diemonde
Well-known member
Hi I will visit London in May and I was wondering if there are neighbourhoods where you don't want to be seen with expensive equipment.
--
DieMonde
--
DieMonde
- CP5700 -
-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
London - Where not to go (neighbourhoods) with your equipemt
- Thread starter diemonde
- Start date
Hi diemonde,
Unfortunately the scumbag criminal element of society exists everywhere and nowhere is 100% safe.
Major tourist areas should all be OK, just keep your wits about you, dont make take un-neccessary risks, if you feel uneasy anywhere - jump in a cab and most importantly...make sure your gear in covered by your travel insurance!!!
Have fun.
Unfortunately the scumbag criminal element of society exists everywhere and nowhere is 100% safe.
Major tourist areas should all be OK, just keep your wits about you, dont make take un-neccessary risks, if you feel uneasy anywhere - jump in a cab and most importantly...make sure your gear in covered by your travel insurance!!!
Have fun.
Lucas Cullen
Active member
Just think about what your doing.
I always have my cam in a "normal" backpack and stuff on the tube. Also, have a look around before you pull out your gear. If possible, take a buddy.
Most of the tourist spots u wont be alone.
I always have my cam in a "normal" backpack and stuff on the tube. Also, have a look around before you pull out your gear. If possible, take a buddy.
Most of the tourist spots u wont be alone.
diemonde
Well-known member
Both thanks a lot for your posts, I will use a backpack!
DieMonde
DieMonde
pukeazoid
Well-known member
hia,
i read an issue about blanking out the brand of the cam...
maybe it helps you
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1014&message=4652908
greets
MarekM
Leading Member
MarekMwrote:
That's not a bad idea. May be they could start making some cheesy looking plastic colourful disguise cases for cameras?
Rgds
diemonde
Well-known member
Hi Pukeazoid and MarekM,
Pukeazoid; thnx for that one. Very good ideau
and MarekM, some shiny pink case would be nice eh! No-one wants to be seen with that.
DieMonde
Pukeazoid; thnx for that one. Very good ideau
and MarekM, some shiny pink case would be nice eh! No-one wants to be seen with that.
--
DieMonde
- CP5700 -
Hi Diemonde
Nothing will prevent a mugger, armed with a knife taking your gear, if he's desparate enough, but there are steps you can take.
Theres an old saying "dont put all your eggs in one basket". In other words dont carry around a large camera bag, containing all your gear, as this could be easily snatched. Your gear is less of a target if kept in seperate packs, held securely on a waist belt.
I use a heavy duty, black, police belt (available in army surplus stores) and four belt packs. Camera in a Lowepro D-RES 25AW, filters, minipod, spare batteries, camera cleaning stuff in a small Crumple, a Lowepro 1 lenspack for my Oly 1.5x teleconverter, and a Jessops lenspack for my WCON 08 WA lens. I carry my Manfrotto 055 Pro tripod in a shoulder bag, but put one arm through and over my head, so it cany be snatched.
That said, its not New York, its London so you should be fine, no matter where you travel. Other cities I cannot speak for.
Alf B.
Nothing will prevent a mugger, armed with a knife taking your gear, if he's desparate enough, but there are steps you can take.
Theres an old saying "dont put all your eggs in one basket". In other words dont carry around a large camera bag, containing all your gear, as this could be easily snatched. Your gear is less of a target if kept in seperate packs, held securely on a waist belt.
I use a heavy duty, black, police belt (available in army surplus stores) and four belt packs. Camera in a Lowepro D-RES 25AW, filters, minipod, spare batteries, camera cleaning stuff in a small Crumple, a Lowepro 1 lenspack for my Oly 1.5x teleconverter, and a Jessops lenspack for my WCON 08 WA lens. I carry my Manfrotto 055 Pro tripod in a shoulder bag, but put one arm through and over my head, so it cany be snatched.
That said, its not New York, its London so you should be fine, no matter where you travel. Other cities I cannot speak for.
Alf B.
diemonde
Well-known member
Hi Alf,
I always devide my stuff between me and my fellow traveler. My dad was a police man so he probally will have a belt left, another good idea!
thnx,
DieMonde
DieMonde
I always devide my stuff between me and my fellow traveler. My dad was a police man so he probally will have a belt left, another good idea!
thnx,
DieMonde
--
DieMonde
- CP5700 -
David Hughes124436
Veteran Member
If you are only going to the tourist spots, then you ought to be safe. Do you need to carry everything all the time?
Have fun - it's a lovely couple of cities.
Have fun - it's a lovely couple of cities.
diemonde
Well-known member
Hi David,
Well I am there a short time so I guess I will be fully packed most of the time. I think I will mostly go to tourist spots, but there is a subway and there is always some thing you want to see in some 'bad' neighbourhood. Luckely I am staying in Kenningston, so there won't be a problem I guess.
DieMonde
Well I am there a short time so I guess I will be fully packed most of the time. I think I will mostly go to tourist spots, but there is a subway and there is always some thing you want to see in some 'bad' neighbourhood. Luckely I am staying in Kenningston, so there won't be a problem I guess.
--
DieMonde
- CP5700 -
*isteve
Veteran Member
The biggest problem in London during the day are pickpockets. They operate in teams - one bumping or distracting you while the other lifts your wallet. They are unlikely to grab anything big like a camera or bag - the idea is to go undetected and continue working the area. Anywhere crowded is a risk - especially underground stations. Do NOT put your wallet or documents in an open bag or a back pocket. Backpacks are a BAD idea - these guys can unzip and rifle through one while you are buying a ticket! Normal camera bags or shoulder bags, which you can zip up and carry beside or in front of you, are better. Besides a backpack makes you look just like a tourist - you may as well get a sign!
Having said that - its never happened to me in London - I live here and wander round all day with a camera, usually on a neck strap. I dont wear sneakers so I dont look like a tourist either!! Get a nice pair of DM's or Cats and try and look scruffy
Unless you venture alone late at night in deserted areas the risk to your person is minimal. Aggressive begging is the worst nuisance you are likely to come across, though mostly it is quite benign (and you may even get a free song). Anywhere between Kensington in the West to St Pauls in the East or between Regents park in the North and the south bank of the river covers most of the interesting areas, and all are quite safe. However if you want to sample the nightlife in Camden or Soho after dark, leave your camera at home!
Steve
Having said that - its never happened to me in London - I live here and wander round all day with a camera, usually on a neck strap. I dont wear sneakers so I dont look like a tourist either!! Get a nice pair of DM's or Cats and try and look scruffy
Unless you venture alone late at night in deserted areas the risk to your person is minimal. Aggressive begging is the worst nuisance you are likely to come across, though mostly it is quite benign (and you may even get a free song). Anywhere between Kensington in the West to St Pauls in the East or between Regents park in the North and the south bank of the river covers most of the interesting areas, and all are quite safe. However if you want to sample the nightlife in Camden or Soho after dark, leave your camera at home!
Steve
David Hughes124436
Veteran Member
Yes, I'll go allong with that. I've always worked in the City of London or the City of Westminster and have never had any problems despite coming and going at all hours of the day and night.
I'm not so sure about St Paul's being in the east but can say that the coaches of tourists start turning up at 5.30 am (yes, very early in the morning) to visit St Paul's!
From time to time I read things about London in the papers and I wonder if they are talking about the same town...
I'm not so sure about St Paul's being in the east but can say that the coaches of tourists start turning up at 5.30 am (yes, very early in the morning) to visit St Paul's!
From time to time I read things about London in the papers and I wonder if they are talking about the same town...
DavidMillier
Forum Pro
Hi
I been an amateur photographer for 25 years and carried my gear all over the UK (often alone) as well as across SW USA, Finland, Spain, Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Estonia, Australia and New Zealand. I've also lived in London for 20 years. In that time I have never once felt threatened or at risk of being mugged for the equipment either in or out of the country. Perhaps I've just been lucky!
I have been burgled at home 3 times, had my car broken into 3 times and had my pockets picked since I lived in London. London, like any big city, has its share of crime and and obviously people do get mugged like anywhere else and sometimes you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. But use your common sense (I don't think over-elaborate security measures are necessary) and you will likely be fine.
It always feel different in a strange city but I wouldn't have any hesitation in carrying the cameras around or using them openly in any of the areas a tourist was likely to go. The only thing I would be wary about would be if it was after dark and I was on my own. I'd have a quick look around for the presence of suspicious characters before whipping out the camera just to be on the safe side...
I been an amateur photographer for 25 years and carried my gear all over the UK (often alone) as well as across SW USA, Finland, Spain, Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, Estonia, Australia and New Zealand. I've also lived in London for 20 years. In that time I have never once felt threatened or at risk of being mugged for the equipment either in or out of the country. Perhaps I've just been lucky!
I have been burgled at home 3 times, had my car broken into 3 times and had my pockets picked since I lived in London. London, like any big city, has its share of crime and and obviously people do get mugged like anywhere else and sometimes you are just in the wrong place at the wrong time. But use your common sense (I don't think over-elaborate security measures are necessary) and you will likely be fine.
It always feel different in a strange city but I wouldn't have any hesitation in carrying the cameras around or using them openly in any of the areas a tourist was likely to go. The only thing I would be wary about would be if it was after dark and I was on my own. I'd have a quick look around for the presence of suspicious characters before whipping out the camera just to be on the safe side...
J
Jon Ragnarsson
Guest
steve jacob wrote:
...
http://jonr.beecee.org/gallery/
...
What if you sew/glue velcro over the backpack zipper? Big velcros are noisy, or do the thieves know how to unzip a velcro silently? Maybe a mousetrap? :Þ
--Having said that - its never happened to me in London - I live here
and wander round all day with a camera, usually on a neck strap. I
dont wear sneakers so I dont look like a tourist either!! Get a
nice pair of DM's or Cats and try and look scruffy
Unless you venture alone late at night in deserted areas the risk
to your person is minimal. Aggressive begging is the worst nuisance
you are likely to come across, though mostly it is quite benign
(and you may even get a free song). Anywhere between Kensington in
the West to St Pauls in the East or between Regents park in the
North and the south bank of the river covers most of the
interesting areas, and all are quite safe. However if you want to
sample the nightlife in Camden or Soho after dark, leave your
camera at home!
Steve
http://jonr.beecee.org/gallery/
Berge Bulbulian
Forum Enthusiast
In London, a subway is an underground passageway for pedestrians. The underground train is either the "underground" or the "tube."
As a tourist, I've been to London a number of times and have walked in virtually every section of it. I have never felt threatened in any way. The last time I was there was in October 2001. I don't suppose it's changed much since then. Berge
As a tourist, I've been to London a number of times and have walked in virtually every section of it. I have never felt threatened in any way. The last time I was there was in October 2001. I don't suppose it's changed much since then. Berge
Jeff/UK
Senior Member
where in Kensington? there are definately areas around Kensington you do not want to wander after dark.
also beware that the more "affluent" areas are more likely to be targeted by pick-pockets and bag snatchers - better hunting.
--
Minolta D7i
http://www.pbase.com/ukbuckeye
http://www.nickyandjeff.dsl.pipex.com/weather/weather.htm
also beware that the more "affluent" areas are more likely to be targeted by pick-pockets and bag snatchers - better hunting.
--
Minolta D7i
http://www.pbase.com/ukbuckeye
http://www.nickyandjeff.dsl.pipex.com/weather/weather.htm
diemonde
Well-known member
diemonde
Well-known member
All thanks for the post, something else now:
I always like to shoot the total city from what most city call look-out points. Now I know you have the big wheel, but it isn't realy the best option for taking pictures, so what is the highest point to shoot pictures from?
--
DieMonde
I always like to shoot the total city from what most city call look-out points. Now I know you have the big wheel, but it isn't realy the best option for taking pictures, so what is the highest point to shoot pictures from?
--
DieMonde
- CP5700 -
fenlander
Forum Enthusiast
Kenningston??
Is that Kensington or Kennington? Better check with your travel agent - it could change your whole view of London...
fenlander
Is that Kensington or Kennington? Better check with your travel agent - it could change your whole view of London...
fenlander
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum