Strange comments you get when you have your SLR (I mean "big camera".)

[jon_k]

I think we oughta share stories about things people say to us when we have our "Big Cameras". I've had a few strange conversations with people.

Story 1:
This happens when taking shots somewhere specially with one of the "longer" telephoto lenses (but can happen with a normal zoom too.) People will be shooting whatever catches their eye. When people see me with my long lens, they look to see what I'm taking pictures of and then they'll start shooting whatever I'm shooting right beside me.

E.G. It happened at a garden, I was taking pictures of a plant and then a water mister behind us started going off and I started taking pictures specifically of the foggy effect created. It was a couple of feet down the sidewalk path. As soon as everyone noticed what I was doing they started coming over to my position and pointing their P&S's in the exact same direction my lens appeared to be facing.

Story 2: Was at the dallas arboretum shooting things when a lady came up to me. She said "Oh, could you fix my camera for me? It stopped working and I don't know why" I said "I'm have no experience with camera repair, but I'll try." I took the batteries out, reseated them, and switched the camera modes around and it came on. She said "Oh wow! You're great with cameras!" Why would she expect me to know anything about her camera? It was a Canon P&S, and I've never shot Canon. Cameras aren't all the same!

I'm interested in the stories you guys have to share. I'm sure somebody here has a "bigger" lens than mine, especially the white canon telephoto users. I'm sure you guys have some stories to tell. Please tell!

I'm sure this thread can get quite interesting, especially if a 4x5 or MF user happens upon it.

I've got more of these stories then I know what do to with...

[LadyShutterBug]

"ooooh, you professional, yes? you take picture of my family, ok?"

an asian touristy-like man in front of Faneuil Hall in Boston. I had my D70 with a 50mm 1.4 lens (teeny tiny lens) on it...lol. i still took a picture of him and his fmaily in front of the hall. one with my camera, one with his... ;)


i've had people say things like "you know you don't need a big expensive camera to take nice pictures. i have done some really nice work with my digital elph."

uh, i did not challenge you, sir.



"oh wow, i bet that camera takes really great pictures huh?"

no, i take them. the camera is my tool. gee i bet that pen writes real nice letters, mister.

[HeatherLou]

The thing that happens to me most is people ALWAYS ask me how to questions when there cameras won't work (P&S), and then look at me weird when I say I have no clue! (Mostly cuz they never have the camera with them)

Also I love the look on my families face, when they pick up my camera and try to take a pic of me. My sister in law did one time looked at the pic on screen and saw that it was out of focus, and underexposed. She said, "You make using a camera so look so easy! And I could barely figure out how to turn it on!"

[Daniel W.]

"Geez. How much'd that one cost ya?"

[jonnydonut]

oh yeah. lets vent.

how about at a sporting event, when you have on a telephoto lens and someone right next to you says "take a picture of me" and just to get them to shutty you agree. So you have to walk 30 yrds down field, then adjust some settings, only to come back to show them the picture and they say "oh, you have a nice camera", like you had nothing to do with it.

[Nikolai]

More of the same. "That's an awesome camera, I bet it takes great pictures!" Yep.

[PhotoByMark]

Wow, How many megapixels is your camera? I have a D200 so I say "200". Wowwwwwww.... LOL

[darktiger]

I occasionally get "Are you a professional" or "I bet that takes great pictures" or "How far can that thing zoom" or "I bet that cost a lot"

[jon_k]

I recall one instance when I was doing some Macro of flowers and bugs in a park. A lady came up to me and said "That's a big camera, how many megapixels does your camera have?" She caught me by surprise and was somewhat unwelcome because I was focused on the task at hand.

I said "It has 8 megapixels"
She replied "Oh wow, your camera isn't very good. I have a Canon Powershot whatever and it takes pictures at 10 megapixels."
I said "Hold on a second and I'll show you a picture I'm about to take."

I composed my shot and took a picture with my macro of a flower. I showed her.
"Wow that camera might not be very advanced," she said "but that is a wonderful picture you took! You should get a newer camera and you'd take even better pictures!"

[iinastynateii]

Originally Posted by PhotoByMark

Wow, How many megapixels is your camera? I have a D200 so I say "200". Wowwwwwww.... LOL

this one made me laugh so loud i woke my gf up. i love it

[TheObiJuan]

I usually try to be as humble as possible. Smiling and nodding.
Rather to come off as inadequate with lower pixel count than a pretentious dslr owner correcting them on sensor size and FOV.

[chenology]

I don't mind people asking questions no matter how dumb it may be. Not everyone knows stuff in the photography/video field. They may be really good at what they do in whatever industry they're in and we may not have a clue about that. But people who flat out assume they know more about something that they don't is just plain stupid, I think.

[Big Dog]

Originally Posted by jon_k

I'm sure this thread can get quite interesting, especially if a 4x5 or MF user happens upon it.

We practically stopped traffic setting up this shot:

[CaptainTom]

Just this last week on vacation in the mountains of Colorado, I was driving on the barely paved road that led to the nearest tiny mountain town of Marble. (pop, 86). On the way is a long grass airstrip that in ten yrs of going there, I have never seen an airplane although there were indications that it was used on occasion. On this beautiful day, there was not only a plane, but a full out video production crew. They had several equipment trucks, catering truck, generator truck, ambulance, etc. About 40 people total. I stopped and asked what was going on. "Shooting a commercial for Bank of America".
I got my camera and as usual just mingled with the crew as if I owned the place. A young man eventually came up and asked who I was. I said I was a local just hanging out. He said that since I had such a fancy camera that the AD (assistant director) asked if I would not take photos. I said it was OK to ask, and that I felt I wasn't hindering anything. A little while later, a gentleman came up and stood next to me and commented on what a nice camera I was carrying. I said it paled in comparison to the mega bucks gyroscopically stabilized video that was being used. He asked me who I was.
I told him I was a local. We talked for a little while, and I found out he was the Director (not the AD), and was concerned that I was there to "document" the shoot.
We talked some more, and he said I was now his guest, and I could shoot all I wanted.
If I hadn't had the "camera" I wouldn't have met him, and gotten some insider
access. And found out that the catering truck food isn't all that bad.
some photos are HERE

[Dobick]

On friday, I was up at the university to take a few shots, and as I walked up, this girl saw me with my camera, and immediately came over and asked if I could take a picture while she proffered up her camera (english was not her native language so there was a bit of a communication gap) I said sure, and she stepped behind me waiting for me to take the shot. I asked if she would like to be in the shot, and at first refused the offer, but then finally thought better of it, and got in the frame. I took a few, and then went about my business of trying to find the best angle for the subject.

about five minutes go by, and she comes back and asked if I could take some more. As she was kinda cute, and obviously not originally from the country, figuring I should be a good ambassador for the locals, I willingly obliged. I just hope they turned out somewhat ok, and that the reason she came back was to get some more, and not to make me redo subpar work.