akochanowski Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 I have a mildly amusing little story to share. I was asked to shoot some backstage and performance shots of a local band here in Detroit. I am not in that business ordinarily, but I've done it from time to time, and it's always an enjoyable evening. I had shot the band before, and knew all they wanted were a few decent shots t use in publicity materials. Usually it's a no-brainer to grab the DSLR for this type of shoot. But for whatever reason, last night as I was getting ready to leave I decided to just shoot a couple of rolls of film, so I grabbed the M7 and one lens and left the Canon behind. The venue is fairly well-known in Detroit, St.Andrews Hall, and it was hosting four or five bands for the evening. Several local photogs were there, probably doing the same thing I was, armed with the ubiquitous 20d's, d70's and strobes. I did my thing for an hour or so, then took a few shots with a model I knew who was working with the band. "OOh, you're shooting film". "Yup." "Cool. Don't see that much." "Nope." "Is that a Leica?" "Yup." "Very cool." "Yup." At a break, one of the photogs strolled over. "Is that a Leica digital?" "Nope, they don't make one." "That's really cool." "Well, not really, but thank you." "That's really a Leica?" "Yes." "That's awesome, I just shoot with this Nikon." "Well, that works really well here, I usually use a 20D for this stuff." "Yeah, but that Leica's really cool." There you have it folks. We've passed straight from obsolete to classic status. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny massey Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 The CoolBrand Council here in the UK (whoever they are) have just named Leica as a 'cool' brand, the only camera manufacturer to get the award FWIW. Johnny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Does that mean I can now be considered cool? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Rowlett Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 This happens a lot to me in the real world when I have my Leica. It always turns out to be a very nice, friendly, polite conversation. The other person seems to really admire my camera, and I play it down a little bit. It is only on the internet (and largely photo.net) that such admiration goes so untolerated. Backups? We don’t need no stinking ba #.’ _ , J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve deer Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 no RJ... you're a nerd with a cool camera ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travis1 Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 cool..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
working camera Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Coming back from a job a few years back, someone came up to me in the street asked if I was professional and weather my R6 was a Nikon. Even though it had Leica written on it. I said it was a Leica and the chap when off quite satisfied it was really a Nikon. All pros must shoot Nikons. C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travis1 Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 <img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/4030523-lg.jpg"></a> on being cool, try the ricoh gx/gx8/gr-d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david k. Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 "no RJ... you're a nerd with a cool camera ;-)" As opposed to using a DSLR and being, cool with a nerd camera?? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david k. Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 "All pros must shoot Nikons" That must have been a while ago Craig, I think they all shoot Canon's these days :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprouty Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 <I>"It is only on the internet (and largely photo.net) that such admiration goes so untolerated."</I> <P> My feelings exactly. My wife works at a local gallery/bar and a few weeks ago I was snapping away when another photographer wanders over and asks "no flash?". I say nah, there's enough light for what I'm after. He then notices my camera (M6). He says is that a Leica, I've always wanted to try one. I briefly explain the focus patch and then we traded for a few shots. His comment as we switched back was "wow, this thing is a brick". I offered that his camera was pretty nice too (a newメish Nikon digital) and that I wished I could switch from 100 to 3200 whenever I wanted too. <P> 10 minutes later his friend was over next to me and we repeated the whole scene. It was a nice moment.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_kastner Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 A couple of years ago when I was in Florence, Italy -- at a huge market place out in the sun -- a guy saw my M6 and shouted <b><i>LEICA!</i></b> That proves that anybody who knows what a Leica looks like can automatically recognize same, even a few yards away, without any discussion at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Rowlett Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 And many times I have been out with my camera and would spot somebody else with a Leica or they would spot me with mine, the exchange always goes something like, "Hey, nice camera!" "Ah, yours is great, too!" and after a wink and a nod, that would be it. It happens all the time. It is like a brotherhood or something. I'm not sure what it is. But it is always a very pleasant exchange, and I have always felt kind of good about it afterwards. It's a very positive thing. It is the difference between two strangers not giving a damn about each other as they pass, and two strangers connecting on some level, even if it is only a word or two. One time, in Paris, I had my M6 and we were in a crowd. I spotted another owner with his. Not a word was exchanged, but we nodded and smiled to each other as we both very slightly raised our cameras as if the cameras were saying hello to each other. It was really cool. Backups? We don’t need no stinking ba #.’ _ , J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdhoover Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 While shooting a kids soccer game recently with an R8 + 180f2.8 apo, a a d70-toting photog came up and asked, "Wow, is that an old fashioned camera?" Not really knowing how to respond, I said, "Yeah, I guess it is." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
working camera Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 I get... "that�s a nice old camera"...quite a bit with the M7 but never with the R9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frederick_muller Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 It does happen. I was in Bavaria for Christmas in 2004. We stopped at a little village for some gluwein around a campfire and a bunch of guys were eyeballing my camera talking in German, and I'm sure the only two words I understood were "Leica" and "cool". I just wish it had the babes flocking, but it doesn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
furcafe Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 I often get the same response when I shoot bands, etc., usually from the "official" shooters, who are inevitably 20-something. After chatting w/them, it's clear that they think of film cameras, including Leicas, as analogous to classic cars from the '60s or whatever (looks cool, still works when handled by an expert, but not something to use in a daily commute). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatkins Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 The definition of "cool" is when someone makes a knock-off. Just look at Gucci handbags and Rolex watches. What I want to know is why someone doesn't make a Leica "knock off"? Why isn't anyone making "Leica" logo stickers that you can put on your Bessa or even your Holga? I'd bet they'd sell (especially on FleaBay). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad_ Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 Well, out on the street I've never had someone comment on my camera. But many times I've received wonderful comments on my book of street photos I always have with me when I shoot. For me, and I know other may feel differently, that's much more gratifying. www.citysnaps.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 and what surprises others, if you pass it over and let first time fondlers have a go with your Leica, is the weight, they're always surprised at how heavy it is for such a small unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 This type of thing happens to me when I am out riding my motorcycle. I have met loads of other riders when out riding solo, we have great conversations not only about the bikes, but about the rides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 If anyone comments on my camera (and it happens all the time, the bigger the setup the more likely a comment) I immediately pull out one of the books of my photos I carry and get them talking about that. I've found more work, kindred spirits, and just had some great conversations about photography. How I spent my money isn't really of much interest, what I do with the tools seems to be much more interesting. But that's just me, I guess, and pretty much everyone I've run into. Funny how when you show photographs, the camera loses interest to them. Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricM Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 I wish Peter would stop posting that pic, drool... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_jovic Posted January 15, 2006 Share Posted January 15, 2006 All umusing and wamrm and mushy but they don't exactly pull the chicks do they. Some one call me when that starts to happen. JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akochanowski Posted January 15, 2006 Author Share Posted January 15, 2006 Gee, when I go out on the street to shoot, no one ever talks to me about my camera. Not ever, not once. I suppose that's because I try to stay in the background. I could try to carry around a little book of my pictures so that people I accost could tell me they liked them, I guess, but I tend to get my satisfaction from editors choose them for publication, having shows, and having people find my stuff by themselves and emailing me to tell me how much they appreciate my photos. But thanks Brad and Jeff, carrying a book to shove under strangers' noses to hear their opinion, that sounds like a swell idea. To the rest of you who got the mildly amusing points that people who are used to cameras (models and photographers) were surprised to see someone shooting film and curious about a camera they had heard about but not seen, thanks for sharing your stories. Peter, the model was sooo hot, I cannot possibly show you pictures 'cause you'd be swimming all the way to the US if you saw them. Sorry, that's for your own good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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