Camera Security When Travelling

Is there a device that will thwart the "grab and run" thieves that are common in some big cities.

I was thinking of a light weight covered wire that would attach to the tripod opening of the camera and the othter would be affixed to your belt, belt loop or around your waist.
--
Michael Patrick

This might interest you:

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39199331&memberId=12500226

You should also google 'pacsafe' for more secure travel products.
--
Keep your lens clean and your mind open.

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/

I always keep my cameras on short/tight wrist straps when traveling. No big loops of easy-to-cut neck straps, and no blatant "CANON DIGITAL" or other advertising on my neck behind me.

With a wrist strap, it's easy to loop the strap such that if someone grabbed the camera and tried to run, the strap wouldn't slip around your hand without first backing up to loosen it. Likely, the jolt when it caught your hand would make them lose their grip on the camera at that point. The same principle makes it so that if the camera slips out of your hands, even if you don't grab or make any attempt to catch it, it still doesn't make it far.

Lastly, it pays to minimize the amount of stuff you have to manage. If you have a camera, a camera bag, a purse, a shopping bag, a cup of Starbucks, etc, etc, then if someone grabs your camera, you have to juggle everything else to fight back. If you only have your camera, and someone tries to grab it, you have two free arms to grab back.

The key is simply to not look like an easy target. Preventing incidents is far easier than dealing with them when they happen.

• David

There are plenty of straps that are stronger than anyone can easily break, haven't looked but expect that there are cut resistant straps as well.

Insurance is cheap. You shouldn't have more than one days images in your camera. Do you really want to be tied to the camera when some 300 lb gorilla thief runs down the street with it?

There are some precautions that you can take to be less susceptible but if some criminal, is willing to use and excalate force until he gets that "thing," he's probably going to get it.

If you are going to somewhere with high crime levels, surely it would be a better idea to leave your large camera behind and take something compact that can be hidden in a pocket?

--
Malcy
----------------



http://www.flickr.com/photos/malcy/sets
http://picasaweb.google.com/lumachrome

I'm so glad no one has suggested a cut proof or wire NECK strap. Think that one through before you invest in one.

Good suggestions so far !

1) Don't advertise your expensive gear (No "Nikon" brand name bags or neck straps)

2) Don't look or act like a victim (Stand up straight and tall, pay attention to your surroundngs,...)

3) Buy insurance (It's only a camera, you can buy a new one but you can't buy a new life)
--

Any recommendations for good insurance coverage. Is there a general consensus on which insurance companies offer the best coverage? Who has the best rates etc.

Ray Maines said:

I'm so glad no one has suggested a cut proof or wire NECK strap.
Think that one through before you invest in one.

Good suggestions so far !

1) Don't advertise your expensive gear (No "Nikon" brand name bags or
neck straps)
2) Don't look or act like a victim (Stand up straight and tall, pay
attention to your surroundngs,...)
3) Buy insurance (It's only a camera, you can buy a new one but you
can't buy a new life)
--

Click to expand...

knowledgeable agent.

But keep in mind they aren't legal everywhere and you may end up in more trouble than the thief who took your camera if you were to use either device.

--
Al Patterson

I always find that it if it is exciting enough to take pictures, it is worth the risk.

Leaving your camera behind is a waste of time.

Ray Maines said:

I'm so glad no one has suggested a cut proof or wire NECK strap.
Think that one through before you invest in one.

Click to expand...

I guess you didn't see the first reply?

AdrianGB said:

I always find that it if it is exciting enough to take pictures, it
is worth the risk.

Leaving your camera behind is a waste of time.

Click to expand...

You may have missed my sarcasm. While I wouldn't take my best gear into iffy areas, I do have an old digital and an old Canon rangefinder that could be replaced cheaply on eBay. And since they would sell for almost nothing, I doubt anyone would steal them.

And for the record I own neither a gun or a taser.

--
Al Patterson

"Is there a device that will thwart the "grab and run" thieves that are common in some big cities."

I believe there is. It is made by a company named "Smith & Wesson".

... a "brain"

Be aware of surroundings and people near you at all times, as when using an automated bank teller machine. Not paranoid, but aware. Don't get so caught up in acting like a naive tourist that you appear to be an easy target.

Trust your instincts; if the hair on the back of your neck stands up or your stomach becomes taught in a situation or a stranger invades your personal space, immediately make a 360 degree visual sweep of your surroundings.

And use common sense, for example, don't leave your gear unattended at a restaurant table while you use the toilet, not even for a second. If you don't have a direct line of sight to your gear or physical contact with it, it's at risk.

That is the most important part of security... situational awareness. Because any "device" that can truly prevent "grab and run" will interfere with your ability to quickly and conveniently access and use it.

Michael Patrick said:

Is there a device that will thwart the "grab and run" thieves that
are common in some big cities.

I was thinking of a light weight covered wire that would attach to
the tripod opening of the camera and the othter would be affixed to
your belt, belt loop or around your waist.
--
Michael Patrick

Click to expand...

--
Galleries: http://www.dheller.net

Insurance does not prevent theft. It only reimburses for loss, AFTER deductible amounts.

My personal opinion is that insurance is for situations in which a loss would be financially difficult to handle. If you are a pro who would suffer a major financial loss (say, if all his gear was in a truck that got stolen), then such insurance is worthwhile.

But if one can't financially afford the loss of the one camera around one's neck, then one should give serious consideration as to why one is spending that money on the camera in the first place. Except for professional use, cameras are a luxury, not a necessity that requires financial protection.

It reminds me of insurance on mobile phones (insurance is also often offered on those portable electronic games that kids use!). If you break or lose your mobile phone often enough to desire insurance on it, then either you are not responsible enough to own one, or you should not be spending money on wireless phone service. If the mobile phone is your only phone, then stick with the free, subsidized phone that carriers offer with service contracts instead of paying extra for a fancier one.

It's amazing to me how many people make bad financial decisions in the pursuit of mindless consumerism.

Ray Maines said:

I'm so glad no one has suggested a cut proof or wire NECK strap.
Think that one through before you invest in one.

Good suggestions so far !

1) Don't advertise your expensive gear (No "Nikon" brand name bags or
neck straps)
2) Don't look or act like a victim (Stand up straight and tall, pay
attention to your surroundngs,...)
3) Buy insurance (It's only a camera, you can buy a new one but you
can't buy a new life)
--

Click to expand...

--
Galleries: http://www.dheller.net

I use a long neck strap and put my arm though it. So it isnt just hanging around my neck but also my arm . The strap goes around my neck and arm pit actually. By doing this it is easy to place my camera behind me so I can squat down and do what ever I need to do and still control the camera , not have to worry about it banging anything and it makes it real hard for someone to do a grab and run
--
Tom
see my ugly pics at :
http://www.pbase.com/tom1468

I live in a hazzardous area known for thieves. My solution and has been for 8 years without a problem is I place my camera and gear in a well protected Lowepro bag so the gear is protected from shock etc., then I put the camera bag in the "rattiest" old backpack imaginable. No one would even suspect expensive gear. Perhaps a little inconvenient but SAFE!
--

' You don't have to have the best of everything to get the best out of what you do have'.

Bring that 300 f/2.8 and pro-body. Stuff the bag with several filled waterbottles and do not forget the sturdy tripod. If the guy stealling you 15 Kg camerabag still outruns you it is probably healthier to stop chasing...

If it doesn't get stolen you'll have a nice workout and plenty to drink. Maybe even some keepers.
--
May the vision be with you.

See profile for equipment

Put a nice camera bag inside a diaper bag. Extra points for a rolled up diaper hanging out the side. (Not a used one...)

--
Al Patterson

All good points.

While in Costa Rica in the capitol of San Jose I have seen tourists with DSLRs around their necks which present a target for snatch and run and muggers of which there are a lot in the downtown or central area.

Keep the big photo gear under wraps, like in the diaper bag mentioned or at least something other than on your neck. I keep my small camera in a belt pouch under my shirt tails. Pickpocket just do not see it on my big waist.

Domestically here in the USA, I take a different approach depending on where I am.
For example the SIG P239 in 357SIG in a Galco IWB seems to deter an approach.
See:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79501194@N00/314257454/in/set-72057594058560877/

Now your Euros do not become frightened at the sight of a real firearm in the hands of a civilian. If our pioneers had not had them we would be paying tax to Great Britian on imported tea to this day.