Keeping your lens safe

[Marvin]

<p>I'm looking for advice as to how to keep my lens from being stolen in the streets of Rome.<br>

I'd like not to have my 24-104mm removed from my 7D. I think that the Pacsafe camera strap will keep my camera body safe but what about the lens?</p>

[kerry_grim]

Sounds good, but what if they try to rob you at gun point?

[Matt Laur]

<p>I don't think that someone just walking by could remove that lens from your camera body without you knowing they're trying. If you're worried about being mugged - as in, someone threatening you physically to the point where they have the opportunity to take the time to dismount the lens, then they're just going to take the whole rig anyway. Essentially: carry the camera in a bag with a strap that crosses your torso, or if you must have the camera out, use a long enough strap to have it cross your torso. Other than being willing to fight back, there isn't much you can do about someone who confronts you and is willing to use force to keep you from stopping them from disassembling your equipment. At that point, you should be just as worried about your wallet, your passport, and for that matter, your shoes.<br /><br />You have to draw reasonable lines. If you're not going to use a cross-shoulder bag, then your Pacsafe strap is a reasonable position to take.</p>

[Dave410]

<p>Not really what you're asking, but a bigger threat in Rome is gypsy pickpockets. One will distract you (often a woman or child) and guy behind will steal your wallet. They are very good at it.</p>

<p>Another threat is fake police officers. One or two guys will be looking at a map and stop you to ask for directions. One or two more will approach, flash fake badges, pretend to be police and accuse you of some crime. When you pull out your wallet to show your ID, they grab it and run. If you try to fight, they can get violent.</p>

<p> </p>

[SCL]

<p>Most "snatch and grab" thieves won't bother with removing a lens, they'll just grab the whole shebang and deal with the particulars later. The keys to protection are first - don't go into dicy areas, you will stand out as a tourist and you're just asking for trouble - might as well hang a $100 bill out of your pocket, close your eyes, and whistle a tune while walking down the street (I'm particularly thinking of Naples here); second - hold things close and don't get distracted; lastly - appear purposeful and alert to your surroundings - thieves like to prey on the weak.</p>

[devon_mccarroll]

And let's not forget the obvious here--your safety and your life are worth more than any stuff you own.

[Spearhead]

<p>Rome has far less violent crime than the US. Guns are generally not used in tourist crime. All you have to do is watch your stuff and act like you belong there. Acting afraid tends to send out signals.</p>

<p>I walked around Palermo, which has far more crime than Rome, with my camera out. I was approached by people who were clearly thieves and got caught up in the middle of a low level organized crime street scene. Nothing ever happened to my gear.</p>

<p>It's unclear how or why you think someone would take your lens off your camera.</p>

<p>Buy travel insurance that covers your gear, then it's a lot less of an issue.</p>

[Marvin]

<p>The video shown here demonstrates the technique for lens snatching.<br>

http://petapixel.com/2013/07/09/video-russian-photographer-has-camera-lens-stolen-from-around-his-neck/<br>

I was in St. Petersburg when a fellow tourist had this exact theft happen to her. She never realized that the lens was gone from her Canon DSLR until she next raised her camera to take a shot.<br>

So, I was asking for a way to secure the lens to the camera.</p>

 

[hjoseph7]

<p>Some areas in Italy are known for expert pick-pockets and yes they have been known to go into camera bags. Why not just bring one lens with you and keep it on the camera ? </p>

[bobatkins]

<p>Duct tape over the lens release button?</p>

<p>Carry the camera/lens in a bag/pouch?</p>

<p>Hose clamp around the lens and a wire to the camera body?</p>

<p>Use a P&S with a fixed lens?</p>

<p>Super glue (a bit drastic...)</p>

[douglas_vitello1]

<p>When in doubt even close to home out comes a old beater 30D and my 18-55 & 55-250 kit lenses.Better than a point and shoot but no great loss if something happens for the worse.The kit lenses do a great job and weigh next to nothing.I guess most thieves will feel sorry for me and pass on by?</p>

[mark_stephan2]

<p>When I was in Italy years ago I carried my gear in a diaper bag, removing my camera with attched lens as needed. Keeping the camera on your shoulder with the camera strap is advertising you have an expensive camera. As for the lens, I can't imagine someone stealing the lens from the camera body. For the most part when I was in Italy I felt safe. Like any town it's not good to be out at night unless you're with friends because there is safety in numbers. BTW, the diaper did not draw much attention</p>

[Marvin]

<p ><a name="00coUi"></a><a href="/photodb/user?user_id=14630">Bob Atkins</a> <a href="/member-status-icons"><img title="Admin" src="/v3graphics/member-status-icons/admin.gif" alt="" /><img title="Subscriber" src="/v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub10plus.gif" alt="" /></a>, Sep 07, 2014; 01:35 p.m.</p>

 

<p>Duct tape over the lens release button? <strong><em>Probably the best solution</em></strong>.<br>

Carry the camera/lens in a bag/pouch? <strong><em>Safe, but camera is not handy.</em></strong><br>

Hose clamp around the lens and a wire to the camera body? <strong><em>Sounds drastic but worth thinking about.</em></strong><br>

Use a P&S with a fixed lens?<strong><em> I bought one for that purpose (PowerShot SX500 IS) - but it seems so uncomfortable getting to learn my way around it.</em></strong><br>

Super glue (a bit drastic...)<em><strong> I'd say.</strong></em></p>

 

[dave404]

<p>I had a few experiences travelling overseas with my equipment. A good insurance policy and avoiding walking around alone are probably the best ways to avoid disaster. When you know little about a country it pays to have someone around that does.<br>

In Naples I was part of a tour group that let us have a good amount of time to navigate the country by ourselves (and make fools of ourselves). At one point I was looking up a street with another guy that saw the same photographic possibilities with these thin windy streets with plenty of restaurants, shops and other good targets for photography. Suddenly the guy in charge of our group yelled at us to come over, with plenty of rapid hand gestures, he said, you walk up that street it starts to wind around, you get lost. Then he pulls on my shirt "You won't come back with your clothes". I had the full backpack and big 70-200 lens so I was an inviting target. Yeah, the heavy gear sticks out. <br>

In Paris I was walking in the Tuileries Garden near the Louvre when a man ran several hundred feet then slowly walked up to to me asking if I wanted him to take my picture with my coworker (whom he must have assumed was my wife or something) with my 5D (Mk1) and the nice 24-70 L lens. I saw this guy eyeing me from a distance and knew what was happening. I also was with two other people and I did not hand over my camera like a fool. So pay attention to your surroundings.<br>

But, if you never take risks with your equipment you might as well never buy it. </p>

<p> </p>

[pjmeade]

<p>My wife and I spent a few days in Rome recently, we spent most of that time walking around with my 5D2+24-105 on show. <br /> Although it was obviously very busy with lots of people surrounding us, at no point did I feel like were were in danger of being robbed. The only time we encountered someone who looked like he wanted to steal was a character walking too close and paying too much attention to what was on the tables at a restaurant we were in (in Florence).<br /> Take common sense precautions, like keeping your camera bag away out of the way when you sit down at a table, put it between your feet.<br />If you want the lens to look less special and not stand out from the others in the crowd, take the lens hood off when you need to, such as in busy markets.<br>

In Rome there are plenty of people who will take your money, but they'll do it by selling rubbish umbrellas if it's raining or trashy hats/shades if it's not.<br /> If you see people selling stuff off cardboard tables, it's going to be a rip-off, as soon as the police come in sight, they fold it away and bolt.<br>

<a title="Rome in the rain by Pete Meade, on Flickr" href=" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5527/14488844916_a2c132f0f6.jpg" alt="Rome in the rain" width="500" height="333" /><br /></a><a title="Hawkers by Pete Meade, on Flickr" href=" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3859/14325347528_0f58f28cde.jpg" alt="Hawkers" width="500" height="333" /></a><br>

Around the big monuments are lots of characters dressed in "Roman" uniforms, if you photograph them, they're going to want your money.<br>

We thought Rome was a fabulous place, not a dangerous one. Relax and enjoy yourself.</p>

[Marcus Ian]

<p>The lens grab was pretty smooth. But, in real terms, with a group of 3-4 of them they could have just as easily grabbed him and taken the whole thing. The coordination, while impressive, was completely unnecessary. OTOH, it allows them to get the expensive part without leaving them liable for mugging, assault, or adding 'violence' to the crime. If I had to charge them with something, I think 'pickpocketing' would be about the most I could legitimately say they've done (though, maybe by value, the charge could be brought to grand theft). Perhaps that's why they bother... I'm sure it carries a less severe penalty than mugging, or assault. </p>

<p>However, it would be pretty easy to defeat this grab with a simple piece of formed metal that covered the release button, had an integrated standoff and screwed (flat) into your tripod mount. I think I could fabricate that in my garage in a couple of hours. </p>

[Marvin]

<p>In case anyone is still interested in this thread -<br>

I did figure out how to keep my Canon 24-104mm lens from being detached from my 7D by street thieves. I bought a hose clamp from Home Depot. It's 4inch diameter (exactly the size of the collar of the lens) and 1/2 inch wide (also the perfect width for this lens). <em>Place it around the lens and rotate it until the screw mechanism that tightens the clamp is positioned so that it blocks access to the lens release button on the camera body.</em> That's it - no one without a screw driver and the time to disassemble the contraption will swipe the lens from the camera.<br>

The camera will be hanging from my neck from a Pacsafe strap (<a href="http://www.pacsafe.com/carrysafe-100-camera-strap-1.html">http://www.pacsafe.com/carrysafe-100-camera-strap-1.html</a>) which can't be cut, A thief will now have to wrestle me for my gear.<br>

PS - not every lens will be amenable to this strategy because of their irregular shapes. And changing lenses is not practical but for my trip this one lens should be OK.</p>

[Marcus Ian]

<p>An even simpler, more elegant, solution!</p>

<p>I might be concerned about the inside of the clamp scraping up the surface of the lens, especially when you tighten it down, but spraying a rubberized coating on the contact area of the hose clamp will prevent that (plus, will be able to cover the silver part with black).</p>

[Landrum Kelly]

<p>If you think that someone is coming toward you with dubious intent, look right at them with a straight, level stare. Don't look mean or aggressive, but don't look down or away, either. Just be alert. Averting your eyes will make you look timid or weak. As someone has already said, predators tend to prey on the weak or the vulnerable. Don't look weak, and don't look vulnerable.</p>

<p>As for the wallet, consider carrying it in a front pocket, not a hip pocket.</p>

<p>I have never heard of anyone stealing a lens off a camera that someone is carrying. If they specifically want the lens, they will still likely go for the whole rig. Most thieves grab and run. They are not looking for a fight, and they do not hang around long. Watch for people coming from behind or from the side who might try for one quick move. Trying to run after them is usually not an option.</p>

<p>--Lannie</p>

[Marvin]

<p>Landrum,<br>

Check this link - http://petapixel.com/2013/07/09/video-russian-photographer-has-camera-lens-stolen-from-around-his-neck/<br>

L.L. Bean sells pants with a second, zippered pocket in the front. My wife's friend invented this kind of pocket years ago for her husband. He carries his wallet in his front zippered pocket. The wallet makes the characteristic bulge which attracts the pickpockets. They slip their hands into the empty pocket and retreat in a confused state.<br>

I've had the occasion to slap the hand of a pickpocket when it was inside the backpack of an unsuspecting traveler. He just threw up his hands in a frustrated gesture to a colleague waiting across the street. C'est la vie.</p>