There are times when I don't mind the attention, and times when I really don't want it. If I don't want to draw attention to myself I'll typically carry my XTI, without grip, with my 50 f/1.4, or some times my 85 f/1.8.
I get a bit annoyed when people ask me how much my gear costs. I never come out and tell them exactly, I just give a ball park number to them that it would cost them if they wanted to go out and buy the same gear brand new.
I haven't been shooting all that long with DSLR's, but I've been asked more times than I can remember how far I can see with my 24-70 and my 70-200. People really seem disappointed that I can't zoom in on a fly sitting on the park bench 20 feet away.
I regularly worry, and take precautions with my gear as far as possible theft is concerned. I'm a bit paranoid that way. No close encounters for me yet.
Venus, you'd have to post a portrait of yourself to get us to answer your question
Don't feel threatened and only get annoyed if they bug me while I'm shooting, at which point I politely ask them to wait just a second till I'm finished.
Biggest part to not feeling threatened is to know, observe, respect, and be otherwise aware of your surroundings. Don't put yourself at unnecessary risk.
Threatened shoe's on the other foot here. If you don't know me I can appear quite intimidating.
Then there's always that fear of nasty rabid 'monkey bites, my gear's safe.
I'm simply an amateur hobbyist that enjoys taking photos with quality gear. When I got my Mk3 I was worried about taking it out in public. I've since insured all my gear, and bottom line is that if someone wants my stuff, I'm not going to endanger myself trying to keep it.
I dislike the attention from family members steeped in point and shoots. One of them who goes, "holy S! WTF is THAT? while staring at me shooting some portraits. Oh, har har. Funny.
In the city, I get occasional inquisitive stares, but nothing verbal.
timbop wrote:
Yeah, I had a similar "bad feeling" taking that exact same shot last year. At the time I was with someone else so it wasn't so bad, but that's why I don't take the expensive stuff with me when shooting citiescapes and the like. OK, the 24-70 goes with me, but the mk2 doesn't.
In that part of SF you're more likely to be accosted by a drunk sorority girl with fake boobs or step in a pile of frat-boy vomit than come across a thug, but it does get dark down there, I'll give you that, and caution is always recommended in a strange city.
DigiSLR wrote:
I'm simply an amateur hobbyist that enjoys taking photos with quality gear. When I got my Mk3 I was worried about taking it out in public. I've since insured all my gear, and bottom line is that if someone wants my stuff, I'm not going to endanger myself trying to keep it.
Agreed. That's what insurance is for, after all... peace of mind.
The only I time I had attention I didn't like was when I was using a Sinar 5x4 photographing a church exterior in my city centre. Although in fairness those things kind of make people do a double take everytime they see one. I think people expect to see the corpse of Billy The Kid in front of some apparently 'antique' camera.
When I'm out with the Canon kit I've only gotten positive attention so far. Some curiosity, but mainly help and even offers of work.
I simply love the attention, nay, adulation, I get while walking around the town armed with my big white 70-200 f/4. The home made press ID tag "Sports Illustrated, PetKal" is usually prominently displayed on my breast pocket.
ModBoyzz wrote:
That you receive when you walk around with your DSLR and your big lens. I'll admit that I get kind of bothered when I stop to take a shot, and a whole crowd of people just freeze and stare at me. (like I'm some type of alien). Bothered enough to get rid of my kit? Definitely not, but how do you guys feel about it?
If I'm getting paid to do the shoot no problems but if it's a personal or social situation then I do feel awkward. For example this month my son is graduating and I'll feel conspicuous just bringing a 20D with a 24 1.4.
I can remember shooting a wedding in Bath at the historic Roman Baths. I ask the bride and groom to look right down the lens. They said "which one" i turn to my left to see 5-6 tourist all armed with DSLR's with a large selection of white lenses that at the time i could only dream of. They all waned pictures of the English wedding
Seriously, it depends on what I'm doing and what kind of attention I'm receiving. I'm always happy to talk to somebody, of any age or persuasion, who has real interest and who asks serious questions - as long as I'm not approaching that critical moment. OTOH, I rarely enjoy dealing with somebody who wants to use me as a prop to amuse his* friends, or more likely, acquaintances, as a foil for his rapier-like wit (here goes an appropriate emoticon to denote resigned acceptance that such people do exist [I've met them], and they actually seem to breed successfully).
*I only use gender-specific pronouns when appropriate.
mttran wrote:
Mee tooo - this is one of reasons why all my lens are prime in black and shorter than 200.
I hope this is joke? I don't care, yes it is annoying sometimes but not more than this. Besides I am not pro but got white lens advantage several times letting me into only pro photographers or video people allowed places.
Will Patterson wrote:
That too. My roomate just bought a Canon P&S with 10x zoom, and she has asked me a few times "how much zoom does your camera have?" and I try to explain to her the differences but I get the deer in the headlights look from her. She's not terribly bright.
Or maybe you're just a poor teacher. Most consumers think in terms of zoom as that's how most consumer optics are marketed.
Some of you guys must live way off the beaten track. I've lived in modestly sized cities, but even in the smallest of them (pretty small) had a healthy population of White Lenses. I can't go to any of the popular haunts (zoo, botanical garden, etc.) without seeing at least a couple of other White, or otherwise ginormous, lenses. In fact, nearly every time someone approaches me the question isn't "what kind of lens is that" but more like "so is that the f/2.8 version or the f/4."
I remember a time when i would strike up a conversation with a photographer anytime i saw one (this was when i was 'gearless') and often got good advice. Now that i have my own setup (40D+tammy 17-50), i often find people coming up to me and asking me how much my gear cost or who do i work for or if i was willing to shoot portfolios. I try and be as honest and accommodating as possible since i know what its like to be in the other person's shoes.
As for safety issues, well, I'm from New Delhi (India) and trust me, moving around with expensive equipment is a definite no-no. So i got insurance. now even if i lose my gear, i know my insurance coverage will pay for it. Besides, I have a theory. I believe that the 40D is tough enough to take someone out with. i've been itching to give this theory of mine a try
Its just sickening. Sitting outside my ex girlfriend's house with a 500 mm lens at 2 in the morning, minding my own business, just 35 times and they label you a stalker! Its just wrong.
Michael Cary wrote:
Its just sickening. Sitting outside my ex girlfriend's house with a 500 mm lens at 2 in the morning, minding my own business, just 35 times and they label you a stalker! Its just wrong.
lmao!
If im trying to do something and waiting for a shot i hate to be disturbed... but other times if I have no problems having a quick talk... i just give general non-specific answers, don't leave them with too much detail of my gear.
As others have said, jobs to arise from just spending that few moments talking to them, they have something they want, or know a friend who is after a phot or something a rather.
But, I feel safe armed wwwith my 70-200 2.8 its a hefty lens and i'd hate to be hit by it
small 600ml water bottles fuull make a good weapon too for defense, very hard hitting, water doesn't compress and i almost always have water with mme, can't get parched!
Savas K wrote:
My nephew's graduation will see a gripped 5D with 70-200 f/2.8 L IS. I don't care what the others think.
Same here.... I am taking that to my son's grade 8 graduation ceremony. I don't care if they stare. Ooops, I sold my 5D already so my 30D will have to do.
homersapien wrote:
Some of you guys must live way off the beaten track. I've lived in modestly sized cities, but even in the smallest of them (pretty small) had a healthy population of White Lenses. I can't go to any of the popular haunts (zoo, botanical garden, etc.) without seeing at least a couple of other White, or otherwise ginormous, lenses. In fact, nearly every time someone approaches me the question isn't "what kind of lens is that" but more like "so is that the f/2.8 version or the f/4."
Where I am from they all can tell the size difference between the f2.8 vs f4 from across the street. When they approach you , the question is likely " what's the date code on yours?" ... just kidding!
shoe's on the other foot here. If you don't know me I can appear quite intimidating. 
... just kidding!