ruby.monkey
Veteran
If my camera gets noticed it's always been because it's old-fashioned, not because it's chrome-plated. The black ones get just as much (or as little) attention - and all of it has been friendly curiosity.
your thoughts on Chrome lens getting noticed more than black lens for street
- Thread starter danielsterno
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Richard G
Veteran
Something wrong. I agree with everyone so far, except the OP's second post about this being a tough school: it's not really.
mfogiel
Veteran
It's your body language that gives you away the most, not the camera or lens. Work on that and you will become invisible.
As to the lens, I would never sell my DR, but for the street a better option is the Elmar M v2 - which you can also find in black. It is a stunning little lens,it does not flare and has a much faster focus throw.
Here's a sample:
20143932 by mfogiel, on Flickr
As to the lens, I would never sell my DR, but for the street a better option is the Elmar M v2 - which you can also find in black. It is a stunning little lens,it does not flare and has a much faster focus throw.
Here's a sample:
20143932 by mfogiel, on Flickr
Chris101
summicronia
I love chrome lenses and cameras. But black is definitely more cool. You going for cool? Black is the way to go. unless you are into ironica.
Chris101
summicronia
It's your body language that gives you away the most, not the camera or lens. Work on that and you will become invisible.
As to the lens, I would never sell my DR, but for the street a better option is the Elmar M v2 - which you can also find in black. It is a stunning little lens,it does not flare and has a much faster focus throw.
Here's a sample:
20143932 by mfogiel, on Flickr
C'mon Marek, they knew you were there!
Ansel
Well-known
Everyone is right.. Cartier Bresson walked around with a chrome camera and chrome lens with black tape on the lens and he did ok.
Seriously though, Leica only sold chrome lenses for best part of the past century.
Seriously though, Leica only sold chrome lenses for best part of the past century.
ruby.monkey
Veteran
But he did it at a time when a camera was a bloody great box on legs. People probably thought he was looning around with an oddly-shaped pocket watch.
Ong
Well-known
I'm going with how you act/body language before the shot counting more than what colour your camera is.
The only time people would notice is if you were using a camera something out of the ordinary like a TLR, folder, large format, etc where you would get something of a positive response.
Even more against the argument that lens colour actually making a difference is the resurgence of "retro" looking cameras such as the Olympus EM/OM-D / EP series makes people more used to seeing rangefinders as just "another camera".
So unless you've done something truly outrageous to your camera and re-leathered or painted it some unusual colour like this
(or in my case, a flat camel FED3a) No one is actually going to pay attention.
Heavens forbid the guy who did the "Imperial Canon" fails to get any decent street photos with that camera ( http://www.japancamerahunter.com/2014/01/story-imperial-canon/ for those who haven't seen it)
The only time people would notice is if you were using a camera something out of the ordinary like a TLR, folder, large format, etc where you would get something of a positive response.
Even more against the argument that lens colour actually making a difference is the resurgence of "retro" looking cameras such as the Olympus EM/OM-D / EP series makes people more used to seeing rangefinders as just "another camera".
So unless you've done something truly outrageous to your camera and re-leathered or painted it some unusual colour like this
(or in my case, a flat camel FED3a) No one is actually going to pay attention.
Heavens forbid the guy who did the "Imperial Canon" fails to get any decent street photos with that camera ( http://www.japancamerahunter.com/2014/01/story-imperial-canon/ for those who haven't seen it)
peterm1
Veteran
I really do not think it makes an iota of difference. Its all about how you approach people. Smile nicely and engage if they show they want to, do not look furtive or apologetic. I shoot both chrome and black and people either notice or they do not - mostly not or its a quick glance and that's it. The lens does not really influence so far as I can tell. But I do seem to get a lot of admiring comments from young women (always in their 20s) about my Leica M8. Dont know what that's about as I am an older guy. Yeh Leica!
thegman
Veteran
Doubt it makes any difference. The prevailing advice on camera forums is often that a big SLR intimidates, and a TLR does not attract attention because you're looking down on it, rather than at the subject. Could not be more contrary to my own experience.
I think if you seriously don't want to be noticed, look the same as everyone else, that means a black plastic camera or a phone.
I think if you seriously don't want to be noticed, look the same as everyone else, that means a black plastic camera or a phone.
shortstop
Well-known
People notice you from your body language. Black or chrome doesn't matter. The dimension I think aren't important too. If someone points me with a black small compact camera, my spontaneous reaction is: he's pointing me and I try to avoid being photographed. A classic camera like a RF Leica style arouse less reaction. At the end of the scale is a TLR. It is unnoticed most of time and if noticed the result is a positive response.
ray*j*gun
Veteran
My experience is that chrome anything gets more attention than black. However more and more folks dont seem to tolerate cameras pointed at them.
Cyriljay
Leica Like
In my experience is your body language and your reaction before you do a shooting to get the shot that attract your presence. Mostly the camera assuming something look old and out of the extraordinary look doesn't attract much attention. Some are attracted because they want to know about the camera . I think the body/ lens colour docent makes much of your presence.,Unless an attitude will do it.
vladimir
vladimir
How about to put a black hood on your silver lens (I have a black hood on my silver ZM 2/50) this would partly obscure a silver lens behind it from subject point of view.
Bill Clark
Veteran
A comment I hear from TLR folks is that a photo can be made when the camera is at waist level.
Tony Whitney
Well-known
I agree totally. I think we are all far too obsessed with this 'stealth' thing. If you point something at a stranger in the street, whether it's a Leica, a Speed Graphic or a Glock automatic, you're going to get their attention and their attitude is going to be anything from total disinterest to "what the heck are you up to?" If you take to the streets to take pictures of people, you'd better be ready for all kinds of responses and black tape won't help you one bit...TW
maddoc
... likes film again.
Black lenses have one big advantage (as have black Leica M bodies), the scales are much easier to see, especially in either bright or dim light. Other than that, hardly anybody will notice your camera because these days everybody is concentrated watching on his smartphone screen and you can literally stick the lens right into the people`s face without them even noticing it. 🙂
goamules
Well-known
Lens color won't matter if you use a 500mm telephoto. But seriously, human eyes are set up to notice movement. When a person on the street sees a strange movement, which is putting a camera up to your eye, they register that. Not the color of your lens. Most women are also hyper aware of a single man looking towards them. They notice that, not the color of your lens. Most people become aware if someone seems to be staying around, with no good reason to, such as a photographer. They won't notice a construction worker, panhandler, or street juggler as much, because their mind instantly assesses and gives them a reason for being there. A street photographer is like a sniper, they look out of place, so have to hide. But again, your clothes and mannerisms are the "tells" not a chrome versus black lens.
Takkun
Ian M.
I have a friend with a neon yellow hasselblad. She says it doesn't get much more attention than a toy camera.
For me it's just a matter of aesthetics; I prefer the look of my brassed black CV and leitz lenses on m black chrome bodies. Then again, the look of chrome-on-black is growing on me. I like contrast.
On a totally unrelated note, I'm always perplexed by people taping over the manufacturer logo on their DSLR mirrors. I saw someone doing a portrait shoot in the park, flashing away, with electrical tape on their 60D. (To defend being hypocritical, I tape over my camera just to keep Leicaphiles from interrupting me!)
For me it's just a matter of aesthetics; I prefer the look of my brassed black CV and leitz lenses on m black chrome bodies. Then again, the look of chrome-on-black is growing on me. I like contrast.
On a totally unrelated note, I'm always perplexed by people taping over the manufacturer logo on their DSLR mirrors. I saw someone doing a portrait shoot in the park, flashing away, with electrical tape on their 60D. (To defend being hypocritical, I tape over my camera just to keep Leicaphiles from interrupting me!)
fotomeow
name under my name
Agreed, and From a psychological perspective: it's built into our physiology, and our brains/central nervous system respond more readily to brighter/shinier objects via a subconscious/unconscious physiological process, we don't even think about it ( I think it stems from the cerebellum/reticular activating system (RAS).
This also makes sense from an evolutionary psychology perspective, since noticing brighter shiny objects in the environment that may threaten us or induce us to come towards it as a resource, would benefit the person.
