Just got home from fashion shoot. As usual, I brought my Mamyia along.
We had some downtime after I had my lighting set and the model was handling wardrobe. The model's assistant seemed really interested in my camera; so, I offered to let her hold it and show her the basics of how it works.
I wasn't aware of this; but, the model told me that me letting her and her assistant touch my camera was a weird thing. Apparently, most photographers let the models look at the LCD; but, there are no hands on the camera but for the photographers.
Obviously, since my camera is fifty years-old, there's no LCD. But, I have very little concern that anything is going to happen to it. I've seen it dropped on concrete from six feet up and it did more damage to the concrete than the concrete did to it. It still works like a swiss watch and I bought the thing fifteen years ago.
I guess there are reasons for people to be more protective. Newer cameras are vastly more expensive and more fragile.
However, despite any other arguments I have for shooting on film, I think that there's a joy in trusting a younger, less experienced person with your gear and giving her a chance to learn hands-on.
If that's something that we're losing with digital, we're losing a hell of a lot.