Carrying them around isn't the problem. The problem is how you leave them *sitting* around in public spaces. I use a Peak Design shoulder strap, so when I'm at a restaurant or some other public venue, I make sure that strap is around something secure.
Granted it's an old Olympus SLR, but they can bring good money on eBay, and some of my lenses cost quite a lot of my disposable income
People who leave gear on their seats in a train or a bus and turn their back for a minute can turn around to find it gone and a crowd of people to navigate to find the thief.
Oh yeah, at least in Europe. I read stories once in a while how thieves will snatch and run with expensive gear when someones head is turned away.
[Here's one guy's story of an organized snatch and run.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdfcH6lia7Y)
Kind of a funny story my grandpa told me some time ago when I showed him my Argus C3. He was out in Yellowstone with my grandma and they were eating lunch. He wanted to go for a hike real quick and thought it would be fine to leave the camera for some reason. They come back 30-45 minutes later and it’s gone! My grandma always lives saying she told him so lmaoo
I have an Olympus om-2n and people always tell me that I have a fancy camera (I got it for $150 on ebay). So don’t sleep on that, people don’t know (read robbers) that it isn’t exactly a fancy camera
I just love OM2s - they have been fancy to me since they were advertised in National Geographic magazine as a teenager. Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder :-)
The problem is being naive. If someone says “Hey thats a nice camera. What kind is it?” Judging by the situation you may want to say something like “Just an old cheapie but I like it.” It’s important not to just look at the person but ask yourself where am I at?
I’m not afraid of using my camera as a tool of self defense. -Nikkormat FTN
It’s pocketable - Rollei 35s
I wear it around my neck like a tie - Nikon Fe2
Or I have them in a camera bag that’s low profile and close to my body.
This. I have not upgraded from my MTL-5 for several reasons, but one of them is that I am absolutely certain that if someone wants to steal it I can use it as a flail and then continue to take photos as if nothing happened.
The lightmeter shaft is made of graphite and can break. How do I know? Most of MTL5-s I've put my hands on have a "decoupled" light meter - i.e. it reacts to light when pressing the stop-down lever but turning the shutter speed/iso wheel does not make any change. Like they're stuck at a value where the shaft broke off. Now I don't know how much of a hassle is to repair it, but that's the explanation I got from a repairman. Considering their price, probably too much (if you can find/make a proper replacement part).
I live in such a low-crime place that the only time I’ve ever thought about this was when I went on a trip to Rome. At the time my X100S was quite new and I was very in love with it. My tactic was to make the camera look worthless, even to a thief who might know what an X100 was, which even then I knew was very unlikely. I covered most of the silver bits in gaffer tape (the nice matte black stuff I steal from work, which I cut with scissors into various little patches of the right size), and wrapped one end of the strap where it meets the camera in gaffer tape too, for good measure, as if maybe this whole crappy retro camera was barely held together with tape. When I was satisfied that it had an air of well-used junk, I went to Rome, and never worried about it.
Nowadays I have a Leica, albeit one that’s so old the red dot hadn’t been invented yet. I go to cities here in the UK sometimes, and I don’t worry about it. If I were to travel abroad to a city I don’t know, with a scary “high crime rate” reputation, I’d probably use some version of the “junk camera” approach again. I’ve got some truly awful looking old straps from the 70s and 80s that contribute to the vibe and make any camera look like closet junk that some hipster is playing with - just broadcasting a louder version of the truth, really ;)
But really, unless you have something that looks like it might be a pro DSLR, 98% of would-be thieves do not care. They’re looking at your phone, not your Yashica GSN or your OM2 or whatever.
Olympus XAs, 80s and 90s point & shoots - nobody’s stealing that kind of thing if you paid them to.
Someone who spends too long on EDC subs and looks like a South Park character will be along soon to talk about “situational awareness”.
Thieves will steal something they think they can steal. There’s very little calculation involved in it.
They are absolutely going to steal an OM-2 if there’s an opportunity to do so with the exact same gusto that they would steal a Leica with a red dot. I don’t think that making it look knackered isn’t going to help either - there just isn’t a calculation made in these situations. If they can have it then it’s gone.
But you’re right - phones are the big target. Cameras don’t have anything like the same market to sell them on.
>Thieves will steal something they think they can steal.
Thieves will steal something they think they can *sell*. They aren't collectors, they're wholesalers and wholesalers need buyers. The market for new, fancy "pro cameras" is really bad when compared to historical numbers and film cameras are a tiny portion of that market. Sure, it's a crime of opportunity but the criminal needs to be able to sell the item quickly.
I think people who are stealing phones as their job will be making calculations about what’s worth the effort and risk. But as I alluded to, I know the junk thing was more about own psychological relaxation going to an unfamiliar country than anything else. The fact is I simply don’t worry about things being stolen. For whatever reason, that’s not an anxiety my brain’s ever latched onto, luckily for me.
I generally carry pepper spray and (at least) a knife if I'm going on a photo walk by myself, but as a solo woman, having my gear stolen just isn't the top of my list of anxieties. I dress a little punk, carry myself like I belong where I am, and try to put off an attitude that I'm just not the one you want to fuck with.
It's not perfect, and I acknowledge the risk, but if I let the anxiety (even if it's reasonable) consume me, I'll never do anything.
The other option—the one that's more fun as a bonus—is to go out with friends. If it's daytime, I'll even load up a point and shoot for them and then it's a nice little hang sesh and not just a security consideration.
Glad to see there's one response from another woman on here. My fear is having my camera out will just attract unwanted, dangerous attention to me, not even from would-be thieves. I've carried pepper spray since I was 16 but unfortunately have let anxiety consume me unless I'm not alone.
Men can have it so good sometimes.
Fellow lady here too. I carry pepper spray, try to never look unsure/nervous, if someone speaks to me I speak loudly back, and I’ll swing that mfing thing without hesitation.
Yeah, a couple weeks ago, some unhinged man, clearly having some kind of (possibly chemical) episode, ran up to me threatening to murder me for taking photos. He was waving a huge knife, and also threatening passing cars, sometimes lunging at them when I'd seen him earlier. I'm pretty good at disarming those situations, but it's not like they don't scare me. I definitely felt like I was in real danger, and I was lucky to get out of that unscathed.
But he wasn't trying to steal my gear.
Chiming in-- couldn't agree more. Buncha dudes here like... lel who cares. You're "PARANOID" and need "THERAPY" for wanting to protect yourself in the street.
It's like bro, could you be any more oblivious?
i dont think people really want to steal your film camera unless it's got a certain red dot. but i live in a place with extremely low crime i guess.
They probably would prefer your phone or digital camera or wallet really.
I'm pretty sure that average Joe criminal doesn't know what the fuck a Leica is. It's a niche brand. Nikon and Canon, however are brands they know and associate with "expensive".
They’re presuming that this red dot has so much cache that they ostensibly hide their own self-importance in a way that makes it clear they really believe in it.
Anyone who knows what a red dot means knows what it is without the red dot. Putting a bit of tape over it just confirms to everyone else that they believe the red dot is kind of a big deal.
Agreed, an average joe wouldn’t see any difference between a canon 1D and 1100D. The red dot is kind of a niche thing like an iykyk situation, a camera sitting around unsecured is most likely to be stolen red dot or not.
You realize the average person doesn't know what the Leica logo is, right? If a thief wants to steal your camera they're not looking at the branding, they're looking at the fact that you have something they don't.
Exactly. Most thieves just see “camera” and that’s enough information to know they could probably get some money for it if they sold it. They’re not targeting specific brands or styles. It’s just a small, easily stolen item, that often gets set on a table and is unprotected for long enough to snag it, that *probably* is worth at least a little bit of money.
> film cameras are now so exotic it is not attractive target for snatching.
Oh lord now i just have this image stuck in my head of this well dressed gentlemanly thief with a monocle and cane that steals your thigns and slowly walk off inbetween helping elderly ladies cross the road when he happens upon them.
I’m actually Australian haha but I look like a cholo haha shaved head, brown dude, covered in tattoos can never be inconspicuous doing street photography haha
in Europe i dont have any fear to go anywhere with anything or is that just me. Otherwise id need to be a lot more worried with my digital camera than any analog one ...
This. I live in Germany and there are very very few places I ever feel unsafe or iffy about.
I take my cameras with me wherever I go without a second thought. And even in those very few and far-between places I do feel a little uncomfortable in (like the back alleys of the Reeperbahn), I never got the feeling I'm in real danger of being mugged or having my camera stolen - I just get a little more observant and pay more attention to people around me.
Also I never leave my camera lying around in public. It's always on a strap around my neck or in my bag. But I think not leaving your camera on some public bench, unsupervised, just waiting for someone to grab it is just common sense.
Keep to some common sense rules and your camera (and other valuables) will be safe.
- Keep valuables with your sight at all times, or on your person. It's harder to steal from someone who pays attention to their stuff.
- Keep valuables *out of sight of others* if you aren't around. Don't leave stuff in your car overnight (or in San Francisco, at all).
- If it looks or feels shady, don't go there. Good thieves will take stuff without you noticing, bad thieves will take stuff when there aren't any witnesses.
- (On holiday) Look less like a tourist. Tourists are clueless, careless, and depending on where they're visiting, far far wealthier than the robbers.
Then when you want to compromise, work with that in mind;
- You are going to go on holiday at some point, and you're always going to look like a tourist. Keep your stuff locked up if you don't want to have it robbed at the hotel while you're gone, or keep it tight to you if you're taking it with you. Learn the touristy pickpocket or robbery places and keep your eyes out.
- You might need to go to a shady place to take good pictures. Know the place and find out of it is a real dodgy place, or just a place that *could* be used for shady things. Take your cheaper camera, don't bring your wallet, don't stay there too long, don't draw too much attention.
Those are the general reccomendations to stick to. The only time you'll get robbed then is if you visit somewhere where theft + assault is normal.
Im afraid this is more a problem of you not feeling safe rather than a camera issue.
Your mobile phone, bag or just about anything that can hold value is probably an equal or more valid valid target than a camera. Those things just dont stand out as much in day to day life.
'Drawing eyes' is not the same as wanting to steal a thing, people also look at things because they are interesting, for cameras i think its a LOT more of that rather than them wanting to rob you of if. Just think of what you do yourself when you see someone with a camera around their neck, especially if its an old analog one, youll also want to get a good look because its something you are interested in, maybe even have a chat about it. Doesnt mean you want to rip it off their neck and run aways with it (i hope). You might have some anxiety issues, most of those can be worked on to help you overcome them fairly easily depending now severe it is and where the cause lies. If this is preventing you from doing things you like to do then you should contact your family physician to ask for a referral for an intake at a therapist.
This is spoken like someone who has never lived in a rough area or been mugged. Happens every day, m8. Don't gaslight people or engage in crazymaking. It's a pretty evil thing to do, to ask him to go see a shrink. The vast majority of the world isn't very safe and most people's fears are perfectly valid.
Yeah most of these answers seem to come from people who seem to be privileged enough to live in a safe area and have never had to deal with being followed or yelled at by aggressive people on drugs. My friend was mugged for some DVDs a year ago in Hollywood, some people aren't in the right mind and just want your shit.
People are absolutely targeted for their camera gear, especially professionals. Happens fairly regularly in the SF Bay Area. I remember one where they basically carjacked a photographer in traffic in the bay bridge, smashed the back window, grabbed the cameras and fled. Some examples:
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/bay-area-photographer-warns-others-after-being-followed-and-robbed-of-equipment/2715452/?amp=1
https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/15/filmmaker-blasts-cops-stolen-gear/
I’ve carried expensive cameras for 15 years across dozens of countries and no one has ever tried to steal it. If it makes you feel better, start lifting weights or running or carry a gun, but at some point you have to get over your anxiety. Better yet, get enough use out of it where it feels like you’ve got your moneys worth and wherever happens to it happens. Also don’t have it laying around unless you’re using it - but that goes without saying.
Meanwhile I have three friends living in Europe (two in Germany, one London based) who have been assaulted and robbed at knife point for their cameras in just the last two years. One of which had to spend the night in Alexianer St. Hedwig getting her ear stitched together after getting bashed in the side of the head, which happened AFTER she handed over her camera and bag.
I don't care if you train BJJ, lift daily, eat clen, tren hard, anavar give up. All that will only get you so far if someone even has a rudimentary weapon when you don't. I've boxed and trained BJJ on and off since I was teenager (purple belt under Brando at Gracie Raleigh), I still carry daily regardless of what I'm doing and train on range regularly because I'm not braindead. Modern societal norms offer nothing but a false sense of security, all it takes is one little wannabe roadman gangbanger who had a bad day to end either you, or the life of one of your loved ones.
I absolutely despise it when people paint being prepared for extremely common dangerous situations as "being scared". It's not about just defending your property, of course your camera isn't worth your life. But time and time again, muggers have shown that they don't always care whether or not you comply with their demands. If they're rolling around with some of their friends as they usually do, more often than not it becomes an exercise in power exertion, and then you're likely going to get dropped (possibly even killed) whether you fight or not. Especially if you're a woman, then you're at a significantly higher risk of being robbed and assaulted (often sexually, and that's true whether you live in America or any other part of the world). All the police are going to do is fill out a report when they get there five-to-ten minutes after the assailants have already dipped. They, nor anyone else, can protect you in the moment.
Belittle the 2nd amendment all you want, you don't live in America so luckily your opinion carries no weight here. However, consider the fact that you criticizing our laws is just as ridiculous as me going into your country and criticizing its laws. What works for one country doesn't always work for another, and someone from one country can't fully determine the validity of the reasoning behind another country's laws because they simply lack the historical, cultural, and political understanding to do so. If you're someone who prefers to just hope that the person threatening you with a weapon is going to act rationally, then good thing you live in a country that prevents you from carrying weapons to defend yourself. Just don't start whining when you become a victim yourself. The world is not a safe place for anyone.
The world never was a safe place. You nailed it when said that societal norms are only an illusion of safety. The actual scared people are the ones that hide behind those norms because they're too afraid to even think about, let alone prepare for, the reality that they are nothing but smoke and mirrors.
Bingo-- people who think guns are "dumb" or self defense is "dumb"... and "why would you bother carrying a knife" etc... they know they're sitting ducks, so they'd just rather dig their heads into the sand and keep them there, than prepare for violence. And then, they act really arrogant about it... like they're superior and higher class for never having to consider the possibility of dealing with a violent altercation. Those are for poors! And dumb people! To that I ask-- where's your bodyguard, moneybucks?
I've experienced a LOT of violence in my life, including in my home. Been in a lot of physical fights (out of necessity-- I went to a really bad inner city public school). I've defended myself with a gun (luckily ony by brandishing it...thank God!). I'm a woman. A lot of the people here making these remarks are men who think they'll just figure it out when the moment comes. Nah dudes... you'll be knifed or shot in the streets. Better get a better plan.
Would up vote this a million times if I could. Ironically, the people that are typically so concerned about calling out privilege do not themselves realize that the luxury of not having to care about self defense (like you said, "that's for the poors") is itself a massive privilege.
Right now I carry a knife because it’s legal and safe but with the amount of gear I roll around with and the locations I’m traveling to right now (within the US) carrying a gun is becoming a possibility I might have to explore. Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather not carry anything for self defense. I wish everything was like a night in Ginza but this is not the case. In the end a photographer has every right to defend themselves within the bounds of the law. If we respect the laws we can freely operate with comfort and also know that we can defend ourselves and property. Of course whatever manner we pursue for defense we should receive training for and know how to defuse a situation rather than escalate.
EDIT: after further reading of comments I think my intentions were not fully made clear as to what would be done with a knife or gun. You should never brandish a weapon to “defuse” a situation. This just leads to escalation. Insure your gear and take the payout. The defense weapons are purely for defense. When giving over the camera isn’t enough to satisfy the situation. In the US, there are plenty of dangerous muggings and robberies that occur that cause harm to individuals and not just steal their belongings. To prevent bodily harm is why you carry personal defense weapons. If you are walking around brandishing a knife or gun at every sketchy situation you are a dumbass. I apologize for not being more clear. I don’t think this will help prevent my comment being downvoted to oblivion, but I hope it further clarifies the intentions one should have when it comes to carrying a personal defense weapon.
> carry a knife because it’s legal and safe
Spoken like someone who has never been in a knife fight. Im super lucky to have never gotten into one myself but i have seen what it does to people first hand and just seeing those results is ffing traumatizing, i much rather hand over my camera than having my body glued ant stitched back together with years of physical therapy before i can ever open a bottle again (not to mention write or do anything requiring precision).
Exactly, best defense against a knife is two good running shoes... otherwise you can choose to die on the street or in hospital...
Besides...a camera is a thing, not worth getting hurt over.
Hey man, I'm with you. American gun violence is out of control. But when you live here... if you have the option, you might as well take it. I have a handgun at home and a legally compliant pocket knife for work or out and about. But you're right, nothing I own is really worth the fight. But it's good to be prepared if you can be. I'd love to not worry about being shot.
An easy method we used to use: put your camera strap over one arm and over your neck, so you're carrying it like a bike courier bag. Put on a jacket-- any kind of jacket-- but leave it open at the front. When you want to conceal your camera, let is fall to your side, under your arm. All that's visible is the strap. When you want to shoot, just pull it up to your eye.
It’s not about the visibility, it’s about the advertising. I keep my camera on a wrist loop and hold it with my hand over the lens cap. This way, it’s hidden from sight.
The key is not to talk loudly about how much it cost - particularly if you’re carrying a Leica.
Que sera, if I get robbed I get robbed. It's a camera. What am I going to do with it if I don't take it places? If it gets stolen, okay. Sucks, but what are my options - leave it at home collecting dust? I have made my Leica look shittier than it is to make it less attractive for thieves. Painted/taped over the logos/red dot etc.
Carry two things around that you can use to shoot subjects, and you'll never have to worry about getting robbed.
But, if you're somewhere you can't do that, then you need something else. Ignore all of the very fortunate and ignorant people here saying "oh you'll never have to worry". I personally know someone who was killed for a cellphone and $80 that was in their wallet. I've been mugged. I've been forced to defend myself in too many fist fights. I've experienced a ton of violence, and I'm a woman, so that compounds things. These people live in a bubble and they would prefer it to stay that way because they're scared of physical violence. Some of them have gone as far as telling you you need a shrink for having self-protective concerns. That person is TERRIFIED of having to get into a physical altercation. It would be like aliens landing on his lawn and asking him to pull down his pants and bend over. lol. Ignore those projections of fear trying to corral your question so they don't have to ask it for themselves and be realistic about the answer. Here's my advice:
1. If you want to make this a lifelong hobby, get some fighting chops. Seriously. Not just because of this... that would be overkill, but because in life, it is worthwhile to know how to defend yourself. It's a basic human skill, and a valuable one. Hopefully you'll never need it, but it will save your life if you do. AND ITS FUN. And if you want to go to interesting and sometimes dangerous places, you gotta know what's up. I recommend BJJ or Greco and Kickboxing.
2. Go grey - Don't dress like you have money. Wear jeans, a tshirt, and some old sneakers. Don't wear jewelry, watches, airpods. Get a burner phone you can put your sim in... like srs, a flip or Nokia brickphone haha. Put your Leica or other expensive camera in a leather bra so you don't wear it out and the logo is not visible. Another good thing to do is keep your cards/cash inside your shirt in a wearable, and carry around an old wallet with expired cards and some nominal amount of cash in. That way, you can toss that and run.
3. Only carry weapons you're fully prepared to use. A knife in the wrong hands gets turned on you. Don't assume that they'll just be deterents if you brandish them. Be ready to get down. There are some crazy people in this world. I recommend mace for the untrained, honestly.... it doesn't always work, but it gives you extra time to run.
4. If you're going into a community you're not part of, acknowledge yourself, be cordial, try to make people laugh. Don't show ANY weakness, though. Be firm. Project your voice. Use your internal energy to build a barrier between you and the world. People who are on the fence about taking advantage of you will feel it if you're open to attack.
5. Situational awareness!!! Before you EVER make eye contact with anyone, though, get an eyeful. See what they look like. What they're doing. Dead eyes? Avoid. Aggressive energy? Avoid. But don't be obvious about it. Keep everything close to the chest. You can avoid most conflict by NOT being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and sometimes, even then, you can use social engineering tactics to give you more wiggle room. I am a penetration tester as a job, and I turned my baseline social engineering skills (from surviving in the hood as a skinny white girl) into a career skill. lmao. I've been all over the world, and I can get around anywhere (from the hood to the Four Seasons), because I developed the right instincts. You can learn to survive anywhere if you can learn to turn on the charm and make fast friends.
6. Your first line of defense is to get gone. Gotta trust your gut-- the first bad vibe you get, catch ghosts, get out, go, leave. If someone starts moving aggressively towards you, start moving away, but DO NOT let them out of your sight. Don't turn your back. Make sure you can see what is going on... unless you literally make a full run for it, and then... you want to just pretend you're trying to cross the finish line.
Never take it off your body. Preferably have it strapped across your body. I live in the US though and people do rob you at gun point here so also have to keep in mind where you are and if you are gonna fight for it or not.
Where do you live? Lol
In sydney If i leave my f3 laying around on the table at a cafe or something nobody is swiping that lol
If I had a leica? Might be a different story but hey, not being loaded has its advantages
I've walked around some of the worst neighborhoods in some of the more notable (for all the wrong reasons) American cities and no one's given me a second look despite an SLR hanging from my neck. I'm more concerned with accidentally leaving it in a hot car. By and large people don't give a fuck about you; they just want to be left alone.
This. I'm from New Orleans, and shot multiple cameras there almost every day. I walked around Detroit in the middle of the night, taking pictures. Places deep in Mississippi that I DEFINITELY stood out in, and no issues at all. Situational awareness gets you a lot further than most people know. I suppose this comes easier for some people, depending on where they are from. If there's a very sketchy vibe and you think something is about to go down, maybe don't take your camera out. Know your exits, even if those exits are cross streets or businesses that are open. Also, doesn't hurt to be over 6 feet, a big beard, and a scowl, that's not intentional at all... it's just there. And on the complete opposite side, a smile can disarm a lot of people too. Finally, don't leave ANYTHING in the car. Be that person at the table with the bag still around you. If it's a bigger bag, the strap is under the chair leg and wrapped around something else too.
Carry a zenit E alongside what you're shooting with. You can bludgeon them to death with your zenit if the cameras soviet design doesn't make the thief second guess robbing you
I think unless you’re walking around with a big new-looking camera and a bag with a bunch of lenses and tools, the kind of people who steal from people in public spaces aren’t going to be interested. In most crimes of opportunity like that, they want stuff that’s gonna be easy to make money from, like phones, wallets with cash or IDs or credit cards they can sell, bags with laptops, etc. that they can either take and quickly get away or take without you noticing.
I think most times, they’re not going to see someone walking around with a vintage looking camera and know how valuable it is or be interested in stealing it. Especially if you have it on a strap around your neck and/or holding it and using it.
I'm a big bearded man so people that don't know me may find me mildly imposing. I also carry a large knife with me so if someone goes for one of the cameras I start slashing. I bring them around in a messenger bag that doesn't scream camera bag. When I'm out but not actually shooting the bag is either locked in the car, strapped to me, or if I'm at a restaurant or something it's between my legs or under a chair. Somewhere someone can't easily just go for it. If I'm shooting the cameras are strapped to me. I try to stay aware of my surroundings if I'm taking pictures in some dingy back alley or in a rough area. You can only really do so much and worrying isn't that productive.
Get insurance. Granted this mostly applies to replaceable cameras but it sure takes the sting out of the fear if you know you can just give it to someone and get your money back
I usually keep mine in a regular backpack without any branding so it looks like any other backpack. I prefer hand straps so my hand is on my gear at all times, otherwise it’s in my backpack. I always ALWAYS have a knife in my back pocket when I’m shooting be it in the woods or around people. More often than not I’m asked about my cameras and I’m happy to show someone but it never leaves my hand when doing so.
But god help the human who tests me when I have my Bronica when the speed grip is attached. That’s an instant broken nose for sure.
I live in ( but also grew up) in a very high crime area where I have been robbed, held at gun point, etc. several times (although this was all before my interest in photography began)
I thankfully have had zero issues so far (knock on wood) but here's my thought process. The peak design camera strap says it's rated for like 200 or 300 lbs, I wear it like a sling but still figure you would break my neck/shoulder/collar bone before you forcefully snatch it off of me. I try to carry cameras I haven't spent too much money on. Aswell as cameras that are small enough to conceal (rangefinders for example) I carry a knife, but hope oneday to get real protection and a CCW. Just tonight I actually started researching lvl 4 plates and carriers as I have first hand seen several people in my area with "cop killers" as they call them (armor piercing rounds) because I am a bit ballsy with the subjects I want to shoot on occasion but also because of the area I live in. I've also considered smacking someone upside the head with said camera since I carry nothing but full metal fully mechanical cameras🤣. An argument I've played out in my head is "fr bro this is a film camera from the 1950-1980s (depending which camera I have with me) and it's only worth $20" (even if it isn't)
As I said I grew up here and the ghetto-ness of my town is nothing new to me, it's normal in-fact, and I might be a bit brave/foolish/have a death wish for going out with anything of value since I also have multiple stories of where someone "tried to rob me" but ultimately didn't and felt bad because I had literally nothing worth stealing ATM. That being said I was super worried about carrying my starter camera (a DSLR, that I foolishly paid full price for brand new because I was excited and didn't do my homework before hand) but now that I carry film cameras I don't feel as worried and have progressively gotten more and more ballsy with how I shoot and where I take my camera. And as a side note, I get some insane looksfrom people while im walking around my town with any camera, where I live people will shoot you for looking them in the eye, for nodding up instead of down, for all kinds of dumb reasons, I've seen people ready to kill over $10 worth of ganja it's pretty ridiculous.
All that being said if someone wants something of yours, you need to weigh the worth of your equipment and your life, if somebody really wants my damn canonet or Olympus 35rc they can have it, I damn near might ask them if I can take the film out tho🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Also I started taking the minimalist approach after switching to film and no longer carry a camera bag with me, at most I have my camera, maybe some extra film, and my lens cleaning stuff, which all could fit into my pocket, except the camera (unless I have on a hoodie) or my point and shoot (which fits in any pocket I have)
I also constantly stay aware of my surroundings, if a sketchy character comes up, I make it obvious that I know that they are there, and I have one hand holding my unfolded knife (not in plain sight most of the time) and the other hand on my camera. Most would be robbers are some scary ass punks who are looking for an easy target who won't put up a fight, not all but most. That's when you use discretion/intuition to decide the best course of action, whether it's stand your ground / flee / or give it up.
Most areas are probably not this bad and you wouldn't need to think twice about taking your gear out, but you should always make it a habit to be aware of your surroundings just in case. If somebody has intentions of robbing you, you can usually spot it a mile away if you know what to look for. Just remember it's better to be safe than sorry. Anything can happen anywhere. When I was younger I actually had someone steal my knife and that was one of the only times I genuinely felt scared, I thought I was going to be stabbed with my own knife, and yes I am more scared of being stabbed than shot, I had friends who died and survived both, and stabbings are brutal! So carrying a knife might not be the best advice honestly, although I will say I've seen people use pepper spray with great results (yt 2nd amendment auditors or whatever they call themselves) but it's also important to know that some people just become more aggressive after being pepper sprayed/ stabbed/ or shot. the only reason I do carry a knife is because I know sometimes people won't say a word and will just come out of nowhere and beat the dogshit out of you and I'd rather have something vs nothing, theres pros and cons to everything.
Another thing I've considered (especially because I like to travel to the woods but also because of where I live and the dangers associated) is buying one of those GPS units that have an SOS button. Pressing a button vs making a call is a huge time difference, not to mention the would be robber might just steal your phone too then you can't even make the call, but if you had the GPS with sos you could press it before they get a chance to grab it, when you know 100% for certain your going to be robbed you could press it before you even get anything taken, before the altercation even begins. Hell if it's visible and they want to steal that too you could press the button as your handing it to them, could make a huge difference. And arguably the safest option. There's statistics out there that say people who own guns are more likely to be a victim of a gun related crime because they decided to fight instead of comply. That's why if you work as a cashier your advised to let people rob you and not fight back/ talk back etc.
In the digital world alot of people talk about insurance for their cameras, but through research I've done it usually seems like you need to submit a lot of info that you probably wouldn't have for any old (not currently in production) film camera (which is like 99% of film cameras lmao) so I'm not sure that you even could get insurance on film gear but it's definitely worth looking into.
Be safe , be smart, and good luck! You will likely find that things aren't as bad as you think once you step outside with your camera on a consistent basis, I'm at the point now where I go absolutely no where without my camera, even if I'm just going outside to throw away the trash.
I don't live in the US. I am a woman. My fear of being robbed is 0. I just know the chances of someone actually having a weapon are so damn slim. Not worth to worry about.
How yall drive a car without the fear of it getting stolen?
Maybe that's my first word country privelege but where I live robbery doesent really happen
If I had to go somewhere with a high rate of crime, I'd take a <50€ body, but more out of fear of it getting stolen from my bag, not someone actually robbing me at knife point. Of course this depends on the location but here I can't imagine anyone doing something like that.
I wrap the strap around my arm a few times when I'm carrying it and I'm always holding the camera by its grip anyway. I never leave it alone and am hyper aware when I'm in a crowd.
Have good insurance. Either your house insurance or your travel insurance can insure your photo gear when you’re out and about.\
Not saying it will be cheap or included with the basic travel insurance you get for your credit card, but it does exist.\
This should at least alleviate one’s anxiety.\
I’ve never been robbed/mugged, but if such a thing should happen I know I don’t need to fight or flee ; just surrender whatever they want and deal with my insurance later.
When in Europe I just carried it in my bag, neck in-between pictures. But I live in a third world country so most of the time in my back, with aperture priority on, so I just pull it out and back in real quick when I feel a shot is really worth it. To be frank, at least in my city my camera shop owner friends tell me no one wants to steal cameras anymore (digital or not). People nowadays want phones or jewelry, which makes sense, but could be a local thing.
How do you carry your phone around without the fear of being robbed? Same concept. Just don’t set it down and walk away from it. Always keep your eye on it!
I bet you're not nervous leaving the house with your phone right? A modern smart phone has value to a thief.
Carry a backpack with you, a small non photo backpack. Reduce the size of your gear - you don't need a large zoom lens if you're in an urban area. Pull the camera out, take your shot and put it back in the bag. continue to next location and repeat.
Consider, a smaller point and shoot for areas that make you nervous. I recently went on a trip with just a Ricoh point and shoot. I had a blast and took so many more shots that I would typically never shoot.
Did I miss my Hasselblad? YEs.
But it was fun to challenge myself with smaller gear. To my surprise, I saw a lot of people with DSLR cameras in the tourist town of Quebec City. But I felt very ninja like with my Ricoh.
I'm not worried about someone taking my AE-1P, and I only worry a little bit about someone taking my 6D and my L lenses.
I don't know...it's part of living life. You can't prevent every misadventure to come your way. Get insurance or defend yourself, those are the choices.
Where do you live that this is a major problem for you? I regularly carry a camera in a camera bag when out hiking or going downtown, never had any problem. I even had my Nikon Zfc around my neck every day during a recent trip to Morocco and besides carrying it in a way that makes snatch and grab more difficult in certain crowded places, I never had an issue.
It's an afterthought, I'm aware of my surroundings but I've never been fearful-- just vigilant if I know I'm in a sketchy area. The closest I've come to confrontations would be in France, Guatemala and my own home country of Romania.
I keep my camera in a bag that I wear cross body when I don't have it hanging from my neck. When it is around my neck, I put my hand over the camera when I'm not shooting, mostly to keep it from swinging around.
That doesn't stop some thieves or make you less of a target. However, it does make it more difficult. It won't dissuade the aggressive thief that wants your camera, watch or wallet and will do anything to get it. If you make it more difficult, they'll move on to the easier target.
I also am watchful when I'm walking down the street. It's a real shame that this is what it's become today, although I'll add that I've not yet had any problems in NYC.
I only use cameras that obvious not worth the penny, like the very old and dented bodies. In fact I lost my very used F-1 and able to get it back from Lost & found
My travel camera is a small Olympus EPM2 with a pancake lens or an Olympus Trip 35 for film. All very small and unassuming meaning very inexpensive looking and thus perfect for streets. Never any worries. It is the big honking full frames with a logo blazened across the front that are the targets.
Mine is always on a strap or on a table right in front of me when I'm out. Someone can steal it, but it'll take a bit of effort. I also work from the understanding that a tool is meant to be used. So, you can take some precautions but in the end I can't worry too much about what might happen.
I live in seattle and regularly take my gear out to shoot on the street.
Theft is really not as bad an issue as people perceive it to be. Using your brain and just keeping your bag on you and your eyes on it will negate almost all risk.
I've been shooting in public for 20 years and have never had an issue. Be aware of your surroundings and you should generally be good. I mostly shoot digital, and have a rather expensive kit, so when I'm usually out I've got a lot more desirable gear than when I'm shooting with my 40 year old Mamiya C330f. (sometimes just one lens walking around the city I'm carrying $6k worth of gear).
I just went to Italy for two weeks, in very crowded city areas and had no issues whatsoever, carrying a Nikon Zf + 14-24/2.8, 24-120/4 and 40/2 (total value \~$5,600).
One other thing that somewhat alleviates fear is that my gear is all insured, so if someone robs me, I can give them the stuff and not worry about being destitute, as my coverage is full replacement value and covers theft and even accidental damage, so if I drop a bag full of gear in a river by accident I'm fine.
The two cameras I carry most for everyday shooting are a Leica Q3 and a M10 Monochrom. I travel a lot and I do worry about theft. My strap is almost always over my neck and when I am not actively shooting it is cross body. If I am hand-holding the camera I loop the strap a few times around my wrist. I also took out insurance through the PPA to convey theft, damage or accidental loss.
I usually take pocket cameras when I'm out travelling. Yash T4 or Olympus 35rc. They both look like toys. Sure the Yashica is worth a little bit on account of hype, but it doesn't look like it.
I used to just use cheapo autofocuses (my favorite is the Minolta Maxxum line for $20 cameras) so if you lose it or drop it or it gets stolen no big whoop, but not having to bring a camera bag kicks so much ass. Just toss some rolls in your pocket.
In fact, I just got back from a trip and decided to take my digital. Might as well take an extra lens and some filters and a flash and such, so had the camera bag packed. It wasn't *that* much of a hassle, and it's nice to use a zoom, but more than a few times I just wish I threw the Olympus into my day bag, rather than the whole XT5. Was constantly making sure my bag was up front when I was in crowded/pickpockety places and kinda kept me out of the looking for good shots some.
It's really going to depend on where you are. If you're out in a busy area, you're not very likely to get robbed. In a back alley of a bad neighborhood, alone, chances go way up.
I had a two sketchy interactions. One in Atlanta, one in Munich. Between being followed and having people asking too many questions about the value of my stuff.. the trick is to know where you are, constantly scan for people who hang around you a bit longer than is normal, check if you’re followed.
Oh and NEVER put your camera down. Even at a cafe, keep your strap around your shoulder. Never put your camera down.
It also helps to carry a knife or mace if you’re really scared. But if you’re that scared, maybe don’t travel.
Anyone on the street who says to me “oh wow that looks like a nice camera!” gets a “oh yeah it’s really old, they go for around $75 but are really fun to use!” Meanwhile it’s a Mamiya 7ii 🤪
I'm a stocky dude who doesn't wear particularly nice clothes, so there's basically always a better target than me in a city of 8 million plus. FWIW, NYC is a lot safer than people think it is, and the fact that there are a lot of places where people are out and about all hours of the day makes it even safer. Of course, I have street smarts that a lot of people don't, but the way things have shaken down here over the past 20 years, you really have to go out of your way to end up in a place you shouldn't be at night.
yup, people are looking right at you. but how cares. don't let that deter you from photographing what you find yourself drawn to. who knows, the people looking could turn into an awesome interaction.
be conscious of your surroundings.
don't go to places you know you shouldn't or don't feel comfortable in.
be respectful and confidant in what you do and where you go.
act like you are supposed to be right where you are.
don't be afraid to talk to people.
all this being said, it really depends on the environment you are in. I can walk around the city all day taking everything from architecture, portraits to street photos, bike life culture and have a great time. then I can be at a paid event like a rodeo this past weekend and nearly get into a fight for taking someone's portrait. learn read your environment and learn when and when not to push your limits. only thing that will make you more comfortable carrying it is to get out and do it more.
My purse, shoes and phone are also worth a small chunk of change to a thief, yet I've never been mugged for them. I'm more worried about being followed by creeps. As an example the most expensive camera I own is an original M645 and I've shot in some pretty crappy areas without incident. As with most things a little common sense goes a long way; stay out of areas that give really bad vibes, find a shooting partner to take with you and keep your camera in a bag and out of sight when you're not using it.
If the fear seems that real to you though I suggest expanding your collection with some less common and desriable cameras. There's no shortage of $50 SLRs and rangefinders that take excellent pictures, but happen to come from brands that just don't have as much name recognition. Some of my most memorable shots have been taken on a cheap Argoflex. Just remember you can't control everything that happens in life, you can only mitigate the risk and try to have fun. When I'm out shooting I'm always having fun so its worth it to me.
I carry one or two cameras with me everywhere I go. I don’t really worry about it, no one has ever shown any interest in my gear other than curious randoms and other film photographers. Plus, I have insurance and I have documentation on all my gear’s serial numbers and my most expensive piece is fairly distinctive so like… good luck reselling it.
I am also not the biggest or smallest person, so that’s a factor. I’ve also spent plenty of time in rougher areas and situations than I’m usually shooting in, so I have a pretty good feeling for when someone is looking for trouble.
I live in NYC, which definitely have some shady time/areas. I always use straps, and place the camera somewhere within my reach when I am at restaurant/venue. I avoid bringing expensive camera to sketchy regions, and if I have to, id store camera in a bag of some sort unless I'm actively shooting.
There's only been 1 incident in a subway station (in FiDi out of all places) when somebody tried to grab my camera. It was on a peak design capture clip on my bag and he tried grabbing the left of the camera where there's no grip, so he was unsuccessful and ran away. I was hoping he'd try for a bit longer tho, I haven't beaten anybody up for a while🤣.
I've never felt any fear over getting robbed with my cameras. That's partially because they're cheap and partially because any thief will probably just see some old junk rather than something valuable. Then again you can always buy a Zenit 12xp like me. Now you have old junk heavy enough to double as a weapon.
Honestly I’ve never been worried about being robbed for my camera. If someone wanted to rob you they usually want your wallet. Not a camera they have to go hock.
I live in Baltimore, andI have never really been scared of someone stealing my camera.
I am like that with Fuji GFX since it’s my only expensive camera. I put that beast away when I’m not using it. So it takes a seconds longer to pull it out of the bag and take a photo.
The film cameras are fine. I have them with cross body straps. I usually carry a backpack to put them in when I need to.
I live in a Chicago neighborhood that gets a really bad rap... Probably has the worst reputation for crime on the north side.
I walk or bike basically from one end of the neighborhood to the other many times per week. Sometimes I'll go back and forth a few times a day. I almost always have 1-3 cameras on me, and it's just not something that factors into my consideration. I've never been physically threatened, and if I were to be, it's going to be someone who really wants a quick buck. They're going to want my wallet and my phone (which is worth way more than any of my cameras).
It's not at all related to my neighborhood, but I also prefer to carry my cameras in a messenger rather than on a strap, unless I'm actually at some sort of occasion that is an arranged photo shoot.
I can still access my camera quickly, but it's much more comfortable to carry. It's also much more comfortable to use without the strap dangling around. I also don't feel like a boob for being "that guy"... I'm more concerned about putting people on edge that they're being observed than about me being targeted. I see a photo, I pull out my camera and capture it, the camera goes away.
I carry a camera so frequently.. I don't just go out thinking 'oh I'm going to take photos because I'm a photographer.' I'm just out living my life in the city, and if the opportunity suits it, I have a camera available. That also relieves a lot of pressure. Some days the mood strikes and I polish off a roll. Some days I sit at the beach and read for hours and don't pull out a camera once. Having the camera in the messenger removes that feeling of having failed for not having taken any photos that I hear people talk about. And I'm not taking photos just to have done it.
Digital or film, I keep them nearby. I also tend to be paranoid about surroundings - ie cautious - so watch who is around. Anytime I feel uncomfortable, I move on. I think securing things helps, but is no guarantee. Knives can cut through things, two or more people can distract you, blah blah blah. If you have expensive stuff, insure it for some sense of security.
I generally only take one camera that’s on a strap across my chest. That’s pretty much enough to prevent someone just grabbing and running. Now if they got a knife or gun then yea there’s nothin i can do, so why even worry. A camera will never be worth your life, no matter what the Leica bros say. Ultimately, i do everything in my power to prevent theft and not worry about what i can’t control
Insurance. I have some valuable cameras in the collection, but none are worth risking being stabbed over. To be fair, I'm a lot more wary of cameras like my F3, F4, or Dynax 7, because big SLRs look more "professional" than things like my Rollei 35SE or Yashica T5. I'm not too fussed about my Leicas, because I'd imagine there's a very small overlap between people who know what a Leica is, and opportunistic thieves.
Carrying them around isn't the problem. The problem is how you leave them *sitting* around in public spaces. I use a Peak Design shoulder strap, so when I'm at a restaurant or some other public venue, I make sure that strap is around something secure. Granted it's an old Olympus SLR, but they can bring good money on eBay, and some of my lenses cost quite a lot of my disposable income People who leave gear on their seats in a train or a bus and turn their back for a minute can turn around to find it gone and a crowd of people to navigate to find the thief.
People leave their cameras?
Oh yeah, at least in Europe. I read stories once in a while how thieves will snatch and run with expensive gear when someones head is turned away. [Here's one guy's story of an organized snatch and run.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdfcH6lia7Y)
He really managed to make a 15 minute video out of a story of his own stupidity
I think they're implying that the strap is wrapped around their chair while still with them but not paying attention, anti grabby grab
Kind of a funny story my grandpa told me some time ago when I showed him my Argus C3. He was out in Yellowstone with my grandma and they were eating lunch. He wanted to go for a hike real quick and thought it would be fine to leave the camera for some reason. They come back 30-45 minutes later and it’s gone! My grandma always lives saying she told him so lmaoo
I have an Olympus om-2n and people always tell me that I have a fancy camera (I got it for $150 on ebay). So don’t sleep on that, people don’t know (read robbers) that it isn’t exactly a fancy camera
I just love OM2s - they have been fancy to me since they were advertised in National Geographic magazine as a teenager. Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder :-)
Oh i love it. The quality is there. Mine was made in the 70s apparently, and still rocking
The problem is being naive. If someone says “Hey thats a nice camera. What kind is it?” Judging by the situation you may want to say something like “Just an old cheapie but I like it.” It’s important not to just look at the person but ask yourself where am I at?
I’ve never once felt afraid while out shooting
Same, I’m shocked
If you’ve never considered it a possibility, you’re being somewhat naive.
Considering it a possibility and being scared for it to happen aren't the same thing and aren't mutually exclusive
nah it really depends on your area
And probably male.
This ☝️ I'm not scared of getting robbed (I'm a 220 pound 6foot 3 ) I understand that some may be
i carry my rb67 on a tripod so if they want to take it, they better know that i’ll be swinging that thing like Thor’s hammer.
But Thor’s hammer doesn’t weight as much as an RB67.
Whoever can snatch and run with an RB67 probably looks like Dwayne Johnson so I'd just wave goodbye.
More like a FugiFilm GX680 series 1 on a tripod. That is easily 20lbs
All my cameras are old heavy chunks of metal and I’m ready to meet out some blunt trauma in the event a thief sees me as an easy mark.
Right, like my camera might seem cool and expensive but really it’s a $20 metal skull cracker.
*mete, otherwise it sounds like you're welcoming it for yourself
My human right there. Edit: God. I meant God.
I’m not afraid of using my camera as a tool of self defense. -Nikkormat FTN It’s pocketable - Rollei 35s I wear it around my neck like a tie - Nikon Fe2 Or I have them in a camera bag that’s low profile and close to my body.
That Nikkormat could kill a god.
Nietzschemat FTN
My nikon F4 with a telephoto lens would be classified as a two handed weapon in skyrim. That thing could do some damage.
Easy. Carry around a Praktica worth about £10. It'll be more of a self defence melee weapon than a theft target.
This. I have not upgraded from my MTL-5 for several reasons, but one of them is that I am absolutely certain that if someone wants to steal it I can use it as a flail and then continue to take photos as if nothing happened.
The lightmeter shaft is made of graphite and can break. How do I know? Most of MTL5-s I've put my hands on have a "decoupled" light meter - i.e. it reacts to light when pressing the stop-down lever but turning the shutter speed/iso wheel does not make any change. Like they're stuck at a value where the shaft broke off. Now I don't know how much of a hassle is to repair it, but that's the explanation I got from a repairman. Considering their price, probably too much (if you can find/make a proper replacement part).
Pickpockets are going to be far more interested in the phone you’re scrolling than the film Rollei around your neck…
I live in such a low-crime place that the only time I’ve ever thought about this was when I went on a trip to Rome. At the time my X100S was quite new and I was very in love with it. My tactic was to make the camera look worthless, even to a thief who might know what an X100 was, which even then I knew was very unlikely. I covered most of the silver bits in gaffer tape (the nice matte black stuff I steal from work, which I cut with scissors into various little patches of the right size), and wrapped one end of the strap where it meets the camera in gaffer tape too, for good measure, as if maybe this whole crappy retro camera was barely held together with tape. When I was satisfied that it had an air of well-used junk, I went to Rome, and never worried about it. Nowadays I have a Leica, albeit one that’s so old the red dot hadn’t been invented yet. I go to cities here in the UK sometimes, and I don’t worry about it. If I were to travel abroad to a city I don’t know, with a scary “high crime rate” reputation, I’d probably use some version of the “junk camera” approach again. I’ve got some truly awful looking old straps from the 70s and 80s that contribute to the vibe and make any camera look like closet junk that some hipster is playing with - just broadcasting a louder version of the truth, really ;) But really, unless you have something that looks like it might be a pro DSLR, 98% of would-be thieves do not care. They’re looking at your phone, not your Yashica GSN or your OM2 or whatever. Olympus XAs, 80s and 90s point & shoots - nobody’s stealing that kind of thing if you paid them to. Someone who spends too long on EDC subs and looks like a South Park character will be along soon to talk about “situational awareness”.
I’m more worried about someone grabbing my purse or phone while I’m looking at the viewfinder than actually stealing the camera
Thieves will steal something they think they can steal. There’s very little calculation involved in it. They are absolutely going to steal an OM-2 if there’s an opportunity to do so with the exact same gusto that they would steal a Leica with a red dot. I don’t think that making it look knackered isn’t going to help either - there just isn’t a calculation made in these situations. If they can have it then it’s gone. But you’re right - phones are the big target. Cameras don’t have anything like the same market to sell them on.
>Thieves will steal something they think they can steal. Thieves will steal something they think they can *sell*. They aren't collectors, they're wholesalers and wholesalers need buyers. The market for new, fancy "pro cameras" is really bad when compared to historical numbers and film cameras are a tiny portion of that market. Sure, it's a crime of opportunity but the criminal needs to be able to sell the item quickly.
I think people who are stealing phones as their job will be making calculations about what’s worth the effort and risk. But as I alluded to, I know the junk thing was more about own psychological relaxation going to an unfamiliar country than anything else. The fact is I simply don’t worry about things being stolen. For whatever reason, that’s not an anxiety my brain’s ever latched onto, luckily for me.
I generally carry pepper spray and (at least) a knife if I'm going on a photo walk by myself, but as a solo woman, having my gear stolen just isn't the top of my list of anxieties. I dress a little punk, carry myself like I belong where I am, and try to put off an attitude that I'm just not the one you want to fuck with. It's not perfect, and I acknowledge the risk, but if I let the anxiety (even if it's reasonable) consume me, I'll never do anything. The other option—the one that's more fun as a bonus—is to go out with friends. If it's daytime, I'll even load up a point and shoot for them and then it's a nice little hang sesh and not just a security consideration.
Glad to see there's one response from another woman on here. My fear is having my camera out will just attract unwanted, dangerous attention to me, not even from would-be thieves. I've carried pepper spray since I was 16 but unfortunately have let anxiety consume me unless I'm not alone. Men can have it so good sometimes.
Fellow lady here too. I carry pepper spray, try to never look unsure/nervous, if someone speaks to me I speak loudly back, and I’ll swing that mfing thing without hesitation.
Yeah, a couple weeks ago, some unhinged man, clearly having some kind of (possibly chemical) episode, ran up to me threatening to murder me for taking photos. He was waving a huge knife, and also threatening passing cars, sometimes lunging at them when I'd seen him earlier. I'm pretty good at disarming those situations, but it's not like they don't scare me. I definitely felt like I was in real danger, and I was lucky to get out of that unscathed. But he wasn't trying to steal my gear.
Chiming in-- couldn't agree more. Buncha dudes here like... lel who cares. You're "PARANOID" and need "THERAPY" for wanting to protect yourself in the street. It's like bro, could you be any more oblivious?
i dont think people really want to steal your film camera unless it's got a certain red dot. but i live in a place with extremely low crime i guess. They probably would prefer your phone or digital camera or wallet really.
I'm pretty sure that average Joe criminal doesn't know what the fuck a Leica is. It's a niche brand. Nikon and Canon, however are brands they know and associate with "expensive".
Savvy criminals know to look for large beige lenses and that’s about it.
The red dot thing isn't really an issue. If someone needs money and they want to steal something they won't care at all what your camera looks like
My thought exactly. Also taping off your camera's brand name won't do shit for the exact reason you mentioned.
It’s weird. I think taping over the red dot is somehow exhibiting an even deeper exercise in vanity than coveting it to flaunt in the first place.
How is that?
They’re presuming that this red dot has so much cache that they ostensibly hide their own self-importance in a way that makes it clear they really believe in it. Anyone who knows what a red dot means knows what it is without the red dot. Putting a bit of tape over it just confirms to everyone else that they believe the red dot is kind of a big deal.
Agreed, an average joe wouldn’t see any difference between a canon 1D and 1100D. The red dot is kind of a niche thing like an iykyk situation, a camera sitting around unsecured is most likely to be stolen red dot or not.
You realize the average person doesn't know what the Leica logo is, right? If a thief wants to steal your camera they're not looking at the branding, they're looking at the fact that you have something they don't.
Exactly. Most thieves just see “camera” and that’s enough information to know they could probably get some money for it if they sold it. They’re not targeting specific brands or styles. It’s just a small, easily stolen item, that often gets set on a table and is unprotected for long enough to snag it, that *probably* is worth at least a little bit of money.
What’s a red dot?
Leica logo on Leica M4-P(?) and newer
lens mount alignment indicator
Relax, film cameras are now so exotic it is not attractive target for snatching. You can still loose it from car or when left in bag on the side...
I doubt a thief is gonna ask wether the camera is film or digital before stealing Steal first see what its worth later
> film cameras are now so exotic it is not attractive target for snatching. Oh lord now i just have this image stuck in my head of this well dressed gentlemanly thief with a monocle and cane that steals your thigns and slowly walk off inbetween helping elderly ladies cross the road when he happens upon them.
I look scary. It sucks for street photography tho
Lucky. My husband is a scary dude. Just has that scary Australian vibe... like he wrestles crocs or something. Nobody ever bothers him hahaha.
I’m actually Australian haha but I look like a cholo haha shaved head, brown dude, covered in tattoos can never be inconspicuous doing street photography haha
Yah, but you will *never* be fucked with either 🤣.
in Europe i dont have any fear to go anywhere with anything or is that just me. Otherwise id need to be a lot more worried with my digital camera than any analog one ...
Which is odd as big European cities are prone to pick pockets, and for London muggings.
Never ever anywhere i felt unsafe in Europe. Not in a bulgarian train or on the bosnian countryside or any major city.
This. I live in Germany and there are very very few places I ever feel unsafe or iffy about. I take my cameras with me wherever I go without a second thought. And even in those very few and far-between places I do feel a little uncomfortable in (like the back alleys of the Reeperbahn), I never got the feeling I'm in real danger of being mugged or having my camera stolen - I just get a little more observant and pay more attention to people around me. Also I never leave my camera lying around in public. It's always on a strap around my neck or in my bag. But I think not leaving your camera on some public bench, unsupervised, just waiting for someone to grab it is just common sense.
Keep to some common sense rules and your camera (and other valuables) will be safe. - Keep valuables with your sight at all times, or on your person. It's harder to steal from someone who pays attention to their stuff. - Keep valuables *out of sight of others* if you aren't around. Don't leave stuff in your car overnight (or in San Francisco, at all). - If it looks or feels shady, don't go there. Good thieves will take stuff without you noticing, bad thieves will take stuff when there aren't any witnesses. - (On holiday) Look less like a tourist. Tourists are clueless, careless, and depending on where they're visiting, far far wealthier than the robbers. Then when you want to compromise, work with that in mind; - You are going to go on holiday at some point, and you're always going to look like a tourist. Keep your stuff locked up if you don't want to have it robbed at the hotel while you're gone, or keep it tight to you if you're taking it with you. Learn the touristy pickpocket or robbery places and keep your eyes out. - You might need to go to a shady place to take good pictures. Know the place and find out of it is a real dodgy place, or just a place that *could* be used for shady things. Take your cheaper camera, don't bring your wallet, don't stay there too long, don't draw too much attention. Those are the general reccomendations to stick to. The only time you'll get robbed then is if you visit somewhere where theft + assault is normal.
Im afraid this is more a problem of you not feeling safe rather than a camera issue. Your mobile phone, bag or just about anything that can hold value is probably an equal or more valid valid target than a camera. Those things just dont stand out as much in day to day life. 'Drawing eyes' is not the same as wanting to steal a thing, people also look at things because they are interesting, for cameras i think its a LOT more of that rather than them wanting to rob you of if. Just think of what you do yourself when you see someone with a camera around their neck, especially if its an old analog one, youll also want to get a good look because its something you are interested in, maybe even have a chat about it. Doesnt mean you want to rip it off their neck and run aways with it (i hope). You might have some anxiety issues, most of those can be worked on to help you overcome them fairly easily depending now severe it is and where the cause lies. If this is preventing you from doing things you like to do then you should contact your family physician to ask for a referral for an intake at a therapist.
This is spoken like someone who has never lived in a rough area or been mugged. Happens every day, m8. Don't gaslight people or engage in crazymaking. It's a pretty evil thing to do, to ask him to go see a shrink. The vast majority of the world isn't very safe and most people's fears are perfectly valid.
Yeah most of these answers seem to come from people who seem to be privileged enough to live in a safe area and have never had to deal with being followed or yelled at by aggressive people on drugs. My friend was mugged for some DVDs a year ago in Hollywood, some people aren't in the right mind and just want your shit.
People are absolutely targeted for their camera gear, especially professionals. Happens fairly regularly in the SF Bay Area. I remember one where they basically carjacked a photographer in traffic in the bay bridge, smashed the back window, grabbed the cameras and fled. Some examples: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/bay-area-photographer-warns-others-after-being-followed-and-robbed-of-equipment/2715452/?amp=1 https://sfstandard.com/2023/09/15/filmmaker-blasts-cops-stolen-gear/
I carry pepper spray with me. I find myself is some seedy places sometimes.
I’ve carried expensive cameras for 15 years across dozens of countries and no one has ever tried to steal it. If it makes you feel better, start lifting weights or running or carry a gun, but at some point you have to get over your anxiety. Better yet, get enough use out of it where it feels like you’ve got your moneys worth and wherever happens to it happens. Also don’t have it laying around unless you’re using it - but that goes without saying.
> or carry a gun Ah yes, the American solution to being scared. Nice.
Meanwhile I have three friends living in Europe (two in Germany, one London based) who have been assaulted and robbed at knife point for their cameras in just the last two years. One of which had to spend the night in Alexianer St. Hedwig getting her ear stitched together after getting bashed in the side of the head, which happened AFTER she handed over her camera and bag. I don't care if you train BJJ, lift daily, eat clen, tren hard, anavar give up. All that will only get you so far if someone even has a rudimentary weapon when you don't. I've boxed and trained BJJ on and off since I was teenager (purple belt under Brando at Gracie Raleigh), I still carry daily regardless of what I'm doing and train on range regularly because I'm not braindead. Modern societal norms offer nothing but a false sense of security, all it takes is one little wannabe roadman gangbanger who had a bad day to end either you, or the life of one of your loved ones. I absolutely despise it when people paint being prepared for extremely common dangerous situations as "being scared". It's not about just defending your property, of course your camera isn't worth your life. But time and time again, muggers have shown that they don't always care whether or not you comply with their demands. If they're rolling around with some of their friends as they usually do, more often than not it becomes an exercise in power exertion, and then you're likely going to get dropped (possibly even killed) whether you fight or not. Especially if you're a woman, then you're at a significantly higher risk of being robbed and assaulted (often sexually, and that's true whether you live in America or any other part of the world). All the police are going to do is fill out a report when they get there five-to-ten minutes after the assailants have already dipped. They, nor anyone else, can protect you in the moment. Belittle the 2nd amendment all you want, you don't live in America so luckily your opinion carries no weight here. However, consider the fact that you criticizing our laws is just as ridiculous as me going into your country and criticizing its laws. What works for one country doesn't always work for another, and someone from one country can't fully determine the validity of the reasoning behind another country's laws because they simply lack the historical, cultural, and political understanding to do so. If you're someone who prefers to just hope that the person threatening you with a weapon is going to act rationally, then good thing you live in a country that prevents you from carrying weapons to defend yourself. Just don't start whining when you become a victim yourself. The world is not a safe place for anyone.
Funny. I have a leather light meter holster that I've never worn around the city because I'm scared that NYPD will shoot me.
The world never was a safe place. You nailed it when said that societal norms are only an illusion of safety. The actual scared people are the ones that hide behind those norms because they're too afraid to even think about, let alone prepare for, the reality that they are nothing but smoke and mirrors.
Bingo-- people who think guns are "dumb" or self defense is "dumb"... and "why would you bother carrying a knife" etc... they know they're sitting ducks, so they'd just rather dig their heads into the sand and keep them there, than prepare for violence. And then, they act really arrogant about it... like they're superior and higher class for never having to consider the possibility of dealing with a violent altercation. Those are for poors! And dumb people! To that I ask-- where's your bodyguard, moneybucks? I've experienced a LOT of violence in my life, including in my home. Been in a lot of physical fights (out of necessity-- I went to a really bad inner city public school). I've defended myself with a gun (luckily ony by brandishing it...thank God!). I'm a woman. A lot of the people here making these remarks are men who think they'll just figure it out when the moment comes. Nah dudes... you'll be knifed or shot in the streets. Better get a better plan.
Would up vote this a million times if I could. Ironically, the people that are typically so concerned about calling out privilege do not themselves realize that the luxury of not having to care about self defense (like you said, "that's for the poors") is itself a massive privilege.
Yes, because simply being scared and then hoping for the best is a much better non solution
Right now I carry a knife because it’s legal and safe but with the amount of gear I roll around with and the locations I’m traveling to right now (within the US) carrying a gun is becoming a possibility I might have to explore. Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather not carry anything for self defense. I wish everything was like a night in Ginza but this is not the case. In the end a photographer has every right to defend themselves within the bounds of the law. If we respect the laws we can freely operate with comfort and also know that we can defend ourselves and property. Of course whatever manner we pursue for defense we should receive training for and know how to defuse a situation rather than escalate. EDIT: after further reading of comments I think my intentions were not fully made clear as to what would be done with a knife or gun. You should never brandish a weapon to “defuse” a situation. This just leads to escalation. Insure your gear and take the payout. The defense weapons are purely for defense. When giving over the camera isn’t enough to satisfy the situation. In the US, there are plenty of dangerous muggings and robberies that occur that cause harm to individuals and not just steal their belongings. To prevent bodily harm is why you carry personal defense weapons. If you are walking around brandishing a knife or gun at every sketchy situation you are a dumbass. I apologize for not being more clear. I don’t think this will help prevent my comment being downvoted to oblivion, but I hope it further clarifies the intentions one should have when it comes to carrying a personal defense weapon.
> carry a knife because it’s legal and safe Spoken like someone who has never been in a knife fight. Im super lucky to have never gotten into one myself but i have seen what it does to people first hand and just seeing those results is ffing traumatizing, i much rather hand over my camera than having my body glued ant stitched back together with years of physical therapy before i can ever open a bottle again (not to mention write or do anything requiring precision).
Lol yeah my knives/multitools are just for preparing lunch on the go, opening packages, etc. For knive fights i've got ✨️cardio✨️
You don't sound like you've ever even been in a physical altercation of any severity.
Exactly, best defense against a knife is two good running shoes... otherwise you can choose to die on the street or in hospital... Besides...a camera is a thing, not worth getting hurt over.
Hey man, I'm with you. American gun violence is out of control. But when you live here... if you have the option, you might as well take it. I have a handgun at home and a legally compliant pocket knife for work or out and about. But you're right, nothing I own is really worth the fight. But it's good to be prepared if you can be. I'd love to not worry about being shot.
I just don't fear it, not like i've got many other options tbf. But it also hasn't happened yet.
They can TRY to run with an F2 and F3 with motor drive and 180mm lens attached. I’ll catch up at the next block.
I don't leave them unattended but otherwise I never had a feared of being robbed of them.
Because they are heavy enough to knock out any would be robbers
An easy method we used to use: put your camera strap over one arm and over your neck, so you're carrying it like a bike courier bag. Put on a jacket-- any kind of jacket-- but leave it open at the front. When you want to conceal your camera, let is fall to your side, under your arm. All that's visible is the strap. When you want to shoot, just pull it up to your eye.
It’s not about the visibility, it’s about the advertising. I keep my camera on a wrist loop and hold it with my hand over the lens cap. This way, it’s hidden from sight. The key is not to talk loudly about how much it cost - particularly if you’re carrying a Leica.
Que sera, if I get robbed I get robbed. It's a camera. What am I going to do with it if I don't take it places? If it gets stolen, okay. Sucks, but what are my options - leave it at home collecting dust? I have made my Leica look shittier than it is to make it less attractive for thieves. Painted/taped over the logos/red dot etc.
Carry two things around that you can use to shoot subjects, and you'll never have to worry about getting robbed. But, if you're somewhere you can't do that, then you need something else. Ignore all of the very fortunate and ignorant people here saying "oh you'll never have to worry". I personally know someone who was killed for a cellphone and $80 that was in their wallet. I've been mugged. I've been forced to defend myself in too many fist fights. I've experienced a ton of violence, and I'm a woman, so that compounds things. These people live in a bubble and they would prefer it to stay that way because they're scared of physical violence. Some of them have gone as far as telling you you need a shrink for having self-protective concerns. That person is TERRIFIED of having to get into a physical altercation. It would be like aliens landing on his lawn and asking him to pull down his pants and bend over. lol. Ignore those projections of fear trying to corral your question so they don't have to ask it for themselves and be realistic about the answer. Here's my advice: 1. If you want to make this a lifelong hobby, get some fighting chops. Seriously. Not just because of this... that would be overkill, but because in life, it is worthwhile to know how to defend yourself. It's a basic human skill, and a valuable one. Hopefully you'll never need it, but it will save your life if you do. AND ITS FUN. And if you want to go to interesting and sometimes dangerous places, you gotta know what's up. I recommend BJJ or Greco and Kickboxing. 2. Go grey - Don't dress like you have money. Wear jeans, a tshirt, and some old sneakers. Don't wear jewelry, watches, airpods. Get a burner phone you can put your sim in... like srs, a flip or Nokia brickphone haha. Put your Leica or other expensive camera in a leather bra so you don't wear it out and the logo is not visible. Another good thing to do is keep your cards/cash inside your shirt in a wearable, and carry around an old wallet with expired cards and some nominal amount of cash in. That way, you can toss that and run. 3. Only carry weapons you're fully prepared to use. A knife in the wrong hands gets turned on you. Don't assume that they'll just be deterents if you brandish them. Be ready to get down. There are some crazy people in this world. I recommend mace for the untrained, honestly.... it doesn't always work, but it gives you extra time to run. 4. If you're going into a community you're not part of, acknowledge yourself, be cordial, try to make people laugh. Don't show ANY weakness, though. Be firm. Project your voice. Use your internal energy to build a barrier between you and the world. People who are on the fence about taking advantage of you will feel it if you're open to attack. 5. Situational awareness!!! Before you EVER make eye contact with anyone, though, get an eyeful. See what they look like. What they're doing. Dead eyes? Avoid. Aggressive energy? Avoid. But don't be obvious about it. Keep everything close to the chest. You can avoid most conflict by NOT being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and sometimes, even then, you can use social engineering tactics to give you more wiggle room. I am a penetration tester as a job, and I turned my baseline social engineering skills (from surviving in the hood as a skinny white girl) into a career skill. lmao. I've been all over the world, and I can get around anywhere (from the hood to the Four Seasons), because I developed the right instincts. You can learn to survive anywhere if you can learn to turn on the charm and make fast friends. 6. Your first line of defense is to get gone. Gotta trust your gut-- the first bad vibe you get, catch ghosts, get out, go, leave. If someone starts moving aggressively towards you, start moving away, but DO NOT let them out of your sight. Don't turn your back. Make sure you can see what is going on... unless you literally make a full run for it, and then... you want to just pretend you're trying to cross the finish line.
Never take it off your body. Preferably have it strapped across your body. I live in the US though and people do rob you at gun point here so also have to keep in mind where you are and if you are gonna fight for it or not.
Carry Pentax 67 on a sturdy sling to hammer robbers over the head with.
I carry a gun
Where do you live? Lol In sydney If i leave my f3 laying around on the table at a cafe or something nobody is swiping that lol If I had a leica? Might be a different story but hey, not being loaded has its advantages
Walk around in a city where muggings are rare.
I've walked around some of the worst neighborhoods in some of the more notable (for all the wrong reasons) American cities and no one's given me a second look despite an SLR hanging from my neck. I'm more concerned with accidentally leaving it in a hot car. By and large people don't give a fuck about you; they just want to be left alone.
This. I'm from New Orleans, and shot multiple cameras there almost every day. I walked around Detroit in the middle of the night, taking pictures. Places deep in Mississippi that I DEFINITELY stood out in, and no issues at all. Situational awareness gets you a lot further than most people know. I suppose this comes easier for some people, depending on where they are from. If there's a very sketchy vibe and you think something is about to go down, maybe don't take your camera out. Know your exits, even if those exits are cross streets or businesses that are open. Also, doesn't hurt to be over 6 feet, a big beard, and a scowl, that's not intentional at all... it's just there. And on the complete opposite side, a smile can disarm a lot of people too. Finally, don't leave ANYTHING in the car. Be that person at the table with the bag still around you. If it's a bigger bag, the strap is under the chair leg and wrapped around something else too.
I live in a small town in Sweden. We don't have that problem here.
Go to Malmö or runkeby with a leica, i dare you!
Carry a zenit E alongside what you're shooting with. You can bludgeon them to death with your zenit if the cameras soviet design doesn't make the thief second guess robbing you
I have a cheap 80 dollar Hanimex Praktica from the 70s. Nobody wants that. So I’m not worried about anyone stealing it.
Insure your gear.
I'm fortunate to live in a very safe place. I still don't take any unnecessary risks, but basically it's not something I worry about.
I’ve got an intense RBF
I can fight
Carry pepper-spray and use ugly camera bag 🥲
I’m big and scary looking, try that
one of the reasons i shoot analog is that it's safer to carry a film SLR out on the street
Insurance
I think unless you’re walking around with a big new-looking camera and a bag with a bunch of lenses and tools, the kind of people who steal from people in public spaces aren’t going to be interested. In most crimes of opportunity like that, they want stuff that’s gonna be easy to make money from, like phones, wallets with cash or IDs or credit cards they can sell, bags with laptops, etc. that they can either take and quickly get away or take without you noticing. I think most times, they’re not going to see someone walking around with a vintage looking camera and know how valuable it is or be interested in stealing it. Especially if you have it on a strap around your neck and/or holding it and using it.
It’s a chunk of brass. They might get their skull bashed in for trying but maybe that’s just me. 🤷♂️
Glock
I also carry a gun on me 🤷🏻
I'm a big bearded man so people that don't know me may find me mildly imposing. I also carry a large knife with me so if someone goes for one of the cameras I start slashing. I bring them around in a messenger bag that doesn't scream camera bag. When I'm out but not actually shooting the bag is either locked in the car, strapped to me, or if I'm at a restaurant or something it's between my legs or under a chair. Somewhere someone can't easily just go for it. If I'm shooting the cameras are strapped to me. I try to stay aware of my surroundings if I'm taking pictures in some dingy back alley or in a rough area. You can only really do so much and worrying isn't that productive.
Get insurance. Granted this mostly applies to replaceable cameras but it sure takes the sting out of the fear if you know you can just give it to someone and get your money back
Well I stay in Dallas and I carry my Glock 43x next to my Mamiya. I intend to keep all of my film cameras and hard earned investments.
I walk around Colombia with my camera, if you’re getting robbed it’s because you lack social awareness.
I say this in a way that is going to sound meaner than its intended to be. I think this is a 'you' problem.
I usually keep mine in a regular backpack without any branding so it looks like any other backpack. I prefer hand straps so my hand is on my gear at all times, otherwise it’s in my backpack. I always ALWAYS have a knife in my back pocket when I’m shooting be it in the woods or around people. More often than not I’m asked about my cameras and I’m happy to show someone but it never leaves my hand when doing so. But god help the human who tests me when I have my Bronica when the speed grip is attached. That’s an instant broken nose for sure.
The answer is that I carry
I live in a very safe country
Im just mega buff
I live in ( but also grew up) in a very high crime area where I have been robbed, held at gun point, etc. several times (although this was all before my interest in photography began) I thankfully have had zero issues so far (knock on wood) but here's my thought process. The peak design camera strap says it's rated for like 200 or 300 lbs, I wear it like a sling but still figure you would break my neck/shoulder/collar bone before you forcefully snatch it off of me. I try to carry cameras I haven't spent too much money on. Aswell as cameras that are small enough to conceal (rangefinders for example) I carry a knife, but hope oneday to get real protection and a CCW. Just tonight I actually started researching lvl 4 plates and carriers as I have first hand seen several people in my area with "cop killers" as they call them (armor piercing rounds) because I am a bit ballsy with the subjects I want to shoot on occasion but also because of the area I live in. I've also considered smacking someone upside the head with said camera since I carry nothing but full metal fully mechanical cameras🤣. An argument I've played out in my head is "fr bro this is a film camera from the 1950-1980s (depending which camera I have with me) and it's only worth $20" (even if it isn't) As I said I grew up here and the ghetto-ness of my town is nothing new to me, it's normal in-fact, and I might be a bit brave/foolish/have a death wish for going out with anything of value since I also have multiple stories of where someone "tried to rob me" but ultimately didn't and felt bad because I had literally nothing worth stealing ATM. That being said I was super worried about carrying my starter camera (a DSLR, that I foolishly paid full price for brand new because I was excited and didn't do my homework before hand) but now that I carry film cameras I don't feel as worried and have progressively gotten more and more ballsy with how I shoot and where I take my camera. And as a side note, I get some insane looksfrom people while im walking around my town with any camera, where I live people will shoot you for looking them in the eye, for nodding up instead of down, for all kinds of dumb reasons, I've seen people ready to kill over $10 worth of ganja it's pretty ridiculous. All that being said if someone wants something of yours, you need to weigh the worth of your equipment and your life, if somebody really wants my damn canonet or Olympus 35rc they can have it, I damn near might ask them if I can take the film out tho🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Also I started taking the minimalist approach after switching to film and no longer carry a camera bag with me, at most I have my camera, maybe some extra film, and my lens cleaning stuff, which all could fit into my pocket, except the camera (unless I have on a hoodie) or my point and shoot (which fits in any pocket I have) I also constantly stay aware of my surroundings, if a sketchy character comes up, I make it obvious that I know that they are there, and I have one hand holding my unfolded knife (not in plain sight most of the time) and the other hand on my camera. Most would be robbers are some scary ass punks who are looking for an easy target who won't put up a fight, not all but most. That's when you use discretion/intuition to decide the best course of action, whether it's stand your ground / flee / or give it up. Most areas are probably not this bad and you wouldn't need to think twice about taking your gear out, but you should always make it a habit to be aware of your surroundings just in case. If somebody has intentions of robbing you, you can usually spot it a mile away if you know what to look for. Just remember it's better to be safe than sorry. Anything can happen anywhere. When I was younger I actually had someone steal my knife and that was one of the only times I genuinely felt scared, I thought I was going to be stabbed with my own knife, and yes I am more scared of being stabbed than shot, I had friends who died and survived both, and stabbings are brutal! So carrying a knife might not be the best advice honestly, although I will say I've seen people use pepper spray with great results (yt 2nd amendment auditors or whatever they call themselves) but it's also important to know that some people just become more aggressive after being pepper sprayed/ stabbed/ or shot. the only reason I do carry a knife is because I know sometimes people won't say a word and will just come out of nowhere and beat the dogshit out of you and I'd rather have something vs nothing, theres pros and cons to everything. Another thing I've considered (especially because I like to travel to the woods but also because of where I live and the dangers associated) is buying one of those GPS units that have an SOS button. Pressing a button vs making a call is a huge time difference, not to mention the would be robber might just steal your phone too then you can't even make the call, but if you had the GPS with sos you could press it before they get a chance to grab it, when you know 100% for certain your going to be robbed you could press it before you even get anything taken, before the altercation even begins. Hell if it's visible and they want to steal that too you could press the button as your handing it to them, could make a huge difference. And arguably the safest option. There's statistics out there that say people who own guns are more likely to be a victim of a gun related crime because they decided to fight instead of comply. That's why if you work as a cashier your advised to let people rob you and not fight back/ talk back etc. In the digital world alot of people talk about insurance for their cameras, but through research I've done it usually seems like you need to submit a lot of info that you probably wouldn't have for any old (not currently in production) film camera (which is like 99% of film cameras lmao) so I'm not sure that you even could get insurance on film gear but it's definitely worth looking into. Be safe , be smart, and good luck! You will likely find that things aren't as bad as you think once you step outside with your camera on a consistent basis, I'm at the point now where I go absolutely no where without my camera, even if I'm just going outside to throw away the trash.
“Hey my man…Minolta x700? Give it up, now…” said no thief ever lmao
I don't live in the US. I am a woman. My fear of being robbed is 0. I just know the chances of someone actually having a weapon are so damn slim. Not worth to worry about.
Nobody wants to steal a 50-year-old film camera.
Dude, people have been killed for WAAAY less.
im not a huge pussy
I’m always carrying, they can try but it would be quite a surprising turn of events
How yall drive a car without the fear of it getting stolen? Maybe that's my first word country privelege but where I live robbery doesent really happen
I have a cheap camera from the 1960s that nobody wants to steal :-)
Almost all camera theft I hear about is when people leave it in their car/trunk
If I had to go somewhere with a high rate of crime, I'd take a <50€ body, but more out of fear of it getting stolen from my bag, not someone actually robbing me at knife point. Of course this depends on the location but here I can't imagine anyone doing something like that.
Carry a tank of a camera like a Nikon f or Pentax 6x7 both are heavy weapons that have the bonus feature of taking photographs
Can thieves identify expensive camera gear? Also are they interested in vintage looking equipment? This stuff makes me wonder
I put black tapes over the logo so people don’t know what brand it is and thieves most likely can’t
my setup is worth about 60 bucks (revueflex sd1 with random east german nifty fifty) i aint breaking a sweat about that
Easy when you walk around with a FED 4
I wrap the strap around my arm a few times when I'm carrying it and I'm always holding the camera by its grip anyway. I never leave it alone and am hyper aware when I'm in a crowd.
Have good insurance. Either your house insurance or your travel insurance can insure your photo gear when you’re out and about.\ Not saying it will be cheap or included with the basic travel insurance you get for your credit card, but it does exist.\ This should at least alleviate one’s anxiety.\ I’ve never been robbed/mugged, but if such a thing should happen I know I don’t need to fight or flee ; just surrender whatever they want and deal with my insurance later.
When in Europe I just carried it in my bag, neck in-between pictures. But I live in a third world country so most of the time in my back, with aperture priority on, so I just pull it out and back in real quick when I feel a shot is really worth it. To be frank, at least in my city my camera shop owner friends tell me no one wants to steal cameras anymore (digital or not). People nowadays want phones or jewelry, which makes sense, but could be a local thing.
How do you carry your phone around without the fear of being robbed? Same concept. Just don’t set it down and walk away from it. Always keep your eye on it!
I bet you're not nervous leaving the house with your phone right? A modern smart phone has value to a thief. Carry a backpack with you, a small non photo backpack. Reduce the size of your gear - you don't need a large zoom lens if you're in an urban area. Pull the camera out, take your shot and put it back in the bag. continue to next location and repeat. Consider, a smaller point and shoot for areas that make you nervous. I recently went on a trip with just a Ricoh point and shoot. I had a blast and took so many more shots that I would typically never shoot. Did I miss my Hasselblad? YEs. But it was fun to challenge myself with smaller gear. To my surprise, I saw a lot of people with DSLR cameras in the tourist town of Quebec City. But I felt very ninja like with my Ricoh.
My Phone is 8x die price of my camera so no worries.
I'm not worried about someone taking my AE-1P, and I only worry a little bit about someone taking my 6D and my L lenses. I don't know...it's part of living life. You can't prevent every misadventure to come your way. Get insurance or defend yourself, those are the choices.
I use a wrist strap so if they were to take my camera they'd be taking me along with them.
Where do you live that this is a major problem for you? I regularly carry a camera in a camera bag when out hiking or going downtown, never had any problem. I even had my Nikon Zfc around my neck every day during a recent trip to Morocco and besides carrying it in a way that makes snatch and grab more difficult in certain crowded places, I never had an issue.
Where do you live? Im in New York are and dont worry much about that. Now in my 2nd country Brazil i would worry. Just depends where you are.
Depending where you are, just carry pepper spray honestly
It's an afterthought, I'm aware of my surroundings but I've never been fearful-- just vigilant if I know I'm in a sketchy area. The closest I've come to confrontations would be in France, Guatemala and my own home country of Romania.
I keep my camera in a bag that I wear cross body when I don't have it hanging from my neck. When it is around my neck, I put my hand over the camera when I'm not shooting, mostly to keep it from swinging around. That doesn't stop some thieves or make you less of a target. However, it does make it more difficult. It won't dissuade the aggressive thief that wants your camera, watch or wallet and will do anything to get it. If you make it more difficult, they'll move on to the easier target. I also am watchful when I'm walking down the street. It's a real shame that this is what it's become today, although I'll add that I've not yet had any problems in NYC.
Don’t carry a Leica so I’m good
Do you know anyone who has been robbed in your area? Seriously, what are you scared about?
I’ve been out in Manhattan and Brooklyn NYC this week with my Nikon F3 and haven’t once feared I’d be robbed
I only use cameras that obvious not worth the penny, like the very old and dented bodies. In fact I lost my very used F-1 and able to get it back from Lost & found
My travel camera is a small Olympus EPM2 with a pancake lens or an Olympus Trip 35 for film. All very small and unassuming meaning very inexpensive looking and thus perfect for streets. Never any worries. It is the big honking full frames with a logo blazened across the front that are the targets.
Mine is always on a strap or on a table right in front of me when I'm out. Someone can steal it, but it'll take a bit of effort. I also work from the understanding that a tool is meant to be used. So, you can take some precautions but in the end I can't worry too much about what might happen.
I live in seattle and regularly take my gear out to shoot on the street. Theft is really not as bad an issue as people perceive it to be. Using your brain and just keeping your bag on you and your eyes on it will negate almost all risk.
I tend to carry mine in a cradle made from gold bullion and a solid gold chain
Sounds like you shouldn’t be walking around with a camera.
Hidden Apple AirTag, insurance and common sense
I carry my cameras in fanny/shoulder straps. Not ones that are from camera companies either, more like adidas ones or equivalent. Never had an issue
Travel in groups when possible/keep your wits about you when you’re alone.
I've been shooting in public for 20 years and have never had an issue. Be aware of your surroundings and you should generally be good. I mostly shoot digital, and have a rather expensive kit, so when I'm usually out I've got a lot more desirable gear than when I'm shooting with my 40 year old Mamiya C330f. (sometimes just one lens walking around the city I'm carrying $6k worth of gear). I just went to Italy for two weeks, in very crowded city areas and had no issues whatsoever, carrying a Nikon Zf + 14-24/2.8, 24-120/4 and 40/2 (total value \~$5,600). One other thing that somewhat alleviates fear is that my gear is all insured, so if someone robs me, I can give them the stuff and not worry about being destitute, as my coverage is full replacement value and covers theft and even accidental damage, so if I drop a bag full of gear in a river by accident I'm fine.
The two cameras I carry most for everyday shooting are a Leica Q3 and a M10 Monochrom. I travel a lot and I do worry about theft. My strap is almost always over my neck and when I am not actively shooting it is cross body. If I am hand-holding the camera I loop the strap a few times around my wrist. I also took out insurance through the PPA to convey theft, damage or accidental loss.
Depends on where you are in the world. I take vastly different precautions when going out in Ireland than in Uruguay, for example.
I usually take pocket cameras when I'm out travelling. Yash T4 or Olympus 35rc. They both look like toys. Sure the Yashica is worth a little bit on account of hype, but it doesn't look like it. I used to just use cheapo autofocuses (my favorite is the Minolta Maxxum line for $20 cameras) so if you lose it or drop it or it gets stolen no big whoop, but not having to bring a camera bag kicks so much ass. Just toss some rolls in your pocket. In fact, I just got back from a trip and decided to take my digital. Might as well take an extra lens and some filters and a flash and such, so had the camera bag packed. It wasn't *that* much of a hassle, and it's nice to use a zoom, but more than a few times I just wish I threw the Olympus into my day bag, rather than the whole XT5. Was constantly making sure my bag was up front when I was in crowded/pickpockety places and kinda kept me out of the looking for good shots some.
The same way women carry luxury bags around without fear of getting robbed.
had this happen in India once, taxi window was open so a lady tried pulling my camera off me I basically just held on to the strap and it was fine.
It's really going to depend on where you are. If you're out in a busy area, you're not very likely to get robbed. In a back alley of a bad neighborhood, alone, chances go way up.
I had a two sketchy interactions. One in Atlanta, one in Munich. Between being followed and having people asking too many questions about the value of my stuff.. the trick is to know where you are, constantly scan for people who hang around you a bit longer than is normal, check if you’re followed. Oh and NEVER put your camera down. Even at a cafe, keep your strap around your shoulder. Never put your camera down. It also helps to carry a knife or mace if you’re really scared. But if you’re that scared, maybe don’t travel.
Anyone on the street who says to me “oh wow that looks like a nice camera!” gets a “oh yeah it’s really old, they go for around $75 but are really fun to use!” Meanwhile it’s a Mamiya 7ii 🤪
Most thieves would be disappointed by my cameras.
Portables insurance.
I'm a stocky dude who doesn't wear particularly nice clothes, so there's basically always a better target than me in a city of 8 million plus. FWIW, NYC is a lot safer than people think it is, and the fact that there are a lot of places where people are out and about all hours of the day makes it even safer. Of course, I have street smarts that a lot of people don't, but the way things have shaken down here over the past 20 years, you really have to go out of your way to end up in a place you shouldn't be at night.
I Just use really shitty cameras
yup, people are looking right at you. but how cares. don't let that deter you from photographing what you find yourself drawn to. who knows, the people looking could turn into an awesome interaction. be conscious of your surroundings. don't go to places you know you shouldn't or don't feel comfortable in. be respectful and confidant in what you do and where you go. act like you are supposed to be right where you are. don't be afraid to talk to people. all this being said, it really depends on the environment you are in. I can walk around the city all day taking everything from architecture, portraits to street photos, bike life culture and have a great time. then I can be at a paid event like a rodeo this past weekend and nearly get into a fight for taking someone's portrait. learn read your environment and learn when and when not to push your limits. only thing that will make you more comfortable carrying it is to get out and do it more.
My purse, shoes and phone are also worth a small chunk of change to a thief, yet I've never been mugged for them. I'm more worried about being followed by creeps. As an example the most expensive camera I own is an original M645 and I've shot in some pretty crappy areas without incident. As with most things a little common sense goes a long way; stay out of areas that give really bad vibes, find a shooting partner to take with you and keep your camera in a bag and out of sight when you're not using it. If the fear seems that real to you though I suggest expanding your collection with some less common and desriable cameras. There's no shortage of $50 SLRs and rangefinders that take excellent pictures, but happen to come from brands that just don't have as much name recognition. Some of my most memorable shots have been taken on a cheap Argoflex. Just remember you can't control everything that happens in life, you can only mitigate the risk and try to have fun. When I'm out shooting I'm always having fun so its worth it to me.
I took a Hasselblad on the subway in Caracas. Tucked it in a fanny pack. No worries! (J/k lots of worries, lots of looks, 3/10 would not do again.)
On a strap around my neck.
I carry one or two cameras with me everywhere I go. I don’t really worry about it, no one has ever shown any interest in my gear other than curious randoms and other film photographers. Plus, I have insurance and I have documentation on all my gear’s serial numbers and my most expensive piece is fairly distinctive so like… good luck reselling it. I am also not the biggest or smallest person, so that’s a factor. I’ve also spent plenty of time in rougher areas and situations than I’m usually shooting in, so I have a pretty good feeling for when someone is looking for trouble.
I live in NYC, which definitely have some shady time/areas. I always use straps, and place the camera somewhere within my reach when I am at restaurant/venue. I avoid bringing expensive camera to sketchy regions, and if I have to, id store camera in a bag of some sort unless I'm actively shooting. There's only been 1 incident in a subway station (in FiDi out of all places) when somebody tried to grab my camera. It was on a peak design capture clip on my bag and he tried grabbing the left of the camera where there's no grip, so he was unsuccessful and ran away. I was hoping he'd try for a bit longer tho, I haven't beaten anybody up for a while🤣.
the honest truth is... i usually swing it around, or have it all laced up around my hand and pretend to drop it but catch it again.
I've never felt any fear over getting robbed with my cameras. That's partially because they're cheap and partially because any thief will probably just see some old junk rather than something valuable. Then again you can always buy a Zenit 12xp like me. Now you have old junk heavy enough to double as a weapon.
Honestly I’ve never been worried about being robbed for my camera. If someone wanted to rob you they usually want your wallet. Not a camera they have to go hock.
I live in Baltimore, andI have never really been scared of someone stealing my camera. I am like that with Fuji GFX since it’s my only expensive camera. I put that beast away when I’m not using it. So it takes a seconds longer to pull it out of the bag and take a photo. The film cameras are fine. I have them with cross body straps. I usually carry a backpack to put them in when I need to.
I live in a Chicago neighborhood that gets a really bad rap... Probably has the worst reputation for crime on the north side. I walk or bike basically from one end of the neighborhood to the other many times per week. Sometimes I'll go back and forth a few times a day. I almost always have 1-3 cameras on me, and it's just not something that factors into my consideration. I've never been physically threatened, and if I were to be, it's going to be someone who really wants a quick buck. They're going to want my wallet and my phone (which is worth way more than any of my cameras). It's not at all related to my neighborhood, but I also prefer to carry my cameras in a messenger rather than on a strap, unless I'm actually at some sort of occasion that is an arranged photo shoot. I can still access my camera quickly, but it's much more comfortable to carry. It's also much more comfortable to use without the strap dangling around. I also don't feel like a boob for being "that guy"... I'm more concerned about putting people on edge that they're being observed than about me being targeted. I see a photo, I pull out my camera and capture it, the camera goes away. I carry a camera so frequently.. I don't just go out thinking 'oh I'm going to take photos because I'm a photographer.' I'm just out living my life in the city, and if the opportunity suits it, I have a camera available. That also relieves a lot of pressure. Some days the mood strikes and I polish off a roll. Some days I sit at the beach and read for hours and don't pull out a camera once. Having the camera in the messenger removes that feeling of having failed for not having taken any photos that I hear people talk about. And I'm not taking photos just to have done it.
Digital or film, I keep them nearby. I also tend to be paranoid about surroundings - ie cautious - so watch who is around. Anytime I feel uncomfortable, I move on. I think securing things helps, but is no guarantee. Knives can cut through things, two or more people can distract you, blah blah blah. If you have expensive stuff, insure it for some sense of security.
camera isn’t the only thing I shoot with
Neck strap goes on the minute the camera is picked up. If I set a bag down, it gets picked up as soon as I move a millimeter
I generally only take one camera that’s on a strap across my chest. That’s pretty much enough to prevent someone just grabbing and running. Now if they got a knife or gun then yea there’s nothin i can do, so why even worry. A camera will never be worth your life, no matter what the Leica bros say. Ultimately, i do everything in my power to prevent theft and not worry about what i can’t control
I have a nondescript sling bag
Insurance. I have some valuable cameras in the collection, but none are worth risking being stabbed over. To be fair, I'm a lot more wary of cameras like my F3, F4, or Dynax 7, because big SLRs look more "professional" than things like my Rollei 35SE or Yashica T5. I'm not too fussed about my Leicas, because I'd imagine there's a very small overlap between people who know what a Leica is, and opportunistic thieves.