How do YOU keep your gear safe?

I'm just curious about where you keep the gear you are not using, when you are shooting a wedding or event. I have everything in rolling Tamrac suitcase and I can usually find a table cloth to hide it under that is in eye sight during the reception (often the cake table), but what to the rest of you do? Not worry about it? I was second shooter some years ago to a pro who had his fav lens stolen and of course, that was MY fault, and I've been paranoid about it ever since.

i try to keep my bag where i can see it or hide it some out of the way place where no one walks. If not, ill drag it everywhere I go!

Locked pelican case. I've locked (bicycle lock) the case to a pole before even.

I have a 200lb assistant who keeps an eye on things for me.

What I've done and seems to work well is to put it under the DJ's table - but only after I've "qualified" him and determined that he's a friend. And, if I have any doubts, I always have my Defcon 1 (Targus) alarm that I can put on my bag (a Pelican case 1510).

Scott_Quier wrote in post #3469723
What I've done and seems to work well is to put it under the DJ's table - but only after I've "qualified" him and determined that he's a friend. And, if I have any doubts, I always have my Defcon 1 (Targus) alarm that I can put on my bag (a Pelican case 1510).

i can picture that alarm going off when some little kid wants to peek whats in the bag lol

how does that work (the alarm)?

howzitboy wrote in post #3469781
i can picture that alarm going off when some little kid wants to peek whats in the bag lol

how does that work (the alarm)?

You can set the alarm for motion sensing (not a good idea as you point out) or you can set it to off if the cable is cut (which is the default and the one I use). So, I wrap it around something stationary, run the cable TWICE through one of the "lock holes" to keep the lid from being easily opened and there you go. Mine is an older version with a 3-digit combination, but you can get them now with 4-digit combination.

The motion sensor is really cool when you need to set it down in someplace, like an airport, and you don't want ANYONE moving it.

For more details on how they work, you can download the user's manual here.

I use the ThinkTank camera bag system which has a BUILT IN wire and locking cord attached to your bag with BUILT IN locking system on your camera bag zipper system.

While it is not perfect it will be much harder to walk off with the bag and a table without me seeing it

Plus the DJ area is always safer as stated above.

i think this is definitely something to think about, given the recent events in dallas. a locked pelican case for me - but i am now carrying around my lenses in my beautiful new shoot sac!

A .357 Magnum tucked inside my waistband.

I was just asking my girlfriend the other day if there was any sort of an alarm made that was similar to a car alarm that you could put on your bag. This was inspired because I was watching American Inventor and thinking an alarm thing would be good. So, this is what I did think about and think I will do as a back-up precautionary measure to putting it somehwere safe.

I am going to get one of those find your key beeper sets and put the beeper in a pocket in the bag and the remote in my pocket. And then if I go to grab my bag and can't find it, I will push the button frantically, setting the beeper off if it is in range and the perp is still in the building. If I then cannot locate it, I could walk through the parking lot hitting the button to see if someone has stored it in their car and returned to the event. It's not foolproof.. but it's better than nothing.

I usually make friends with the DJ and put my stuff near him like someone else mentioned.

liza wrote in post #3469709
I have a 200lb assistant who keeps an eye on things for me.

Looks like a total cream puff softie

I use the DJ's table area and/or assistant when I have one, I am also quite big and mean looking which helps keep people away from the bag.

You, mean looking? NO way! Proof is in the photograph though.

th3r0m wrote in post #3472515
Looks like a total cream puff softie

I use the DJ's table area and/or assistant when I have one, I am also quite big and mean looking which helps keep people away from the bag.

I'll see what I can dig up...