"no professional style cameras allowed"

[bencoyote]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

What have people's experience been? I'm planning on going to an event where they explicitly state: "Personal cameras are allowed, but no professional style camera rigs or video recorders." Do people recognize the Leica as a "Professional style" camera? How stealth are RFs actually these days with the rise of nearly pro-quality mirrorless cameras?

 

There is no doubt that an M is a "professional style camera" by some definition of "style". It may even be the quintessential "professional camera". However I expect what they really mean is no "big cameras with huge lenses".

 

What are people's actual experiences with the staff at venues? I expect that they will take a quick glance at the M and maybe if they know something possibly think, "old film camera" and wave me through. What are people's recent actual experiences? Do event staff perceive an M as a "professional style camera"? I was thinking of taking my M with a 28cron and no hood.

 

My other option would be to take my T with its 23cron.

[CheshireCat]

There is no doubt that an M is a "professional style camera" by some definition of "style". It may even be the quintessential "professional camera". However I expect what they really mean is no "big cameras with huge lenses".

 

Depends on the guys who are checking your camera. Most of the times, they have no knowledge of photographic gear whatsoever, so only size does matter 

 

I always say my M is not a professional camera (and I really think so), but some people are convinced that "an expensive camera is a pro camera", so you may want to put some tape on your Leica logo, and show it mounting the smallest lens you have.

Edited June 29, 2015 by CheshireCat

[pico]

Put this or this over the red dot, but not this.

Edited June 29, 2015 by pico

[jmahto]

.... and show it mounting the smallest lens you have.

 

One should own an old screw mount tiny lens just for this purpose.

[earleygallery]

Generally it tends to mean DSLR and large zoom lens. However, sometimes it's best to leave the camera at home. 

[Peter H]

...or rely on your native charm to see you through, just like a pro....

[bencoyote]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I always say my M is not a professional camera (and I really think so), but some people are convinced that "an expensive camera is a pro camera", so you may want to put some tape on your Leica logo, and show it mounting the smallest lens you have.

I'm curious why do you not consider the M a professional camera? What is it then?

 

I can see it as almost the quintessential professional camera but I can also see it as the height of the expression of an enthusiast camera or maybe it is the enthusiasts camera that professionals sometimes carry?

 

I agree that pinning down a term like "professional camera" is almost impossible and I don't have a good definition myself. I think that I would start with something like:

1) the construction is designed for the markedly heavier use by someone using it as a work tool as opposed to a hobbyist or casual user. I wouldn't expect a Lumix G7 to survive very long under the heavy use of a professional photographer the same way that I would expect a D4 to last. My first serious camera of the digital era a Lumix GX1 basically fell apart.

2) features that are almost only needed by professionals. like dual card slots or ways to share configurations between cameras and tethered operation. Many of the other features do blur into desirable by enthusiasts like ultra fast frame rates, extreme high ISO, and advanced flash sync features.

3) controls optimized toward advanced users with practically no thought toward basic operation. 

 

but where I'd go after that I have no idea. I'd say that given that though, the M is at least approaching a professional camera.

[earleygallery]

The main reason why the Leica isn't a common 'professional' camera is the lack of the type of support service that pro's expect.  

 

Some pro's do use Leica M's but they are the exception rather than the rule, and I bet that most will have a Canon or Nikon system as well! 

 

Of course any camera can be a 'professional' camera. 

[Rick]

Couple of years ago I was entering a concert venue and got stopped with my M9.  I explained that everyone was walking in with cameras in there phones and they replied that phones were ok, at which point I held my camera up to my ear and said, excuse me have to take this call.  

[0Raakkeli]

I was told in a venue that if you can change the lens it's regarded as a professional camera. Luckily I had my superzoom instead! [emoji3]

[Peter Kilmister]

Someone said that the best camera in the world is the one you have with you when you need it.

 

We had a solar eclipse here and I made a pin hole camera out of a cereal packet. We watched the eclipse in total safety on a piece of card at the focal point.

 

I carry a smartphone and sometimes grab a photo from out of the blue.

 

That is photography for me. Art doesn't need to be costly to produce. It is an art.

 

However, my Leica kit makes art easier ... but only if I have it to hand.

[Rick]

 

We had a solar eclipse here and I made a pin hole camera out of a cereal packet. We watched the eclipse in total safety on a piece of card at the focal point.

 

 

 

   

[jaapv]

I think the vital clue is in the camera rigs.

I would feel fairly confident that a Leica M would be passed through.

[CheshireCat]

I'm curious why do you not consider the M a professional camera? What is it then?

 

I think that the most important features of a pro camera are reliability and consistency.

I would never use the M for pro work for the following critical reasons:

 

1) Does not handle two flash cards. We all know flash cards are prone to failure.

2) Lockups (as discussed in several other threads in this forum).

3) RF may go out of calibration in less than harsh conditions.

 

Note how I made no mention of AF, speed, pixels, customizability, size, weight and not even quality. These depend on personal preference and application field, while reliability and consistency apply to all professional photographers.

[CheshireCat]

I made a pin hole camera out of a cereal packet.

 

They will definitely let the OP in with a cereal packet. Problem solved !

 

Advanced hack: put your M in the cereal packet

Edited June 30, 2015 by CheshireCat

[ECohen]

 My 2 cents

 

I always though the reason for "no profession cameras "meant no DSLR with long lens and wide F/stops. As to limit professional  quality photos being "bootlegged",sold or posted ? In the old days there wasn't much you could do sitting in the 20th row with a Nikon 105mm lens and Ektachrome 400 film (pushed to 800). And the entertainers no matter how big were happy for the exposure. These days you can make some very professional shots with a DSLR and a nice zoom. And in the day of the computer entertainers rightfully want to protect their exposure.........Kinda sad, I liked bringing a camera to a show.

 

That's been my assumption, ....any thoughts? 

 

And yes the Leica is a professional quality camera that more than likely would be over looked by security

 

That said I'd leave the camera  home and enjoy the show. If stopped would you really want to run back to the car and put your $10,000 camera in your trunk? 

[Chuck Albertson]

^{Ask five bouncers their definition of "professional-style camera" and you'll get five definitions. Some think anything bigger than a point-and-shoot qualifies, some think anything with interchangeable lenses, some a zoom lens, some think any lens longer than 3 inches qualifies.}

Edited June 30, 2015 by Chuck Albertson

[sls]

I wanted to take some pictures at the curtain call of Sylvie Guilem's last Saturday night at Sadler's Wells, given the number of tickets I've purchased to see her dance since the late 80's I thought I deserved it. 

 

The M9 body went in my jacket inside pocket and a lens in the outside pocket. 

 

To be honest, I might have been better off with an iPhone,  

[piblondin]

I typically haven't had problems with my Leicas. It's usually my Nikon D600 that causes problems. 

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[jaapv]

I think that the most important features of a pro camera are reliability and consistency.

I would never use the M for pro work for the following critical reasons:

 

1) Does not handle two flash cards. We all know flash cards are prone to failure.

2) Lockups (as discussed in several other threads in this forum).

3) RF may go out of calibration in less than harsh conditions.

 

Note how I made no mention of AF, speed, pixels, customizability, size, weight and not even quality. These depend on personal preference and application field, while reliability and consistency apply to all professional photographers.

Those must be very harsh conditions that will put you out of calibration as well...