Keeping equipment and youself safe

[Photologyst]

Years ago I used to haul around several cameras, lenses, films, etc. and never worried much about being ripped off. Sure, I was carful, but not like today. Things are different now.

These days, especially when traveling, I tend to take my favorite Nikon D300 SLR camera body and one or two lenses. My favorite all around lens at the moment is the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR II Telephoto Zoom Lens. I also carry a small Canon IXUS 750 for those times when the “monster” camera makes people nervous or is inappropriate.

I travel a great deal, sometimes an aggregate of 3 to 6 months and venture into all sorts of neighborhoods and terrains. I don’t like to take a purse or backpack and prefer wearing a multi pocketed vest for all of my stuff. The vest is a normal one, not a photo vest because I don’t want my clothes to scream “photographer.” However, wearing a vest is not always possible or practical, since one does have to dress on occasion. Therefore, I have a carabiner hooked to my camera at all times and extra ones on hand. I always wear the camera with the strap across the body. I then hook the camera to the bag on my shoulder. I almost always wear scarves; these hide the carabiner locking mechanisms. The bag’s closure is always next to the body. That way I can concentrate on my shots rather than worrying that someone could rip the bag off my shoulder. Of course, if they try, they would drag me with the bag. . . The carabiner is also handy for hooking one’s bag and camera to chairs or table legs since restaurants, etc. is where many things get ripped off.

I have also placed black tape across all logos. While one can still see that the camera is a significant one, the Nikon logo does not fall instantly into the eye. Naturally, the serial numbers are recorded on all equipment. Unfortunately, unlike a computer, as far as I know, there are no tracking devices yet for cameras or lenses other than GPS. I need to look into that some more.

I transfer photos each day and never leave my camera or computer in any hotel. If I rent an apartment or house, I “might” leave the computer, but only if I have backed up my photos onto DVDs and a flash drive. Those I carry with me or give to my husband. He does carry that backpack. The computer is secured with a tracking device.

I also tend to carry a Nordic walking stick which works well to steady the hand and the body on rough terrain not to mention as a defensive weapon. Only had to use it once for defense.

What do you do to ensure the safety of your equipment and person both at home and while traveling?

[Carolyn Lee]

you have some really great tips here. I am new to photography. I travel with a buddy when I am in unknown areas. Passes the time, we share ideas and tips. I also got a great idea for a camera bag from a site - I bought a winnie the pooh diaper bag. Works awesome, however friends and family are becoming concerned

[OsmosisStudios]

Honestly, I think you're overreacting.

I've walked through many a crowded urban area, even areas known to be rough and a haven for pickpockets with my large lowepro bag and my camera slung over one shoulder and Ive never had an issue. If anything, I've had people part to let me through.

These people that go 10-steps into a "safety" routine are paranoid.

[Photologyst]

Thanks, Carolyn. I often travel alone and as a woman, it can be an advantage or a disadvantage. I’ve rarely encountered problems.

If you do only one thing, use the carabiners. They are life savers. Just get into the habit, like locking your car doors and you never have to think about it. You could use a narrow cloth belt with a snap lock if you don’t carry a bag, to secure the camera. Just place the belt, under your jacket, across the body camera style and snap the carabiner with camera to it. Very unobtrusive and un-impeding.

I am just generally into not carrying any sort of bag any longer because at the end of a very long day, I have aching shoulders. Bags are always heavy when empty. Vests or pockets really work well although, they do make one look chunky when fully loaded. The American Scott E Vest is “pretty” good. I never use all the pockets. It is expensive and has a few flaws like velcro at the collar that I take off and replace with snaps. It’s well fitted for a female figure too: Photographer Clothing ? Photographer Vest ? Photo Jackets - Photography Camera Vests ? Photographers Clothes ? Photographer Clothes For Camera Gear ? Photo Vest

One can generally purchase multi pocketed vests abroad for about $20 to $50.

In case of inclement weather I always have plastic bags in pockets and bags. I am waterproof, but the cameras are not.

[candidrachel]

Blimey talk about Fort Knox.....

Good for you though for covering all bases!

On a side note if a robber was going to rob your stuff they are nearly always one step ahead of the game. My sister was telling be about one time when one of her colleagues was on the tube in London and she had her handbag on her lap close to her body and she was gazing out of the window when she got up to get off the tube only to find that she was just clutching the handles not the bag. A thief had cut the bag from under her nose without her knowing. Smacks of an urban myth I know but it was true!

[Murtasma]

Concealed weapons permit

[Jamfke]

The term "cut purse" is based on fact, not myth. Cutting the straps of a handbag, or camera bag for that matter, is a common practice in many areas. Someone mentioned elsewhere that you could run a piano wire through the strap (somehow) to thwart this type of theft. As a pricier alternative, Pacsafe offers wire-woven bags and even camera straps for the non-do-it-yourselfer.

Might seem like paranoia, but better safe than sorry.

[Photologyst]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

Concealed weapons permit

Carrying weapons abroad is often not permitted. Besides, your stuff would be gone and whom would you go after on a city street?

Originally Posted by candidrachel

Blimey talk about Fort Knox.....

Good for you though for covering all bases!

... only to find that she was just clutching the handles not the bag. A thief had cut the bag from under her nose without her knowing. Smacks of an urban myth I know but it was true!

True, that happens all the time, Rachel. All too often “gypsies,” especially their children, will surround a person and in the confusion, your stuff is gone. I know several people to whom this has happened.

I was on an overnight train in Europe years ago when someone stole a woman’s purse from under her pillow while she was sleeping in our fully loaded compartment. None of us heard a thing. They stopped the train and caught the guy. But, still.

There are bags with steel cables and slashing protection. I have one for the computers, but hardly ever use it. I rarely travel by train, however, I always have a steel cable bicycle lock on my luggage to secure it to the racks or whatever.

I don’t know about Fort Knox, those are just simple precautions so you don’t have to think so much about security. I don’t leave my car or house unlocked either. If you have ever been mugged or had your house broken into or your car stolen things look different.

[candidrachel]

The only time I have ever had anything stolen when I went swimming one time and someone broke into my locker and stole my purse It does make you think more about security and from that time on I only ever brought what money I needed and left the purse at home.

I am quite absent minded and left my house keys in the front door a few times only to find them their the following morning.

Talking about gipsies, I remember years ago my family and I went on holiday to Majorca and we went on a sightseeing trip up to the cathederal and was met my a family of gipsies and they were selling stuff and my mum opened her purse and they took all the cash and my mum didn't realise until later that day. They were so quick and nimble with their fingers it was like watching a conjuring trick.

[Photologyst]

Originally Posted by candidrachel

I am quite absent minded and left my house keys in the front door a few times only to find them their the following morning.

LOL Oh, yeah! I’ve done that. It’s scary to think what “might” have happened. The other day one of our neighbors had a computer stolen because they left a window open. Since the cameras and the computers are always out, I always lock up them up even if I just go out for a walk. My life is on those.

Originally Posted by candidrachel

Talking about gipsies, I remember years ago my family and I went on holiday to Majorca and we went on a sightseeing trip up to the cathederal and was met my a family of gipsies and they were selling stuff and my mum opened her purse and they took all the cash and my mum didn't realise until later that day. They were so quick and nimble with their fingers it was like watching a conjuring trick.

Right! That is so common all over the world.

Recently in Spain near a church such people tried the same thing with us and others milling about. Wanted to tell our fortunes and sell some herbs. When we refused these women got very, very aggressive. One young girl was so flustered that she started to cry. It’s best to shoo them away and concentrate on your belongings. If the police see them, they will often disperse.

I keep a bit of cash in pockets and the rest in a safety-wallet on the body. I never open my bag in front of anyone. Most of the time, I use plastic.

Which reminds me, one should always have photo copies in several places of all credit cards, passport, insurance cards, etc. I have photos of my equipment as well and keep all info on my server. That way, I can go to any public computer and retrieve the missing info.