How to outsmart camera thieves and keep your gear safe
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ก.ย. 2024
- Don't let camera thieves ruin your photography adventures! In this video, I'll show you how to outsmart them and keep your gear safe. One simple tip is to tape your camera to protect it from thieves, making it less attractive and easy to steal. Watch and learn how to keep your gear safe while on the go!
A pro photography tip for street photographers and travel photographers on how to help prevent getting your Leica or other camera from being stolen.
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Advice I once got from an old lady on the street, while strolling an area with a lot of crime, is to put the camera in a cheap shopping bag and to only take it out briefly to get the shot.
Wise lady :).
People still are stealing your camera without knowing what it is. Unless it’s just an opportunity theft by a photographer. People violently stealing your camera will do it, they don’t even know the brand.
Im thinking, I'll pick up some Hello kitty stickers and plaster them all over my camera !!! No Manly Man thief would think of stealing my camera!
Best idea yet :).
@@michaelshick4612 Karen Nakamura did exactly that with her silver Leica M7 haha
I keep butterflies on my camera to take pics of kids with
If I’m a criminal thief I’m looking for the taped up cameras.
Same. Tape = $ signifier
Ha ha , hopefully they don’t watch my channel.
Might be a point 🫤
In my big bad city ( Baltimore). Tape works. Everyone knows red dot is $
That red dot is a bullseye
@@WhoIsSerafin no, you're probably not. Because, as a criminal you're looking for easy success. Going after a camera which you can't identify is taking a risk.
There aren’t too many Leica owners doing this! In my experience every red dot owner is very keen on letting literally everyone around them know they have one 😅
Haha it does start quite a few conversations when out shooting.
@@jkroemer2685Yes, like in “wouldn’t you have rather gotten 3 extra lenses and a back up body instead?”
Because people are bravado today. I would rather tape instead of loosing 10 k in equipment…. or just don’t use expensive gear. I remember Leicas relatives own more than one. True innovative but you can take a great looking picture with any other gear as well.😮
Yes, that IS the tradeoff for many (not you and other pros, Mr. Mott). Otherwise, for all the difference in IQ you might as well shoot on a Nikon Z :)
If you Put Nikon Stickers it will work better 👍🏻
Great idea :)
Or "Can not"
I think your giving criminals too much credit. They most likely don't know anything about the cost of your bag or the cost of your camera. They just see 'camera' = money and take what ever they can get. It doesn't matter if its some cheep one or expensive one. The best thing you can do is be aware and don't get comfortable and keep an eye on everything.
Exactly
making sure the camera of the guy next to you looks more expensive than yours might help
As a third worlder, can confirm nobody know anything about a camera but everybody know camera is big money. Even a cheap m4/3 cameras could possibly feed a poor family for months and a year if it's a pricier camera.
Try dressing as poor looking as possible and make the camera look unattractive, definitely don't put them fancy peak design peripherals or cool straps.
@@shira_yone they should make rusted skins for cameras
The bag is a great indicator of what's inside. I'm against photography bags, because everyone knows there's a camera in there.
It's the same with laptop bags, I've had a lot of valuables in an ordinary school bag without anyone suspecting what's inside. Just find a way to keep everything tidy, even if it's with other bags inside.
Yes, some camera bags scream "Expensive stuff inside". The more generic your bag is the better.
"The nail that stands out, requires hammering." This is something that my Brazilian friend told me before traveling there and I will never forget it, it is very true.
i've been taping my cameras for years. Use a crappy old backpack that looks like it's been dragged by a car, inside a padded cube for the gear. The padded cube looks like a lunchbox. Also, don't dress nice, look like a local and go with a spotter who will watch your back.
Love it!
NEVER use electrical tape. Gaffer leaves no residue. Also, if you can afford LEICA, you can afford insurance. I've seen too many stories featuring so-called professionals losing all their gear in a robbery and not having insurance.
Gaffer or Duct tape is a top tip. Electrical tape left horrible marking when it was on there for a couple of years!!💥
Insurance doesn't cost much either. I ensure things even if they aren't super expensive. Full coverage for loss, damage, or theft costs $7 or so per year for $1,000 of coverage through my insurance so I just ensure everything that is important to me.
I don’t think a thief is saying (from a far), “is that the Leica M8.5, or is that an M11. Hmmm, with the 28mm or is that a 35mm”.
Nah…. they just see a camera - could be an XPro3 or an M11, or a D5100.
@@MichaelSeneschal the author taping his camera is conceited
@@bonghungk7544 What a weird comment.
Dress down, no watch no jewelry, have a dummy wallet full of expired cards that you can throw on the floor if threatened. Wear good running shoes. Be fit. I roll my strap around my wrist, Leicas are tough and can be used as weapon to hit someone in the face. 😂 a good idea also is a very short neck strap so your two hands are always free….
Fantastic advice , the dummy wallet is next level :).
I did the same back in the days when I was a concert photographer, for two reasons.
1.... Since I worked on stage, I sometimes had to offload my camera to pay attention to cables/lights and other stuff. Having a blacked-out camera was better camouflaged and hidden from plain sight, thus preventing opportunity theft (both from local public, but equally from visiting roadies + technicians).
2.... I did not draw attention from the band when I was in the "pit".. black clothes and blacked-out everything I was carring.
Makes total sense to me, so funny how angry some other people are over this video, I get a kick out of it.
I live in SF, and it's true what he said about SF. I used to take lots of photos in SF but not as much anymore. One thing that helps me feel safe is to pack light. A compact camera with a pancake lens is perfect. Be safe and have fun!
I lived in SF Outer Richmond from 2009 to 2018 and used to walk or drive early in the morning to shoot in Golden Gate Park Botanical Garden. Always hid my Sony a6000 in a plastic bag. Saw Chinese photographers with expensive telephoto lenses doing the same thing.
Worst brand to shoot street photography is Leica, juat get an Olympus or Pentax and nobody will touch you. With Ricoh you'll become invisible.
I can never decide if it helps to tape my camera...it definitely doesn't help when I've got a big white 70-200 on the front. Being aware of your surroundings is the most important thing...and having insurance
Sort of pointless yes on a 70-200mm ha ha.
Great post Justin. I was in Caracas a number of years back and was drugged in the back of a taxi with fake cigarette smoke. Let my guard down at the airport and took a standard airport taxi to the hotel. Fortunately, I had the sense to make a fuss and get out of the cab at a gas station. Nothing was stolen; my camera gear and computer were intact. Yes, becoming familiar with a place can make you a little complacent. There is a balance though, and in my experience, you have to dress down, act the part, blend in and carry your kit in an older bag. The nice shiny ones that compliment our Leicas (Ha!) are a dead giveaway that 'this dud is worth robbing' ....
Thanks Paul, I loved Venezuela but hated Caracas , never felt safe , especially that infamous airport drive:(. Glad we both made it out alive.
OMG, what a sad story coming from the city that I'm living right now. I'm Venezuelan, and I'm living in Caracas since 4 years ago. If you ever come back, count with a photographer friend here. I'm using Fujifilm right now :)
I've done this for years on every camera I've owned. Really good advice.
I appreciate your advice. I go to the Army surplus store and get the most ugly, beat up bag to carry my Leica. Sure seems like there are a lot of ‘experts’ that have never been in situations like you have.
So many experts out there, for some reason recently they all came out of nowhere, oh well, it works for me and it costs me essentially nothing.
I've consistently used tape on my Nikon cameras and lenses, finding it to be a reliable deterrent. However, when it comes time to sell, you might face a common issue: tape residue. Even high-quality gaffer tape, if left on too long, can leave a stubborn, sticky residue that’s notoriously difficult to remove. I’ve learned this firsthand.
For documenting, my go-to bag is a military surplus gas mask bag made of canvas. Out of the two or three I own, this one is my favorite. I can add a few recycled padding pieces if needed. It can carries a DSLR (when it’s not on my shoulder, to sketchy areas, or when I finish shooting) equipped with a wide-angle f/2.8 zoom lens, an extra fast normal prime lens for low-light shooting, a spare battery, and some personal items like keys, a notebook, a 3-in-1 Rotring pen, sunglasses, spectacles, wallet, Fisherman’s Friend, and a travel toothbrush. I can shoot all day long.
I remember older street photographers in Chicago doing that to their gear back in the day, particularly Leicas. They often said it was to deter attention by removing any noticeable whiteness from the front of the camera but also to protect from thieves noticing their gear.
An excellent post Justin, and prob the main reason I use a cheap plastic disposable shopping bag as my camera bag. I also tend to wear sunglasses (remove them quickly to shoot) which helps to avoid unneccessary eye contact, and don't tend to go out shooting if I have an injury such as a limp etc. I think thieves tend to latch on to any signs of weakness. The Gaffer tape is a really good idea though.
My rig has gaffer tape and rubber bands holding it all together for just that reason, even though I am only a novice cinematographer.
I once worked the streets in a major North American city, including the rougher side of town. I carried my $6000 Apple laptop and often left it sitting in a rubbish bag. It had well worn gaffer tape all over it and really didn’t look like a $6000 laptop -even at that time when laptops were larger, and more expensive than most people could afford.
It never got touched except when a drunk tripped over the rubbish bag. The joke was it was plugged into the public power socket on the street, and he went face down in to sidewalk when the cable reached it’s limits.
Gaffer tape can do two things on expensive gear it can protect against casual theft, and it can protect gear from ordinary every day dings and wear. I dentist true pros by how scuffed and worn their gaffer tape is. Not the flash but if hardware some folks wave around on fancy overblown camera rigs.
great video Justin, more stuff like this please... I enjoy the stories from assignments but those are like tales to me... this is the useful stuff. Thanks
Thanks Jan, for some reason this video has a recent resurgence and so many people seem so angry about this advice. It's so simple and it definitely doesn't hurt to try it.
I taped up the white Logos with black electrical tape on my Nikon F3HP, FE2, and FM2n, for five years working the urban streets in the late 1980’s.
The real sad part is not the criminals who rob and steal, but the people on this page who wouldn't take a bit of advice from a working photographer who travels the country, and world, to shoot in different types of environments. I remember Dave Hobby (The Strobist) giving that same advice years ago. Crime is everywhere and ANYONE can get robbed; whether you are armed with a weapon for self protection or not. If his advice is something that is helpful to you, use it.
What a great idea! I use gaffa tape on my bike logos. Just like you, you know you have a superb camera, so you don't need to advertise it. Some other great tips in the comments, a cheapo plastic bag 😄 I use a cheap camera bag and leave the Leica fancy case for Sunday best. Keep safe 👍😊
On taping Leica's. In my experience as an M owner and being around M owners, there is a faction (not all) that tape up the camera because they want "devalue" their expensive totem as some sort of weird flex. This type of M owner also loves brassing as a sign of "see? even though it's expensive, I don't care"...it's kind of a odd thing I've noticed from Leica M owners ONLY.
For many photojournalists it is simply a matter of safety, loads of my friends do it all on different brands of cameras.
@@AskMOTT my friends from Japan tape almost always and all brands, but it’s admittedly more to protect for resale value.
I have a working photographer friend that did use his M6 to defend himself. Apparently it does a decent job of bashing noses. It also needed an RF recalibration afterwards, haha. Be careful out there!
The "weird flex" you mentioned is them highlighting the fact that they use their cameras for photography and didn't just buy them to be status symbols
I have an M9 that has the upgraded sensor cover but is also brassed out a bit from being used. I bought the camera for the pictures it takes not the cosmetics. And everything that indicates what it is has gaffers tape on it. Expose yourself to as little risk as possible.
@@garvinkelly I mentioned that because a lot people accuse Leica people as taking more photos "of" their Leica then "with" their camera.
You are so right. Yes, gaffer tape is the way to go. I tape everything that says what it is. Thanks for telling the folks not hip to this.
My pleasure, I’ve been doing it for 20 years but never thought to share it w people.
@@AskMOTT Isn't it funny how the most innocuous and trivial little things can be really important? Trivial to you, important to us.
@@zoltankaparthy9095 I just use black sharpie to colour in the name and all logos / model no.s etc. as soon as I get a new camera. I don't do free advertising.
@@zoltankaparthy9095it is a worthless and even a bad tip , working as security in a garage in a train station and thieves have no fucking clue what a leica is or most others except sony or canon , and if you want it to get stolen make it suspicious with tape.
I know what you mean , I used to bank the weeks takings ( up to £50k ) at the post office I used to carry it in an Asda bag, the cheap plastic one never had an issue . I have put my camera bag inside one
I often photograph different types of boats, along an inlet on the Chesapeake Bay-Maryland. I can walk to this area as it is adjacent a park that is situated near my home. Even though I am “close” to home, I try to be cognisant of the environment as the neighbourhood that I live in is not the safest. It is a shame that many of our cities in America have experienced so much violence in the last decade.
Been using “blackout” stickers for LEDs and such, found them online. They look pretty natural & low-profile on black finish
Great idea , thanks for sharing
I sometimes tape the logos on my cameras, especially when out in the streets, but not to hide how much it could be worth or so but to me it seems less intimidating to people when there is no white or red or other logo/ brand name jumping on them/ attracting their focus. Makes the camera and me kind of more humble I guess…
Makes sense Jen, it seems a lot of people are angry at me for taping my camera ha ha, didn't realize it was such a polarizing topic :(.
I believe David Alan Harvey used to carry a Voigtlander to avoid taking a big loss while on assignment for National Geographic.
Awesome advice!! Loved it and put it on my cameras too!
And gives it style! Ahauahua Thank tou for the vid! +1 subscriber!
Thanks Gustavo, welcome to our little photography community here.
I dont think thieves would care much about the tape. If its a camera, they would still steal it no matter the brand 😁
They will steal whether it's a Holga or a Leica. Taping the camera doesn't change anything. If you are going to shoot photography at sketchy places just don't carry anything that you can't replace. Take a cheap digital camera next time and photograph your friend actually getting robbed then take the SD card out and if you make it out of there with at least your SD card those photos will be some damn good photos.
I have a silicone black cover over my new canon R8. It is really nice as it protects and hides the camera.
It amazing nobody mentions one of the main reasons I and many others tape the logo when it's in front of the camera. To prevent the person you're taking a photo of to be distracted by the logo and focusing their eyes on the lens. Keeping the subjects eyes where they should be looking means you're getting the deep stare you want in your photo. People are dumb, keep their attention where it should be.
Shoot with a Nocti, then nobody will see the dot, red or no because of that big chonka glass. :P
Loved the story time Justin! Thanks for the reminder as I'm a dumb dumb sometimes walking around with a gigantic lens. I forget sometimes. Just a shiny shiny target.
Don’t mean to make people paranoid, just a reminder to be aware of your surroundings and take small precautions :).
@@AskMOTT no not at all. Just a reminder of situational awareness. 🙂🙂
I tape my m6 and m11 to. I Also bought the black version because they’re are less visible and looks less like a Leica then the silver ones
Makes perfect sense , although those silver ones are gorgeous. Have you seen the new silver SL2-S?
@@AskMOTT they are, i have only seen the m versions
Another positive side effect is that you get into fewer conversations with people who want to interrupt your shooting to talk about Leica (or Nikon etc). White camera logos are made to attract attention via contrast against the black! Cover them even if it's just Kodak.
That is an excellent point Kevin, that was in my original notes but at the same time , with the right people at the right time I like talking gear. However, some people don’t have great timing :(
Do you tape your commercial photography cameras too?
feel that with my mates sony a1 when I take it out, dawg while it does look like most "cool mirrorless" aka thief priority the gold 1 kinda does make it stand out
had a guy front me in the street asking me about my flash... I told him it's the cheapest I could find like my camera, he was searching for conversation... I said excuse me I want to move on & left him behind in the street. I have a small bag with just enough room for my camera & it's one lens, I only take one lens as I make it my purpose, having two lenses makes me prone to a bigger loss.
Yeah I used to do this until I realized that it's not going to do anything to deter an actual thief. They want crack my dude not a camera they will take it if its a Leica or a Canon Rebel from 2002. I mean you proved it by describing how your buddy's Holga got attacked first. But you know, if you like it thats fine too! Doesn't hurt anyone to rock stealth mode.
I feel like like maybe yes maybe no , but at please it can’t hurt to try. I couldn’t say a thing would pass on a X Pro or else the Fuji people would kill me in the comments section ha ha. I’d guess it’s more impactful about making it look cheap or like a film camera at glance rather than hiding the logo .
@@AskMOTT if it gives ya confidence to go shoot in more places that’s a win
the author taping his camera is conceited same idea as that Leica red dot changed to a black one.
Living in China mainland, almost never heard of some one get stolen since I born, but there is lot of robbery and thieves before I born which is like 15 years ago.
I used my Leica M6 extensively in China without taping the logo and had no concerns. I traveled around 7 different cities with my Leica, and nobody gave me a second look. However when I returned to NYC, I started worrying....
@@kevinl.3826 same, I visited nyc for the entire July, I taped everything up, even my point and shoot. However the community in nyc is insane, when I was having boba in Chinatown, there was a man with his Leica who greeted me through the store glass.
@@kevinl.3826 Madrid, NYC, Miami, Barcelona, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris and also Roma or Milan are not safe cities anymore. Camera equipment, bags, watches, laptops, cell phones, anything can be robbed in night or daylight, in Coffee Shops, in restaurants, in the streets, trains and mainly in the "Tourist" place . The police officers only help you to write papers! There are so many documented cases in Europe or USA!
This is just my theory: Humans, like the primates we are, are curious animals and we are attracted to shiny or outstanding objects. Thiefs in developing countries might have no idea what a Leica or any other expensive camera brand represent, but they do notice when something looks expensive or unique. Thanks for this pro tip. Might not work 100% of the time, but I am sure it has saved many an expensive camera from being stolen in the shady corners of our big beautiful world.
Make the tape look old!
Yep I have taped EVERYTHING for 10 years. People take pictures of my kit all the time. My guess is to ask a friend what it’s worth. Even my tripods are taped.
I tried taping up my assistants on shoots, didn't go over well :).
I’ve been doing this for years, as a x-ships photo manager, traveling around the world.
Thanks for watching Simon, it's funny to me how many people are mad at this advice though, like really mad ha ha.
@@AskMOTT your giving good advice, free. They’ll wish they had listened when they get their camera stolen.
Great videos, I enjoy watching your channel.
Did you just tape the *screw* out of your stealth leica version?
makes no sense, if you know about cameras you dont need the logo to know...if theyre gonna rob you itll be for a $100 camera or $8000 camera
I truly believe that the tape does not matter. If it makes you feel better like peace of mind then go for it. But a thief who wants your camera is gonna take your camera or at try to no matter the brand. They really don’t care. The only people who care about the red dot are other photographers and to be honest they really don’t care. We need to stop pretending like our red dot is this huge beacon of luxury that everyone else around us including thieves care about so much. They don’t. A thief is gonna thief and that’s that. Wanting to tape a red dot on your camera because you think you’re the main character and everyone is paying attention to you sounds so pretentious. I’m not saying you are, Justin. Everyone has their own reason, but honestly, I think a lot of people tape up their red dot because they think they’re camera is so cooo and famous and they want to avoid the attention even though secretly I bet they want people to ask why they tape their red dot so that they can boast about how expensive it is. That’s just my take but to each their own. This isn’t a commentary on you, Justin. I love your work and your videos. This is just my two cents on the subject matter.
You just described what goes on in my subconscious mind, every time I put gaffer tape over my camera 😂- I end up taking the tape off in the end...
Never had anything stolen in 24 years of travelling the world 6 months a year with my camera gear. I always shot with black cameras and paint black over my logos and even the writing on the lens. I never use a camera bag, just a simple messenger bag.
Thanks Johan, it’s funny if you read the comments section how many people are so adamant that this doesn’t work.
Another tip ...for the idiots carrying flashy bags .... I also carried my REMINGTON Hunting knife , I used that eating , and for unusual events, No one ....seeing a 6'2.5 inch tall man , in a KILT with a large sheathed Knife .... approaches you in the night . Another tip ... as most Photographer's are not old Oil Field , or TUNNEL workers ... like me....
When you seee someone looking at you ... LOOK right back , do not break eye contact first ....and Stand Strong with positive HARD body language ... You will be Respected.
In SAIGON in District 5 , 4 , One ( Embassy District ) , and Than Bin ( SP bad ) ... I was never bothered ... even in the Yakuza District ... yes Japanese Mob are in Saigon.
So ... in the end , carry yourself upright do not smile all the time , head on a swivel , and ALWAYS ... Look directly into ... people , and I carried my thick shanked knife ... on a wide belt on my Seattle Utili Kilt , I had SNAP down pockets with Flaps , and No One ...could reach anything , without my Laborer , Tunneler ...hands closing upon theirs.
A little " positive body language " ... carries immense weight and presence. I was 57 then and I am 63 now ... I still work out in GYM ... on weights. 🇻🇳 🇺🇸 💪🏻
I go to Honduras a lot. I always use cheap vegetable bags I get in the market. With the word onions on it. Or wheat. Plus I dress like a bum. No one ever bothered me. If you carry an expensive camera bag and wear a nice watch, you’re looking for problems. No watches. No jewelry. On,y cheap cell phones. No $200 colorful nikes. I will start taping my cameras now. I have an R5.
Unless you only have a low value replaceable camera I agree. For all valuable cameras - Tape it up. Use a crappy bag with a camera cube inside. Don’t use camera branded straps that say Nikon or Canon.
It may not stop a really wised up camera thief but may deter opportunist thieves.
Alternatively don’t go anywhere stay at home with shades down hahaha
This works great for my smaller mirrorless cameras with a smaller vintage lens. But for my 1dx ii and 70-200 ii it won't really do much difference 😂
I think if you can avoid taking a camera bag at all that helps. I’m a big fan of wrist straps meaning the camera is not carried around the next but by my side. I feel like this makes me and the camera far less noticeable. If needed I can run much faster with camera in hand and/or use the camera as a weapon in case of last resort.
I am baffled by the "know-it-all" reactions of people who are against this practice, if you have ever been followed/chased by dubious characters when having a nice camera with you - even in beautiful touristic cities (Lisbon in my case) - it's a no brainer to try to minimise you as a target by hiding the notorious (even for thieves) red dot ... local friends warned me that pro thieves know the brands very well so if you have an expensive watch or bag or camera you will attract their attention .
I'm baffled too George, I didn't realize such a sime little harmless trick that has actually helped me several times could be so polarizing. I suspect most of them have never traveled outside of a tour group.
I am surprised camera makers have not put security features into the newer mirrorless cameras, especially the more expensive models, such as we have on our smartphones - fingerprint login, GPS locator, etc If they implemented that, cameras would be useless to thieves and resale value to a fence would be zero. Lenses might be trickier though.
I'm surprised as well Josef, I imagine it's coming very soon to the next generation of cameras and once one does it well, the rest will follow.
Makes sense using it but the fact that your friend getting robbeb of a Holga wich is a plastic camera just makes it nonsense to tape it after that.
I label one of my camera cases "RANDOM CABLES", written on some duct tape. Not sure it'll work but hopefully it'll help if someone is looking through my car to steal something.
I tape my Holga. I also tape the dark slide slot on my Hasselblad. so they must be the same.
Where or when does it stop?
Pacsafe used to sell camera straps with a cable thru the strap. You can’t cut it.
I remember that bag, not a bad idea as well.
I have one of those and haven't put it on a camera in years as it's not possible to wrap/fold for non-shooting transport.
You are professional so are the thieves, except for some addicts who steal everything for their needs, doesn't matter if you tapped it or not. In my experience, most YT Leica users like to stick out from the crowd instead of blending in. Funny hats, colourful dresses, Billingham bags and so on and telling everyone how wonderful they are and how wonderful their Leicas are.
I live and shoot in the SF Bay Area, and yeah, out of necessity, I have to tape up my gear. I use also don't use expensive gear if I'm going to be out and about in a risky area, that way, even though it's taped up, if somebody is desperate enough to try to rob me, they won't get much. That being said, most thieves look for expensive and shiny looking, so the smaller and more nondescript you can make your equipment look, the better off you are in a high risk area.
Another liberal, democratic, utopia. I mean, shit hole.
Just last week I was in Seattle. I did not bring my good camera because I was walking alone. I was taking street photography pics with my phone when a guy ( who I just took a picture of) shot and robbed a guy just up the street. Luckily I was able to show a great picture of the shooter to the police so they could try and catch him ( he got away). I think I will get some tape for my camera. Things are so unpredictable.
Damn Tara, be careful out there and tape your phone too :).
Was in Seattle in October last year, Pike Place ... lots of sketchy dudes hanging around the neighborhood. Had my small D-Lux 7 with me at the time, which I wore close to me. An iPhone is just as good at times when the situation is sketchy.
Must be sad to live somewhere you have to hide your camera. Where I am, it's the thieves that have to hide themselves, especially when we are looking for them because I don't call 911.
One time Casey Naistat made a video about how Ray-Ban makes the best quality product, but he doesn’t like the showiness of the brand, so he buys Ray-bans at full retail price and then paints over the logo to make them look like the have salt build-up like he’s been surfing in them in NYC. Similar vibes
I've always thought about putting shitty peeling marked up painters tape on my camera to make it look super shitty
I tape my Canon 20D with the kit lens :D
I carry my Leica, accompanied by a Walther PDP 9mm on my waist.
Some photographers carry. Some photographers shoot pool. Some photographers shoot other things too. They need to ask themselves is my camera worth their life. Here's the thing. It's a Nikon N90s. Are they willing to die for a $50 film camera? I'm pretty sure that when they figure it out they're going to rob you instead.
I use a Glock Model 40.
Justin do you prefer the M11 with 35mm APO or Leica Q3 with AF?
I’m always going to go M first :).
Yes, i find it good advice depending on where you are going to take photos i have though doing the same.
Sure, all depends where you live.
@@AskMOTT or where you plan to go in any soon enough.
Since the moment I was robbed in 2013, I tape all the logos, and even lenses logos 😅 paranoic me
I think anyone who knows the value of a camera by its model name is well aware that the taped one is probably worth a significant amount of money.
Not convinced. If à professionnalisme thief knows what Leica is he will probably recognizes the camera and the tape might even suggests that if the orner masks the camera it is value... I tape the brand name of my camera in the top front not to hide the name but to make the camera more discrete (no White contrasty letters on black)
For SE Asia it works well as most of the theft isn’t a hold up , it’s more of a grab and go on motorbike that happens really quickly so making the camera look like a film camera or a cheaper camera I feel does help. Also. Second hand market here is all about used looking new and shiny .
The other way would be, if possible, to also carry a 357 in your armpit. Or the Glock 9, whatever you prefer...
I have a friend who was also robbed, while sleeping ON his backpack in the airport; thieves opened it and slowly removed all cameras and lenses. The only thing that they left was a laptop computer, course my pal would felt that and woke up. The moral of the story is, do NEVER EVER fall asleep while abroad unless you are in hotel room, with a locked door. So don't skimp on that extra coffee...
If you think thieves don't know an expensive camera when they see one, tap or no tape, then you are a very naive person.
Not in SE where I live.
Don't tape your camera; just don't take your camera to sketchy places unless it's a Holga. To a thief, any camera is worth stealing.
Sometimes for assignments you have no choice .
I do tape.
Funny how many people here are angry and think it’s ridiculous, oh well , to each his own I suppose.
I am in NYC, and lots of people get robbed, yet the thing is, they will take just about anything that looks professional. Next, if they know what cameras to take, the taping a Leica will not make a difference. The thing is, have a companion, like someone you know, or someone local you can trust. Why cay camera bags with logos anyway, when it's smart to carry just a regular bag. When someone decides to take what I own, I understand they want to meet Jesus ,immediately,and I will help them.
Ah, democratic, liberal utopia. Aka, a shit hole.
@@michaels8607 Robbed as in mugged for their camera? Really because in the last 16 years I never knew anyone that was mugged for their camera, including me. Been wandering around with a Leica M9 since 2015. I wasn’t going to East NY mind you, but I lived in Bedstuy, Clinton Hill(yes super nice area), Lower East Side, East Village(alphabet city), few months in the Upper East Side. In 2009 I’d borrow my buddy’s Mamiya 7ii(have one of my own now), and would take waaay up in the Bronx(I was seeing a girl who lived there). Now I do understand that in 2009/10 things where better in NYC then now but things are not like or even anywhere close to the 70’s/80’s or the violent 90’s.
But then again you may be right, as COVID turned me into a 100% remote worker and getting married meant I was going out even less. So I could have become somewhat out of touch. But still I nearly always grabbed my camera when going out and I did go for long walks every day since I was WFH.
I’ve relocated to Chile’ a few months ago and when in Santiago one does need to careful for sure. Santiago is definitely much cleaner then NYC but there’s more person to person crime like muggings etc etc.
@@bvaccaro2959 So you went on a whole diatribe and said NOTHING,except to offer some story about YOUR experiences. That has nothing to do with what I said. I clearly said that people tend to take any items that even looks like it might be expensive. Who cares about Chile except you and the people who live there????
@@bvaccaro2959 Did you even read the subject matter or watch the video? Where did you see anyone talking about specific places, and all this comparisons about them? I do not require a whole speech about the areas in NYC, and I live in the North Bronx and shoot all over the city.
@@michaels8607 sorry you’ve definitely missed interpreted my reply.
Who cares about NYC except you and the millions that live there? You do of course(me to). Obviously that’s not the point. I now live in Chile so I noted it relative to the topic.
My “diatribe’ was just a comment building on your comment. Didn’t realize I was waisting people’s time.
Did I watch the video, yes
Did I read the subject matter, yep. If I misinterpreted your comment then my bad. Could’ve just said I was off base with my reply and that I missed your point. Not sure why you needed to respond the way you did.
Sorry I had an independent thought. Sorry I typed on the keyboard.
I have been tapering over camera logos even before you have been born.
Old school, love it :).
I've popped the red rings off of some of my canon lenses. No need to advertise what I got!
I put a red dot on my Fuji.
My strategy: Shooting cheap gear to begin with. Minoltas with those sweet Rokkor lenses never dissapoint and can be had for a fraction of a Leica strap. Digital-wise, my D700 is still keeping up with the big boys of today*
*caveat: IF you don't need to crop
So I save money for the tape and can buy another roll of film instead 😂
Add your camera protection tips here.
Don't use a camera bag when you can. It is a huge beacon, "expensive stuff here!!!". I have a messenger bag that I sling so the bag is in front and my hand on it.
Tape razor blades to your camera
I take it a step further. I shoot Canon and have rubber skins for my camera bodies. I do not use Canon white lenses and I cover the red stripe on my l glass.
With the LUMIX S5iix I'm ready. Well, I don't have it...yet. But, that camera is "self-taped".
I’ve traveled to VZ and only took an old nikkormat with a 35mm lens. Im not a pro but I know the area.
Adding this one to my bag of tricks. After having a bag full of stuff stolen in San Fran, I've gotten a list of things to do to hopefully prevent that from happening again. Bag never leaves my person if I'm in an unknown area, and my bags are internal opening (opening is against my body) with chest/waist straps and a rain cover always-on to cover any possible branding. Being that I always have gaffers tape around as a musician, it's easy to add this in.
Thanks: a piece of tape is now over the Speed Graphic logo. I think Weegee did that.
I tape over markings because I hate gear talk.