Should I be hiding my camera??

JayMurphy

I am just wondering, how many people have actually had their camera taken from them (mugged) because of the type of camera bag or because of the "big white L" style lens? :scratch
I have read how it appears that some people won't get certain camera bags because they "look" like camera bag or they cover the label. Granted there are some areas in all city's or town's where you wouldn't want to be during the day forget about after dark... maybe I am being naive. :dunno
Having something stolen because you put it down and for one quick moment, gone. Or if it was stolen from your car or hotel room? Did that happen because of the type of camera bag or lens your where carrying? Or was a thief just being a thief? And you happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?
Please, by no means am I being unsympathetic or disrespectful of anyone who has had anything taken from them whether by force or not. We all put a lot of our hard earned money and time into something we truly enjoy. For me it helps me to relax forces me to slow down and notice all that is around me and to really appreciate and try to capture all the wonders that surround us everyday.
I have had someone break into my home, while I was home luckily for me my "stick" was bigger than his my home had some damage but nothing was taken, but after that I never felt safe in my own home so I eventually moved, so I can somewhat relate...
--
J.Murphy
www.photosbyjonathan.phanfare.com
Yes, it is hot but it's a dry heat. We don't sweat we swelter. Phoenix, AZ Got Water? :wink

3n-out

I have heard of theifs cutting the camera strap right from your neck and stealing your camera. Now, my opinion is if it comes to that I'd be more concerned about my neck then my camera. But since I usually walk around with my 70-200 2.8 locked to my 30D I bought a camera strap made by Armor which is re-inforced with wire inside. This serves two purposes one is the wieght of the camera with that lens and battery grip and the other is it will take more then a knife to cut it off in one wack.

3n-out

JayMurphy

Keep you gear safe...

3n-out wrote:

I have heard of theifs cutting the camera strap right from your neck and stealing your camera. Now, my opinion is if it comes to that I'd be more concerned about my neck then my camera. But since I usually walk around with my 70-200 2.8 locked to my 30D I bought a camera strap made by Armor which is re-inforced with wire inside. This serves two purposes one is the wieght of the camera with that lens and battery grip and the other is it will take more then a knife to cut it off in one wack.

3n-out

I have seen that strap. I just got the camera armor (black) the other day and it give the camera a more substantial feel IMHO . And I have been thinking about replacing my canon strap, it's not very comfortable :cry how do you like the armor strap is it comfy? I also have 70-200 2.8 (Sigma) and with the canon strap I need to take a break every so often.

Every little bit helps keeping you and your gear safe, now if could only find a bag big enough to carry my camera and my .45

3n-out

JayMurphy wrote:

I have seen that strap. I just got the camera armor (black) the other day and it give the camera a more substantial feel IMHO . And I have been thinking about replacing my canon strap, it's not very comfortable :cry how do you like the armor strap is it comfy? I also have 70-200 2.8 (Sigma) and with the canon strap I need to take a break every so often.

Every little bit helps keeping you and your gear safe, now if could only find a bag big enough to carry my camera and my .45

Murph,

The strap is strong enough to carry any camera with any lens. It is heavy duty. The strap is thick around the neck and for the most part it has a lot of padding, but I still like to take a break or two when carrying around my camera. I do recommend this strap though, at least you have the peice of mind that it isn't going to break and your rig hits the concrete - god forbid that happens.

HiSPL

I had a Canon S1 IS P&S stolen in Memphis. My family and I were staying at a LaQuinta inn and were going to hit the buffet and then check out. I put all the luggage in the car except for the camera bag (a little camcorder type bag) because we wanted to keep the camera up front for the drive. I went in to the buffet area and sat the camera bag down on the table and turned around to get some food. Here's the deal, our table was less than 6 feet away from us at all times, and the room was full of people! By the time I had filled my plate and sat down it was gone. :cry

Someone was waiting for something like this to happen, and I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. They got my S1, a set of rechargeable AA's with a charger, and 3 CF cards.


I really miss that camera......

JayMurphy

Sorry to hear that

HiSPL wrote:

I had a Canon S1 IS P&S stolen in Memphis. My family and I were staying at a LaQuinta inn and were going to hit the buffet and then check out. I put all the luggage in the car except for the camera bag (a little camcorder type bag) because we wanted to keep the camera up front for the drive. I went in to the buffet area and sat the camera bag down on the table and turned around to get some food. Here's the deal, our table was less than 6 feet away from us at all times, and the room was full of people! By the time I had filled my plate and sat down it was gone. :cry

Someone was waiting for something like this to happen, and I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. They got my S1, a set of rechargeable AA's with a charger, and 3 CF cards.


I really miss that camera......

HiSPL

Really sorry to hear that. Over the year I have been really lucky, but I usually keep my gear with me at all times even I am sitting somewhere an my camera is in a bag next to me I would place the bag so if someone try to take something I would feel it. And I would never leave my things in a hotel room unless there was a safe...

Seefutlung

I am a former press photog and have worked around the world. For nearly everday, over the course of 15 years, I walk around with expensive cameras and a bag full of goodies and never have I been threatened by a robber and never had anything stolen.

I've seen too many stories and people who don't/won't buy a "white" lens because it screams steal me I'm expensive. To me, those who echo this line of thought ... it is more about the affordability of an L than theft/robbery.

IMO, White lenses attracts robbers/thieves is all hogwash ... poppycock ... the majority of all theft/robbery in the US is for drugs. A druggie doesn't know the dif between a white lens or a black lens ... all he/she cares about is his/her next fix.

Line up five unattended cars in a bad area of LA, NY, Dallas, St Louis, Chicago, et al, and have a camera with a white lens on the seat, the next car has a camera with a black lens, the next a laptop, the next a camcorder and the last cash ... all five will be broken into and the valuables gone.

Put an unattended camera with a white lens and a camera with the same sized black lens on a table in a park and the theft will occur with this frequency. 1) The camera closest to the thieves, happenstance; and if the thieve has time to think ... 2) the camera that is easiest to take with the better escape route.

The white lens will not have a higher propensity to theft.

If a bag looks as if it is valuable or the bag looks like there may be something valuable inside, don't let go of that bag.

As to "knife proof" straps ... that is a tough call between replacing a camera or healing ... both are rather painful. For me I'd rather someone takes my camera (the white L attracts them like bees to nectar) than suddenly being in the middle of a fouled up heist staring at a confused hyped up mugger with a knife looking at me with a "WTF" look ... and moi ... with the object of his desire wrapped around my neck.

I believe thieves look for the easy mark. Perhaps one of the reasons for my good luck is that I always try to look and act like a professional, I am always very alert, looking 360 degrees for photo opps ... so maybe my non-tourist presence leaves a bad taste in the mouths of potential robbers.

Once again it is all about drugs and an easy mark.

Gary

TylerW

As a motorcyclist in the area of the US where most motorcycle thefts take place, we have a saying, along the lines that thieves always go for the lowest hanging fruit. So if your brand new Ducati is parked up next to a brand new Honda, lock up your Ducati, and if the Honda isn't locked, they'll take that instead. With this in mind, when shooting in a place where thieves may be present (anywhere in public, essentially) keep these things in mind:

Always be mindful of your surroundings
Never let your guard down
Always keep at least one hand on your camera
Look confident, not nervous
Only be on foot with the gear you need
If you need to focus your attention on a small detail (chimping, reading a map, etc) try and do it in a secured spot, like in a coffee shop. Don't do it on a street corner.
If a stranger strikes up a conversation, be welcoming to it. But still be mindful of your surroundings, and if they start asking you questions about your gear, try and divert them to other subjects. let the value of your gear be a big unknown to them.

Of course, the other saying we have around here in regards to motorcycle thefts is that ultimately, the only sure way to protect your bike is to insure it. If thieves want it bad enough, they'll have it.

davidweaver

Gary, you nailed it. I have more issues with the elements than with shifty characters. Years ago, I had my truck parked in a bad part of downtown Austin. Camera bag in the back half-seat. Laptop in a softcase on the passenger floor. They popped out the passenger window and stole my London Fog long coat draped over the passenger seat - it was 35 degree out at the time.

Cheers,
David

jonh68

I have a waterproof,flexible fishing tacklebox for my camera bag that has paint drips on it. It doesn't scream expensive contents and it's great when I go fishing as it keeps the elements out and has pockets for fishing gear.:D

Jeffro

I'd be carefull of the neck strap with the wire in it. If a robber tries a grab and run, or cut and run, and fails, he may turn to more severe tactics. You'd be better off loosing the camera, than risking injury, or further confrontation. The wire could also injure you during the initial grab, and the pull that will follow.

Insure the camera, write down the serial number, and live to see another day, and a new camera.

Just my two cents.