Odd Looks

[smiway]

Do you ever feel like you are out of a time warp when using your Leica? I sometimes get the most inquisitive looks from individuals while walking in Manhattan with my MP, especially tourists who, by the way, are not too difficult to recognize in NYC. Once in awhile someone will stop me and ask what kind of a camera I am using. I get the feeling that they think I'm some kind of a throwback to the ice age.

Wayne R. Smith

 

[xayraa33]

yes, it is a good feeling.

 

[erikhaugsby]

Absolutely. Throw in a roll of Kodachrome and you're living in the 60s.

 

[Athos6]

Heck I get that look with an F3hp, and got it with my Fm3a. Really funny looks from my Argus C3 🙂

 

[projectbluebird]

Ah, the good old "Brick". I was shooting with mine once, and someone stopped me to ask what I was doing. They didn't even recognize that it was a camera. I was downtown, and when I told them I was taking pictures, they asked, "Of what?".

 

[KenD]

I often get a reaction, especially when I am shooting at arts/ gallery events, that initially surprised me... "Who are you shooting for?" The assumption is that I *must* be shooting for some agency/ publication.

KenD

 

[Athos6]

I often get a reaction, especially when I am shooting at arts/ gallery events, that initially surprised me... "Who are you shooting for?" The assumption is that I *must* be shooting for some agency/ publication.

KenD

I would quietly answer "the government" and then slink off 🙂

 

[Athos6]

Ah, the good old "Brick". I was shooting with mine once, and someone stopped me to ask what I was doing. They didn't even recognize that it was a camera. I was downtown, and when I told them I was taking pictures, they asked, "Of what?".

Yeah, I loved the brick. I gave mine to my father-inlaw to replace the one he had. It took great pictures.

 

[back alley]

i get some looks when using a rf camera but i get LOTS of looks when i change film in public!!

 

[swoop]

I was in Brooklyn Bridge Park Yesterday and everyone and their mother had Canon's with huge white lenses. I definitely felt the odd man out with my tiny M7.

 

[xayraa33]

a young pretty lady asked to look through my Canon P's viewfinder recently, while I was taking a few photos around Toronto city hall.

 

[furcafe]

Agreed. I have none of those cameras you mention, but I get the occasional curious look whenever I shoot any film camera. Which happens to be all of my cameras because even the digital RFs are pretty indistinguishable from the film bodies. Of course, the only people who actually stare are other camera geeks.

Heck I get that look with an F3hp, and got it with my Fm3a. Really funny looks from my Argus C3 🙂

 

[BillP]

Always feed curiosity. Remember that you are an advocate for photography. Positive curiosity should always be satisfied, politely and courteously.

I regularly get comments when out and about with my IID, usually when, as Joe already said, I stop for a cup of tea and to change film. I was doing just that in a Starbucks last weekend. A charming young lady sitting next to me with her boyfriend said "Look at that cool old camera". He did, and I spent five minutes in conversation with them, explaining that yes, I had a camera on my 'phone, but why this funny looking thing, far older than both of them put together, could produce better results. She went as far as writing what it was on a napkin. It was five minutes well spent, as far as I was concerned.

Regards,

Bill

 

[Graybeard]

Try shooting with a Rolleiflex.

 

[cmogi10]

I saw plenty of Leica's and Rangefinders at the Torch protest in San Francisco. I got a couple cheers though for the DSLR crowd.

 

[Roberto]

She went as far as writing what it was on a napkin. It was five minutes well spent, as far as I was concerned.

Regards,

Bill

Next time offer to write everything down for her and add your phone number.. 😀 one never knows 😛

 

[rogue_designer]

Try shooting with a Rolleiflex.

Yes indeed.

I've been telling people it's a 22mp still camera on the bottom lens, and an HD Video camera on the top lens (which they can see if they look at the viewscreen). 😀

Then I tell them what it really is.

But that I have a bridge for sale, if they're interested.

The looks you get with a viewcamera downtown are pretty good too.

 

[BillP]

Next time offer to write everything down for her and add your phone number.. 😀 one never knows 😛

Va bene...! 😀

Regards,

Bill

 

[Harry Lime]

Happens a lot. I've heard everything from 'nice antique' to 'Why would you shoot with such an old camera, instead of XYZ". One of the best was while I was shooting at a demonstration: "You can't possibly get shots that are in focus with that. It isn't autofocus." Yeah. Sure. ;-)

Oddly enough the VIOOH finder gets more looks and comments than anything. It seems to remind people of the device doctors use to examine the ear tunnel...

 

[Nh3]

Wait till you hear my story.

I shoot with a Nikon D40 along with pros and their massive cameras and lens combos.

Am I a masochist, no, but the fact is that I don't pretend to be one of them and they somehow respect that which is pretty cool.

🙂

Edit: I do have my big camera and lenses but they're for different occasions. I have not been commented on my Leica. I guess I look a little intimidating while in photography mood.