p.17 #1 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
I'm only a recent convert to Canon, so don't have any "white lens" stories, but you might get a chuckle out of this. In my younger days, I did a lot of industrial photography. After one such stint, was with a group of out-of-town visitors who wanted to visit a strip joint. I don't like leaving $15K worth of camera gear in a car, so I took the Haliburton hard case inside and put it under our table. The girls do their thing, the visitors drink, and send over a few to the girls. So one of the nicer girls visits the table, and asks what we all do for a living. The visitors tell the girls they're from Playboy, and she rolls her eyes, having heard that line before. Then her foot contacts the case, and she asks what it is. I tell her I am a photographer, but only do machinery. She then syas she needs a portfolio, and would pay for all time, materials, etc. As I was single at the time, I did her portfolio, and we became good friends. She went on to a nice modeling career.
Did get nice comments in Hawaii over a Minolta X-700 with 300mm lens....
p.17 #2 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
I've always tried to be accomodating to questions about my hobby.
When I was about 6 years old, and I had received my first SLR (old Canon FD unit with a 50mm f/1.8) I would often ask people who I thought were professionals for help. I don't know what was scarier, me asking a guy who clearly had a much bigger lens then mine, or the guy seeing a kid barely in school rock up and using an SLR with a degree of confidence. Suprisingly, many of my photo's actually did work out, and I still have some of them.
For a long time, I dropped out of photography, and more or less left it alone... Until maybe three or four years ago, I wanted to get back into it, in a big way. Which it didn't really happen until maybe a year ago.
My first DSLR was a 20D mated with a 28-300 Tamron (junker).
I never got comments on that lens, unless it was fully extended. It had 10x zoom on it, so I got a few people saying 'Wow! That's a good lens!'
I also believe it's not the colour that gets people, it's the size. I have the Bigma 50-500ex and have to say, when it's fully extended, I get a lot of strange looks.
As I said, I try and be accomodating as I can, but I also get my fair share of stupid questions or statements directed at me.
> How much does it cost?
> I've got a {enter lower end P&S model here} which I paid 1000+ for and it was top of the range when I bought it.
-- On that note, I hear a lot of that, when I say I'm into photography in general, but not necessarily carrying my lens.
But I like it when kids ask me if I work for a new paper, or grown people ask me if they really are good camera's. Some of them are actually sympathetic when they see me lugging around two camera's, two tripods, and two large lenses at events. I just let them know that it's a cakewalk compared to what I normally do (ie, climbing Mt Fuji from the gate to the peak in 24 hours carrying all the gear in a top loader with no water. ^_~' Really stupid).
I'm shocked that so many people here are so hostile to people asking questions though.
p.17 #3 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
Well I have a new one for today... actually from a couple weekends ago...
My gf and I had gone down to NYC to pick up a couple lenses from Adorama... and on the way back into Penn Station she had to hit the restroom... so I took her camera (D70 w/70-200VR) and had my 20D with 24-70L on it standing there waiting. This lady came out of the bathroom ahead of my girlfriend and stopped to ask me if I was there to take pictures of someone important coming into the station. After telling her I was just a tourist and just waiting on my girlfriend she proceeded to stalk me from a distance till my girlfriend got back. I guess people expect anyone with a SLR has to be press in NYC and looking for something to happen...
p.17 #4 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
here's a kinda "reverse" story...
Last year I was shooting the Langley Airshow from the press stand with another FM guy, and then this other guy comes up and sets up a serious setup.. tripod, wimberly, 400mm/2.8 nikon lens. We ask him about his stuff, and he says "idk... all this stuff is the navy's". Later in the day I realize that he never put the hood on.... he left it reversed on the lense the whole time... I saw him awkwardly trying to rest his hand on the lens around the hood....
At one of the football games I was shooting, I was walking with one of the real pro photogs... he's got a 400/2.8 on a monopod over his shoulder, and a fan, 6 feet away, reachs over the wall to get his attention and ask for a photo. He turned around and acted like he took a photo. The fan was happy, and we laughed.
p.17 #5 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
Ok, I've got a reverse story as well, hopefully this isn't too off topic.
I was at a wedding, my wife's cousin's, and I brought my gear to the reception to take some candid shots. I had spoken to the "official" photographer beforehand to make sure I wasn't stepping on her toes. She was equipped with a 20D + 580ex on a stroboframe... and a Canon 28-90mm f/4-5.6.
At the reception I chatted with her a bit and asked her why she chose that lens. The reception was indoors in a remodeled church sanctuary. The response "oh, it's pretty good, it zooms." ... ok.. I offered her my 10-22 out of my bag to take a look at (it was newish at the time,) to which she replied "Oh no, I can't change the lens, I never change the lens."
I was so confused I got a drink from the bar and headed back to my table.
p.17 #6 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
Ozone42 wrote:
Ok, I've got a reverse story as well, hopefully this isn't too off topic.
I was at a wedding, my wife's cousin's, and I brought my gear to the reception to take some candid shots. I had spoken to the "official" photographer beforehand to make sure I wasn't stepping on her toes. She was equipped with a 20D + 580ex on a stroboframe... and a Canon 28-90mm f/4-5.6.
At the reception I chatted with her a bit and asked her why she chose that lens. The reception was indoors in a remodeled church sanctuary. The response "oh, it's pretty good, it zooms." ... ok.. I offered her my 10-22 out of my bag to take a look at (it was newish at the time,) to which she replied "Oh no, I can't change the lens, I never change the lens."
I was so confused I got a drink from the bar and headed back to my table....Show more →
Wow, it is people like her who ruin the photography business. It amazes me how someone like her stays in business.
p.17 #8 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
I have another story. Not a great one but funny....
I was out shooting yesterday (after I got my D1X in the mail) and I was out with a friend who had a D50. I was playing with his D50 and a 35 f2.0 when this guy comes up and is like nice camera but it is so small. I bet it cant get as good pictures as my Canon Rebel (Silver 300D) and my 70-300 QUantaray lens. He takes it out of his bag and shows us. I said nice camera but you may want to think of upgrading to a better lens.
He goes what do you know you shoot Nikon and have such a small camera and lens. What can you do? - He was dead serious.
I said hold on one minute. I grabbed my bag and took out my D1X with a 300 2.8 attached to it.
He almost crapped his pants.
I then said, " I use to shoot Canon and I know the lens you have is not great. I use to own a Rebel and it is not a bad camera."
He then followed us around the rest of the day and asked for tips and tricks and we helped him. It was just worth the look on his face to show him a D1x and a 300 2.8 attached to it.
He is just lucky my buddy left his 600mm at home
HAHAHA
p.17 #9 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
I just came back from the beach the other day with my 70-200 with the hood on, and lots of couples walk by and it's always the guy that tells his gf or wife 'that lens must be able to zoom all the way to the horizon'. Someone stopped me and asked how many x's is that, and he was really shocked when I told him it's probably like a 4x zoom. But I told him it was a damn good 4x, and we both had a nice chuckle.
p.17 #11 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
My favorite interaction of all times was without words. It's cold winter in Prague, late evening on Charles' bridge. Very few people around. I have my 1Ds set up on a tripod, cable release and all, waiting for someone to walk out of the picture. Two Italian guys stand right next to me, one of them snaps a picture of the same scene with his cell phone. We both look at each other, bewildered, as they walk off again
Once in 2002 we were in Hawaii, walking on fresh lava. Smart, I know, but that's not the point. We actually hiked quite far, and when it got pitch black I realized that I left the GPS at the car. Anyone who's been in a lava field at night knows that's not a happy place to be. We walked in the general direction that we thought was correct, until eventually we saw the flashes from P&S cameras - then we knew where the parking lot was
p.17 #12 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
Either the 16-35 (with hood) or the 70-200 IS (with hood) in combination with the 580ex has gotten me into numerous shows with no ticket, no questions asked. At a show in Dallas, I approached the stage manager to ask if he was cool with flashes during the show. Before I could even open my mouth, he ushered me onstage without a word and I shot the show sitting next to the bass amp!
The flipside of this is when venues don't want any "pros" there except for the pro they hired for exclusivity. The best line so far arising from this situation has been:
(Two bouncers, one checking patrons, and another leaning against a wall with some shades, at night.)
Bouncer 1: You're going to have to let me look in that bag, kid.
Me: Sure thing man. (Plop bag down on the ground and unzip/rip the cover open in one motion)
Bouncer 2: (Without even looking over from behind his shades, with the utmost severity) ...That's a rig, man. A *rig*.
After all three of us gave the proper amount of silence in respect for this solemn proclamation, they tried to kick me out. I eventually got in when a manager mistook me for the "pro"; gotta love the power of suggestion.
Edited by Ombligotron on Feb 08, 2006 at 03:09 AM GMT
p.17 #13 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
stanj wrote:
My favorite interaction of all times was without words. It's cold winter in Prague, late evening on Charles' bridge. Very few people around. I have my 1Ds set up on a tripod, cable release and all, waiting for someone to walk out of the picture. Two Italian guys stand right next to me, one of them snaps a picture of the same scene with his cell phone. We both look at each other, bewildered, as they walk off again :)
p.17 #14 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
stanj wrote:
My favorite interaction of all times was without words. It's cold winter in Prague, late evening on Charles' bridge. Very few people around. I have my 1Ds set up on a tripod, cable release and all, waiting for someone to walk out of the picture. Two Italian guys stand right next to me, one of them snaps a picture of the same scene with his cell phone. We both look at each other, bewildered, as they walk off again
This reminds me of the time I was looking up at the top of a large building trying to get 'that odd angle'. Along came a load of Japanese tourists, and all decided they would take a picture of the same building as well. Not sure what they thought 'they' were shooting. I never even took the shot in the end.... it wasn't going to make a good picture
p.17 #15 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
One of my private joys shooting with good gear is watching the amateurs crowd the rail at sporting events, zoos, etc. and not letting children get a view. Being 6'+ I always let the little kids get right up in front and shoot over their heads. They are thrilled to get the view (I think it's common courtesy), and on several occasions I've had parents buys me a beer and/or lunch in appreciation.
p.17 #16 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
Rented an 80-200 f/2.8L for the weekend to shoot a concert. Mounted on a Rebel XT with BGE3 and Sigma EF500DG Super Flash made for a pretty imposing set up. Not to mention the two plastic beer cups over the flash (forgot to pick up a diffuser). Was there shooting for my portfolio, handing a few images to my university's magazine. The cream of the crop:
- The promoter new I was going to be there, but security did not. Was suprised when the security just stepped out of my way, no questions asked, both to let me in (free) and let me on the stage.
- The younger band's family members profusely apologizing for "getting in my way", even though they were nowhere near me.
- Had it tucked down the side of my jacket, every time I would pull it out there would be a 5' buffer zone around me with no people.
- Shooting at 3fps and getting the "Woah...." from spectators. Can't imagine if I had a 1D....
- "Who do you work/shoot for?"
- "You look like you know what you're doing!"
- An older man asking me about my set up and lenses. "I wish I could afford a camera like that, all I have is a 300D" He was quite shocked when I held it up to show him the XT badge/decal.
- And the ever present crowd of P&S people crowding in to get the shot I just took.
Managed to sell a few prints from people looking off my LCD, actual print unseen (not my choice, they insisted to see). I think I might have to bust the bank and pick up a 70-200 f/2.8L just for the reactions :P.
p.17 #17 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
The last event I went to was with my Canon 20D+Grip+430EX and 100mm prime, that was not a big setup really, and they let me in without a ticket. Onlookers were quite intimidated.
I'm getting a new sigma 70-200 DG\2.8 next week!!!! Can't wait to show up to the next event with the big sigma lens.
p.17 #18 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
greatape wrote:
While I'm shooting with a 20d and 80-200 f2.8L at the Santa Cruz boardwalk...
Very attractive female jogger: Boy, thats a big lens.
Me (leering): oh, you think THIS is big??
Ended up dating her for a couple of months. I love this lens.
Tomash wrote:
And yet another time I was out with the same setup (no, it's not my most used lens, just most noticable), and some hot (and I mean HOT) saw me with that lens on a tripod as I was shooting down the street, and said "Wow, that's nice!" So I fired off a burst of a few frames (yeah, I know 350D only does 3fps, but for regular people that's still blazing fast), and could see a huge grin forming on her face.
Chicks love that stuff.
OK, it's official now...the 70-200IS is my "walk-around" lens from now on !
p.17 #19 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
They think I'm better than I am, but I'm not contradicting them. Shooting my Son playing football I was asked if I worked for Sports Illustrated. "Wow, that's an impressive zoom lens" (someone talking about my 300 f4)." Hey, look at that guy with the safari kit". " Oh, so you're a professional!". "Bloody hell, what's that!" But to be honest, most people don't give a hoot.
p.17 #20 · What Are Some Reactions You've Gotten When Shooting With A White Lens?
I have had a few times of fortune carrying around the big guns. but 99% of the time its people asking all those same stupid / annoying questions.
fortune: i was at the LA marathon a couple years ago, and i had my lowepro backpack on with my EOS 3 and 24-70 L lens, i was there to meet up with my family but i got into all of the press areas because they just assumed i was a news guy. so i got some killer shots that normal folks wouldnt get.
misfortune: i was at my younger sisters award ceremony last week, and im trying to get some good shots of them receiving their awards with my 70-200. now mind you. i was the ONLY ONE in the entire auditorium with an SLR, and of course i have a big fat white lens lol. so EVERYONE made every single stupid comment and question you could think of. i thought i was seriously going to go crazy. and at least 10 or more parents wanted me to shoot pictures of their kids too. ( my response: oh im sorry i only have a 1GB card on me now and it is almost full ) <-- my little form of vengance
Misfortune: anytime i tried to shoot with my mamiya rz ( before i sold it ) in public, i got all kinds of folks stopping me from shooting to ask what kind of camera it was, and they'd never seen a camera like that, and "is that really a camera?" .
in continuation of the RZ story - i had borrowed the 350mm lens for it and i had it set on a large 4x5 tripod with a long cable release. a park ranger type fellow wasnt sure what it was and he asked me if that was a camera, and i politely responded " no sir, this is a small rocket propelled grenade launcher ( wanted to make it sound legit ) and i am aiming right for that large redwood tree over there... he fell for it and had to inspect the camera.
ive got plenty more, but theyre similar to everyone elses stories so i wont bore you all!
