Newly Updated Anti-Theft Camera Strap - PacSafe's Updated CarrySafe Strap

[fishfoto]

Earlier this year I started to use the PacSafe CarrySafe100 anti-theft camera straps. After using the Domke 1" Gripper for literally more than half of my life, I switched all my straps to the PacSafe strap. These straps did however have one huge flaw; the shoulder padding could be slick and cause your strap to slide off your shoulders. My answer was to slice off the pads.

I had the opportunity to address this problem with PacSafe when meeting them at their offices in Hong Kong earlier this year, and others expressed the same concerns. I am happy to report that PacSafe has listened to its customers and changed the pad significantly so it now features a non-slip grip pad making this strap (in my opinion) damn near perfect.

This strap is ideal for anyone traveling, or working in the street, as it is not only slash proof, but it also features a locking system so your strap cannot be easily be unclipped from your camera.

I have written up the newly updated PacSafe Carry Safe strap, its anti-theft security features and placed up some photos comparing the new and old shoulder pad for comparison here:

http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2008/12/04/updated-anti-theft-camera-strap-the-new-pacsafe-carrysafe-100/

[Village_Idiot]

People actually slash camera straps? Huh...

Looks cool. Kind of makes my decision a bit harder now. I was looking at the crumpler camo strap because I don't want anyone to be able to see my camera has a strap on it, but this one looks like it actually serves a purpose besides being flashy.

Are the pads comfortable? I've only ever shot with the stock Canon strap and I just kind of cringe at having that much material hanging around my neck when I see how large some of the aftermarket straps look.

[fishfoto]

There are actually a lot of thefts in some areas with straps being slashed. It is a somewhat common method of theft in Rome,and around Montmarte Cathedral in Paris. Thieves cause a distraction working in pairs, while along slits the stap for a snatch and grab. They also grab women's purses this way.

The strap is flat black, it does not draw any attention.

As for comfort, I have been using these straps with no pads on 1D/1Ds, 5D/20D bodies with some heavy glass since March (I used the old pads for maybe 2 weeks) and I find them very comfortable. The new pad not only grips but is helps with the weight of a body/lens quite a bit. For the last 10 day or so I have been primarily using the 16-35f2.8, 28-70f2.8, 70-200f2.8, all fairly heavy lenses and it is very comfortable.

This strap is VERY narrow. The strap is not flash,not wide, not a lot of material. The actual strap, not pad is narrower than the Domke 1" gripper strap.

[Wilt]

Is there a neoprene sleeve that surrounds the metal release clip, to help avoid marring things when the camera is inside a larger bag?

[fishfoto]

Wilt,

There are neoprene sleeves for protection. I remove them as I find them pointless and my gear gets marred up anyway. But yes, they are included with the straps.

[_aravena]

Interesting. I may have to switch now. Not that I go anywhere that this would be useful but all it takes is one trip to Italy or NYC I guess. One time and for $20, it's affordable.

[chauncey]

I kinda think that if they have a knife, they can have the camera. I have insurance.

[fishfoto]

Chauncey,

These thieves won't approach you with a knife, what they do is walk up behind you, cut the strap and quickly snatch the camera and run. If they can't cut the strap in one quick move, they quickly fall back and blend into the crowd.

They almost always cut the strap somewhat high, just below your shoulder so they have a partner 'bump you' so you don't notice it, then they are gone.

[BottomBracket]

To be honest I have never seen reports of straps being slashed. Can you provide links that support your claim? Statistics as to how rampant this is would be appreciated.

[fishfoto]

Pio,

I have no statistics.

I can tell you that I have researched personal security of photographer extensively. I can also tell you that back in 1997 I caught someone trying to slash the strap of my Nikon F3hp, with Nikkor 180f2.8 Ai-S from my shoulder while waiting for the J train on the platform at Sutphin Boulevard, in Queens, NY.

I also know of a business traveller who had their point and shoot camera strap slashed and grabbed while they waited for a taxi in Milan. I know more than a dozen women who have had their purse straps slash-and-grabbed over the past few years in a variety of locations.

My information on personal security of photographers is based on asking a lot of questions of a lot of people. My information on this topic has resulted in me seeking out and actually speaking with more than person who makes their living as an airport-thief, and having some back and forth conversations with others who are 'professional thieves.' My understanding of this subject on a practical level, not a statistical level, as resulted in me being featured on ABC News' Good Morning America, which you can see here :http://www.youtube.com/v/8Gm7UZa6FkY , being referenced, featured and quoted in Popular Photography and PopPhoto.com, News Photographer Magazine, highlighted by WPPI, as well as in the New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, as well as on multiple national radio programs in the US and Canada.

So, while it may not be a very high number, the security is better than no security. If you want to argue over straps, that is fine. I have found a product which I like, find very comfortable and easy to use that has been updated and improved, and I chose to share that info with other photogs.

I am not employed by, affiliated with, endorsed by, and associated with PacSafe. I have no gain in discussing this strap, other than I think it is a valuable tool.

[BottomBracket]

I have no intent to argue over straps, since I think they are personal choices. As a street photographer, what piques my curiousity is how often this slashing modus operandi happens. I did a quick google search on "slashing camera straps" and I found a ton of references, most of them leading to you, fish. Apparently you have disseminated this discussion through a lot of forums and other venues.

Now I don't think there is anything wrong with that, after all if you like this product and decide to promote it, that is up to you. Heck it will even drive more traffic to your website which appears on every thread you start. But reading through your threads here and elsewhere, there has been some reference as to how this strap is a must-have for NYC. I must disagree with this - I have never heard of any slashed camera strap incident here. It is not a rampant issue anyway, if it does exist.

Thank you for the youtube video and for inundating me with your credentials (which was quite unnecessary). I still would rather have links to actual police reports or newspaper stories that refer to this modus operandi before I can be convinced to purchase this strap.

[Wilt]

I have not directly read reports of strap slashing, and I have not directly read reports of handbag slashing (to pull out the contents, like passport or wallet) but I used to work at a place where a co-worker was a well respected person who was working temporarily in the USA on an temporay work visa, normally a citizen and resident of Italy. He told me a number of cautions about any visit to cities like Rome, which has street thieves that thrive in preying upon tourists, with stories not only of handbag slashing but also being stopped at a stop light and being distracted by a small child coming up to your driver side window while the rest of the gang would steal wheels and tires off your car at the stop light. If handbags can be slashed, so can camera bag straps!

[fishfoto]

Pio,

I have discussed this topic extensively in many forum.

Of course if I had any financial gain from this, you might have a case against me. But since I have no financial gain, you have to trust my intent is simply help photogs travel safer.

Why not search Google for why many European wear their backpacks in the front. Read up on why tourist groups suggest women not carry hand-bags. Search for sources about thieves slicing the bottom of a handbag and empty the contents. Search for waist packs being sliced when worn in the back and removed.

Read about the bump-and-slash. Read about the gypsies who approach tourists in Rome, Paris, etc etc and causea scene while a cohort grabs the victims arm to cause a further distraction.

Do you know what happens in those very common situations? Do you know how to protect yourself and your gear in these very common situations, primarily in tourist areas?

Read about those situations and you'll find out why a slash proof strap is a good investment for your camera.

-Fish
Who is not affiliated with PacSafe. Who has no stake in PacSafe. Who has no financial gain from PacSafe

[BottomBracket]

While I have read reports about handbags being slashed, their straps being cut in the fashion that you gave said, I honestly have not seen any report about a camera's strap being slashed. I would appreciate a link. If you have one in NYC, that would be nice.

[fishfoto]

Pio,

I don't have police reports, as the are not available online.

.......of course there was my personal reference to me, in 1997, while waiting for the J train in Queens.

If you don't feel the need for the security of your strap, that's your choice.I am not forcing you, or anyone else,to go out and get the straps.

[BottomBracket]

Thanks, I do not feel forced at all. I am just concerned about the references to NYC, and how this strap is supposed to help out when lugging a camera here. Like I said, I have never heard of any strap slashing incidents here. I have heard of being held up at knife point where the items taken were bags, knives being used to slit open bags to extract the contents, but not the modus operandi that you mentioned. Surely PacSafe has documented reports? When you met with their executives in Hong Kong early this year did they show you some?

[fishfoto]

Pio,

Is NYC as rampant as Rome, San Palo, Rio, and the areas around Montmartre and the Champ de Mars in Paris? No, not really.

However I don't discuss New York as a tourist attraction. I grew up nextto JFK airport and starting shooting news as a kid in New York. I spent half-a-dozen years as a full-time news photog for a wire in New York, often working the overnight shifts. I did 9 months shooting a story in one of the worst housing projects in the city in 1995 and worked ona 911-EMS unit in Bronx for a while as a 2nd job. So I know the good and the bad of New York. I would never scare people off from New York. I find New York to be one of the nicest and friendliest cities in the world, despite our nasty reputation.

....and when I met PacSafe's execs in HK I didn't ask for any statistics on thefts. I didn't feel the need to ask, I was already using the strap. I already knew the risks, I already knew I had been the attempted victim of this type of theft. So really, I don't need to see the documentation.

If you'd like to know if they have the statistics, you can contact them and find out if they have the stats.

[BottomBracket]

Thanks for the response, but if I have to contact them about it I guess it doesn't happen that much, is at all, at least here in NYC. But hey if I do contact them, they might send me some free straps though ;)

[Kronie]

I have insurance.

Me too. And honestly if there going to go through such much set up to steal my camera they can have it. Ill get another one.... A newer one.

[Karl Johnston]

I just keep it in the bag unless i'm using it lol simple..i wouldn't want to carry it around unless i'm actively shooting anyway. I used to do that and I recall getting a nasty crack across an 28-135 3.5 on a d40x when some kids thought it'd be hilarious to throw gravel at us sightseers. :( Little bastards.