Interesting Tip. Disguise Your Camera

[drisley]

I just watched a talkshow that featured a photographer who travelled the world to take pictures of different cultures, and then came home to put on shows to talk about them. He's apparently very successful.

I found it interesting when the talkshow host said "for such an accomplished photographer, your cameras look like junk".
Well, they were pretty nice cameras (one was a Canon Eos 1V) and they were in great condition. However, he would purposely make them look beat up to reduce the chances of them getting stolen.

He had duct tape around the front/top of the Canon.

Perhaps this is a well known trick, but I thought it was rather interesting.

[Jim Larson]

I don't disguise my camera's per say, but I make a point of not carrying an obvious photo bag. In dodgy places, I make a point to use a P&S and keep the backpack securely closed.

[robertwgross]

I don't disguise my camera's per say, but I make a point of not carrying an obvious photo bag. In dodgy places, I make a point to use a P&S and keep the backpack securely closed.

If you leave your camera in your car, leave it in a diaper bag.

---Bob Gross---

[Tom W]

I don't disguise my camera's per say, but I make a point of not carrying an obvious photo bag. In dodgy places, I make a point to use a P&S and keep the backpack securely closed.

If you leave your camera in your car, leave it in a diaper bag.

---Bob Gross---

Be sure to use the lens cap though.
Otherwise, your pictures will turn out real crappy.

[Ferdinand]

I would hang a big STEAL ME sign with my car window down. So far people has been avoiding it thinking it is a trap :D

Ferdinand

[emartin]

"for such an accomplished photographer, your cameras look like junk"

This is another proof to the Dennis Theorem: "It's not the camera, it's the nut behind it." In other words, who cares what camera you're using, as long as you're producing excellent work (although admittedly, professional cameras will elevate your workflow due to better design, durability, etc.).

On another note, I saw a documentary saying that in Iran, people love to have the outside of their homes look very spare or plain, but when you go inside, they're palaces. I don't know if this is a fact, but I do like that approach, the opposite of "All Hat, No Cattle".

[CyberDyneSystems]

I don't disguise my camera's per say, but I make a point of not carrying an obvious photo bag. In dodgy places, I make a point to use a P&S and keep the backpack securely closed.

If you leave your camera in your car, leave it in a diaper bag.

---Bob Gross---

Be sure to use the lens cap though.
Otherwise, your pictures will turn out real crappy.

Tom! Your killing me!! :lol: :mrgreen:

[PaulB]

Ferdinand,
With the weather we have had the past couple of days anything in the car with the window down would be deep frozen! Come to think of it you don't need to have the window down - warmer tomorrow, but I don't think I'm going to try it..........

[figment]

American Airlines Center Metal Detector attendant, "Noooo! That's a PROFFESSSSSIONAL camera...." :(
Paint the white, black and put a small lens on at the door... :p

[Andy_T]

On another note, I saw a documentary saying that in Iran, people love to have the outside of their homes look very spare or plain, but when you go inside, they're palaces. I don't know if this is a fact, but I do like that approach, the opposite of "All Hat, No Cattle".

That might be offtopic now, but that's a common line of thought in many Asian societies (especially Japan).

Doesn't have so much to do with trying to achieve understatement, but rather is based on the idea:

'I'm sitting inside my house and looking out. What the hell do I care how it looks like from the outside. For me it's important that it looks nice inside. I'll be damned if I spend any money to make it look nice from the outside'

Regards,
Andy[/b]

[emartin]

'I'm sitting inside my house and looking out. What the hell do I care how it looks like from the outside. For me it's important that it looks nice inside. I'll be damned if I spend any money to make it look nice from the outside'

I like that :) Interesting point of view

[Belmondo]

'I'm sitting inside my house and looking out. What the hell do I care how it looks like from the outside. For me it's important that it looks nice inside. I'll be damned if I spend any money to make it look nice from the outside'

I like that :) Interesting point of view

Which forces me to bring up something I've suggested before:

Paint your 1Ds silver!

Disclaimer: This is not intended as an assault on the sensibilities of Rebel/D300 owners. The fact is, you're much less likely to get hit over the head for your Rebel than for a 1Ds.....at least by knowledgeable muggers.

[GenEOS]

'I'm sitting inside my house and looking out. What the hell do I care how it looks like from the outside. For me it's important that it looks nice inside. I'll be damned if I spend any money to make it look nice from the outside'

I like that :) Interesting point of view

Which forces me to bring up something I've suggested before:

Paint your 1Ds silver!

Disclaimer: This is not intended as an assault on the sensibilities of Rebel/D300 owners. The fact is, you're much less likely to get hit over the head for your Rebel than for a 1Ds.....at least by knowledgeable muggers.

Too funny....Why do we have to put a disclaimer anytime we take a light heart stab at 300D owners. They are one of us, they should understand it is all in fun.

[Mark Kemp]

I once heard someone suggest sticking plasters (elastoplast etc.) on the outside of your camera if you go somewhere there is a risk of theft. Obviously don't cover any working bits, but do cover any names and badges. The plan is that the plasters rapidly pick up dirt and grime and make the camera look cheap and poorly maintained. Then of course when you get home they pull off easily and your camera is good as new.
The same person also pointed out that an expensive camera can be worth many many years wages in some countries of the world, so it should not be a surprise that photographers are a prime target.

[DaveG]

I've known a few photographers who would tape up Nikon or Canon on the prism, on the basis that the would be thief wouldn't know the value of the camera. The problem is that most of these thieves will go to a pub and they'll sell a Canon D1s, a dRebel or an ELAN II for the same $50. They know it's a camera, that it has value and that they want cash as quickly as possible. The subtle differences between models mean nothing.

Therefore, taping up the name - in my opinion - is complete waste of time.

[PacAce]

Here's how I would disguise my 10D. Then I'd leave my Canon lenses at home and use the old Tamron lens from my Elan IIe. :mrgreen:

http://www.tanseikai.com/junk/10D%20disguise.jpg

[Belmondo]

Leo:
Think about putting a Canadian flag on there somewhere. It really confuses people.

Tom :wink:

[PacAce]

Leo:
Think about putting a Canadian flag on there somewhere. It really confuses people.

Tom :wink:

Hearing the way my Canadian wife talks about anything that comes out of Canada, putting a Canadian flag on my camera would just make it THAT much more of a target for some people, especially here in the US. :lol:

You won't believe how many times I've been reminded by my wife that Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Michael J Fox, Mike Meyers, etc. are all Canadians. :shock:

[Belmondo]

I love almost all Canadians, especially your wife.

I am reminded, however, that Canada alos gave us Michael Moore and Peter Jennings. I'd call it even. :wink:

Also, don't forget that a Canadian citizen is holding my pet, Gitzo, against his will. :x

[PacAce]

I love almost all Canadians, especially your wife.

I am reminded, however, that Canada alos gave us Michael Moore and Peter Jennings. I'd call it even. :wink:

Also, don't forget that a Canadian citizen is holding my pet, Gitzo, against his will. :x

Did you notice I discretely left Jennings' name out in my previous post? Even my wife won't acknowlegde that's he's Canadian. :mrgreen: :lol: :mrgreen:

[drisley]

Don't forget Pamela Anderson!
And, uh, er, Jim Carrey.
Uh forget that last one :)

[PacAce]

Don't forget Pamela Anderson!
And, uh, er, Jim Carrey.
Uh forget that last one :)

Hmmm, never knew that about Pamela. But maybe she really doesn't count. Wasn't part of her made someplace here in the US? :lol:

Jim Carrey was hilariously hot and burning in "In Living Color", especially are Fire Chief Bob. And he was ssssssmoking in "The Mask". I was a big fan of his then.

Now, his comic antics have become old and boring and his head has swelled so much he can't even get his T-Shirt on over his head without stretching the neck 5 sizes bigger. :evil: