A First For Me

Last night I was walking downtown on my way to shoot an event when I was approached by 4 people, one of them carrying a Canon camera. She said that she was a "professional" who was going to shoot engagement photos of the couple, and the 4th was an assistant, but they had a problem...her camera batteries were dead. They wanted to borrow two batteries for the camera, and would bring them back to me in about 1/2 hour. Then she told me that she was shooting the couple's wedding in 2 months. I'm thinking, what a confidence boosting experience for the couple. I hope they rethink their choice before their big day.

I've had plenty of panhandlers approach me downtown, but never a battery request. I respectfully declined and went to my job wondering how long that camera had been sitting in the closet before she decided to drag it out for her "shoot".

If they were "professionals" doing an e-shoot without batteries... they should be willing to pay an arm and a leg for your batteries so they don't have pissed off clients who will tell the world about them. I probably would have completely ripped them off and sold my batteries for a lot. :P

Sounds like panhandling to me, the Canon camera was just a prop - like those ones that use kids/dogs as props.

rick_reno wrote in post #15717765
Sounds like panhandling to me, the Canon camera was just a prop - like those ones that use kids/dogs as props.

Panhandling for Canon Batteries? I guess they could re-sell them but by the time you find a buyer and split it 4 ways, it hardly seems worth the effort.

They could've mugged you. 4 of them too. I think they were checking you out first. Scary.

jra wrote in post #15718372
Panhandling for Canon Batteries? I guess they could re-sell them but by the time you find a buyer and split it 4 ways, it hardly seems worth the effort.

They may have had in mind something worse than panhandling. Get you to take out your camera so they can grab it, or pick your pocket while you're distracted by removing the battery, or something else.

Was their Canon the same model as yours? Not all Canons use the same battery.