Showing off your camera?

AFC said:
A friend of mine spent his savings on a new dslr, lens etc and decided to go out for a shoot around London. 2 hours after acting like the proverbial prat, "Look at what I got", he ended up in hospital and his "gear" gone never to be seen again....and noone saw a thing.

So folks please beware.

Martin
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You have to be smart. I can handle myself and i'm not a small person, but i wouldn't walk around Brixton with my gear.
 
I've a friend who advises and practices going to events with flash and grip attached. Also, bulky(er) lens if possible.

Why?

Well, by his logic, so many people have DSLRs these days that standing out as -the- togger is getting harder and harder. The extra(eanous) kit makes the camera look that much more 'pro' and hence helps him gain credibility amongst the 1000D-waving masses.

Personally, I take my camera and use the lens I need to do the job and take my photos. Sure some people there will have better some worse but at the end of the day it's the resulting images that define the togger. I'm not adverse to having long and protracted conversations with people though.

That said, having been collared by someone at RIAT with a 40D and a 100-400L talking about how I'd never get the shots I wanted with my little 70-300 as the lens just 'wouldn't cut it'. Well, I stuck to my mantra that it's the result more than anything and came out with:

4806795170_90be8cbea6_z_d.jpg


(SOOC)

and well, proved my point without saying a thing. :)

Shortly after that he had me explaining why shooting in green square wasn't the best idea :bang:



Edit:

before any of you jump on me, I'm using the 1000D as an example of an entry-level DSLR, it's still a great camera and as ever, some (most) of the togs on here could blow my attempts away with a cameraphone. Don't bite me!
 
Hi Mike, just taken a look at your Flickr pages and just love the RIAT shots especially the Vulcan and F22 Raptor, beautifully clear and crisp.
Have also looked at your other photo's and enjoyed them as well. Who gives a monkey's what other people use if you can take shots like that then thats what its all about.

Keep up the good work.

Martin
 
AFC said:
Hi Mike, just taken a look at your Flickr pages and just love the RIAT shots especially the Vulcan and F22 Raptor, beautifully clear and crisp.
Have also looked at your other photo's and enjoyed them as well. Who gives a monkey's what other people use if you can take shots like that then thats what its all about.

Keep up the good work.

Martin
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:D

Thanks! :)
 
Mikebert4 said:
Well, by his logic, so many people have DSLRs these days that standing out as -the- togger is getting harder and harder. The extra(eanous) kit makes the camera look that much more 'pro' and hence helps him gain credibility amongst the 1000D-waving masses.
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Ask your mate if he thinks this bloke is an amateur.....

Henri-Cartier-Bresson-black-market.jpg
 
My 70-200L has basically taken the place of a works t-shirt for my equine stuff :)

I'm not really into showing it off when just wandering round with it, but when working it is handy!
 
Voyager said:
Ask your mate if he thinks this bloke is an amateur.....

Henri-Cartier-Bresson-black-market.jpg
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I tried to jump on this before people came and bit my face off..

from the bottom of my post:

before any of you jump on me, I'm using the 1000D as an example of an entry-level DSLR, it's still a great camera and as ever, some (most) of the togs on here could blow my attempts away with a cameraphone. Don't bite me!
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I think we're all in agreement that it's not the kit that makes the togger, it's the togger that makes the kit. I'm on your side here!

Also, to clarify, when I say 'events' we're talking University Dramatical society meets/shows and similar, where he's the official togger and sometimes needs to assert this (like gathering all the cast together for a group shot, as an example) - sometimes it helps to have 'pro' looking kit to make yourself look that much more official/credible to the layman.

*breaths*
 
Mikebert4 said:
I tried to jump on this before people came and bit my face off..

I think we're all in agreement that it's not the kit that makes the togger, it's the togger that makes the kit. I'm on your side here!
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I wasn't 'biting your face', I thought you might be able to use it to ask your mate. :cuckoo:
Mikebert4 said:
Also, to clarify, when I say 'events' we're talking University Dramatical society meets/shows and similar, where he's the official togger and sometimes needs to assert this (like gathering all the cast together for a group shot, as an example) - sometimes it helps to have 'pro' looking kit to make yourself look that much more official/credible to the layman.

*breaths*
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I don't think that makes it any better.... ;)
 
I thought, from the tone of the OP, that this was going to be a light-hearted discussion.

We all know that expensive/huge kit doesn't make a good photographer, so there's no need for any snobbery or inverted snobbery.

I thought we were talking about showing off.
 
The two sort of go hand in hand when you have discussions like this Keith. Sad, but true. :)

To many idiots out there they feel that the gear makes the photographer, which obviously isn't true. Sure, better gear eliminates some of those limitations in lesser equipment, and provides you with more potential shooting options, but entry level equipment (and even lower than entry level) in the right hands can produce wonders.
 
Yammer Speaks sense :)

I am guilty of showing off on occasion, and have landed a few opportunities because I happened to have my camera with me at various places/events. Still, it so often happens that you meet another togger and you end up loosing everyone else in the room in a discussion involving farrr too many numbers.

Ahh, good times :)
 
If I wanted to display it as a e-penis, I'd fit a long strap and have it dangling in my crotch.:nuts:

If it's out I'm using it if not it's put away.
 
I personally would prefer it if my kit was invisible and much lighter. I can feel very self concious taking photos sometimes.
 
If it's out I'm using it if not it's put away.
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so ironically, much like a penis. ;)
 
PsiFox said:
If I wanted to display it as a e-penis, I'd fit a long strap and have it dangling in my crotch.:nuts:
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I carry my camera on an extra-long strap, which crosses my back and chest, and the camera rests on my right hip. Don't ask, I just prefer it that way.

It tends to creep sideways to the middle, and, when I have my longer lenses attached, dangles downwards. That certainly doesn't help with the funny looks.

When I got my 24-70/2.8 a few months ago, I called round at a friend's house while I was out togging. She opened the door and looked down in amazement. "That's a magnificent lens you have there, Keith," she exclaimed.
 
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