Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

A peculiar thing happened last night. I attended my sister-in-law's fortieth birthday party. It was a nice vegan restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We had a great time laughing and chatting amongst ourselves (party of 8). As the photographer I set my camera on Manual, dialed my ISO to 25600 and fired away. Excellent photos of all of us and the restaurant surrounding. Our waiter came over to me. He told me that my flash was disturbing the couple next to us. I paid him no never mind. I kept photographing. A shot while later, a waitress came over and told me my flash was annoying others. I pulled her to the side and showed her my camera. I didn't have a flash. She was confused. Others at our party had their cell phones working in full view. A restaurant manager came over to ask me not to use my flash. I showed him my camera and told him I have been photographing when these kid's grandparents were in diapers. I'm not some ignorant snapchat child !
Any how I enjoyed my meal, took photos of my sister and everyone else at our table and just wondered. Are the Millennials here so self absorbed that they aren't paying attention to anyone but themselves? I felt I was being constantly assaulted because I was using a "camera" and not a cell phone.
Does anyone have their take on this or has anyone experienced a similar scenario?

Happy Shooting!

BebuLamar

I didn't have a situation exactly like yours but one time in a museum which flash is prohibited and I used a Nikon Df (of course without a flash attached) and the guy told me that I can't use the flash. I guess they were too young to know that cameras used to have no built in flash.

jcboy3

And did you disable your auto focus illuminator?

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Perhaps you would share some of these pictures? I don't think it's a cell phone vs DSLR. Maybe they had legitimate complaints. Just "millennials" complained? I think not caring about your surroundings is also being "self absorbed".

BebuLamar

I don't know about the OP camera but my camera doesn't have the AF illuminator. Now that I am thinking about it I think if a camera doesn't have the built in flash it doesn't have the AF Illuminator either.

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

My current bodies (Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II) do not have a built in flash however they do have an autofocus assist light, which can be suppressed.

MichaelH Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI

This is probably what they were seeing. It is on by default and is used when there is insufficient light for the camera to easily auto-focus. Mine is an orange color but still annoying if it is pointed at you.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

I have learned a simple lesson in life. I usually believe I am correct on my facts and often will try to prove when challenged. However, when a waiter, waitress, and then the manager stated the same, maybe it is time to look in the mirror???

Just because younger ones do not know the difference between an AF light and flash unit, or whatever you had disturbing them, does not mean they were wrong. They were entitled to a peaceful dinner more than you were entitled to continuously taking photos inside a restaurant.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

The bigger the camera, the more nervous people get. That has been my experience.

CO

My Nikon D7000 and D750 have a white AF assist illuminator. My D500 has a red illuminator. Check to see if your camera has one.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

You might be correct in some regard. But I will post some photos for proof. The restaurant was particularly frequented by YUPPIES. I can only equate this bad experience with having a large DSLR. I think I'm proficient enough not to need a flash

jcboy3

What camera were you using?

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Wow...yuppies.Do you think your"bad experience" was as bad as theirs??

Collhar Loc: New York City.

Perhaps you are a little paranoid about the camera cell phone thing."constantly assaulted because I was using a camera" see first sentence. If you were approached by three staff members about your actions their requests would appear founded by your actions and the complaints of other customers.. First you complained about "the Millennials" later it became "yuppies".
All in all you behaved badly and were arrogant and rude.. What is a "ignorant snapchat child"?