Post the most ridiculous comments you've received with a big lens on!

MaxxuM wrote in post #4920646
Did you? What grade level was this at? I shoot for two high schools and three jr high's (all the same district) and never got that one even with a rented 300mm f/2.8 L.

If I knew what I was reading, probably.

Youth.

I don't mind people making comments.... I can guarantee stares and comments with the 300mm.

One time I was asked "how far can you see with that"?
My reply with a grin was "On a clear day - 93 million miles"!

i still like the comment posted earlier here where someone said he should be able to see the moon with it and the poster said 'yeah - and without it too!'

LOL .... these comments are great! Keep it up people

I'm amazed how many people fall for the 'it's a big camera, they must be a professional' thing


David

Ridebmx wrote in post #4920055
i went to mall for the "exotic animals show" and first thing i did was get out my 70-200 f/4 and put it on my 350D with grip and 430ex.. take a few shots, and the security lady for the show, that runs it said

"who do you work for?" no one just a hobby
"im gonna have to ask you to stop taking pictures, ill let you if you donate $1"
so i donated $5 and went to work, staying out of customers ways and all that.

ROTFLOL! I am not surprised that they were using an XT. I am not sure on this but how could they demand that you donate? was everyone required to donate? I probably would have, I don't mind donating to a good cause, but from the story I don't see where they have the right to make you pay too take pictures of something that is being publicly displayed. anyway... GREAT story.
This is one of my favorite threads. I keep coming back and laughing!

caroleigh wrote in post #4920397
The coach on the other side complained because he said I was 'spying' and learning their plays and told the ref to tell me to put it away- I was using a 70-200mm...

WOW, now that is a new one! LOL.

as David said: "Keep it up"

~Z

Woman casually said to me while holding her little P&S, "mine will shoot 60 frames per second. How many will yours do?"

I'll play.

After engaging in a little explanation of my 70-200 2.8IS on the 20D with a couple of moms at a HS football game, and explaining that it took (well, at least enabled the taking of) great pictures one mom felt compelled to say "But you can't carry that in your pocket".

I just smiled and said "no you can't. This is a "purpose" camera. When you have this, you're here to take pictures and not just watch the game.

I find it remarkable how adults get ticked off if you have something that they think they migh not be able to afford.....even if they know nothing about it.

Observation: two years ago I didn't see anyone else with a white lens on the youth game sidelines. This year I see one or two at every game. The market for these things would seem to be good.

20Dgrappler wrote in post #4922880
I'll play.

I find it remarkable how adults get ticked off if you have something that they think they migh not be able to afford.....even if they know nothing about it.

Adults do that too? Wow. I thought kids would grow out it!

Scuff wrote in post #4922177
I don't mind people making comments.... I can guarantee stares and comments with the 300mm.

One time I was asked "how far can you see with that"?
My reply with a grin was "On a clear day - 93 million miles"!

Heheh, good one. At night I bet you can see even further than that!

Ridebmx wrote in post #4920055
i think its awesome i got asked what paper i work for, and so on

Haha, it's an awesome feeling isn't? Nothing beats getting compared to a professional when you're just like any ordinary guy, like most of us.

You know I started noticing that sometimes you don't just get the comments because of a big lens but more because of how you carry yourself. If you look like a professional, if you think you're a professional, if you act like you need a shot, most people will step out of your way and wait. Sometimes it's all about you rather than what you're shooting with.

^^
i acted as professional as i thought i could, they moved and ran out of the way when i aimed my camera and they walked infront, and so on.


i was the only one that had to donate to take pictures, everyone else had p&s cameras which arnt magazine type quality so they didnt care, they thought i was professional shooting for newspaper or something

i gave them $3 instead of 1, cause im nice, the p&s people had the lady take a picture up close.. i had a good brain laugh seeing that, she held it up to the cage and tried to take a picture, with the tiger itching its face ON the cage, 2inches away... dont know how badly they turned out.

mostly the way you act and handle yourself with the camera is the biggest factor, i had people say "hes shooting for a magazine" with my 350d and 430ex on, kit lens with hood. nothing spectacular.
its just i acted professional and got straight to business

"You must be a good photographer!"

^^ reading that made me remember what the one guy said, he kept staring at me, i paid the $3 after waiting for people to leave, and i was taking my lens cap off, and hes like

"ever forget to take the cap off and take a picture?"

yeah, and i called canon to ask why my pictures are all pitch black even with the flash

he looked puzzled

With the 24-70 attached..." wow that lens is huge I bet you can see the moon" Uhm...I can see the moon without my lens...and this is a wide angle.
---------------
OK...not a stupid lens comment...but still appropriate:

Court side at a high school basketball game...with all my gear hanging around my neck and in my backpack....

a kid kind shouts in my direction...

Kid: " hey dude...are you a photographer?"

I look at him a bit confused.....

Kid: "You know...a photographer" hold hands by face and makes clicking motion with right index finger

I look back in acknowledgment and respond: "No, I am a fireman" and walk away.

Kid looks confused.....

Made my night.

Ridebmx wrote in post #4924868
^^
i acted as professional as i thought i could, they moved and ran out of the way when i aimed my camera and they walked infront, and so on.


i was the only one that had to donate to take pictures, everyone else had p&s cameras which arnt magazine type quality so they didnt care, they thought i was professional shooting for newspaper or something

i gave them $3 instead of 1, cause im nice, the p&s people had the lady take a picture up close.. i had a good brain laugh seeing that, she held it up to the cage and tried to take a picture, with the tiger itching its face ON the cage, 2inches away... dont know how badly they turned out.

mostly the way you act and handle yourself with the camera is the biggest factor, i had people say "hes shooting for a magazine" with my 350d and 430ex on, kit lens with hood. nothing spectacular.
its just i acted professional and got straight to business

I'm pretty sure that they can't force you to donate to take pictures because you have "professional" equipment given the location you were shooting in. The only place I've seen such restrictions were at Yankee Stadium where they claimed that you couldn't use a lens with a focal length equivalent or greater than 200mm.

I'm glad to see that you did donate though. Whenever I take pictures of performers in Manhattan, I do my best to give 'em a buck.