My answer to an ongoing comment...

<p>My wife and I were in a large city this past weekend for our 5th wedding anniversary and I took my old Nikon action touch film camera. As I stood taking a photo, this fellow stood by me and ask what kind of camera I was using. He was holding a Canon DSLR. I told him what it was and he commented, "get a good digital". I stood there for a bit, my mind racing for the great answer, and out it came, "people us digital, artists use film". He looked at me funny and walked away.</p>

<p>He was off base, but ... so were you. I know plenty of artists that use whatever tool seems the best fit for a given project. I've also encountered plenty of pretentious hipsters who think that using film makes their bad art better. The choice of medium generally means nothing.</p>

<p>You both should have your heads examined.</p>

<p>I say that with the utmost respect, b.t.w. They stopped examining my head when it was clear it was empty.</p>

 

<p>I do understand. I have discussions like that all the time. Usually with my wife.</p>

<p>I thought about making a comment here, but then I decided not to. Why bother? </p>

<p>Enh. I'd have given the guy a flippant remark too, probably worse than that. What kind of a jackass does it take to go up to somebody and tell them what kind of camera they should be using? Does he think you've never heard of digital and that he's offering you some helpful advice?</p>

<p>He was being very rude, so I think your somewhat snide riposte was completely appropriate, if not entirely accurate in a factual sense.</p>

<p>I've never had anyone say anything like that to me. Most people seem not to notice that I have a film camera; those that remark on it usually find it interesting, or have film cameras themselves.</p>

<p>Reminds me of a similar experience in reverse.</p>

<p>I was on a nature outing with my Nikon D70 and came across a young man with a Nikon FM. He couldn't have been older than 18. We exchanged glances at one another's gear.</p>

<p>My thoughts were on my own FM at home dormant for the last 20 years as I smiled at him. </p>

<p>I can't speak to his thoughts but the impression I got was "People use digital, artists use film".</p>

<p>Just tell 'em you're using film to be ironic. No other explanation is needed... or possible.</p>

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<p>Enh. I'd have given the guy a flippant remark too, probably worse than that. What kind of a jackass does it take to go up to somebody and tell them what kind of camera they should be using? Does he think you've never heard of digital and that he's offering you some helpful advice?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>+1 on that. This isn't a film/digital thing. It's a "that dude was a jerk" thing.</p>

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<p>He was being very rude, so I think your somewhat snide riposte was completely appropriate,</p>

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<p>I disagree completely. If someone says something rude or ignorant to me, I try to spend some time talking with them to understand where they are coming from and try to talk to them about the subject. The idea that somehow rudeness and ignorance begets a rude and ignorant response doesn't lead to a very pleasant world.</p>

<p>BTW, if someone said "People use digital, artists use film" to me, I would assume they were pretty ignorant and try and help them understand that artists use what they want.</p>

<p>+1 to Matt's answer. However the stranger was the original jack ass.<br>

However, my answer would've been, "None of your business.... or, as if!", or even, "You must be a real asshat n00b to come up to a stranger and say something so dumb."</p>

<p>About 20 years ago, I remember getting the same smug advise/comments from the technologically superior APS users.</p>

People use 35mm, artists use large-format.

<p>I would have asked him all about digital and what it could offer. Could have been an interesting conversation and he could have turned out to be a jolly nice fellow who was just over enthusiast as he had just bought a new camera.</p>

<p>Or replied with humor? I'm waiting for 1000 mega pixels. Or saying I know, that's what I tell my wife I need. Jackasses usually appreciate marginal jokes at the wife's expense. I'm not much of a wit. Anyone want to try?</p>

<p>You could have told him to get a Leica.</p>

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<p><em>If someone says something rude or ignorant to me, I try to spend some time talking with them to understand where they are coming from and try to talk to them about the subject.</em></p>

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<p>The odds an intrusive doofuss would have anything interesting to say, or that he might benefit from your enlightenment, are very poor indeed.</p>

<p>Just crack off a clever one liner and move on...the more clever the one liner, the less likely the doofuss is to get it anyway.</p>

 

<p>There's a George Carlin one-liner I always use under such situations regardless of topic, and it always seems appropriate:<br>

"You know, those who dance appear insane to those who can't hear the music."</p>

<p>The reaction is always puzzlement and bewilderment, but I always get the last laugh.</p>

<p>@Paul C - I agree completely. I'm terrible at thinking up good one-liner responses, but I would have tried some sort of a seemingly sincere reply like, "Thanks for your comment. You know, I really thought about bringing my 1D Mark III, but I'm going for a nostalgic retro-cinema feel for this shot, and it takes me more time to achieve the look I want in post processing compared to simply shooting film. What's your experience with this?" For maximum effect, your comment to him must be followed up by a direct and *very* sincere gaze while waiting for his answer. <br>

<br />;-)</p>

<p>Tom M</p>

<p>I'm surprised no one came up with the reply "Why?".</p>

<p>Or "I haven't worn out this one yet."</p>

<p>Or "No thanks. I like a real camera."</p>

<p>I'd recommend getting used to it, and just letting it go. The silliest things I've ever heard about photography and cameras come out of photographers' mouths. </p>

<p>Once I had a kid comment "Cool Rolleiflex. I tried one in college. I love the soft images." Since my Rolleiflexes produce fantastically sharp photos I can only assume he couldn't manually focus, didn't understand camera shake, or was using a broken camera, but when I suggested those things he looked at me like I was crazy. What can you do? :)</p>

<p>I would have just smiled and said "thank you, I'll keep that in mind", or if I had enough time, taken the Jeff route, but not engaged in a retort, tempting as it might be.</p>

<p>This class of person that you're referring to is classed as either a know-all or know-it-all, depending on which side of the Atlantic one is. Know-it-alls usually aim, subconsciously, to put others down in order to raise themselves up. They might even be friendly, but that is only to show how friendly 'superior' beings are. It all comes down to insecurity.</p>

<p>One I read in Practical Photography ages ago: a guy with a Bronica on a tripod is shooting a night scene with mixed lighting. Second man comes up, 35mm SLR around his neck, and tells the first guy a) he can't/shouldn't shoot mixed lighting, and b) he should replace that camera with a 35mm SLR like the one around his neck.</p>

<p>No wonder people don't understand basic natural principles or subtleties and limitations of understanding history. Some people learn something and then STOP. No need for anything more.</p>

<p>Some potentially good replies, not that I would say anything in return except 'maybe':</p>

<p>- I'm waiting for my inheritance to come through.<br>

- My RED Scarlet is in for a sensor replacement. What's that? You don't know what that is? Here, let me write the URL for you.<br>

- Where I work we all use film so it just rubbed off. Where do I work? FBI. You?</p>

<p>Like Charles, I think humor is the best way to approach this, even if the guy was being a jerk. The response I really like was suggested by someone on photo.net a while back: a good response might have been, "I like to use a <em><strong>real</strong></em> camera," all the while offering a genuine smile.</p>