Keeping your camera safe in a city.

AESamuel

AESamuel

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Asa
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Hey,

I was wondering what you guys do to keep your camera safe while in very populated areas such as cities. I normally just carry my fuji round my neck but this doesn't seem particularly safe and kind of screams "vulnerable tourist".

I am looking for some budget options for keeping my camera safe. I thought of a wrist-strap but it also seems like someone would just try to snatch it out of my hand (even though it is secured to my wrist)

Thanks for any suggestions,
Asa
 
Just realised this is in 'talk lighting and studio'.

Could someone move it to 'talk photography' where it was meant to go?

Thanks!
 
Carry a bag and the camera out when you need it?

I can't say I've ever had issues in UK/European or American Cities, with a DSLR and biggish lens on a blackrapid strap though.
 
Just use any over the shoulder camera bag, but have it in front of you. Then just get it out when you want to take a photo.
 
Never felt it a problem in the UK but you could always look at the wire reinforced strap like the Sun Sniper or the new Qstrap version, which is much cheaper and sold here by Simon.
 
If you really feel unconformable in crowded areas, why don't you just take a compact and keep your Fuji for when you get out of the city.

I have travelled the world widely, and must say that I have never had any problems, I just keep the camera in my bag and just pull it out to take the photo and back in the bag it goes and you will not get a more crowded place than the centre of Marrakesh at night.
 
I just wear my 60D over one shoulder and keep my hand on the strap. Sometimes I think it's safer because you know its either there or it isn't, with a bag it's harder to instantly realise. Usually just keep my camera bag in the hotel/hostel - especially if it's a busy city. Also, like to have my camera as close to hand as possible!
 
Assuming we're talking about the op's Fuji x-10, rather than a DSLR, I'd suggest something like a Black Rapid SnapR

snapr35-404x400.jpg
 
i never feel overly comfortable in busy areas, and the hustle and busy of london etc...

i keep all my camrea equipment in my flipside 400aw where the expensive items are zipped against my back- not to who ever wants to try and pick pocket etc.... rain or shine i generally use the rain cover which covers the entire bag aswell..
 
Either im really stupid or just don't find city environments threatening enough for me to worry about getting my camera snatched, my last wander around the big smoke involved an old kodak retinette so... not the most likely candidate for a robbing but i was half cut by the end of the day/night and kept putting it down in some stupid places, would be obviously my own fault if i lost it but rather than it gettin snatched, people kept passing it to me with that "mate you forgot your camera" thing lol
 
Your X10 is 'just' a compact, so it's likely that, to any potential thief, you appear exactly the same as thousands of other people on the street. I wouldn't worry unduly about it. I think putting it in a bag would make it a more likely target.

I've never worried when travelling with my 1D. Just have it slung over my shoulder. There are very few people out there actually looking to rob you, as long as you aren't completely stupid with leaving it lying around, chances are you'll be fine.
 
Put it in a bag that doesn't look like a camera bag. Seriously I always put my gear in my everyday Jansport rucksack simply because it doesn't look like a camera bag. I'm sure "educated" thieves know about Lowepro bags and suchlike and know what they are likely to contain. ;)

Personally I have felt much less safe with my camera in the UK than in any other country I have been in. :( Maybe it's just that we can pick out the scumbags here. :puke:
 
General advice applies, do your research before hand on where you are visiting and avoid the trouble spots/situations. I've never personally had a problem in Europe.

Remember you aren't going to be the only tourist carrying a camera. Don't worry about it but stay alert and enjoy your visit.
 
The most important thing is to ensure that whatever you are carrying your camera in doesn't scream CAMERA!!!

I use a Lowepro insert kit in a couple of bags. Both are non camera and therfore much more discrete, yet do the job as well as any camera bag.

The Colonial bag is a beauty, and will last a lifetime, but costs less than a similarly sized Billingham, and the Osprey bag costs only £50. The insert kit was second hand from Ffordes, and cost £12.

Belstaff Colonial bag:

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Osprey Messenger bag:

P1020020.jpg


P1020021.jpg
 
My son had his camera stolen in Saigon, he was at an open air cafe and his camera was on the table right in front of him, two youths on a motor bike rode past the table snatching the camera and were off in an instant, you can't be too careful.
 
Having grown up in the heart of London, learned how to take pictures there, witness countless thefts (including one of: 3 leicas and 5 lenses from one VERY unfortunate American photojournalist), I have a few things to say:

Keep it over your shoulder and under your arm! Taking cameras in-and-out of bags is usually a bad idea, and is when thiefs have their best chance to grab it as the strap isn't around your neck, you are stationary and not looking around you, and your concentrating on not dropping your lovely kit on a hard surface! Rucksacks (although useful, I know) can be worse as someone opportunistic could grab a nice canon 200mm L-Lens from the rucksack while your holding the camera and it's kit lens. -And you cant chase after them right away because you have an open rucksack filled with expensive kit! -Someone could also be sneeky and undo your rucksack zip without you noticing. -Ive seen this happen umpteen times.-

I found that a small second-hand crumpler "pretty boy" messenger-style bag I had solved the issue of camera in bad weather/needing it around my chest/shoulder. -I can carry the camera around in the bag, with both the bag strap, and camera strap still over my shoulder and round my chest, I just remove the camera from the bag to take a photo if needed.

In places like london, as long as its over a shoulder and across your chest, you don't really need a bag in most places. Unless well disguised, a camera bag looks like a camera bag, and most "professional" thiefs will recognise this! All the bag is there for (in my opinion) is protection from the elements if the weather gets bad!

Having said that, there are dodgy bits of london/other cities round the world where walking round with a camera/camerabag is just a bad idea, and its a much better idea to just use a bag that is secure, but looks totally "normal" rather than a photography-specific bag! Don't draw attention to yourself or the equipment! Just stuff an old, waterproof messenger bag that has a zip with some good padding material!

I often use a North Face PVC messenger bag that is totally waterproof and the zips can be locked together with a padlock. -It saved a lot of personal items (inc. passport, camera, money) in Barcelona 2 years ago!
 
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That belstaff bag is very elegant. A barbour jacket with big pockets would probably make a decent photographer's jacket if you had lens pouches and a camera pouch.

If I have the camera round my neck I make sure the strap is under any jacket so it can't be cut so easily. My dad has his binoc strap cut at a county show a couple of years ago. He managed to hang onto them though.
 
crofter said:
My son had his camera stolen in Saigon, he was at an open air cafe and his camera was on the table right in front of him, two youths on a motor bike rode past the table snatching the camera and were off in an instant, you can't be too careful.
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Sounds like a scene out of Full Metal Jacket
 
I take the mother-in-law with me, no one dares to come near us, she scares everyone off.
 
A tatty old bag and an old strap rather than one that boasts 5D mkIII or whatever.
 
dougdarter said:
I use a Lowepro insert kit in a couple of bags. Both are non camera and therfore much more discrete, yet do the job as well as any camera bag.

The Colonial bag is a beauty, and will last a lifetime, but costs less than a similarly sized Billingham, and the Osprey bag costs only £50. The insert kit was second hand from Ffordes, and cost £12.
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I've been trying to find an appropriate insert for my bag for sometime - do you have the official product name for it? "lowepro insert kit" doesn't retrieve anything officialish on Google unfortunately. I know there are some made by Domke but at £30+ you have to be kidding!
 
Jayst84 said:
Your X10 is 'just' a compact, so it's likely that, to any potential thief, you appear exactly the same as thousands of other people on the street. I wouldn't worry unduly about it. I think putting it in a bag would make it a more likely target.

I've never worried when travelling with my 1D. Just have it slung over my shoulder. There are very few people out there actually looking to rob you, as long as you aren't completely stupid with leaving it lying around, chances are you'll be fine.
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In fairness, the 1D is a fairly handy weapon too, so the chances are a thief will likely come off worse in any encounter :)
 
freecom2 said:
I've been trying to find an appropriate insert for my bag for sometime - do you have the official product name for it? "lowepro insert kit" doesn't retrieve anything officialish on Google unfortunately. I know there are some made by Domke but at £30+ you have to be kidding!
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Occasionally, Ffordes sell off a lot of used/NOS Lowepro kit, and this includes bag inserts. That's wher I bought mine.

Look out for used/tatty Lowepro bags on ebay, often uber cheap, but with decent inserts.
 
crofter said:
My son had his camera stolen in Saigon, he was at an open air cafe and his camera was on the table right in front of him, two youths on a motor bike rode past the table snatching the camera and were off in an instant, you can't be too careful.
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meant to be very common. Put your bag strap round one of the legs of your chair, and keep it so that your foot/leg is touching the bag.


Most of the time while travelling, I either have my camera slung over my shoulder (but wary of where I am), in my thinktank retrospective (lovely and discrete bags) or in more crowded / dodgier looking areas, just held, strap wrapped around my wrist as I often do when shooting events etc.
 
Neck strap?
Lens cap on whilst not shooting, one hand on the body as often as you can spare. Usually fine for me & I live in the southern outskirts of London :} Too many are out & about with DLSR's these days that seeing a range of them isnt particularly unusual & strangers just don't notice as much.
 
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Never be adfraid to take your camera out,just be careful.

I find blackrapid straps very good,keep it down by your side in reach and sight.

Never leave things on a table :)
 
Furtim said:
In fairness, the 1D is a fairly handy weapon too, so the chances are a thief will likely come off worse in any encounter :)
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a 3kg metal brick can do a fair bit of damage. Mine looks like it's already been used :LOL:

Dirty (cormorant stuff) backpack doesn't draw too much attention either.

Either way don't let anyone too close and scan the surroundings. They will more likely try to go after your valet or phone in your pocket. Thugs will also try to knife your bag straps, so make sure it won't go so easily.
 
Bottom line - make sure you have adequate insurance in case the worst happens.
 
I think I will go for the 'across the chest' way of having it around my neck. That way the only way someone can get it off me is by cutting the strap and I will almost always have my hand on the camera itself. I'll also use an unassuming strap and have it under my jacket when possible.

I also realised that having the strap this way makes it easier to steady the camera when using the viewscreen as it doesn't need to be as far away from you to keep the straps taut.

Thanks a lot for all the great suggestions,
Asa
 
dougdarter said:
Occasionally, Ffordes sell off a lot of used/NOS Lowepro kit, and this includes bag inserts. That's wher I bought mine.

Look out for used/tatty Lowepro bags on ebay, often uber cheap, but with decent inserts.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip!
 
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