, my FM3a) I tend to blend in with the other film-using crowd (the only kinds of events I've seen where "crowd" can even be talked about as "film-using" these days).

My guess is that an awful lot of people have at least a casual interest in photography - and know that everyone else does too. But if you're seen with something most people don't have (an obviously expensive lens, or an "old" film camera that looks to be used by choice rather than default) then you're seen as "a photographer" rather than as a schmuck with a camera. (Little to they know!)

If you fit the bill then some percentage of people will ask. Usually out of genuine interest, and if you engage them then pleasant discussion can result. That's my experience, anyway.

...Mike

 

[Pickett Wilson]

I guess an M2 or M3 draws the most interest from people, although that isn't frequent. My 1D MkIV and 5D MkII's with big white zooms don't get any attention. My small town is full of soccer moms with both those cameras, so it takes something 60 years old to get their attention.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

I was out photographing in a local bar last night (for historical purposes only!) and although I wasn't approached I noticed a lot of people looking very hard at my M6 and obviously trying to figure out what the unusual camera was.

 

[Leigh Youdale]

I guess an M2 or M3 draws the most interest from people, although that isn't frequent. My 1D MkIV and 5D MkII's with big white zooms don't get any attention. My small town is full of soccer moms with both those cameras, so it takes something 60 years old to get their attention.

I'm over 60. What would be my chances?
OTOH my wife says I've got delusions of adequacy!

 

[Keith]

Crown Graphic ... makes their jaws drop every time ... anywhere!

 

[oftheherd]

Yesterday at one of the local Photo Walks, not many people said anything, but I noticed several looking at my film RF cameras. Nothing but digital with big zooms for them. I think a lot felt sorry for me. 😀

Some were interested. The walk leader and a couple more, but seemed to think it was just an oddity from their past. But one gentleman was so intrigued he put them all together on our table and took several photos. He really seemed interested in the fact that anyone would actually use not only film cameras, but such old ones.

I don't guess that has much to do with the M-9, but I found it interesting.

 

[Roger Hicks]

@ Mike -- Numerous interesting observations; thanks. Arles probably attracts a lot of 'alternative' people too, so this could be a common thread in what happens.

@ Leigh: They weren't pissed enough to come over and ask? I thought (and have indeed noticed, when they travel) that your countrymen are rarely averse to large quantities of beer, though some get a bit defensive when you don't mention your excellent Australian wines in the next breath.

@ Keith: Stop pissing about with dinky cameras, buy a Super Technika 5x7!

@ Oftheherd: I'd feel sorry for them, carrying those overweight cameras and lenses around.

@ Double Negative: Yes, the car parallel has to be exact.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Ducky]

my wife says I've got delusions of adequacy!

I gotta remember that one.

I was changing film at one place and drew a few comments, but otherwise not too much notice. I do notice that people are less camera shy when i shoot the leica.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

On vacation, my M8 received a "Nice Camera" comment from a DSLR user. We were on the USS Yorktown CV-10 Aircraft Carrer, now a floating museum.

 

[colyn]

Crown Graphic ... makes their jaws drop every time ... anywhere!

Crown Graphic with a pinhole. That also drums up interest...

 

[jackbaty]

So far the Hasselblad 500C/M gets the most attention and comments. Surprisingly, the Olympus E-P1 attracts more questions and comments than the M4. But I'd much rather *answer* questions about the Leica than the Olympus!

 

[D.O'K.]

My Rolleiflex attracts a surprising amount of comment from women--always positive, always pleasant...

Regards,
D.

 

[colyn]

When shooting film in downtown Fort Worth I sometimes hear "is film still being made?" but otherwise most don't even notice when I'm shooting..

 

[jbielikowski]

yap, Rolleiflex is a great chick magnet.

 

[paulfish4570]

I had my FED-2d with me in a florida hardware store. An older gdentleman asked if it were a Leica. My bride said, "He wishes it were." I said, "No, but it is a Soviet copy."

I was shooting a Bessa R at a flea market in the spring. A big fellow complimented my kit, and said it was nice to see someone shooting film ...

 

[Mackinaw]

Yesterday I was a "Ragtime Festival" at Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan (for those outside of the U.S., Greenfield Village and the Henry Ford Museum are two highly regarded U.S. historical attractions). At one of the many events I attended one guy commented on my MP and an actress came over and asked questions about the camera and the lens (Canon 50/0.95). I also get a lot of comments about my MP at art fairs.

Jim B.

 

[_goodtimez]

The other day I was at my local supermarket picking-up developed slides and the young lady behind the desk simply asked what slides meant...
So I decided to open my box and showed her. She found it great and asked how to proceed to get slides from her digital camera ! This seems like we are going back to future huh !

 

[david.elliott]

Roger,

I get the occasional question about my cameras from other photographers I see out and about on the street. Of course, the occasional question sometimes comes from whoever I happen to be interacting with during my errands, such as the greeting lady at Lowes.

Oddly enough, all questions or comments have been with regard to my bessa / leica. Nobody seems interested in my Rolleiflex. 🙁

Usually I hand my camera over to the interested person for them to look at and take a shot or two. The usual reaction from photographers used to dslrs is "wow what a viewfinder!"

 

[Roger Hicks]

Roger,

I get the occasional question about my cameras from other photographers I see out and about on the street. Of course, the occasional question sometimes comes from whoever I happen to be interacting with during my errands, such as the greeting lady at Lowes.

Oddly enough, all questions or comments have been with regard to my bessa / leica. Nobody seems interested in my Rolleiflex. 🙁

Usually I hand my camera over to the interested person for them to look at and take a shot or two. The usual reaction from photographers used to dslrs is "wow what a viewfinder!"

Dear Dave,

Which is in itself interesting, the more so in the light of what others have said.

Cheers,

R.