Is there a lens you are scared to use?

[rbsinto]

The only piece of equipment I am afraid to use is the hood from the Nikon 50 1.4 lens that came with the re-issued Nikon S3 I bought recently.
And that is only because the attachment mechanism for the hood is so flimsy, that it is a certainty that I'll lose it the first time I put it on.
So the Nikon shade sits in a drawer, and I use a a cheap, collapsible screw-on rubber hood instead which works very well.

[kshapero]

Pretty much any that cost a ton of money.

[daveleo]

I don't know about "scared" but I get twitches when I use a focal length over about 135mm.
I hear these little voices saying "shakes", "motion blur", "why are you doing this without a tripod?"

[Jockos]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

But what made you think a M4 is safer than a M6?

Because most muggers are also antiquarians and can spot expensive Leica gear from a mile away

"Oh dear Johnny, isn't that black M3 a jolly good specimen?"
"Indeed James, let us go and forcibly misappropriate that fine piece of photographic history at once!"

[richardhkirkando]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

No... if I'm scared to use it, I won't own it. I find it silly to own expensive lenses (gear) just to keep them on a shelf (unless you are a collector and not a photographer). It's just equipment. Then again, I don't use hoods or protective filters either.

Are you guys that are scared that clumsy?

I am that clumsy, but it doesn't deter me - equipment is made to be used. The only time I've been hesitant to use something is if it's something I intend to sell. But even then, I want to test it first.

[umcelinho]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

But what made you think a M4 is safer than a M6?

i know that for a mugger it'd be the same, really. somebody that wants to steal a camera won't check the model (unless it's an educated rangemugger!)... but somehow i just (irrationally) feel more at ease with a beat up camera. but the key reason was not so much because of safety, but because of being overly cautious with the camera really. it didn't have a single scratch on it and i wanted to keep it that way. the M4 has plenty, so one more won't hurt. I wish I cared less about that kind of thing...

[cjbecker]

I get scared using my 50 for the blad. Im just not great at using it.

[umcelinho]

Originally Posted by Jockos

Because most muggers are also antiquarians and can spot expensive Leica gear from a mile away

"Oh dear Johnny, isn't that black M3 a jolly good specimen?"
"Indeed James, let us go and forcibly misappropriate that fine piece of photographic history at once!"

"Bloody hell, James, the serial won't match the black production period. Perhaps a Shintaro repaint, but the stakes are too high. Abort mission, shall we?"

[ray*j*gun]

My Canon 1,2 that was done up by Brian Sweeney.

[zwarte_kat]

My M8 plus (2nd hand) 35mm Cron ASPH a few years ago (before M9). It was my 1st serious camera plus lens, did all my research and figured this was the best quality plus shooting style for me. The most expensive thing I have ever bought. I was too careful with it, so I sold it. Got a CLE plus Rokkor (went traveling and kept some of the returns), and that is where my real photography life started.

Sad thing is that when I look back at the m8 photos, it is obvious how little I knew about basic photography/focal lenghts/shutterspeed, and rangefinders.

NOW an M8 plus cron would probably be a great match for me, even have the money, but don't want to spend it. Feel sorry I sold it though, but it is a path I had to walk in order to grow.

Still walking...

[wjlapier]

Not scared, but cautious when I use my Nikon 200mm f/2 AFS. I'm always making sure everything is tight before I go out and use it. I shoot alot with either 1.4 or 2.0 TCs when shooting my daughter's softball team. I'm constantly reminding myself of my surroundings so I don't bang the lens into something. BTW, the hood for that lens cost $600 to replace. Another thing to think about.

[thirtyfivefifty]

Any lens with a large exposed protruding element, or any camera I can't afford to replace.

[Paul Luscher]

Well, I use 'em, but I'm always afeared that my Leica lenses might get smacked up. Replacing them would cause wallet hemorrhage.

[Speedfreak]

I never bought a lens I was afraid to use afterwards. Whats wrong with you people? Its a just a lens.

[swmlon]

The only lens I'm afraid of is the one's in camera stores, because I know once I touch one of them, I'll end up wanting it and crying all the way home because I can't afford it.

[damien.murphy]

Lenses? Not really, but then I subconsciously do not buy lenses that cost more than I am comfortable with. Cameras definitely not, but then have gotten into the habit of buying used (film or digital), and also do not buy outside my comfort range. I guess my cut-off is something that could not be bought with a single months paycheck, after that I get nervous, and even if I could afford something like an M9, would be terrified or rather quite conscious and cautious walking around with that much camera.

These days the only thing that would make me nervous using is anything hotshoe-related that does not firmly lock into the hotshoe, and know I would lose things like external viewfinders/ hotshoe spirit level at some point, so avoid using them.

[bowieknife]

my Schneider Xenon 50mm/0.95, made 1967, transformed to LTM:
-rare
-heavyweight
-shallow DOF wide open

[j_newy]

I'm always reluctant to use my 80-400mm nikon lens. Though I do enjoy using it with a 3x teleconverter on my Nex5. Its the only expensive gear I own really.

I'm still trying to get a nice Canon 7 (then i'll be scared to use that haha)

I always make sure I use the appropriate camera gear. If I'm going somewhere a bit hairy, I pack a camera I don't mind hitting someone over the head with (in self defence of course).

[dtcls100]

Yeah, I get worried using expensive lenses with a bulging front element, particularly if no protective filter will fit. That's why I haven't used my Zuiko 24mm shift lens much either. I also find that I tend to use my cheaper and less pristine lenses more in more environmentally challenging conditions where one can get some excellent pics -- like in the rain or mist, at the beach with blowing sand, wading in lakes or rivers or the ocean, etc. Most of my more expensive lenses are in pristine condition as I generally don't expose them to such conditions, instead largely reserving their use for indoor photos or outdoor photos in good weather. It's frankly somewhat ridiculous, as the only justification for not doing so is to preserve their potential resale value -- but I have never sold a lens (or camera).

[bhop73]

Not really. My lenses are all just tools, although, the first couple times I took my Nikon 70-200 VR out, it felt a little worrying to be walking around the streets of L.A. with that much 'money' hanging off my shoulder. (body with grip included)

[jaredangle]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

But what made you think a M4 is safer than a M6?

Well, the highly-watched "Hardcore Pawn" pawnshop show on the History Channel in the United States featured an episode where someone brought in a mid-90's SLR, I think it was a Rebel G or maybe a Nikon N8008, and the pawnshop owner explained that all 35mm gear is worthless and couldn't be sold to the pawnshop, and I think the camera owner tossed the camera in the trash.

So those potential muggers with a cable tv subscription will turn up their noses at puny 35mm Leicas, and be more concerned with the $20 in your wallet

[paradoxbox]

a camera or lens too expensive to use after purchase is more useless than a canteen full of sand in the sahara

sell your useless gear or start using it, it's a horrible shame to have equipment like that and not use it