Now I really get it!

[pachuco]

Last night I attended an event in North Portland that was very touchy to photograph. It was in response to recent ICE (immigration) sting operation and hundreds of people crowded into a sweltering church gym to find out how they could find their missing family members and also what to do with the number of children left without parents. In this sensitive environment photographers were not really welcome at first but tolerated as a “necessary evil”. I took two camera bodies, my standard Minolta SLR with grip and big honking lens and also just for kicks, my M3. Just sensing the fear and hesitation in the room I opted to only show my M3, that was a great move.


Every other photog there with the standard issue DSLR and giant lens was asked to not take pictures at some point and time. I was never asked that and in fact I was for the most part not noticed. The people that did notice me were open and willing to share what happened to them. The fact that I spoke Spanish I am sure helped but it did not hurt that my M3 was so quite and little. As I get better with my M3 I am amazed at all the advantages of the M series. I am even getting used to the dirty looks other photogs give me when they are kicked out of an event and no one even cares I am there 😀

 

[visiondr]

Great story. You were reporting an intimate event on film and that's precisely one of the areas where historically, the Leica M ruled(s).

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[FrankS]

On a similar note, I took photos during my father-in-law's funeral and reception with my Contax IIa with the same positive results. Most times I was not noticed and when I was, it was somehow more acceptable than a motordriven-flappin' SLR or dSLR. (smaller and quieter)

 

[Rafael]

The quiet operation of the Leica bodies certainly has the advantage of allowing you to go unnoticed in situations such as the one you recount here. But I find that it also allows for a much more intimate style of photography when you are conversing with your subjects as you photograph them. I'm sure that your ability to speak Spanish was a significant contributing factor to the reception you received. But the fact that you were using a small, quiet, unimposing camera likely also contributed to that reception. Thanks for sharing your story.

 

[nikon_sam]

On a similar note, I took photos during my father-in-law's funeral and reception with my Contax IIa with the same positive results. Most times I was not noticed and when I was, it was somehow more acceptable than a motordriven-flappin' SLR or dSLR.

FrankS,

I too used my Olympus 35-S at a former boss and very good friend's funeral...
I shot from a balcony w/o flash...I sent some pictures to one of Bill's brothers and he Thanked me for them...Having a small and very quite camera can get shots others may shy away from...😎

 

[skhan]

If possible, I would love to see some photos.

 

[jkelly]

Yes, I know what you mean. I use my M3 at all public functions that I attend where quiet and lack of flash is appropriate. It always amuses and amazes me when I see guys with their big dSLRs and huge lenses and flash attachments at these types of events. Not only are they incredibly annoying and intrusive, they don't even seem to know that their cameras are perfectly capable of taking photos indoors without flash, or that flash is ineffective at the ranges they are trying to use them.

A couple of shots from my niece's wedding last weekend. M3 + Summitar.

You can take a picture of the bride walking down the aisle without being annoying:

You can even turn to the side and take a picture of you cute seatmate without disturbing the rest of the audience:

 

[pachuco]

If possible, I would love to see some photos.

I will post some as soon as I can, thanks!

 

[erikhaugsby]

It always amuses and amazes me when I see guys with their big dSLRs and huge lenses and flash attachments at these types of events.

But it takes much effort to hold the appearance of being professional, and only those fancy-smansy freeweight-esque "necessities" will allow one to appear professional. After all, appearances are everything!

🙄


edit: but personally I can't wait to see what pachuco and his M3 took pictures of.

 

[ywenz]

well I guess neither your M3 nor the photogs with DSLR + giant lenses captured any close ups of the people there.. unless you had a big 135mm on your M3?

I will post some as soon as I can, thanks!

It'd be nice to have at lease some pics today right? The unspoken advantage of the DSLR...

 

[FrankS]

Bessa folks aren't going to like this but, the Bessa is a little louder than the Leica M, and that little bit louder is enough to make a difference in situations like those mentioned. I've owned both types of cameras. (Bessa R, R2, Leica M's) Leicas certainly aren't silent, but they are often quiet enough. Bessa's aren't exactly loud, but they are sometimes too loud. (flame suit on) 🙂

 

[FrankS]

It'd be nice to have at lease some pics today right? The unspoken advantage of the DSLR...

What's the rush? This isn't newspaper work with a deadline!

 

[erikhaugsby]

It'd be nice to have at lease some pics today right? The unspoken advantage of the DSLR...

Personally, I'd rather have exposed film waiting for development than an empty memory card.

But that's just me; horses for courses.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[BillBingham2]

Frank,

I agree, Bessas are louder, not alot, but sometimes just enough to push you into the radar.

Joining you the my own protective gear.

B2 (;->

 

[jkelly]

well I guess neither your M3 nor the photogs with DSLR + giant lenses captured any close ups of the people there.. unless you had a big 135mm on your M3?

It'd be nice to have at lease some pics today right? The unspoken advantage of the DSLR...

It's amazing what you can do with a little cropping.

With B&W film, I can always have pics the same day. For color, here in the US there's always Target.

 

[BillBingham2]

Pachuco,

Welcome to the club of “True Believers”!

B2 (;->

 

[pachuco]

well I guess neither your M3 nor the photogs with DSLR + giant lenses captured any close ups of the people there.. unless you had a big 135mm on your M3?



It'd be nice to have at lease some pics today right? The unspoken advantage of the DSLR...

LOL!! Good point I guess! I did leave the digital at home on purpose and to be honest, I really enjoy the work flow for film, including the extra time it takes. Stuck at work all day today so I will have to wait a bit to get those developed. 😎

 

[pachuco]

Pachuco,

Welcome to the club of “True Believers”!

B2 (;->

Thanks B2! Good to be here!!