How To Protect Camera From Theft

fstop8 • Forum Member • Posts: 91

Tips for avoiding camera theft?

May 15, 2010

It seems that cameras get stolen quite often. Anyone have some tips well-nigh how to prevent or avoid camera theft? I've noticed that Pacsafe sells some photographic camera straps that are reinforced with steel wire to make them harder to slash. Only I doubt they would terminate a determined thief.

Tin can't think of much else besides considering some form of photographic camera insurance and not photographing in sketchier parts of town.

Re: Tips for avoiding photographic camera theft?

In reply to fstop8 • May 15, 2010

Be aware of your surroundings and always keep your camera strap(s) around your neck.

Never get out your photographic camera gear out in the open or alone and ikeep information technology out of sight when stored in your car/truck.

That is virtually all y'all can do!

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J. D.
Colorado

Re: Tips for avoiding photographic camera theft?

In reply to fstop8 • May 15, 2010

fstop8 wrote:

It seems that cameras get stolen quite often. Anyone accept some tips about how to prevent or avert photographic camera theft? I've noticed that Pacsafe sells some camera straps that are reinforced with steel wire to make them harder to slash. Simply I doubt they would stop a determined thief.

Tin can't think of much else besides considering some form of photographic camera insurance and not photographing in sketchier parts of town.

I is difficult to end a determined thief, but her are some alternating suggestions:

Embrace any camera, GPS, iPod, etc. with a cloth, paper, etc. while the particular is in your car
Don't leave an expensive photographic camera in your hotel/motel room (put it in their condom & get a receipt)
Write your proper name, address, and phone number on a slice of newspaper and photograph it - saving information technology to the internal retentivity of your camera (if information technology has internal retentiveness) and lock the file
alternating is to save & lock the same info on your removeable memory card (just remember that if you format the menu you lose ALL information and will have to echo the process)
Photos of Weddings, Anniversaries, Graduations, Vacations, etc that are stored on retentiveness cards are more valuable than the camera itself. Avoid leaving your memory cards in your camera or case. Instead, place them in i of those little plastic cases and keep them in your pocket.
Write down the Serial number of your camera. If your lost/stolen camera is ever recovered by the Police they won't know who to contact unless yous provide that basic piece of data.
Avoid hands spotted black with yellow Nikon camera gear every bit they are usually a sign of expensive, piece of cake to re-sell photographic camera stuff - making it more bonny to a crook than Polaroid or Kodak

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All the best,
Jim

Photographers accept pictures, not cameras.

Re: Tips for fugitive photographic camera theft?

In reply to fstop8 • May 15, 2010

Pacsafe sells some camera straps that are reinforced with steel wire to make them harder to slash.

Yes and if they try to yank a camera from your cervix it'due south much more likely to hurt y'all.

Stuff gets stolen and the common sense you lot'd use to protect your wallet or shoulder bag is about all at that place is.

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StephenG

Pentax K100D
Fuji S3 Pro
Fuji S9600

A friend of mine was using his laptop in a coffee store often by and large by college students. He left his laptop sitting on the table while he went to the bath and estimate what happened.

Another friend was travelling on a double-decker, got drunk, passed out with her camera sitting beside her. Guess what happened?

I have never personally known anyone who had their photographic camera strap cut and the photographic camera stolen. Could information technology happen? Sure. I only utilize a regular erstwhile Op/Tech strap.

I've never personally known anyone who was crush to the ground so their camera could be stolen. Could it happen? Sure. I don't worry about it, though.

Always since I saw a waiter drop soup onto a very nice DSLR, I always fix my hat over my camera when I set it on a table in a restaurant. Occasionally, I'm in a eating house where I'll go along my camera on my torso rather than setting information technology on the tabular array but that's rare.

Laptop computers, Ipods, and other such items are much easier to dispose of than high-end cameras.
--
Patrick T. Kelly
Oaxaca, United mexican states

pixseal • Veteran Member • Posts: 4,000

Re: Tips for avoiding camera theft?

In respond to fstop8 • May 15, 2010

fstop8 wrote:

It seems that cameras get stolen quite ofttimes.

It'due south non that mutual - none of my friends have had their gear stolen. (Simply they're mostly mature, worldly types that don't accept impaired risks.)

Anyone have some tips nearly how to forestall or avert camera theft?

Practise put your camera into your camera pack/pocket/whatever when you're done shooting at a location - at the location that you lot're leaving . A potential thief has already seen your camera.
Don't fuss with your camera stuff (after putting it away) at a location that you're going to spend time at ( and not utilise the camera ). Don't show a potential thief that you accept a camera.
Don't ever leave your camera unattended.
Fancy phones and laptops are too allurement for thieves - run across higher up advice.

I've noticed that Pacsafe sells some camera straps that are reinforced with steel wire to make them harder to slash. But I doubt they would stop a determined thief.

I've never heard of a thief cutting a camera strap.

Can't think of much else besides because some form of camera insurance and not photographing in sketchier parts of boondocks.

Camera insurance is needed only if your gear is worth more than you lot could spend to supersede information technology. Or, if insuring it is the only way that you'll have it out and actually use it, and so it might exist worth getting (practiced insurance besides covers impairment and loss - simply it isn't cheap).
--
-Dave
http://pixseal.com

Canon EOS 7D Marker II Canon EOS Rebel SL2 Canon EF-Due south x-22mm F3.5-iv.5 USM Canon EF-Due south 17-55mm f/2.eight IS USM Canon EF 100mm F2.8L Macro IS USM +xviii more than

OP fstop8 • Forum Member • Posts: 91

Re: Tips for avoiding camera theft?

sjgcit wrote:

Pacsafe sells some camera straps that are reinforced with steel wire to make them harder to slash.

Aye and if they endeavor to yank a photographic camera from your cervix it's much more likely to hurt you.

Yep, this is i of the things I had been concerned nigh. Also if a thief is really trying to slash your camera strap and he fails, a determined thief might be more liable to have a swipe at you with his pocketknife if you're wearing a Pacsafe strap. Maybe information technology'southward better to but permit him accept the camera rather than go injured.

1 other matter I did read about is that some backpacks are designed so the zippers face inwards, towards your back, rather than outwards, to foreclose someone from unzipping your backpack and removing your camera from behind.

BlueRose • Regular Member • Posts: 229

Re: Tips for avoiding camera theft?

In respond to fstop8 • May sixteen, 2010

Here are the things I have done to endeavour and minimise theft

replaced the glaringly obvious CANON EOS neckstrap with a blank one (information technology besides happens to be i that has metal cables running thru it and then cannot be cut easily but that was only luck)
removed the LOWEPRO label off my pocketbook - if I had a choice wouldnt purchase Lowepro equally its a wellknown photographic camera pocketbook brand, but it was the best fit for what I needed
NEVER leave it in the car unattended - its a backpack so easy to put on and wander with if I need to run an errand while out with the gear.
Never get out it lying open with contents obvious
registered the serial numbers of all the expensive stuff with my insurance company
I must remember to comport my tripod in the boot of my car where it tin't be seen equally well, its but to piece of cake to chuck in the dorsum seat

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Kiwi Gal - armed and unsafe with a 40D

Re: Tips for avoiding camera theft?

In reply to fstop8 • May 16, 2010

determined thief might exist more liable to take a swipe at you lot with his knife if y'all're wearing a Pacsafe strap. Maybe it'due south amend to just let him have the camera rather than get injured.

Well, yes I'd prefer loose the photographic camera than get injured, merely what I'm confused about is why you are so worried nearly this in the kickoff place ?

Generally people who steal cameras just snatch and go. They aren't determined, and they're more scared than you are. If they don't get information technology first time they only go along running.

I think you're thinking Way also much nearly this.

Ane other matter I did read about is that some backpacks are designed so the zippers face inwards, towards your back, rather than outwards, to prevent someone from unzipping your haversack and removing your camera from behind.

Well if you're going to worry near the adamant pocketknife yielding slasher you described before, they're just going to to slice yous open up and take it from your cold dead hands.

Actually, you need to ease upwardly on the paranoia.

Ane thing I can absolutely guarantee y'all. Walk around with all that special kit to protect your photographic camera and every bag snatcher and sneak thief for miles will spot it. They know you've got something worth stealing.

Don't want your kit stolen ? Don't annunciate.

It's a camera. Not a child. If it gets stolen life as you know it volition go on. If yous live in fear of it beingness stolen, life equally yous know it will become very stressful and having a camera will stop to bring any fun.

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StephenG

Pentax K100D
Fuji S3 Pro
Fuji S9600

Don't look similar a tourist . . .

In reply to pixseal • May 16, 2010

Best advice . . . don't look like a tourist!

dherzstein wrote:

I've never heard of a thief cutting a camera strap.

Just because you (and a few others in this topic) have never heard of this happening, don't retrieve for a minute that it never does happen.

I have had several of my customers who accept had this very thing happen to them while traveling overseas, mostly in Europe (Italia seems to exist the most popular spot for this occurance), Russian federation, Africa, the middle east and Asia.

And yep, right here in the good 'ol The states of A!

The thieves (who frequently work in pairs) lookout man you for awhile, so sneak up on you when you are vulnerable and cutting your photographic camera strap or camera handbag strap with a very sharp knife and run!

And then have this down to an fine art . . .

Often they are riding Vespas (1 driving, one slashing).

One customer was in Rome and was really attacked and beat upwards right in public in front of thousands of tourists, her camera stolen in front of all of these people watching.

The law (who also saw information technology happen) chased downward the subject area and tackled him and got her camera back, just the camera (Sony A100) was destroyed when it hit the pavement when he was tackled.

And with this bad economy I take been hearing of this happening more often.

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J. D.
Colorado

E'er since I saw a waiter drop soup onto a very squeamish DSLR, I always ready my hat over my camera when I set information technology on a table in a restaurant. Occasionally, I'm in a restaurant where I'll keep my camera on my body rather than setting information technology on the tabular array only that'due south rare.

sometimes, if i'm backed against a wall/divider, etc, and no one can get in my personal space, i'll even put it on the floor under my seat.

as for the soup, well, i simply buy weather condition-resistant equipment and hope for the best.

Nikon D700 Nikon D300S Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/ii.8G ED VR Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED Nikon AF-Due south Nikkor 50mm F1.8G +3 more

OP fstop8 • Forum Fellow member • Posts: 91

Re: Tips for avoiding camera theft?

sjgcit wrote:

determined thief might be more liable to take a swipe at you with his knife if yous're wearing a Pacsafe strap. Maybe it'due south better to just let him have the camera rather than get injured.

Well, yes I'd prefer loose the photographic camera than become injured, but what I'm confused about is why you are and so worried nearly this in the first place ?

More often than not people who steal cameras merely snatch and get. They aren't determined, and they're more scared than y'all are. If they don't get it first time they just keep running.

I think you're thinking Fashion besides much about this.

I other thing I did read about is that some backpacks are designed so the zippers face inwards, towards your dorsum, rather than outwards, to forbid someone from unzipping your haversack and removing your camera from behind.

Well if you're going to worry about the determined knife yielding slasher you described earlier, they're just going to to slice y'all open and accept information technology from your cold expressionless hands.

Really, you lot need to ease up on the paranoia.

Aren't we being a bit dramatic hither? Try taking a few deep breaths...

One thing I can absolutely guarantee y'all. Walk around with all that special kit to protect your photographic camera and every bag snatcher and sneak thief for miles will spot it. They know you've got something worth stealing.

Don't want your kit stolen ? Don't advertise.

It's a camera. Not a child. If information technology gets stolen life as you know it will proceed. If you lot live in fearfulness of it being stolen, life as y'all know it will become very stressful and having a photographic camera volition end to bring any fun.

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StephenG

Pentax K100D
Fuji S3 Pro
Fuji S9600

Nah, I'm non paranoid about photographic camera theft. But I exercise prefer existence well informed and cautious. It doesn't ruin the fun of photography for me at all. Cameras are expensive, so if spending a few minutes being careful can aid prevent all the headache of losing a camera, filing a police written report or whatever, it's worth it to make some precautions part of your photography routine.

I am only getting into street photography. Photographing on the street naturally leads to more situations where someone might effort to snatch your photographic camera, then you can why I'd want to consider any such problems beforehand. I don't carry a huge bag of gear for this either. Typically only a pocket-sized camera, a strap and a small padded photographic camera bag that is stuffed into my haversack. Anyway, I like the tips that are coming in. Cheers.

Some thoughts:
ane. Serial numbers, another excellent idea

two. Getting rid of the brightly colored branded photographic camera straps. Did this already, it makes perfect sense. Removing photographic camera bag labels such every bit Lowe Pro'southward also seems like a good idea.

iii. Putting your gear away after leaving a location. I tend to have the photographic camera on a strap at all times in instance I see something interesting, but hiding it under a jacket when yous're not shooting seems like a reasonable compromise.

4. Putting your name and address in the camera's internal memory is an interesting idea. I suppose this would help if y'all lost the photographic camera and if it was plant by a good samaritan. It might help identify that information technology is yours in case of theft. In the case of theft though, it seems that a serial number might suffice.

bentwig • Forum Fellow member • Posts: 86

Re: Tips for avoiding camera theft?

In answer to fstop8 • May 16, 2010

fstop8 wrote:

It seems that cameras get stolen quite oftentimes. Anyone accept some tips virtually how to forbid or avert photographic camera theft? I've noticed that Pacsafe sells some photographic camera straps that are reinforced with steel wire to make them harder to slash. Only I doubt they would stop a adamant thief.

Tin't think of much else besides considering some form of camera insurance and not photographing in sketchier parts of town.

I use one of these.

Re: Tips for avoiding camera theft?

In answer to fstop8 • May 16, 2010

4. Putting your name and accost in the camera's internal memory is an interesting thought. I suppose this would help if you lot lost the camera and if it was found by a good samaritan. It might aid identify that it is yours in case of theft. In the case of theft though, it seems that a series number might suffice.

A great way to ensure a thief knows where he might find more photographic camera equipment to steal.

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StephenG

Pentax K100D
Fuji S3 Pro
Fuji S9600

Re: Tips for avoiding camera theft?

In reply to bentwig • May 16, 2010

I promise yous are not suggesting taking a human life is preferable to losing your camera.

Whatever you may think of a thief, they are still man. Could have been you with a throw of the die in the other direction.

I use one of these for personal protection :

Much better. Cheaper, built-in and usually passes searches at airports.

-- hide signature --

StephenG

Pentax K100D
Fuji S3 Pro
Fuji S9600

bentwig • Forum Member • Posts: 86

Re: Tips for avoiding photographic camera theft?

sjgcit wrote:

I promise y'all are not suggesting taking a human life is preferable to losing your camera.

Whatever you may recall of a thief, they are all the same human being. Could take been you with a throw of the dice in the other direction.

I use one of these for personal protection :

Much better. Cheaper, built-in and ordinarily passes searches at airports.

just foolen i'd never draw downwardly on a thief, that would air current upwards costing me a lot more than what i have in my camera bag. but information technology sounded good.

Re: Tips for fugitive camera theft?

In answer to bentwig • May 17, 2010

bentwig wrote:

sjgcit wrote:

I hope you are non suggesting taking a human being life is preferable to losing your camera.

Any you lot may think of a thief, they are however human being. Could have been you with a throw of the dice in the other direction.

I use one of these for personal protection :

Much amend. Cheaper, congenital-in and usually passes searches at airports.

simply foolen i'd never depict down on a thief, that would current of air upwardly costing me a lot more than what i accept in my camera bag. but it sounded good.

You obviously don't live in Texas...I was going to actually mail service something similiar to your start post...except I carry a Kimber.

As far as would I take the life of somebody who was trying to steal from me...not intentionally, but I would shoot to cease him. I piece of work hard for the coin that I utilise to make my purchases, and I'one thousand non a rich guy, then if I make up one's mind to spend money on a camera it is through sacrifice and saving upward, and merely because 'somebody wants my stuff' gives them no right to either my stuff, or the time of my life spent earning it.

sjgcit, yous may be willing to just hand over your stuff...well, that's all well and practiced simply at that place are still some of us who volition stand up up for what's right against those who feel like they tin can accept what is ours through threat of forcefulness.

As Ayn Rand says, "It is simply as retaliation that force may be used and only against the human being who starts its use. No, I do non share his evil or sink to his concept of morality: I merely grant him his selection, destruction, the only destruction he had the right to choose: his own."

In any case, to the OP, mainly situational sensation, just as it is not a skillful thought to go to a secluded ATM in the middle of the night, neither is walking downwards a nighttime alley with your camera, or any other valuables. Merely as advertizing how much coin you lot have by flashing your wallet is not a proficient idea, neither is advertizing how much your camera gear has cost you. But put, it is ordinarily the unaware or the braggarts who are going to catch the attention of thieves.
--
Who is John Galt?

bentwig • Forum Member • Posts: 86

Re: Tips for avoiding camera theft?

merely foolen i'd never draw downward on a thief, that would wind up costing me a lot more than what i accept in my camera handbag. merely it sounded good.

You plainly don't live in Texas...I was going to actually post something similiar to your beginning post...except I conduct a Kimber.

actually I do live in tx. crime is depression here where i alive, nearly unherd of, but also everyone i know owns some sort of - rifle,pistol, and or shotgun. that said, in my home in that location would be no hesitation shoot beginning ask questions subsequently, but exterior my home information technology's hard to bear witness your life or another's is in danger. do i think justice would be served by slowing the offender down and making him easier to take hold of? YES only then i also stand up areal adept adventure having my wepons confiscated, possibly incarcerated for a unknown amount of time and stand a skilful chance of never beingness able to own a firearm agin in my lifetime, not to mention time off from piece of work and the possible additional bills, lawyer'south, court.

bentwig • Forum Fellow member • Posts: 86

Re: Tips for avoiding camera theft?

In reply to bentwig • May 17, 2010

when i started this thread my intention was to see some photographs of pistols rifles ect- pictures you guys might have taken of your ain colection or for someone else. the guy that suggested puting a small bombardment powerd led calorie-free in the magazine to lite up and make the rifleings in the barrel visable thats good stuff. didnt mean to start a battle.

bentwig • Forum Fellow member • Posts: 86

Re: Tips for fugitive photographic camera theft?

In reply to bentwig • May 17, 2010

bentwig wrote:

when i started this thread my intention was to see some photographs of pistols rifles ect- pictures you guys might have taken of your own colection or for someone else. the guy that suggested puting a pocket-sized battery powerd led light in the magazine to light up and make the rifleings in the barrel visable thats skilful stuff. didnt mean to beginning a battle.

opps wrong forum - disregard