How safe would you feel out alone with your camera equipment ?

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F1.2

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Allen
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As I get older I am now starting to think about the above , what with the crime, stabbings and general nasty people
I feel I would be easy picking for the yobs with £----- worth of photo gear on board

Whats your thoughts ?

Signed Mr Coserned :(
 
I share that sentiment to a degree - it depends on where you go. Eg I've just been down to our local park to try to get a few snapograms, but I took my wife D5100 and kit lens rather than my D500 and Sigma Art lens, as there has been the odd assault there and a few drug-related muggings (but to be fair, all after dark). So only circa £250-odd of kit rather than £2k worth.
Failed effort actually anyway as the light that drew me down there was blocked by more rain clouds just when I got to where I was aiming for.
 
Out and about generally?
I don't feel concerned but I don't walk 'around town' with all of my gear ... generally just one camera body and maybe a couple of lenses (all in a backpack).

Out and about at night?
I'm too old for nights out with the camera ... on the odd occasion I have, its been with a group.
 
It depends on where I'm planning to go shoot. If it's a well known place to me I feel a lot safer obviously, if it's a new location I'd do a little research first. Maybe check it out in daytime, get a feel for the area, know where the exits or dead ends are. Can you run? can you run with your bag of gear? Stay within screaming distance of activity. If you're planning to go shoot some place obscure or well off the beaten track then just don't go alone. Have your phone fully charged, make sure you have signal and remember your tripod makes for a useful weapon
 
Generally not concerned, I do a lot of photography work evenings and into the night. I was walking around newcastle getting some establishing shots on Wednesday night at 11.30, often do the same around London at that time of night.

I'm 6'2" with a shaved head, people don't tend to bother me. Funny really as I am quite non confrontational and passive as a person, 'laid back to the point of being horizontal' has been said!

I guess I am lucky in that way!
 
I've never given it a thought. I don't worry about the type of things, and aren't; going to start now.
 
Yes, everytime I get speaking to somebody that I've never met before when I'm out. That said, most of the places I go, there are not usually many folk but I do bump into the odd one in a situation that if it turned ugly, it would be me or them, so to speak. Not had any problems thus far though and I'm usually carrying a tripod, which as a last resort, would become a persuader.

I'm usually alone on my outings but when I have company, I make sure it's good company that I trust implicity and I know they'd take a hit for me and vice versa, if it ever came to it.
 
I always keep it out of sight when not actually taking a photo. The RX100 is pocketable.

I haven't yet been out with my (new to me) A7ii, which is too chunky for my pockets. Maybe have it on a neck strap under a puffy jacket?
 
As has been said it all depends on the area and value of kit and I guess age related (person not kit). I've done a few walk-abouts recently with 5D3 an a couple of white(ish) L lenses, a few people have commented on "expensive kit?" or "nice kit" etc never really felt threatened in any way, I'm 64 yrs old but I guess I still feel about 35 so don't really worry about "defending" myself, reality very different of course, but tbh if I thought I was going to get mugged, be it for my camera, wallet or whatever I'd hand it over without a fuss.
Having said that I'm downsizing to smaller, lighter, cheaper less obvious kit partly because of the value of the Canon stuff and I don't want to keep lugging it all around all the time, only because I don't want to leave it in the car where paradoxically it would probably be safer in certain circumstances.
Just be aware of your surroundings really rather than worry all the time, fortunately most UK areas are relatively safe in daylight but I think we worry more as we get older.
 
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Just be sensible and avoid dodgy places, being streetwise probably comes more naturally to those of us from big cities.
I can look after myself if needed, but not worth getting hurt or worse for a camera, phone or cash.
Another thing to think about is getting hit and hitting someone hurts, not like in the films where they fight for ages
 
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Maybe buy an old DSLR with a cheap long lens and attach it to a long strap, could be a useful deterrent when swung :)
 
I am a girl but don't bother about it in the daytime. Even though I'm normally out on my own, I guess it is pretty quiet around where I live. But night-time - went out a couple of times on my own but it was a bit scary. I don't like the dark at the best of times but I felt really uncomfortable. Although I have gone out on my own pre-dawn in the dark and felt fine. Maybe all the yobs are sleeping it off at that time! I don't carry a lot of kit - just my camera and the lens on it. But I did count up one day how much I would be worth for my camera and jewellery (ring, watch, bangles and necklace) and it was a sizeable figure and that gave me food for thought.
 
Scots_quine said:
I am a girl but don't bother about it in the daytime. Even though I'm normally out on my own, I guess it is pretty quiet around where I live. But night-time - went out a couple of times on my own but it was a bit scary. I don't like the dark at the best of times but I felt really uncomfortable. Although I have gone out on my own pre-dawn in the dark and felt fine. Maybe all the yobs are sleeping it off at that time! I don't carry a lot of kit - just my camera and the lens on it. But I did count up one day how much I would be worth for my camera and jewellery (ring, watch, bangles and necklace) and it was a sizeable figure and that gave me food for thought.
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Probably best to leave your jewellery at home in that case, thieves tend to target easily disposed of valuable items, I doubt they really know what cameras are worth, or maybe not easy to "fence".
 
Saw a young lady take off her watch and necklace before getting off the tube one evening when I was going to a gig.
Never seen that before, but maybe its more usual these days, don't use the tube so much now i've moved away
 
I don't really think about it to be honest. I used to go out walking for miles with my 60D and all of my lenses n tripod so if I had been mugged I would have lost a fair amount of money, well to me at least. Having gotten more into street photography I sold the 60D and got a much smaller Sony Nex 5 and use my old Canon FD lenses on it so I stand out a lot less which makes me feel safer. If anyone did try mug me for it I'd just give them it as it only cost me £50 and I could easily replace the lens for around the same amount. I'd not risk my health for it anyway
 
Never considered it an issue TBH.

GC
 
tijuana taxi said:
Just be sensible and avoid dodgy places, being streetwise probably comes more naturally to those of us from big cities.
I can look after myself if needed, but not worth getting hurt or worse for a camera, phone or cash.
Another thing to think about is getting hit and hitting someone hurts, not like in the films where they fight for ages
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Nail on head right there I think, even if you feel you can defend yourself pretty well, no gear is worth getting seriously injured for. Doesn't matter if you're 6'7" and have a black belt if the little scumbags have knives and there's 6 of them.

I used to head out a lot at night, and have been approached by groups of drunken teens during my long exposures at night phase. They would eye up my gear and ask some silly questions while also sizing me up - but then they'd get bored after a minute and be on their way. If you're not defensive when they approach, and have a bit of confidence they tend to respect that. If you're in a sticky situation and feel threatened just tell them your gear is ancient and worth nothing and they'll lose interest.
 
LeeRatters said:
I don't ever really shoot in the city, I normally head out of the city, so not really something I think about.
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It's not just in cities you need to be on alert. The last time I had a bunch of yobs check out my gear while passing was down by the river. Ask any fisherman, they'll have similar concerns about being attacked as riverways and forests are perfect for junkies or teens 'knacker drinking'
 
They think people with real camera are weird.
They are far more interests in fashion trainers Iphones and hard cash. They would not be seen dead with a real camera, and if they tried to sell it, it would be obvious that it was not theirs.
I can not remember any one being held up and attacked in this country for their cameras for many years. not the same in the third world.
 
Rarely with my camera gear, but more often on my mountain bike which is worth the same, but more conspicuous.
 
Craikeybaby said:
Rarely with my camera gear, but more often on my mountain bike which is worth the same, but more conspicuous.
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Yup, much more likely to get attacked for the bike and/or have it stolen than camera gear I think. Same goes for phones or fancy clothing as Terry states above
 
Craikeybaby said:
Rarely with my camera gear, but more often on my mountain bike which is worth the same, but more conspicuous.
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They also recognise a decent mountain bike... they are much higher on the hit list.
 
A running photography colleage was victim of an attempted mug attempt whilst waiting for the Hackney half marathon to start. She fended them off with her monopod, but the camera incurred a little damage and she was pretty shaken up about it.
 
Phones are the favourite item to steal, not a good idea to wander round London using one
Moped boys and maybe girls target people who are casually wandering along looking at them

Lots of these items get sold for the price of a hit, shame they don't just ask for twenty quid rather than nicking the bike
 
I've never really given thought to being mugged for my camera kit...

Being female, personally safety when out in the evening/night is something that isn't new, far from it. always been taught to be weary of my surroundings, not to venture in or through certain areas after dark, not walking home alone from the pub late at night etc etc and I live in what was a sleeping country town!

I don't do street photography that often, when I do hubby is normally with me, but I do venture out on my wildlife photography on my own, and even then it's not so much about personally safety it's more what might get nicked out the car.

Sadly, a lot of our car parks for various nature reserves and country sides walks, are often a thieves paradise, and while your car is unintended they strike, so it's what I leave behind in the car I generally more worried about..

Sadly though I have noticed the increase of people getting mugged in town is getting more common has our town expands,
 
Location dependant. I was in Barcelona a few weeks back and was very conscious of the camera, that said not one issue. I was even in a park early evening that was not on the tourist trail. That said I dont walk down unlit alleys/roads. Any side turns I take I check there are people walking them and who those people are. I would not of gone out for sunrise to remote locations. London im the same but a little more cautious on the tube/train as they tend to be empty towards the end of my route home. I try not to get off at barking for instance to switch from Mainline to District if I can help it late at night.
 
Spent a week in Hong Kong alone off the beaten track with £3k if gear around my neck and never gave it a second thought, ditto the various times we've been to NYC.

At home though, I wouldn't do it in the evening (in Wiltshire) although I generally feel safe in Bath as there are always tourists about.
 
I live in the lowest crime area in the UK. I wont get mugged. I have never met anyone here who has been mugged

In a City it is completely different and I wouldn't trust anyone because it is generally a different type of human your dealing with
 
Dale. said:
I'm usually alone on my outings but when I have company, I make sure it's good company that I trust implicity and I know they'd take a hit for me and vice versa, if it ever came to it.
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I'd take a hit for you Dale...:-)
 
Terrywoodenpic said:
They think people with real camera are weird.
They are far more interests in fashion trainers Iphones and hard cash. They would not be seen dead with a real camera, and if they tried to sell it, it would be obvious that it was not theirs.
I can not remember any one being held up and attacked in this country for their cameras for many years. not the same in the third world.
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Just because you can't remember it, doesn't mean it isn't happening.

All you have to do is look at your local Cash Converters to see that camera crime/theft is an issue.

For instance, there's a gang in London that is specifically targeting press and PR photographers. Some have had their kit nicked out of locked cars.
Others have been physically robbed whilst debussing.
 
Due to the amount of pick pocket incidents when I am at the local boot sale I always put my wallet in my front pocket now
Just to be on the safe side .
 
I don't do that sort of photography involving a big bag lots of lenses, a tripod!

A body, a lens, a wrist strap, a messenger bag is all I need. If I see an opportunity that requires a long or wide lens, I make a mental note and go back another day with a different set-up, with a different type on photography in mind.

I've lived in London for decades, I know my patch Hammersmith into Kensington and Westminster. I like street/people pics, and I do it where others are doing it, waving cameras. Wildlife in Hyde Park too.

tijuana taxi said:
Just be sensible and avoid dodgy places, being streetwise probably comes more naturally to those of us from big cities.
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That's right tt. There are opportunists around, I don't give them the opportunity.
 
d00d said:
I don't do that sort of photography involving a big bag lots of lenses, a tripod!

A body, a lens, a wrist strap, a messenger bag is all I need. If I see an opportunity that requires a long or wide lens, I make a mental note and go back another day with a different set-up, with a different type on photography in mind.
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Sounds like our photo outfit is very similar David, do occasionally take a second lens when i'm visiting new cities
 
Never had a real problem, I will go out alone for landscape photography but normally I am with another camera club members for street photography. I have done several night photography sessions locally but always as a club group. While we have been to some fairly dodgy areas, we find that the odds groups of people that we might otherwise be concerned about usually give a mob of 12-16 photographers a wide berth or are just curious and may even pose. I also photograph in London but escorted by my son who knows his way around.

Dave
 
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