Do you let friends and family hold/shoot your camera?

SBCmetroguy wrote in post #2446238
...Out drinking? Oh HELL no... I wouldn't even consider taking my DSLR into a bar!

What the heck kind of bars are you people going to? I think I need to get out more.

As long as it's the camera they are "holding", I'm cool with that.
But have to wipe the Buffalo Wings grease off the hand first!

SBCmetroguy wrote in post #2446238
What's the harm in letting someone play with your camera when you're with them? I certainly won't allow anyone to borrow my camera, but there's nothing wrong with them holding and trying to shoot with it.

Out drinking? Oh HELL no... I wouldn't even consider taking my DSLR into a bar!

To date I let most people handle is, nearly always comes out with my house mates when we're drinking before we go out. It's also been out on the town for Halloween, probably not the best idea but it came back ok, better state than me anyway

Oh and it doesn't even have a strap on it! Maybe pushing my luck lol

Pete-eos wrote in post #2446331
Oh and it doesn't even have a strap on it! Maybe pushing my luck lol

Plug - I recommend the POTN strap. (See P.O.T.N. Support Shop above) I just got mine 2 days ago. I love it! WAY better than the Canon strap! It has quick release clips for times you may not want a strap on the camera. (Tripod, portrait shooting, etc.)

Seeing how I have a brand new XTi, Its nothing personal, but I don't most people hold it - it purely financial. Especially teens or kids. I can't afford another one. There are some I will let shoot pictures but I have to be near by. But these folks understand how to take pictures. Now if its one of my older cameras, then shoot away.

What the heck do you think they are going to do to your camera? Cameras really are not that delicate. If you thought the camera really to be that fragile, why do you have it in a bar anyway. You really don't need a 30d to get shots of your mates at the bar - take a P/S so you don't have to worry about it.

I would gladly let a stranger look through my camera as long as they stood there next to me so I could explain things to them. They could even crank off a few shots if they like as long as I am not shooting on assignment. It always amazes me how often small acts of niceness are repaid many times over. It's just a camera dude, not your wife or girl friend.

I never lend my cameras or cars out, as no one takes care of your equipment like you would. I have older point & shoot Kodaks for them to play with.

It's understood tho, that on the rare occasions I do lend anything out, and it comes back damaged...they bought it. They expect "sorry" to be sufficient for the damage incurred during their watch. No, it isn't sufficient and should not be accepted. Another is "Worked fine when I had it". Common courtesy prevails, and people will take advantage if you let them.

I'm still waiting for a "friend" to return hand tools he desparately needed 9 months ago for a quick job. As far as I'm concerned, they are his now, and his lending/borrowing privileges are forfeited.

Cameras are too delicate to be lent out like library books, and there's a reason they do not have one.

But it's better not to be put in those situations to begin with.

I let my 15-year-old step-daughter shoot with my 20D AND my 5D. Same goes for my mother-in-law who can't even use a throw-away, and I use my mine to make a living! Now, that doesn't mean either of them will be out of my sight, but I will let them use it.

Before I hand it over, I let them know how important it is that they're careful and use it the way I tell them. I also tell them how to hold it and prepare them for how heavy the 5D is with a grip, a 580EX and 70-200 IS 2.8.

Hell, my 22-month-old was scrolling through the pictures on my 5D the other day while it was sitting on the chaise lounge extension on my couch! It's too heavy for her to pick up, and she knows not to play with Daddy's cameras! but it's the holidays, and it made for a cute picture.. Besides, I was three feet away. I might even make it my Avatar..

Any other time of the year I'm hesitant to hand over my 5D if it has a heavy lens on it, but I still do usually.. I'll let just about anyone that's not an clumsy idiot use my 20. All of my stuff is insured. And I paid a few bucks extra for the warranty that covers accidents also..

I know if I never used a camera and someone handed me a $5500+ setup, I WOULD BE VERY CAREFUL!! Igrew up around all this suff though, so I guess I just know better!

Just my $.02

Photolistic wrote in post #2444922
I don't like to let people even hold my 30D. When my friends ask if they can take a shot I ask if they have ever used an SLR camera before. Most of the time they will say no so that ends it. If they say yes I will ask if they know what ISO SS and Aperture is and if they know how to adjust it. They are stumped and don't know what to say. On the RARE occasion that I do let them take a picture (when they wont stop bugging me) I set the SS off by 4 or 5 stops and if they get the wrong exposure then they really don't know how to use a SLR. LOL is this mean?

I have no problem with it. I am more concerned with my being dumb enough to leave it in the car. My wife and I have a pool of funds and we both paid for it, therefore, she gets to do what she wants (though she isn't really that interested in the equipment as much as she is in what I produce with it). I have had several, even strangers, take pictures. If someone drops it, I take that chance for it can be replaced. If someone runs off with it, I will have a fun time taking them down.

Who is more important? The people in your life, or the equipment. Just a thought.

This forum is about sharing our knowledge with others, not making them feel stupid. Why would you not want to do the same outside of here? You know that by asking people if they know about ISO, Aperture, etc., the answer is probably no. That doesn't mean they will drop your 30D! Hell, I don't have straps on either of mine. Sometimes, but very rarely, I use a handstrap if it's a crowded event.

I love it when people ask about my cameras. I'm at Starbuck's for an hour or so almost every morning instead of being stuck at my desk (see my avatar!). I take my camera and my laptop to do a little work, or just snap a few stupid shots. Never fails, if I have my 5D with the grip and the 70-200 IS 2.8 someone will always come up and say "that's one hell of a camera, what kind is that? Are you a photographer?" And you know what, I tell them all about it if they're intrested... After five or ten minutes I'm handing it over and showing them how to hold it! Next thing I know, they're telling me about their family and this and that, then they ask for my prices... A week later, I'm shooting their portraits.. A few weeks later, so and so calls and says they were referred by the guy at Starbuck's.. Get it now??

If you take children's portraits you'll understand this one.... If you have a kid that won't relax for his portrait, hand him the camera and let him take a few shots of you... You won't believe the affect this has.

My cameras are my tools.. As much as I love them, and I do LOVE THEM, they are not my children!

As said above, "Who is more important? The people in your life, or the equipment. Just a thought."

Exactly!

I remember my first SLR and babying the hell out of it... Now, it's just a tool. It generates photos for fun and my personal memories, but it also generates INCOME! I guess I don't worry about it so much cause a year from now they'll both be replaced.

My 2 friends, and work associates, that own the 1D series cameras.... They are beat to hell and back twice over. They keep their glass clean, but the bodies will be gone in 6 months. Sounds crazy that the more they spend the less they baby it, but as times goes by I understand. Personnaly, I will always take great care of my equipment, even if I'm selling it tomorrow. That's just my way. These cameras are not as fragile as people think.. They can take one hell of a beating, I am just too scared to really test that theory!!

id let any of my friends or faMILY USE MY CAMERA...WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT, IF YOU BREAK IT, YOU OWN IT! and if they dont know how to use manual mode i stick it in P mode before i hand it off... I still do that to my wife too... the good old P mode..lol it works like a charm and she gets happy that she took a good picture! Now, as for drunks.. Ill hand em the keys to my car before i hand them my camera!!!
(J/K.. friends dont let friends drive drunk..or handle Photo equipment!!)

Wow, 15 hours old and this thread is already on page 5.

Touchy subject which likely doesn't have any clear answers.

Anyone that is responsible and careful? Sure, they use the neckstrap though.

My eight year old grand daughter? Yes, if I'm helping her.

My daughter? She's used it several times, but she has handled two babies extensively - her own - and they are more valuable, and she hasn't dropped one.

My wife? If she wants to.

Would I let a drunk hold my camera? I wouldn't likely even be with a drunk.

JCR wrote in post #2445351
Chimping practice this morning.

AWWW,,,great shots maybe you could add them to this thread?


https://photography-on-the.net …94&highlight=ch​imping+lol

zacker wrote in post #2446767
...i stick it in P mode before i hand it off... I still do that to my wife too... the good old P mode...

Do you get better results from her in P mode?

I once let a semidrunk reception guy take a picture of me with part of the wedding party at the reception using my 5D and 35L...