Are you afraid someone might steal your gear?

[Claire]

Ok, it does sound silly but I was talking with my friend the other day. She uses a regular SLR and has a fairly big camera bag, I'm about to get a bag for my 300D. I love to walk up and down the streets with the camera easy at hand, but now I'm getting a bit worried someone might want to rob me when they see the camera bag. Yes, I'm a bit paranoid, but I never had to think about this when I went out with my IXUS. I don't exactly want to lose a camera I've spent a month's salary on... :?

Suggestions? My friend puts her camera bag in another bag to cover it up.
/Claire

[Jerry Eisen]

Add it to your homeowners policy and then don't worry about it.

[Cadwell]

Insurance is the answer. Either as part of an existing policy or from a firm that specialises in "all risks" camera insurance.

[PhotosGuy]

Or, you could disguise the lenses in a diaper bag! Still, insurance is the best option.

[scottbergerphoto]

You might want to carry a bag that doesn't look like a camera bag. Some examples are the Tamrac Velocity 7 and 9, and the Tamrac Expedition series of back packs.
Scott

[roanjohn]

There is always that risk..........I live in New York so I know :-)

But just be aware of your sorroundings............I always sling my camera bag around my neck and shoulders so they can't grab it off me. If I have my camera out, I always have the strap around my neck. I never go wandering by myself on dark alleys especially at night.

Another trick I've read somewhere is to camouflage your camera with duct tape to make it look old and worn out............I would probably do this during the summer when I will be doing a lot of night photography with my tripod..................ANd one more tip, your tripod is a good weapon if you don't have mace :-)

Ro1

[Vegas Poboy]

I'm always concerned about my gear, so for those simple shoots I carry the Tamarac V7, it works well and keeps the camera close to me. For the 300D I believe it would work well or go with a backpack style. I have two friends who carry beat up leather gym bags for their gear. one has the Canon XL1 camcorder & the other carries a Mamiya RZ. You would never know it until they pull the cams out.

[GenEOS]

There is a lot of discussions about disquising your gear. Some PJs use tape to make their gear look less attractive when shooting in not so great places. Taping over the canon logo is one trick, makes your gear look used or broken! It is going to be hard to make a 100-400 or a 300 f2.8 look unattractive.

Diaper bags, or even lunch type coolers can disguise gear. In certain situations, you don't want to attract a lot of attention.

Insurance is good, but it isn't going to keep Joe Badguy from clubbing you over the head and taking your gear. There are also a lot of threads about insurance out on the net. I recently tried getting State Farm to write a policy for my gear. They would not write it, because I do PJ work and the risk of claims is too high.

I am currently looking into NPPAs Hayes group to write a policy. It looks like about $500 for 15,000 dollars replacement policy with a 15,000 rental coverage rider.

[Jesper]

I have a Crumpler (http://www.crumplerusa.com/) bag (the bag called "Next Venue") for my 10D and accessories. The nice thing about it is that it doesn't look like a camera bag - or at least it's not immediately obvious that it contains a camera, it's very sturdy, and a thief can't open it without you noticing it in a crowded place, for example.

[daaaveman]

About 5 yrs ago, I got all of my film gear stolen out of my car in Dallas. 2 bodies, several lenses and accessories. I've always considered it a stupid move on my part. I kept all of my gear in a hard-shell pistol case that I'd bought. It had a picture of guns on the front. I left it in the backseat of a rental car when I went into a store. They broke the window and got the case. I'm sure they were disappointed when they opened it and found cameras....

Point is, a "disguised" bag is a good idea. The big issue tho, is just be smart and don't leave your gear in the car....always lock it in the trunk... always...

Check out the Crumpler bags. They make great bags and their website is worth a look even if you aren't going to buy. It's a cool site. http://www.crumpler.com.au/public/home.ehtml

[CyberDyneSystems]

I've been looking at the crumplers too..

And I am currently trying to get it al insured... I coud not do a rider.. I need the real deal.

[Cadwell]

Check out the Crumpler bags. They make great bags and their website is worth a look even if you aren't going to buy. It's a cool site. http://www.crumpler.com.au/public/home.ehtml

ROFLMAO :lol: That has to be the cheesiest web site I have ever seen. :lol:

[GenEOS]

What are the funny little containers in the front pouch of this bag? Hmm?
Anyone know?

http://www.crumpler.com.au/public/inside_popup.ehtml?prod=304

[Cadwell]

What are the funny little containers in the front pouch of this bag? Hmm?
Anyone know?

http://www.crumpler.com.au/public/inside_popup.ehtml?prod=304

In my student days a guy I knew used to use them to keep his errr.... smoking gear... in. So I think that's what they are for.

[PhotosGuy]

Point is, a "disguised" bag is a good idea. The big issue tho, is just be smart and don't leave your gear in the car....always lock it in the trunk... always...

HEY, GUYS! I've measured the temperature in a cars trunk at over 140 degrees in the summer on a 90 degree day. Be advised! Lubricant will run! Lens elements will distort! Film will...erm! OK, so that's not an issue!

[Scottes]

I've been looking at the crumplers too..

And I am currently trying to get it al insured... I coud not do a rider.. I need the real deal.

What do you mean that a rider will not do? Why is a rider not "the real deal" ?

[daaaveman]

What are the funny little containers in the front pouch of this bag? Hmm?
Anyone know?

Must be for compact flash cards and batteries. I seem to remember seeing those little round containers before but I don't remember what they are.....it was a long time ago.

[Whaler]

I use a nap sack rather than a camera bag. Also get rid of any camera strap that says "Digital" or "Canon"

[GenEOS]

State farm can write a rider policy as part of your homeowners to cover camera gear. Kicker is, it has to be for non-professional usage or what they consider a majority of usage.

What I decided is to go with a company that normally insures PJs and knows the business. If I do have to make a claim, I don't want it to be hassle.

Here is the link to the NPPA info: https://secure.nppa.org/member_services/insurance/

You have to be a member to access it.

The premium is high and the deductibles are too. But, if you have a ton of gear....and you are in enviroments where it can get damaged....It could be worth it.
I rent lenses and gear from time to time and they require you have insurance. If not, they will make you pay replacement cost if you damage it.. One foul ball in just the right place and whammo $6000.

Insurace from Hays is going to run about $500 for the remainder of the year for 15k worth...

[Tom W]

What are the funny little containers in the front pouch of this bag? Hmm?
Anyone know?

Must be for compact flash cards and batteries. I seem to remember seeing those little round containers before but I don't remember what they are.....it was a long time ago.

Heh Heh - I've got about 20 of them in my refridgerator. Haven't touched them since the 10D came along.

[SnJPhoto]

I agree with the insurance deal. I had all my gear added as a rider on our renters policy. In addition to that I bought 2 business safes (~240 each) to hold the stuff while at home. As a point of reference, $30K of photo gear was about an extra $160/year on my policy through Allstate.

As for on the street...it reminds me of a scenario that was posed to a group of folks while going through an orientation day/newhire day at my company here (Los Angeles). The presenter of the briefing walked up to the first one and said, "give me your keys"...of course the person asked why. He (presenter) made a gesture like he was holding a gun "bang", so he goes to the 2nd person and does the same thing. The second person backed away...same gesture "bang". The third person got the same question and handed over his keys without question. Guess what the story line was? Granted it had to do with carjackings, but if someone really wants to take it (car or photo gear) at gunpoint, your best bet is give it to them. Better to live another day then die for some piece of plastic/glass/magnesium etc.


As for Crumpleer bags, if anyone is interested I have 2 of them. Special deal if interested. Email me for details, and info.

Scott
Scott@snjphoto.com

[Vegas Poboy]

This months SHutterbug have an advertising article on Crumpleer bags.

[Tom W]

I guess I ought to contribute something on-topic here. For carrying, I have a couple of different small-medium bags that I can carry. The smaller one is a Tamrac 5516 also known as the "Zoom 16". Its a single camera, top loading pouch that will hold the 10D and a medium-length zoom lens. The bag has both a shoulder strap and a belt loop, which makes it a little harder to "cut and grab".

If I'm carrying a couple of lenses, I use a Tamrac Explorer 2. Its also a top-loader, but can carry a camera and an extra lens and flash. It also has a shoulder strap, but also includes a waist belt so you can secure it better.

I'm more worried about things being stolen from the car, so I tend not to leave valuables there.

At home, I store at least some of my equipment in a gun safe bolted to the basement floor.

[Belmondo]

Are you afraid someone might steal your gear?

You bet. We just made a 6,000 trip by car (actually, pickup truck), and I was absolutely paranoid on that very subject. Every piece of equipment went into the hotel room each night. I never left the truck where I couldn't see it, and the alarm was always armed when we weren't actually in the vehicle.

I've spoken to my insurance carrier about covering the equipment, and he said to send him a schedule of everything I own. I've done that and I'm waiting to hear back from him.

[spaceman]

So would a LowePro backpack be considered a "good target" for a thief? I have been concerned about this as well, and kind of wondering what would be a good gear bag as I travel in NYC and Scotland. My main concern is the larger cities.

[henkbos]

If you walk around I suggest a sturdy monopod. Great to use as a bat if the case arises.

[Cadwell]

If you walk around I suggest a sturdy monopod. Great to use as a bat if the case arises.

Yup. I have a Manfroto 681B with the 488RC2 head on it. Great for camera support and doubles up as a war hammer if needed :lol:

[defordphoto]

I also have a rider with my Allstate policy. The gear was covered under the normal policy anyway, but the rider adds a no cause loss. Meaning that no matter what happens to my gear, it's automatically covered.

A bold eagle could remove my camera from my neck, fly 50 miles out into the Pacific Ocean and drop it, and I'd be covered for full replacement value.

It's also worldwide coverage as my wife is going to Singapore for two weeks and wants to take the D60. I still need to check what additional insurance I need to add to cover the MKII as there IS a cap limit on the Allstate rider of $2000, but I'll probably have to move on to business insurance anyway when I startup DeFord Photo officially the next month or so.

[GenEOS]

Jim, Hayes is about the only one that I have found that is familiar with working photogs and the damages that result from the job. From all the threads I have read here and there, they pay claims quickly and have a 24 hour claim service. It varies from standard insurance in that it covers damage, even from our own stupidity....drops/etc...
-DT

[Pekka]

Once I was walking in London, D30 (or was it D60) and 70-200 on my hand and big Lowepro bag on my shoulder full of gear. Suddenly I see a glimpse of two men running towards me from behind and one grabs my bag - the bag was still firmly on my shoulder so all it did was almost pull me down to street. Luckily I stayed up (I'm big and heavy). The two guys stopped - I immediately realized what was going on: those were guys from the orchestra, solo oboe player and third oboe player! Morons. They saw me walking there and had this great idea of faking this theft. I of course gave them a strong lecture how I could have broken the camera and lens in my hand and finally they seemed to understand that was not so fun idea after all. Needless to say they paid the beer that evening.

[dpanicc1]

What are the insurance options other than home owners for photographers? Anyone have the names or links of companies that offer coverage?

[kahfluie]

FWIW, I realized my homeowners policy would not have covered my camera gear, so I went ahead and got a Personal Articles policy from Statefarm... pretty inexpensive when you get down to it...

[PekkaM]

If you walk around I suggest a sturdy monopod. Great to use as a bat if the case arises.

Yup. I have a Manfroto 681B with the 488RC2 head on it. Great for camera support and doubles up as a war hammer if needed :lol:

I've been thinking exactly the same :D I'm surprised I'm allowed to carry my 680B without a license. That could do some serious damage :lol:

[ShutteringFocus]

Paint the white lenses black and paint "Nikon" over the little "Canon" symbol on the pop up flash...

Guaranteed to make everyone loose interest :roll: :lol:

[defordphoto]

Jim, Hayes is about the only one that I have found that is familiar with working photogs and the damages that result from the job. From all the threads I have read here and there, they pay claims quickly and have a 24 hour claim service. It varies from standard insurance in that it covers damage, even from our own stupidity....drops/etc...
-DT

Thanks Daniel!

[Claire]

Thanks everyone for your input. The camera is under my parent's home insurance. They had some extra insurance thingy so told me not to have a separate insurance for now.

I like the idea of not having CANON or DIGITAL on the strap showing. I'm waiting to see if I get a camera bag for my birthday, otherwise I'll probably invest in one with a belt strap as well as shoulder strap. So far I've just put the camera in my backpack/regular bag.

[samdring]

Once I was walking in London, D30 (or was it D60) and 70-200 on my hand and big Lowepro bag on my shoulder full of gear. Suddenly I see a glimpse of two men running towards me from behind and one grabs my bag - the bag was still firmly on my shoulder so all it did was almost pull me down to street. Luckily I stayed up (I'm big and heavy). The two guys stopped - I immediately realized what was going on: those were guys from the orchestra, solo oboe player and third oboe player! Morons. They saw me walking there and had this great idea of faking this theft. I of course gave them a strong lecture how I could have broken the camera and lens in my hand and finally they seemed to understand that was not so fun idea after all. Needless to say they paid the beer that evening.

Solo oboe denied use of canon in latest rendition of 1812

[Belmondo]

Once I was walking in London, D30 (or was it D60) and 70-200 on my hand and big Lowepro bag on my shoulder full of gear. Suddenly I see a glimpse of two men running towards me from behind and one grabs my bag - the bag was still firmly on my shoulder so all it did was almost pull me down to street. Luckily I stayed up (I'm big and heavy). The two guys stopped - I immediately realized what was going on: those were guys from the orchestra, solo oboe player and third oboe player! Morons. They saw me walking there and had this great idea of faking this theft. I of course gave them a strong lecture how I could have broken the camera and lens in my hand and finally they seemed to understand that was not so fun idea after all. Needless to say they paid the beer that evening.

It's a good thing you didn't 'bust 'em in the chops'. You could've ended a couple music careers right then and there. On the other hand, the 2nd oboe would probably have appreciated the windfall. Being a former musician myself, I can attest to the fact that we're not all equally endowed with good sense.

Beer does solve lots of problems. There are a few people in this forum I probably owe beers to.

Tom

[theoldmoose]

You could take a tip from the Open Source crowd, and pay them off with 'virtual beers'.