Do people ask to use your camera?

[velvet4269]

See ... I'm torn on this. Do I let anyone else use my camera? No. Would I? Probably not. It's my baby - it's the most money I've spent on something for myself that wasn't my home, education, or vehicle. It would NOT be easy for me to replace it at this point.

And, to be honest, nobody's asked to borrow it; I think they know better.

That said, if a former close friend hadn't trusted me enough to let me borrow his DSLR for a week, I likely would have never bought mine, or be where I am now in regards to photography. I was paranoid the entire time I had it, and I never took out his 50mm-200mm lens (which cost about as much as he spent on the camera). He knew I'd be careful with it, but I was fully expecting him to say 'no' when I asked (and would have completely understood, and said as much).

[Quo Fan]

I've allowed a couple of people I know use my camera, but then I know who they are, and more importantly, they know me. No drunk stranger will ever get their hands on my camera.

[Darryl]

A friend of mine lent his film camera to a responsible young lady. It came back to him with the aperture leafs all bent and useless. She said it jammed, so that was the excuse to poke a screwdriver in there. He got the camera back, but it was finished. I lent a skil saw to a friend and it came back dead. I lent another similar saw to another friend and it came back burnt up. I lent a neighbor a jigsaw, and it came back knocking and loose. I don't lend tools anymore, and wouldn't lend a camera or anything that I wanted to get back in working order. I lent my 4x4 to a friend and it came back without windshield wipers- huh?

To those who would lend something of value to a friend, I say good for you, you're a better person than I. I do feel bad about having to say no, but I pretty much know I'm kissing the thing goodbye, so what sense does it make for me to lend it out? I wish my experience hadn't been this way, as I'm more than willing to help someone out in whatever way.

I suppose the rule might be- if it won't bother you that the thing gets damaged or doesn't come back, then feel free to lend it. Works for money too. If you lend money, be prepared financially and mentally to lose it while knowing the friendship won't be damaged by it. If you can't handle any of this possibility, just don't do it. If the person gets choked at you, that at least tells you something of what they think of you, and gives you the chance to evaluate that friendship. Anybody who's worthy of your friendship will readily accept and understand your decision to say no.

As far as putting something of value into the hands of strangers or drunks, just think of it as handing your wallet over and saying, 'here, you might as well have this. See ya.

[klew]

No one I know has yet asked me, though I wouldn't let anyone leave with it, only let someone use it if I am present, sort of a "can I use this right now?" I wouldn't let someone take it somewhere on holiday or to a party or something. I wouldn't let a stranger use it.

[WooD]

A dude that worked at the gas station I always went to asked me to let him ride my Harley once. I told him...."sure man, while your at it, ride over to my place and (insert unacceptable word here) my wife too". He knew I woodn't let him ride it to begin with, but I thought it was a good come back.

I feel the same about my camera.

[mrodgers]

It's not foolish, you folks are talking about very expensive cameras.

I could care less who asked to use my $200 camera. But I've read some responses of strangers asking? Do people out there think everyone is a moron that they would let someone they don't know "try out" their camera? Sheesh.

[Jamesc359]

Originally Posted by WooD

A dude that worked at the gas station I always went to asked me to let him ride my Harley once. I told him...."sure man, while your at it, ride over to my place and (insert unacceptable word here) my wife too". He knew I woodn't let him ride it to begin with, but I thought it was a good come back.

I feel the same about my camera.

I'd have asked for directions and a condom.

When confronted with a smart-alec, a person has but one recourse.

[Peach]

I have this friend who lives out of town, whenever he comes in and visits me he wants to fiddle with my camera. The last few times I have let him only to realize that he completely screws up with my settings. I have the perfect settings for taking pictures in my small, not-very-well-lit apartment for Christmas and when I needed to use the camera (a few days after he was here) for Christmas Day, I couldn't get the settings right again. I was NOT happy.

The only people who are allowed to touch my camera now are my younger sister (so long as I'm in her presence) and my parents. No one else lays a finger on my camera. I paid way too much money and I put a lot of effort into learning the settings and figuring them out (still working on it) that I will no longer let anyone else touch it.

As for strangers, (as Hank Hill would say) no gatdang way!

[A Team]

If I am going to be taking photos in a place where I am with lots of friends or family, I usually bring my much cheaper point and shoot 1 mpx Olympus camera. When I get asked if they can take a photo, I just hand them my other camera. They can take all the pictures they want.... of course, they are limited to about 16 - 24 pictures or some rediculous low number So far, it has worked!

[Ilyanep]

There are about two or three people I would ever let use my camera. Other people ask and I pretty much go "no you can't touch my baby!" or something along those lines :P

Even with those two or there people, I have to be within eyesight when they do use it.