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When out & about, how do y'all respond to gear small talk?
- Thread starter jdramirez
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Wandering round the local public gardens where I take a lot of pictures, armed with my 7D and 70-200mm f/4 L IS , some little kid goes to its mum:
"Mummy, why has that man got a gun?"
"No, that's just a flash camera."
"Mummy, why has that man got a gun?"
"No, that's just a flash camera."
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I see a lot of people who take pictures with their hoods reversed. I've been tempted to ask them what that's all about but I've resisted and just went about my business with my lens hood the right way on hoping they'll take the hint.
I get asked the basic small talk like "what kind of camera is that?" Etc. I think I'm going to start making up bullshit to see if they clock on.
Question I like answering are ones about technique or specific to what I'm doing. Then it feels like I'm helping them rather then them just filling an awkward silence.
I get asked the basic small talk like "what kind of camera is that?" Etc. I think I'm going to start making up bullshit to see if they clock on.
Question I like answering are ones about technique or specific to what I'm doing. Then it feels like I'm helping them rather then them just filling an awkward silence.
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My wife told me that story last week. She received similiar comments in public when shooting with my RX1. In addtion, they asked her "how the camera performs in low light?"
I highly doubt that an ave Joe would know much about RX1, must be the photogs ;D
I highly doubt that an ave Joe would know much about RX1, must be the photogs ;D
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Zv said:
I see that all the time too and bugs me, sure keeping the hood like that can protect the lens in transport, but otherwise most of those kind of users appear have no clue what they're for, or what they are at all.
I have a hood on and get the question "what's that" or "why do you keep your hood on indoors??".
Speaking of gear talk and what not, and little different, but last wedding I was using my 5DII and in the crowd is a guy with a 5DIII, a 70-200LII, an 85L and a 24L, all untouchable gear to me, my Sigma gear can match pretty close (70-200 OS, 35mm 1.4) but man am I jealous... I was renting a 100mm macro, could have rented that stuff too though.
We later hooked up and chat a bit, neat guy, says photography is just a hobby, and true that when something's an interest you can spend all you want but when it's something you aim to make something off of then suddenly it's a lot more "unaffordable". Whenever someone asks how much my gear costs I tend to continue the conversation down another path or say "well, with enough work I can afford this", I start to feel ridiculous when I tell someone how much I've spent... haha
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D
Deleted member 7828
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I just say thanks and continue on.
In the past I have been stopped by a few folks wanting to talk shop...normally I don't mind engaging but there are those times when I just want to do my thing without anyone bugging me - fortunately it's been awhile since anyone has said anything.
It's funny though, the setup that got me the most attention was the 60D + 70-300L...while I was out at a fair with the 5D3 and 24-105 people could almost care less...it's the white lens that really draws attention to itself.
In the past I have been stopped by a few folks wanting to talk shop...normally I don't mind engaging but there are those times when I just want to do my thing without anyone bugging me - fortunately it's been awhile since anyone has said anything.
It's funny though, the setup that got me the most attention was the 60D + 70-300L...while I was out at a fair with the 5D3 and 24-105 people could almost care less...it's the white lens that really draws attention to itself.
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RGF said:
It reminds me a bit of youngish (usually) men I see around town sometimes who are probably new to dressing a bit more formally and haven't realized that when you buy a jacket or coat with the vents sewn shut for display purposes in the store you're supposed to open them up. If I were less shy I might say something; but I'm not, so I don't.
There are quite a few photography/art students near where I live, and if I'm wandering around with a white zoom one will usually make a brief favorable comment or point and give a thumbs-up sign with a smile etc.; they don't stop and talk and it's a nice, brief, moment enlivening an ordinary walk home.
My favorite comment was when I was at Longwood Gardens back in my Pentax days with a Tamron 70-200 2.8 zoom; an Asian tourist pointed and said with a fake complaining tone "that's cheating!" A pleasant conversation ensued which had nothing to do with cameras, flowers or plants.
The longest conversation I've had so far was when I was crossing the local square and a little old lady walking her dog pointed at the 70-200 2.8 II I had just bought and said "what sort of lens is that?" Her phrasing made me infer that she didn't know much about such things so I tried to give a very basic explanation. It turned out she had been a professional photographer for 50 years (and thus presumably knew c. 70 times as much as I do about matters photographic), so I felt rather stupid and presumptuous. She proved most engaging to talk to about all sorts of things.
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H
Hobby Shooter
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I normally try to answer politely. The questions you get are so different depending on location, Asia or Europe, tourist areas or remote areas etc. There are some places in Saigon where I try to avoid any interaction at all with people. If I have my 70-200 II on and get questions about it I just say it's a very long zoom (although not entirely correct) when they ask why it's so big. I like putting the 35L on my 5D3, it dosen't draw much attention and I love the pictures I get from it.
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I usually just say thanks - although it always sounds really funny to me because all I did was buy the stuff. I didn't design or manufacture it. I'm not much for small talk so I usually don't engage with them.
This happens most often when I'm carrying my 7D and 70-200/2.8.
I often hear, in passing, someone say to the people they are with something along the lines of "That's the camera I want." Typically they are carrying a point-and-shoot or nothing at all. If they are looking toward me, I just smile and let it go at that.
I think that a lot of people are assuming that the 70-200 is a much longer lens than it really is because it's so much bigger than their point-and-shoot.
I also like, but can't answer, the question "how big a zoom is that?" when I'm using my 300/4. So many people measure focal length in "X" instead of mm. They look at you funny when you tell them that the 70-200 isn't even a 3X zoom lens. I think they are expecting a much, much higher number.
If they ask how much something cost, I just shrug unless they are carrying gear that is in some way comparable.
The most interesting thing, though, is if I actually get into a conversation with someone and they express an interest in something like the 7D w/ 70-200/2.8. Then I let them hold it (while I'm holding the strap) and the weight often changes their mind. The SL1 has the opposite effect, at least among people carrying as much weight as I am.
I also don't understand people shooting, especially outside in bright sunlight, with their lens hoods reversed. I know several people who do this. It's bad enough seeing someone in that situation without the hood (what can it hurt?), but reversed? I've almost always got one on my lens (except when the hoods are tiny or I need to get very close to something like a window or fence).
This happens most often when I'm carrying my 7D and 70-200/2.8.
I often hear, in passing, someone say to the people they are with something along the lines of "That's the camera I want." Typically they are carrying a point-and-shoot or nothing at all. If they are looking toward me, I just smile and let it go at that.
I think that a lot of people are assuming that the 70-200 is a much longer lens than it really is because it's so much bigger than their point-and-shoot.
I also like, but can't answer, the question "how big a zoom is that?" when I'm using my 300/4. So many people measure focal length in "X" instead of mm. They look at you funny when you tell them that the 70-200 isn't even a 3X zoom lens. I think they are expecting a much, much higher number.
If they ask how much something cost, I just shrug unless they are carrying gear that is in some way comparable.
The most interesting thing, though, is if I actually get into a conversation with someone and they express an interest in something like the 7D w/ 70-200/2.8. Then I let them hold it (while I'm holding the strap) and the weight often changes their mind. The SL1 has the opposite effect, at least among people carrying as much weight as I am.
I also don't understand people shooting, especially outside in bright sunlight, with their lens hoods reversed. I know several people who do this. It's bad enough seeing someone in that situation without the hood (what can it hurt?), but reversed? I've almost always got one on my lens (except when the hoods are tiny or I need to get very close to something like a window or fence).
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Well I found that the Mark III did not draw much attention now. About 3, 4 years ago when I used the 5D Mark II outside, a few times people stopped by to chat how great the camera is.
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I usually say thank you and have a little chat if they are so inclined. Very rare on the chat though.
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nsurg said:
Love that. I loved doing that when I had a landline phone in the house. The idea of someone using my phone and my time to unexpectedly call me at their convenience -- and then try to sell some crap is so repugnant that I take free rein to give them both barrels. I got a call one day in 1979 from a clown who actually said, "Are you the man of the house?" I paused and haltingly said, "I guess I am now. My father died last night." My unwelcome visitor had nothing else to say.
And now, to fulfill my duty to say something on topic...
One warm summer evening in Phoenix, Arizona around 1981 I was doing a story on some locals who had taken up roadracing their motorcycles in parking garages. They came to my room at the downtown Hyatt and I interviewed them there. Afterward, I went outside and got some pictures of them with their motorcycles in front of the hotel. There was a small contingent of homeless guys on the street watching, and one of them followed me back into the hotel. He was very old, and I presume he had the courage of drink since I was in my thirties and did not look like an easy mark. At the elevator, he pointed to a 35mm Nikon I was holding and asked the insightful questions, "What's that?" I told him it was just an old, junky camera my mother used to use -- not worth much.
The elevator doors opened; I stepped inside and pushed the button for my floor. As the doors began to close, the old guy leaped into the elevator grabbing at the camera and landed on his face. The drink apparently provides more courage than facility. I helped the befuddled old guy up and made a great show of concern for his welfare -- did he need an ambulance, etc? It didn't take long for the hotel security people to get there and escort him back outside to the company of his cohorts.
My Nikon and I safely and serenely ascended to the security of my room. And I never again stayed at the downtown Hyatt in Phoenix, AZ. Oh, and not long after I also switched to Canon.
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Pinchers of Peril
Shoot first ask questions later
I guess it really depends on what I'm shooting and how much the person seems to know or is interested. I LOVE talking about gear so if I'm not shooting something that is time sensitive or requires my full attention then I'll chat them up. I remember when I first got my 5DIII I was taking pictures at a carnival and a guy came up to ask me about my camera and said he had a 5DII. I let him look through the viewfinder so he could see all the focus points and he said "Holy cow that's a lot of red squares!" I know when I first got into photography I asked tons of questions to people with gear that I wanted to own someday and they were always very nice, so I guess I'm just returning the favor so to speak.
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I agree, this is a great idea for a topic. For the most part, I don't so much get comments as I get "knowing nods" from fellow photographers and passersby (I tend to frequent locales in my area that are safe havens for photogs).
However, I do have two memories that I'd like to share:
1. Each summer in July, my fiance's father exhibits his '55 Dodge pickup in the area's "car show of the summer." Last year, I brought my gripped 60D and Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (we all have to start somewhere, right?). As I was taking photos of a modified Camaro, an older gentleman walked up to me and we started chatting about gear. I noticed he was using a Nikon kit with Sigma glass, and he made note of how great the IQ is when using the lenses.
The guy was very knowledgeable and friendly. He was definitely far more experienced than I, but not once did he come off as condescending. I guess that one stuck out in my mind because I have encountered the well-weathered "holier than thou" types in the past.
2. Back in March, I visited our local Zoo, as we had a miraculous day of beautiful, warm weather. I brought my 5D Mark III and (borrowed from a friend) 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS lens. I eventually found my way to the lion pit, wherein there was a group of about 15 people (families, kids, the like). They saw me coming with camera and lens, and they all sort of parted like the Red Sea, making a nice swath of open area for me.
I thought it was pretty amazing that they did this without issue-- I assume they saw the lens and thought I must've meant business, haha. As I began shooting, I heard comments from, "that's a huge lens," to "he must be a professional." One of the ladies to my left even suggested I enter into the Zoo's annual photo contest.
It's always nice to meet a fellow photographer that's kind, and to have a group make room for you, instead of you making a room and constantly saying, "Excuse me, excuse me...sorry, excuse me!"
However, I do have two memories that I'd like to share:
1. Each summer in July, my fiance's father exhibits his '55 Dodge pickup in the area's "car show of the summer." Last year, I brought my gripped 60D and Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (we all have to start somewhere, right?). As I was taking photos of a modified Camaro, an older gentleman walked up to me and we started chatting about gear. I noticed he was using a Nikon kit with Sigma glass, and he made note of how great the IQ is when using the lenses.
The guy was very knowledgeable and friendly. He was definitely far more experienced than I, but not once did he come off as condescending. I guess that one stuck out in my mind because I have encountered the well-weathered "holier than thou" types in the past.
2. Back in March, I visited our local Zoo, as we had a miraculous day of beautiful, warm weather. I brought my 5D Mark III and (borrowed from a friend) 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS lens. I eventually found my way to the lion pit, wherein there was a group of about 15 people (families, kids, the like). They saw me coming with camera and lens, and they all sort of parted like the Red Sea, making a nice swath of open area for me.
I thought it was pretty amazing that they did this without issue-- I assume they saw the lens and thought I must've meant business, haha. As I began shooting, I heard comments from, "that's a huge lens," to "he must be a professional." One of the ladies to my left even suggested I enter into the Zoo's annual photo contest.
It's always nice to meet a fellow photographer that's kind, and to have a group make room for you, instead of you making a room and constantly saying, "Excuse me, excuse me...sorry, excuse me!"
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D
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I've experienced that as well. When you have a "pro-looking" camera, most people will get out of your way when they realize you're trying to take a shot in their direction. That doesn't happen when you have a P&S or iPhone...
And at first, the "he must be a pro" comments irked me, but now I just laugh it off. I mean, it's true- you rarely see people carrying around massive cameras (I'm talking gripped 1DX/70-200 2.8 types) unless they shoot for a living- most others can't afford it, and/or are unwilling to put up with the tremendous weight.
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Up in Napa at a winery I had a worker there say to me '5D mark 3, thats an expensive camera'. not really a compliment so I wasnt sure how to respond. Are you going to rob me?
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