Safety-proof your shoulder bag

[tvphotog]

For you guys and women travelling to unsavory places with your gear, there's worry that a thief might slash your camera strap and rip it off your shoulder or chest. So I keep my camera across my chest on a PacSafe 100 strap, with two steel cables running through it.

But what about your shoulder bag, with the extra lens and light? I have a Lowepro Classified 140, with the standard nylon cloth strap. I had this criss-crossed over my chest on one shoulder, the camera on the other. The nylon strap was still at risk. I has an extra PacSafe 100 strap lying around.

SoI updated the Lowepro by removing the OEM strap and putting on the Pacsafe. It was heavy when I used it with the camera and the lens in it, so I added a Domke Postman's pad. Result? Comfortable and secure portage, even in the çuks of the Middle East.

[minhi]

nice mod!

[rklepper]

They do make a 200 that may be more suitable for a camera bag. Gotta love that Domke pad, I have them on all of my bags.

[imacmadman22]

Here's another tip for securing straps/bags and other gear. Quick releases are great for some things, not so great for others. So, I don't think I'm the first guy to do this but, I came up with this looking at my strap one day:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/imacmadman22/526898648/sizes/o/in/set-931782/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/imacmadman22/526987341/sizes/o/

[rowan57]

I thought about this, but one thing to take into consideration is that if a thief cannot slash a bag off, there is more risk that you will be hurt in the attempt. I am probably still going to get a PacSafe strap, but its just a thought.

Cheers
Rowan

[jcsf420]

Great idea imac! I haven't seen that one before.

[tvphotog]

They do make a 200 that may be more suitable for a camera bag. Gotta love that Domke pad, I have them on all of my bags.

Will check out the 200. I wonder if one can use the Domke pad on it, though.

[stathunter]

Yep -- pacsafe has two other options.

http://www.pac-safe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=17

http://www.pac-safe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&_action=detail&id=68

[René Damkot]

My take?
I'd rather have a thieve slash my camera strap / bag and take of, then him trying, failing, and take a slash at me with the knife.

I use a camera / bag sling 'cause I find it comfortable to work with, and I have that. (slim Canon strap & Billingham bag)
"Comfortable" also means "supple" for me, and "no metal clips". So the pacsafe is out of the question.

That being said: Nice mod.

[ejicon]

I kinda feel the same way René but I think the typical traveling thieve just want to grab the goods and jam unnoticed. The possibility of the slasher thieve to take a swing/slash at you would net him a lot of attention especially if you scream real loud at a high octave (say G#6) in a terrorizing manner (I've practice this many times).
That's the last thing they want. But again, I rather them take my stuff than to take my "STUFF"

[fishfoto]

The new version of the PacSafe CarrySafe 100 has an excellent grip on its shoulder pad (the old pad slid off your shoulder, thus I cut off the pads). I love the Domke postman strap (my Domke F2 and F805 have them) however is that really ergonomic?

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

...and most slash & grab thieves just slash and grab. They work in crowded enviroments to go unnoticed, if they got into a flight and started stabbing people they could not slink away so easily. If they slash-and-fail they move onto the next victim.

I have some tips for not becoming the target of a thief and general security while traveling as a photog here:
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flyingwithfish/2008/10/07/staying-safe-in-an-unfamiliar-environment-dont-be-a-lost-tourist/

Happy Flying!

[dutchin]

the best protection your bag can have is travel insurance that covers all of your camera gear. my last big trip to a country i thaught i may have an issue (india) all i did was back up my photos every night, leave them at the hotel on cd and laptop (stored in different places) and if my camere was stolen during the day, i would only loose that days shots, as for the camere, they can have it. ill get a new one. id rather place a claim for material goods than having an arm re attatched :D

[tvphotog]

the best protection your bag can have is travel insurance that covers all of your camera gear. my last big trip to a country i thaught i may have an issue (india) all i did was back up my photos every night, leave them at the hotel on cd and laptop (stored in different places) and if my camere was stolen during the day, i would only loose that days shots, as for the camere, they can have it. ill get a new one. id rather place a claim for material goods than having an arm re attatched :D

I agree with insuring equipment, but I don't agree at all with your thinking otherwise. I think it's ridiculous to spend thousands of dollars on what might be a once in a lifetime photo trip, and have it ruined by the theft of your main camera.

[dutchin]

and i entirely agree with what you are saying, you are absolutely right, alot of money is invested in gear and you may very well be on a once in a lifetime trip. but what do you do? fight back against someone in a country you are not familiar with and possibly get stabbed or worse? i would allways put my personal safety way above my equipment, that is the point i was making.

[tvphotog]

I see. No use in risking life or limb, that's true. If you're at knife point or someone has a gun, I would gladly give up any material thing.

However, I don't think thieves will simply try to pull a camera from your arm without first making it easier by cutting the strap with a box cutter without your being aware, as an accomplice distracts you. If they can't cut the strap, I don't think they would attempt to pull it off.

The Pacsafe straps offer deterrence. BTW, I only wear a bag or camera strap across my chest, so the shoulder pulling business doens't apply.

[dutchin]

in some countries theives will approach on a motorbike or scooter and pull a bag from someones arm, i guess my point is, if someone wants something bad enough they will take it, and if they are aggressive i dont want to be caught up in it for any longer than i need to be. If someone had a box cutter anywhere near me trying to cut my bag off, even if i was unaware, i think i would rather them get what they were after, rather than potentially getting mad that they couldnt cut through, with a box cutter in hand, and then having to deal with that situation,., once again, all my opinion, and i fully respect and understand what you are saying also :)

[dutchin]

btw, i like the look of the strap anyway! haha

[Yohan Pamudji]

Safety-proof? Good idea. I'd hate to have safety do anything to hurt my shoulder bag.