Originally posted by Fenwoodian .
It seems like I get confronted the most when I'm using one of my larger cameras/lenses and a tripod.
I'm getting mighty tired of these regular confrontations (had another one today). Maybe I'll have to gradually move back to smaller sensor camera systems so I don't attract as much attention?
I'd certainly recommend having one for this specific purpose, Dave. Maybe an inexpensive, used, smaller m43 body and a single wide angle or zoom lens - or, as I mentioned, a Q7 or Q-S1... or even a nice compact. You won't get the same image quality as with an APS-C or full frame DSLR, but depending on lighting conditions, post-processing and final reproduction size, that probably won't matter.
I love my DSLR equipment, but it's an attention magnet. I have a little 2012-vintage Fujifilm XF-1 that I shoot occasionally, and few people notice it. Most of those that do don't give it a second glance, probably because it looks like your average compact camera. But it shoots raw files and delivers really nice images. Like my Q7, it's no replacement for my DSLRs... but it lets me take photos in situations where I wouldn't otherwise get them (for a variety of reasons). And the image quality is remarkably good, especially at lower ISO settings. As an additional tool in my arsenal, it's invaluable