Am I paraniod or smart?

[MOmilkman]

I just went downtown by myself to do a little photowalk around the square. There's always a few shady people down there but usually it's pretty busy so no worries.
Well today there was very few people due to the overcast weather and just not much going on in general.

A guy saw me (I'm going to try not to stereotype too much so I'll just say he was young and kind of gansta looking) and crossed the street to where I was at.
He walked up to me and asked if I was a photographer. I told him not professionally.
So he says "Hey, I got a 50D, I see you have a 7D."
I told him how I liked it and then he says "Hey, do you mind if I hold it for a sec?"

I told him "I would, but I have to get going". I don't know if he bought that or not.

Obviously he at least knew something about cameras since he mentioned the 50D so part of me wants to believe if I handed him the camera he wouldn't have bolted but then part of me thinks I done the smart thing.
I'm 38 and he was in his early 20's so he could have smoked me in a foot race.

What would you do in this situation?

[Jim Bryant]

good thinking. better to be safe than sorry

[beatles2]

There is no way in hell would I hand my camera to someone I don't know. I don;\'t even let people i know hold it.

[MOmilkman]

Good to know my fears were probably well founded.
There may not have been any ill intention on his part but I'd rather not have to find out.

[PnwGuy]

Trust your instincts, especially if he looks like he can run faster than you. You did the right thing.

[beatles2]

Even if he never had any intention of running would you do if he dropped it. Yes, it would be an accident but it still is your loss.

[smc1377]

Springfield has a downtown?

[AlphaBjerke]

Smart, very smart. Now if we could just get the people who run the airlines to be as smart as you...

[klr]

Always better safe, than sorry.

[Rolling Stone]

I would've said, " Sorry, but I don't even let my Mama touch my camera."
You did the right thing. I think most photographers wouldn't ask that of you unless you were in a comfortable situation.