ezc203 Posted May 30, 2011 Share #1 Posted May 30, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) This happens quite often - I am out shooting with my lovely M8 and along comes a fellow Leica nut, we share a drink and some conversation. About photography, about cameras, and (if the mood strikes) a little about each other. Emails are exchanged (or screenname for LUF) and I leave with a slight grin on my face. Something I like to consider as an added perk of shooting Leica. Yesterday, while shooting in one of Beijing's more popular hutongs "Nan Lou Gu Xiang" I stopped in Beijing's Smallest Bar for a quite drink when an Australian gentleman approached me and asked about my M8. We talked for a while, during which he showed me his BEAUTIFUL black X1 and shared some of his thoughts on upgrading to a digital M (eventually). Obviously, I mentioned this blog as a great way to discuss all things Leica and get in touch with photographers from around the world and share experiences, tips, advice. (Does this qualify me to be a Leica Ambassador?? ) Always nice to meet people passionate about photography and Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted May 30, 2011 Posted May 30, 2011 Hi ezc203, Take a look here The Leica Experience. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
M. Valdemar Posted May 30, 2011 Share #2 Posted May 30, 2011 My worst nightmare is people coming up to talk to me because I'm carrying a Leica. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
papimuzo Posted May 30, 2011 Share #3 Posted May 30, 2011 Yes, talking about a shared thing is a good way to communicate; some use the cars, some the weather, some politics (!), it is a human being to talk to others, a well known human attitude compared to other species. We are here in a Leica forum so not a surprise to mention the Leica way... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted May 30, 2011 Share #4 Posted May 30, 2011 My worst nightmare is people coming up to talk to me because I'm carrying a Leica. Then you must have sweet dreams. I don't have a problem talking to people who strike up conversation because I'm carrying a Leica since it's probably a shared interest and it's an opportunity to meet new, hopefully like-minded people. I've directed several people to the forum over the years although I don't know whether they visited. Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
matlep Posted May 30, 2011 Share #5 Posted May 30, 2011 My worst nightmare is people coming up to talk to me because I'm carrying a Leica. Rminds me of that Jerry Seinfled bid. Death is only numer two on the list of peoples worst fears Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jippiejee Posted May 30, 2011 Share #6 Posted May 30, 2011 I actually like meeting people this way. Every time after a neighborhood stroll I end up in the lovely outdoor area of my neighborhood café, with either my X1 or digilux-2 on the table, there's for sure a person walking up to me asking about the cameras, mostly with a question about film or digital etc... Most of those people have such warm memories of their own M's and Leica lenses, and switched to dslr's later without the passion and warmth they felt for their much more basic Leicas. These people can actually easily be converted back to Leicas, I could see it in their eyes when they played with my digital equipment. Most didn't even know that Leica has been making digital M's... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twotone Posted May 30, 2011 Share #7 Posted May 30, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've had a couple of nice comments recently regarding my M3, one guy said 'oh, a real camera eh?' I took some shots of my local church's Easter Vigil Mass and gave those photos to the priest who remarked that he liked the way the B&W photos gave the scenes a 'nice look'. When I pointed out that the camera was a film camera and that the photos were in actual fact film pics also, he seemed even more pleased with them. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted May 30, 2011 Share #8 Posted May 30, 2011 Get a dog, you'll find even more people stop to talk to you! Happens with my Nikon F2, Rolleiflex and Kodak Box cameras too. Doesn't happen with a digicam or iphone. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted May 31, 2011 Interesting to read other people's experiences, I can't figure out Valdemar's tone, but is it really so bad to have people come up to you to talk about your camera? I guess I'm oddly proud of my camera (like a parent with a child) so that I enjoy the talk. But I guess other people are more "lone wolves"? James - I do have a dog. But I don't seem to get as many friendly hellos when I walk my Dobermann Pincher. I wonder why..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
elgenper Posted May 31, 2011 Share #10 Posted May 31, 2011 Interesting to read other people's experiences, I can't figure out Valdemar's tone, but is it really so bad to have people come up to you to talk about your camera?... Well, I´m with Valdemar here, even though I don´t feel much like a ´lone wolf´ normally.... It´s just that when I´m out shooting, I´m trying to keep concentrating on seeing images and trying to realise them. The camera is a tool, and a first class one, but at that stage I´m just taking it for granted; hopefully it responds to me and does what I want, and that´s it. If another aficionado comes up and start to talk cameras, it completely breaks off the mood and the concentration I´m trying to sustain. It´s like whispering to a violinist playing: "psst, your fly is open"..... No, camera talk is for this, and similar, forums... When out with my dog (no dober; a very docile cocker for me...), I´m the most social and garrulous person imaginable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Verrips Posted May 31, 2011 Share #11 Posted May 31, 2011 My worst nightmare is people coming up to talk to me because I'm carrying a Leica. I like meeting people that way with the same interest. Whats wrong about that? Give it a try, you won't regret. Not so many Leica owners compared to C/N so you can handle this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted May 31, 2011 Share #12 Posted May 31, 2011 I've occasionally had someone come over to talk about my camera. Sometimes it's not ideal (it has happened once or twice when I'm working on a job) but I like to think I'm not so far up my own arse that I can't spare a few minutes to politely chat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted May 31, 2011 Share #13 Posted May 31, 2011 I'm with Ian on this. Life would be a pretty miserable experience if we shunned interaction with other people. I was in Carluccio's in Chester on Saturday morning and the waiter and I had a good chat about my MP which was sitting on the table. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted May 31, 2011 Share #14 Posted May 31, 2011 People talk, it happens. No need to cut them off at the knees. I have never had anyone try to strike up a conversation in mid-shot and I am not so much of a prima-donna that I cannot get back into "the zone" once I have passed the time of day. Anyway, I'll never pass up the chance to inform, enthuse and convert a new believer to the twin faiths of Leica and film Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted May 31, 2011 It´s like whispering to a violinist playing: "psst, your fly is open"..... I would say it's more like whispering: "psst, I love your Stradivarius" But I get what you're trying to say. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramosa Posted June 1, 2011 Share #16 Posted June 1, 2011 I need to agree that when I am out shooting, I want to shoot, not chat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
satureyes Posted June 2, 2011 Share #17 Posted June 2, 2011 I have this with most of the time I am out shooting whether it's with my Leicas or Canons. I always get some smart ass talki about lenses and asking me how much it cost and how do I get nice blurry backgrounds with this (pulls out a p&s). Actually the other week I was out shooting for a mag with my Canon kit and it involved my subject running through some fountains. I needed some remote flash because of the sunlight not helping me- I spotted a chap shooting my shot on his M8 so I actually mentioned that I use an M9 and as he was taking the photo of the shot I'd set up if he minded holding one of my strobes for me. He did, I gave him my card and he was happy to have helped. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezc203 Posted June 2, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted June 2, 2011 I need to agree that when I am out shooting, I want to shoot, not chat. I agree. But as someone already mentioned, when you're on an outing it cannot be 100% picture picture picture. While I would like to have efficiency like that, it's just not the case. Honestly, most people have the decency to not interrupt you mid-picture, especially for street photography were it's usually just a quick snap (you're not spending hours fixing lighting/etc) so why not entertain each other with some conversation? Maybe I just have an underlying urge to be social? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted June 2, 2011 Share #19 Posted June 2, 2011 I've no problem with others coming up to chat, I like to talk gear and take photographs. If someone recognises a Leica it can be an interesting conversation. In London I've had journalists/press photographers notice the Leica and genuinely enquire about it. If they are carrying a big DSLR and lens they must wonder if the comparatively tiny Leica M digital would do the job. Once I was approached by a chap, who then revealed that he was carrying a Contax IIa and a IIIa in his bag. I would never have seen those beauties if he had not approached me. Although he was a 'Contax' man he was intrigued to see how a digital rangefinder performed and I have lusted after one of those Contaxes ever since. You can be both you know, a lover of photography and equipment. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted June 2, 2011 Share #20 Posted June 2, 2011 Get a dog, you'll find even more people stop to talk to you! Happens with my Nikon F2, Rolleiflex and Kodak Box cameras too. Doesn't happen with a digicam or iphone. This reminds me of the Groucho quote... "Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read". Regards, Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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