I like to put tape on my cameras not as a theft deterrent, but more to make it a little more discreet looking while shooting. The first and last parts of your video are the nuggets - insure everything and walk around with confidence. Thieves can spot weakness from a mile away and those are the ones they’ll target. Stay strong - it’s a jungle out there!
Thanks for sharing such important advice. The same can apply here in the US. We have the “snatch and grab” problem in New York City where phones and bags are being stolen. Another important tip is on road trips. If you’re in another state or Provence, your license plate may be a dead giveaway. I use black (or dark colored) bags that I can hide in the luggage or in a compartment. One thing I do is if I am sitting on the subway or anywhere, I put my camera bag on the floor and wrap the shoulder strap around my ankle which worked in the past. It’s a bit of a nuisance, however I’m a big cat and if some would-be thief tries to steal my gear, let’s just say I hope they have medical insurance.
Haha, I love your strategy! If a thief tries to mess with you, they might end up with more than they bargained for-like a surprise encounter with a "big cat!" 😂 Stay safe out there!
Great advice but a couple of points. Insurance is great in the short term but if you are careful you can end up paying over time far more than you are likely to lose in one theft. I have travelled over the last 60 years over most of Europe and the Caribbean and never had anything stolen. I have travelled with Leica, Leicaflerx, Hasselblad etc. Basics are to me: Camera lives in bag unless being used. Shoulder strap is always held over shoulder with hand kept where the camera meets the strap (over the lug). Similarly my hand is always over where the bag strap meets the bag. Try to buy outer wear with shoulder tabs which can be buttoned over straps. In cafes, pubs etc. Bag strap is always wound round my leg at least once. It always accompanies me wherever I go within the restaurant. Camera thieves are either opportunist or specialist so those simple steps hinder the opportunists. As for the specialists - avoid equipment that they know is valuable - especially Leicas and small cameras like Sony make. Thieves are unlikely to want big heavy equipment and specialist items. Lastly remember that your equipment is most likely to be stolen from hour home of car so never leave it in the car cabin but in the boot. Put your equipment on your household insurance and keep all proofs of purchase.
Camera theft isn’t always a top topic on photography sites, but as uncomfortable as it is, a necessity in the world we live in. Your tips are appreciated, thanks.
Agree 100% with your ideas and tips. I recently visited South Korea for two weeks. For starters, Apple AirTags do not work in Korea. The AirTag service is prohibited and so they serve no purpose. I did not cover my Q3 logo. You are right, thieves know what a taped camera looks like and they know what the potential brand is too. Admittedly I left my camera on a table in a cafe whilst I went to the counter to get my coffee. I had no issues whatsoever feeling insecure as South Korea just seem to be a lot safer than other countries I have visited. I think at the end of the day security of your phone, camera or any of your personal belongings comes down to the location you are in along with the country you are visiting. Some people and some countries are just downright thieves. Would I have left my camera on a cafe table in Europe. No.
I have always used black electrical tape to cover the logos on my camera when I do street photography. And in fact, they are on there 24/7. While yes, a handful of thieves may think a taped camera is expensive, the reason I keep this has its roots in photographic composition. A blacked out camera disappears, while a bright logo attracts attention. This being the same way that a bright or colorful area in a photograph draws attention. That all being said, I’ve had two friends held up at gunpoint for their camera gear in the last 12 months. So when I go out in the city to shoot, I use my pocket Sony RX 100 and leave my A1 at home.
I have been considering of late having some of my equipment insured. A lot of people here have mentioned theft, obviously. But of course, there are other factors such as fire, accidental damage, storm damage (live in florida), and yes theft too. Having a good sense of one's surroundings and general common sense goes a long way. Even to deter scumbag thieves.
I use a neck strap and have a wrist strap on at all times. The wrist strap has a 1" steel ball bearing screwed to it. I'm not an easy target, and I'm watching you too, go ahead and try to steal my camera and see what happens.
Insure as much of your gear as possible, keep serial numbers & receipts. I use a hiploc for securing my camera bag to a fixed object when in cafes etc. Other than that don’t become obsessed or all the fun of photography will be lost..
I buy the vast majority of my photography gear used and most insurers are only interested in covering equipment that was purchased new and for which one has a receipt.
Totally feel you on that! It's like they don’t realize how much good stuff is out there in the second-hand market. Gotta keep searching for the right insurer!
I’m lucky because living in Thailand theft isn’t an issue. I could walk around anytime of day with my Leicas and have no concerns. However I’m not stupid I normally have my camera on a Peak Design strap across my body with the camera sat on the front of my hip. Occasionally I use the PD wrist strap but the heat and humidity make it uncomfortable.
That’s awesome! Feeling safe while carrying your Leicas must be great. Can't relate to the heat though living in London, its cold all the time :P . Stay safe and enjoy shooting!
Glad I saw much of europe in my 20s before it all began falling apart. The only places I would go to in Europe now is Poland or Switzerland. But with family if i can't go armed im not traveling their in this current world where countries are ignoring violent crime. Could spend a lifetime photographing my Florida and go to friendly surrounding states like Georgia and Louisiana without seeing everything. Highly disagree though! Good luck fighting off someone with a wrist strap or taking a safe fall with a wrist strap. Or more important, quickly helping a loved with a wrist strap on. Carry a neck strap in that cross sling position you have the most control and they can't choke you.
The world is changing thats for sure, theres definitely good and bad places everywhere, and those places closer to you like your home towns will always feel most comfortable in my opinion.
When i go out i drive an old vehicle and we tend to keep the vehicle " looking" litered a bit . This prevents my vehicle from being even looked at. We wear casual clothes no fancy shoes or accessories. No watches, no wallet, purse, and we also have a bang bang
I like to put tape on my cameras not as a theft deterrent, but more to make it a little more discreet looking while shooting. The first and last parts of your video are the nuggets - insure everything and walk around with confidence. Thieves can spot weakness from a mile away and those are the ones they’ll target. Stay strong - it’s a jungle out there!
Thanks for sharing such important advice. The same can apply here in the US. We have the “snatch and grab” problem in New York City where phones and bags are being stolen.
Another important tip is on road trips. If you’re in another state or Provence, your license plate may be a dead giveaway. I use black (or dark colored) bags that I can hide in the luggage or in a compartment.
One thing I do is if I am sitting on the subway or anywhere, I put my camera bag on the floor and wrap the shoulder strap around my ankle which worked in the past. It’s a bit of a nuisance, however I’m a big cat and if some would-be thief tries to steal my gear, let’s just say I hope they have medical insurance.
Haha, I love your strategy! If a thief tries to mess with you, they might end up with more than they bargained for-like a surprise encounter with a "big cat!" 😂 Stay safe out there!
Great advice but a couple of points. Insurance is great in the short term but if you are careful you can end up paying over time far more than you are likely to lose in one theft. I have travelled over the last 60 years over most of Europe and the Caribbean and never had anything stolen. I have travelled with Leica, Leicaflerx, Hasselblad etc. Basics are to me: Camera lives in bag unless being used. Shoulder strap is always held over shoulder with hand kept where the camera meets the strap (over the lug). Similarly my hand is always over where the bag strap meets the bag. Try to buy outer wear with shoulder tabs which can be buttoned over straps. In cafes, pubs etc. Bag strap is always wound round my leg at least once. It always accompanies me wherever I go within the restaurant. Camera thieves are either opportunist or specialist so those simple steps hinder the opportunists. As for the specialists - avoid equipment that they know is valuable - especially Leicas and small cameras like Sony make. Thieves are unlikely to want big heavy equipment and specialist items. Lastly remember that your equipment is most likely to be stolen from hour home of car so never leave it in the car cabin but in the boot. Put your equipment on your household insurance and keep all proofs of purchase.
Camera theft isn’t always a top topic on photography sites, but as uncomfortable as it is, a necessity in the world we live in. Your tips are appreciated, thanks.
Totally get what you mean! It's a bummer we even have to worry about this stuff, but I’m glad the tips helped you out!
Great video. I use wrist straps all the time, never liked neck straps.
Agree 100% with your ideas and tips. I recently visited South Korea for two weeks. For starters, Apple AirTags do not work in Korea. The AirTag service is prohibited and so they serve no purpose. I did not cover my Q3 logo. You are right, thieves know what a taped camera looks like and they know what the potential brand is too. Admittedly I left my camera on a table in a cafe whilst I went to the counter to get my coffee. I had no issues whatsoever feeling insecure as South Korea just seem to be a lot safer than other countries I have visited. I think at the end of the day security of your phone, camera or any of your personal belongings comes down to the location you are in along with the country you are visiting. Some people and some countries are just downright thieves. Would I have left my camera on a cafe table in Europe. No.
I have always used black electrical tape to cover the logos on my camera when I do street photography. And in fact, they are on there 24/7. While yes, a handful of thieves may think a taped camera is expensive, the reason I keep this has its roots in photographic composition. A blacked out camera disappears, while a bright logo attracts attention. This being the same way that a bright or colorful area in a photograph draws attention. That all being said, I’ve had two friends held up at gunpoint for their camera gear in the last 12 months. So when I go out in the city to shoot, I use my pocket Sony RX 100 and leave my A1 at home.
I have been considering of late having some of my equipment insured. A lot of people here have mentioned theft, obviously. But of course, there are other factors such as fire, accidental damage, storm damage (live in florida), and yes theft too.
Having a good sense of one's surroundings and general common sense goes a long way. Even to deter scumbag thieves.
I use a neck strap and have a wrist strap on at all times. The wrist strap has a 1" steel ball bearing screwed to it. I'm not an easy target, and I'm watching you too, go ahead and try to steal my camera and see what happens.
I use a black sharpie.
Insure as much of your gear as possible, keep serial numbers & receipts.
I use a hiploc for securing my camera bag to a fixed object when in cafes etc.
Other than that don’t become obsessed or all the fun of photography will be lost..
I buy the vast majority of my photography gear used and most insurers are only interested in covering equipment that was purchased new and for which one has a receipt.
Totally feel you on that! It's like they don’t realize how much good stuff is out there in the second-hand market. Gotta keep searching for the right insurer!
Missing apostrophe: Become thieves' worst nightmare.
Avoid homies. Works for me.
I’m lucky because living in Thailand theft isn’t an issue. I could walk around anytime of day with my Leicas and have no concerns. However I’m not stupid I normally have my camera on a Peak Design strap across my body with the camera sat on the front of my hip. Occasionally I use the PD wrist strap but the heat and humidity make it uncomfortable.
That’s awesome! Feeling safe while carrying your Leicas must be great. Can't relate to the heat though living in London, its cold all the time :P . Stay safe and enjoy shooting!
Glad I saw much of europe in my 20s before it all began falling apart. The only places I would go to in Europe now is Poland or Switzerland. But with family if i can't go armed im not traveling their in this current world where countries are ignoring violent crime. Could spend a lifetime photographing my Florida and go to friendly surrounding states like Georgia and Louisiana without seeing everything.
Highly disagree though! Good luck fighting off someone with a wrist strap or taking a safe fall with a wrist strap. Or more important, quickly helping a loved with a wrist strap on. Carry a neck strap in that cross sling position you have the most control and they can't choke you.
The world is changing thats for sure, theres definitely good and bad places everywhere, and those places closer to you like your home towns will always feel most comfortable in my opinion.
When i go out i drive an old vehicle and we tend to keep the vehicle " looking" litered a bit . This prevents my vehicle from being even looked at. We wear casual clothes no fancy shoes or accessories. No watches, no wallet, purse, and we also have a bang bang
Gitzo backpack has a zip lid so that when worn, the lid rests against your back.