In a discussion on another forum about photography, we are talking about personal safety while out with what can be several thousand dollars in camera gear. So far I've been called simple, a moron and a few other things because I advocate self-defense instead of hoping to come out the other side of the furball unscathed. Like I told them, if they want to just give up, be sheeple and hope they make it through, more power to them. But, if it's at all possible, when the balloon goes up there may be a victim but I'm going to do everything possible to make sure it's not me. Don't get me wrong. If there is no choice and giving up something that can be replaced with a few weeks pay will end it, then so be it. But if it get's rough, they all think I'm paranoid because I want to be the one walking away. Like I said, sheeple.

So for the photogs here, do you carry in your gear or on your person (if legal where you are)?

Oh, in all fairness to the others in that debate, many do live in areas of the world where firearms are VERY restricted if not outright banned.

CW

On my hip or in front right pocket.

Full time professional photographer, I'm a road Photographer and carry any time I'm legal.

Norwich Wedding Photographer | Connecticut Wedding Photographers | School photographer

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

Glad to meet you Warren. I'm sure you're shooting Nikon or Canon full frame? Or do you shoot MF? I'm a Pentax shooter from way back (late 60's) and actually have a 1957 Asahi Pentax. I shoot a K10 digital but most of my (way too many) cameras are film including a Pentax 645 medium format. Rumor has it that Pentax is coming out with a full frame so I'm waiting on that to upgrade the digital.

Good to know I'm not the only person who protects their equipment.

CW

P.S. Love the Little League trading cards idea!!!!!

I went all digital a few years ago so I could get rid of the film machine. sold my pentax 645 3 bacbs 3 lenses and a couple hundred rolls of 120/220 for just over $1000. What a loss.

I still have 4-5 N90s if you know anybody who wants them cheap.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

Straightshooter: whether I'm carrying camera gear or not does not influence any of the other considerations you mention in your inquiry....

I used to have a bag of Nikon bodies & 2 bags of increasingly serious glass. Have dropped back to a simple digital pocket unit to regain a little discipline for a while.

What those others do in the rest of the world with their own notions of reality, is of little concern in the 'available lighting' of your own real life surroundings

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

Join the Pentax Forum and put them in the marketplace. They will go in a HURRY. Or try KEH in Atlanta although I don't think they pay anything near value.

I picked up my 645 last year with two lenses, 3 backs, a flash and a few other accessories in a hard case for $500. I think I got a fairly good deal. About the same as I paid for my M&P 15-22 with three extra mags. LOL Darn I have expensive hobbies.

CW

My cameras are a part of me and yes I will be carrying .. May be a puny .380 but it will be there. With advanced warning I would think twice about my need to be there but if I did need to be there then a 325 would be available. YMMV

Anyone have a good idea what KEH or others might charge for a 50mm 3:5 macro lens for an Olympus OM-1?

I'd want it to be in excellent to new condition.

The camera shop where I used to buy used cameras doesn't stock any more film cameras or accessories.

BTW, there are some really good photographers here, inc. some other pros besides the one who posted.

And I believe in being armed where you can be, camera or no camera. I do suspect that many pro photographers, especially those in the media or selling to big, slick magazines are liberal elitists, and abhor guns. This includes some who sell to outdoor magazines. Others have more sense and realize the value of a gun in the right hands at the right time. In fairness, some of the sheeple are so mentally arranged and liberally indoctrinated that they really are better off without guns. Alas, they assume that their hangups and frailities apply to everyone.

But why wouldn't they? After all, they are the elite and the world revolves around them. Why would ordinary people handle a gun more safely or effectively?

Any of you photogs want to shoot a REAL camera?

I have a Tachihara 8x10 wooden field outfit if anyone is interested.... (The whole rig with tripod weighs in at around 40 or 50 lbs. Never got far from the car...

Attached Images

Tachihara.jpg (42.5 KB, 51 views)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

My photography consists of my Canon Digital ELPH. No matter what the subject, I ALWAYS advocate self protection. I pray that I never have to end someones life over my property, but in the end, IT WILL BE THEIR CHOICE! They can walk or risk the outcome. JMO

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Go big or stay home

After 3 back operations, I couldn't even carry the darn thing. Where is Ansel when you need him.

CW

I carry mostly everywhere I go now, so yea, when shooting photos I carry. Before when I was very active in photography I was concerned about hauling around expensive equipment and being a target for bad guys. At that time I didn't have a concealed permit. I was lucky and never bothered by anyone with ill intentions.
By the way, I have a Nikon F100 film camera with power pack and Sunpak 555 Handle flash I would give an absolute deal on to anyone still interested in shooting film. Even consider trades on gun stuff, like K or J frame grips. I'm serious about giving a good deal on this. It's just sitting here wanting a new home.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

Digital photography is not real photography. Real photography uses film and noxious chemicals to process film and paper in a darkroom. My primary camera is a Mamiya RB-67. I have 4 lenses; 65mm, 90mm, 180mm, and a 150mm soft focus lens, plus a lot of accessories. Some of the 77mm filters I have cost more than a small digital camera.

Back in 1998 I was in San Francisco (I hate San Francisco) taking some pictures. Three street characters saw my camera and figured that it was expensive. They also figured that it was 3 to 1, and it would be easy pickings. Two came behind me and the biggest guy came in front of me demanding my camera. I don't remember exactly what I said. It was either "Please don't make a big mistake" or "Please don't make a bad mistake". I opened my jacket to display my gun. Now I would not shoot anyone to prevent the theft of a camera, but if they laid a finger on me, then I would be in fear of great bodily harm and then all talking is over. When the big guy saw my gun, his eyes opened up so big that I thought his eyeballs were going to pop out of his head. He backed-off fast, and then one of the characters behind me started yelling, "Are you a cop? Are you a cop?" I just kept walking. I guess they picked the wrong victim.

About a month later I saw those three again, or rather their pictures on TV. They had hi-jacked a car and kidnapped the woman, locking her in the trunk of her own car.

This is the main reason that I believe in liberalizing the issuance of concealed weapon permits. It will give street criminals something to consider when they pick out a potential victim.

I suppose I could be called a serious photographer. I have a couple of Nikon D3 cameras, a Nikon D1, a Nikon FE, a F4 and a few others in addition to the full line of Nikon lenses.

Yet I use them daily in my work making photos of crime & accident scenes, photos of victims and their injuries, firearms and such.

Then I have the ladies, friends of mine's wives, those I work with and related to always asking for the glamour photos, the wedding photos and the passport photos.

And I love it all.

As to physical concerns, I have none. There is always the sidearm and usually a couple of uniformed officers around with me. Nobody is going to break into my vehicle for several reasons to get anything.

Back in the 70's and 80's I was a serious contest photographer. Camera Club contests, exhibits, salons. The local camera club I belonged to had printed on the back of the membership cards, "No firearms will be carried while pursuing photography". I did not follow that rule.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I usually carry when I've got my camera gear (Canon Digital Rebel Xt, lenses, flash and tripod).

When I was out of work, I did some photography work for a lawyer friend.

We went to the east side of Cleveland to photograph some properties that an out of state client had purchased. I had my Browning Hi Power with me.

We went to serve an eviction on a [pot head] and his family on the near west side of Cleveland. We went back later to confirm departure and condition of the property. I had my Browning and my Norinco M1911 on successive days.

Anti-abortion protestors were picketing the building where my friend's office is because there's a Planned Parenthood office there. An extremist subset of them were intentionally blocking the view of traffic from the sunken driveway, intentionally trying to cause an accident, as well as harassing people and their children. I took pictures of them blocking the view of the street with their foetus posters. A couple came over to harass me, including a 350lb. freak of nature who actually tried to pick a fight with me. I just ignored them and continued to take pictures of them breaking the law. I had my Model 36 in a pocket holster, audio recorder running. Jabba the Hut was quite horrified later when my friend asked him if he thought it was smart to try to pick a fight with a guy wearing an NRA Instructor ball cap and reading a book on machine guns.

I've considered taking the rapid train downtown to photograph the Cleveland Airshow, but all RTA facilities are posted (as well as Burke Lakefront Airport). I'm not comfortable carrying $1,000+ in camera gear on foot without some means of keeping it in my possession.

I gave up photography when they started making cameras that any idiot could use and get good results. Never paid that well anyway. Of course, I'm old school. My 4X5 Speed Graflex, my mint 2 1/4 Rollei, and my 35mm Pentax have long been retired to the shelf. It was great fun when you had to keep some of it in your head, no so great anymore. Not to mention the film and chemicals are going the way of the old cameras anyway and they will really be museum pieces then.

Any one interested in a 3 G ?
Dick

I bought my first "serious" camera when I was a teen - a Nikon-F with 50/1.4 Nikkor back in the mid 60's - I still have it and it works perfectly, but I haven't put any film through it since going digital about 10 years ago. I still remember the price was about $450 back then - earned the money by working at a local service station and developing B&W film (in our basement) for the neighbors - took me about a year to save it. Later I picked up an F2 and a variety of lenses. In the 70's & 80's I would shoot weddings, little league, Santa etc with a Mamiya C330 - nothing more stressful than shooting weddings, but it paid well for weekend work.

I sort of drifted away from photography for a while until I retired about 10 years ago. After fooling around with a few P&S 's I got deep into it about 5 years ago with a D200 and later the FF D700 and an array of new Nikkor lenses - if you think guns are expensive, check the price of a 200-400/4 Nikkor zoom. If I am legal in the state I'm "shooting", there is always "protection" in my Domke F2 camera bag - my Glock 23 slips in there nicely.

I can honestly say that it has never been easier to get great pictures - some say there is nothing like film, but some like vinyl (LP's) too. My darkroom equipment is in storage in the basement - I wish I could find it all a good home (like a school or something.)

Here's my original F - a mechanical work of art:

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Lou

Man, you guys are killin' me with those fine old film camera images! I loved my film cameras back "in the day," but have transitioned to DSLRs (Canon) and can't imagine going back to film again. HOWEVER, to help out my brother in need, I'll give 'em fifty bucks for that obsolete old Leica rangefinder . . . out of the goodness of my heart! LOL

The only time I was set upon by a street thug intent on taking the camera around my neck was in Belize City back in '87. Obviously I couldn't carry in Belize where even street cops didn't carry! As he lifted a bottle . . . and threatened to break it and cut my ______ neck off if I didn't give him the camera, several friends suddenly appeared from around a corner and shouted at him . . and the thug vanished as instantly as he'd pounced on me.

Ya never know when your only friend might be the one that's loaded with hollow points. Lots of friends . . . and/or lots of hollow points have the same effect on keeping the lowlife's from making a mistake!

I am by no means a pro, its my other expensive hobby. But now that I have my ccl, I will definately carry when I'm out with my gear.

A few years ago I was shooting some engagement shots for a friend. The town I live in, converted its downtown area into a big open mall, thinking it may help business. It did not. No one saw the front of all the businesses in our old downtown. This happened in the 70's, so in the 40 years since, the area has been abandoned by all but a few core businesses. It still is good looking but there are a lot of transients and what not.

Anyway, I was concentrating more on settings and less on my camera bag, which I walked away from for maybe 3 minutes, and it was gone. I look down the street and a vagrant on a bicycle was slowly plodding along carrying my camera bag. Not even thinking I set my camera down and and ran after him. I think I could have set some state records for the 100 yard dash that day. Got to him and got my bag back; the guy was out of it, speaking incoherently and I yanked my bag back and walked off, after making sure he left.

Now thinking about it, it may not be the smartest thing to do! He could have attacked me. I'm not saying I would now draw on him, but carrying a concealed, I am more aware of my surroundings now, and wont let something like that happen again.

I shoot with Canon.

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686-4 442-1

It was cameras that cost me a pretty nice S&W collection. (But that's another story......)
Anyway, I since have gotten out of cameras and back into guns except I just can't seem to avoid some of the old classics when I run across them at garage sales. Here are two recent finds that I couldn't resist.

Nikon F2 near mint. Paid $50


Picked up a nice leather 1950's camera bag at an estate sale for $25 and it contained this Ikonta BX, a Rollie 16 and a Mamiya 16 plus a bunch of accessories, lenses, etc.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Let me bring this thread back up. I have never been a professional photographer in the sense that I did it for money, but I did have a brief student assignment as a small object photographer for an archeological excavation in Greece. I spent several days in a small room with flood lights, a grey card, a LunaSix Pro and a Contax/50mm macro lens combo shooting 1500-2000 year old Roman coins and interesting small pots and oil lamps, along with inscribed or incised pieces of terracotta and stone.

Apart from that accidental "professional" experience, I have been a semi-serious amateur photographer since high school. In the 1970s and 1980s I used some mid-level Canon bodies and a couple or three of of their less expensive lenses, mostly in fixed focal lengths. But for the last 20 years or so I have been contributing to a camera kitty in the expectation I would someday want a truly professional or semi-professional camera, and a couple of days ago I decided that after five decades of deferred pleasure the time was right. Since I am still a Canon fan (which just means that I am familiar with their stuff, not that I think their bodies or glass are superior to Nikon's or anybody else's), I committed to their latest EOS 1D model and three new lenses -- a wide to medium zoom, a medium to long telephoto, and a 100 mm macro with ringlight. I figure that is the one I will be using for most gun photography from here on out.

I had been using a pretty powerful and accommodating "prosumer" grade Canon G12, which was huge and clunky for a pocket camera and a little small for serious work. It's nice to be back in the world of larger bodies with moving mirrors.

I think there is going to be a bit of a learning curve on this new one, but I'll be getting some photos up in the near future. Here's a side-by-side of my new one and the one I had been using for the last couple of years. Obviously I didn't use either of my decent cameras to take that picture, which comes to you courtesy of my cell phone. Sorry about that.




The little G12 is a brick for a small camera; it weighs about as much as an M&P snubnose. The full frame camera is a different kind of brick. The body alone weighs more than any of my N frames, and with this lens on it (the wide to medium zoom), the package weighs more than my 460 XVR when loaded.

I am pretty much an in-the-house and around-the-neighborhood photographer, so I don't need to concern myself with carry issues. If I were to start ranging further abroad with a serious camera set, I would do so only with a carry permit and some reasonable protection in my pocket. I make it a point to move in a way that says, "I am not a victim," but the fact remains that any three punks whose aggregate age equals mine could probably take anything away from me without too much difficulty. An equalizer is a necessity.

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David Wilson

David-

Don't drop that heavy new camera on your toes!

With your immense knowledge of S&W's and a camera like that, I look forward to seeing some fabulous photos.

I was also intrigued to read about your photographing the ancient artifacts.

The Wolf Camera store here closed, and I'll have to take my film to a pharmacy that's not too far away. I hope they do good processing.

My small camera is a Yashicamat T-4 Super with a retracting Zeiss 35mm lens and my favorite normal cameras are a brace of Olympus OM-1's. One was a gift from a member here, Bob Bettis. If he sees this, thanks again, Bob.

I'm not selling articles right now, but may do so again, and really ought to look into digital photography. A tight budget has precluded that, but even some smaller digital cameras seem to have macro capabiity and good lenses.

My son and a brother have phones that take quite good pics. I'm amazed at the quality. I think my cell phone will also take photos; I need to get the manual and see how. just use it to call taxis and to have emergency 911 service, if needed. Electronically, I'm a dinosaur.

Just about EVERY camera store here has closed.

With the Cord outlets all closed and the independents in Lakewood and Elyria gone, Dodd is just about your ONLY bet in the Cleveland area. I of course wouldn't count Best Buy. They're strictly least common denominator, with NO expertise whatever.

Once you get it figured out you'll love it!

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L'LS

i opened a photography studio when i retired as a LEO....i still have some film camera's,,hasselblad,nikon f5,f100 etc.pretty much all digital these days
while on vacation in memphis,tn.i stupidly left some pricey nikon gear in my SUV...yup...broken into and stolen...i had some business cards in the case....upon returning home in va.they guy called me to sell me back my own gear!i said sure...meet my "brother"there in memphis rather than ship it...he agreed and yes....he met my "brother"from memphis police detective div.
hehehe...i got all my equipment back...some stories have happy endings

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

I've been a serious photographer almost since I can remember, starting with a "Donald Duck" camera in the 4th grade. In my teen years I got into 35mm photography with a Bolsey camera handed down from my dad who went with a Leica IIIF. In my senior year in high school I bought some used darkroom equipment and set it up every now and then in mom's kitchen with the lights out - dad and I processed a lot of pictures there.

I took a college course in photography, using twin lens reflex cameras, learning a lot about composition and technique. Beginning in the early '80s I got a serious 35mm Pentax K1000 SLR, and continued with it until the digital age. I first went with a Pentax K100D, then a K200D, and now the top of the line Pentax K-5, all digital SLRs.

In retirement, as a gun writer, I've illustrated my articles with photos I take myself. I write and illustrate the "classic firearms" articles in Dillon's Blue Press magazine/catalog which comes out monthly. I've won the John Amber award from Gun Digest for an article I wrote and illustrated in 2003, and have also written articles for Handguns magazine and American Gunsmith.

As for "artsy" photos, I have a Pentax album here:

PENTAX : PENTAX Photo Gallery artist page

So now I guess I'm a pro photographer, as I do get paid for my photos now and then. But I still consider myself an advanced amateur; I learn something new almost every day.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Most of my pictures of the past 7 years have been on school property or school athletic functions or municipally-run summer athletics and at private classes. Carrying in most cases is prohibited. Where I could I did occasionally. I don't believe I've ever felt threatened in any way at any of those events. I have shot many tens of thousands of pictures of Track (indoor and outdoor), Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Softball and Karate (boys and girls all ages).

I've had Nikons forever starting with a Nikkormat ft, Fm, Fe, F, N90, D300, D700 and for a while, a D3. Along the way I came across a Leica M4-p. All along with a shelf full of lenses, flashes, filters, winders, battery packs, grips, tripods, monopods, heads.... The stuff just has a way of accumulating!

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paws for friendship