Getting ready to do something embarrasing

[EricO]

Thanks All... for an entertaining discussion. To set the record straight, I'm not really embarrassed. I was just trying to provoke some discussion. I do get a little self concious with all of the stares and questions like, "Is that a video camera?" I get too many questions and too much attention as it is, when I walk into that place. ;-)

Responding to one poster about the left hand bracket. I tto, like to keep my handle mount flash on the camera because it's easier to handle even though the Metz flash adds extra weight. Between the strap and handle, it's pretty easy to hand hold. I will admit, I don't need to keep the winder on for this trip but it makes it look more awesome.

 

[Mike Wilde]

I took an Ansco Speedex folder complete with a hnadle mounted Honeywell folding fan flash and a supply of M2 flashbulbs to capture images of pal's 50th birthday party held in a pub a few months ago.

I had people all over the pub talking to me and asking about the camera or telling me their old camera stories.

I took that camera because it was the one I had that was closest to 50 years old.

 

[Two23]

If I went to a restaurant to take some pictures with a dolly, it could get embarrassing if my wife found out. Anyway, I shoot a Chamonix 4x5. I get lots of questions about it and unwanted attention. Here's what I've done--I attached a small LCD photo frame to the ground glass. People now think it's just a digital camera and ignore it.


Kent in SD

 

[BrianL]

I was once asked about the 2 lenses on my Roleiflex and simply replied it allowed me to take twice the number of pictures as a camera with only one lens. The lady bought it. As for doing something stupid, I agree so I'd suggest send the system to me and I'll return to you a 3.0 megapixal Pentax. I'll even include a pair of AA batteries for it.

 

[bblhed]

What a bizarre question. "No, I'm a fisherman." Huh?

It's like people asking, "can you still get film for that?" while I'm shooting. I'm tempted to say, "no, I just like pretending."

Someone once annoyed me so much with the "can you still get film" question that I told them that I buy thin plastic, silver nitrate from the drug store, and jello and make my own film so I was set for quite some time. I made it sound so plausible that they believed me.

As for strange cameras in strange places, I took a Folding Kodak Brownie Autographic to Disney World last year, now that was a fun camera and I got a lot of interesting looks and comments.

 

[Roger Cole]

Someone once annoyed me so much with the "can you still get film" question that I told them that I buy thin plastic, silver nitrate from the drug store, and jello and make my own film so I was set for quite some time. I made it sound so plausible that they believed me.

As for strange cameras in strange places, I took a Folding Kodak Brownie Autographic to Disney World last year, now that was a fun camera and I got a lot of interesting looks and comments.

I got tons of compliments on my Yashica Mat walking the streets of New Orleans. We stopped at Cafe du Monds for coffee and beignets and a jazz band started playing on the sidewalk so I shot the rest of the roll I had loaded and most of another of them. Most of the members seemed appreciative and turned/posed a bit for the camera, but one guy, from the looks out the corner of his eye, was either greatly annoyed or, more likely, totally mystified at this guy with the antique camera.

But New Orleans is the kind of cool place you can walk around with a camera like that and get mostly compliments. I shot some in a cemetery there with the Tech III and got nothing but nods and "nice day for it" comments and such too.

 

[MattxMosh]

Thank you??? :confused:
I've never actually measured or weighed my 8x10 case, but I'm sure when I lug it around I look like someone trying to dispose of a body. (only slightly less embarrassing) It was only after getting my Grover that I realized that Brett Weston was right. This is a camera that was never meant to be taken out of the studio. Now at least I can get my gear out to virtually any place you can cart a pair of three year-old twins.

I have two year old twins, and one of these carts. I have no idea why I didn't think of that.

Time for me and Burke & James to go for a bike ride.

The kids can stay with their mother.

 

[eddie]

I'm only embarrassed when I'm at a restaurant with my 4x5, and a guy at the next table has an 8x10...

 

[Les Berkley]

Clarence John Laughlin used to roll his LF cameras around the ''Big Easy' in a wheelbarrow. If it's good enough for him...

 

[Ric Trexell]

People get out of your way.

I find that when I have the Rb67 out sitting on a tripod, people will get out of my way. They look at that big set up and must be thinking that you are working for some newspaper or someone that needs serious pictures. I get a kick out of people that will duck or go behind me when they were going to walk in front of my camera. I think they figure that is a video and they don't want to mess up my filming. I did once have a guy come up to me and said 'a man after my own heart'. He explained that he had used to use a TLR and still had it but when he saw me using my RB he said he would have to get back into it. So maybe putting that big camera out there will inspire a few cameras to come out of the closet and be loaded up again. Ric.

 

[paulie]

i was out and about in southebourne at night ,had a crown on a tripod and was running around in complete darkness with two flashes painting my picture and a women with a dog asked me if i was from the council...not quite sure what she meant by that, so i flashed her a couple times so that she was now in my picture lol

anybody comes close to me to ask a question i always without fail get there picture taken, 35mm and MF dont bother me but i get more self aware when i have a LF especially a view camera, mainly because of all the gear that potentially is sitting around me, accidents ,theft etc

 

[jvo]

ah-hah

size matters!!!

 

[snay1345]

What's embarrassing is taking my 8x10 out for a walk in my two-child bike trailer. Neighbour thought we'd had grandkids without telling them.

Wow, I was thinking about this earlier as I was riding my bike home to get my camera. I started to think of where I could get a kid trailer to put my 4x5 stuff in while I drove it all around to different spots.

 

[benjiboy]

I find that when I have the Rb67 out sitting on a tripod, people will get out of my way. They look at that big set up and must be thinking that you are working for some newspaper or someone that needs serious pictures. I get a kick out of people that will duck or go behind me when they were going to walk in front of my camera. I think they figure that is a video and they don't want to mess up my filming. I did once have a guy come up to me and said 'a man after my own heart'. He explained that he had used to use a TLR and still had it but when he saw me using my RB he said he would have to get back into it. So maybe putting that big camera out there will inspire a few cameras to come out of the closet and be loaded up again. Ric.

I don't have one myself, but a friend who uses an RB says "every time I get it out I have a crowd round me", the camera that is

 

[Toffle]

Wow, I was thinking about this earlier as I was riding my bike home to get my camera. I started to think of where I could get a kid trailer to put my 4x5 stuff in while I drove it all around to different spots.

If you don't want to look like a tool (like me ) you can get a DIY cargo trailer kit from WIKE in Guelph Ontario.

 

[2F/2F]

Why attach the flash?

 

[EricO]

2F/2F,

The camera is easier to hand hold with the handle mount flash even though the flash adds weight. A strap, handle combination is worth the extra weight.

Why attach the flash?

 

[2F/2F]

I own an RZ, and I disagree. An RB/RZ is very easy to "cradle" without a handle, and it is even more comfortable this way than holding the whole thing from the side with one hand. A flash adds bulk and gangliness, which is what will make the camera seem "strange" to people, and all the weight is on one side, which skews the camera. A strap alone over the neck or shoulder will do fine, and the camera will not stick out as much. They aren't that heavy, just bulky. Anything you can do to reduce the bulk will keep it more low profile. Keep a WLF on in instead of a prism, and don't accessorize it. YMMV, of course.

 

[EricO]

Well since you already have the answer I wonder why you even bothered to ask the question? FOR ME, the flash handle is more convenient. For you, it's not. I like it because it keeps the camera from banging into my chest. When I want to carry it I can do so with one hand. That thing is so boxy it's hard to get a good grip on it. I imagine if I had a grip that would be even better. A grip would also add weight but it serves a purpose.

I own an RZ, and I disagree. An RB/RZ is very easy to "cradle" without a handle, and it is even more comfortable this way than holding the whole thing from the side with one hand. A flash adds bulk and gangliness, which is what will make the camera seem "strange" to people, and all the weight is on one side, which skews the camera. A strap alone over the neck or shoulder will do fine, and the camera will not stick out as much. They aren't that heavy, just bulky. Anything you can do to reduce the bulk will keep it more low profile. Keep a WLF on in instead of a prism, and don't accessorize it. YMMV, of course.

 

[2F/2F]

I asked because you are embarrassed to take the thing out, yet wanted to put a flash on it. In other words, I asked it as a question that you might want to ask yourself.

 

[EricO]

I'm not really embarrassed. Was just making light of MF.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

The bigger the camera the more fun it is!

Jefrf