Roughing up your camera a bit?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jin
  • Start date Start date
Jin

Jin

Suspended / Banned
Messages
192
Name
Jin
Edit My Images
Yes
I am starting to travel a lot more these days and I was wondering if anyone has any experience in roughing up their camera a bit to make it look a little less appealing to thieves.

I appreciate it is a weird question but I am sure some of you have tried it before. Ideally I would like something that could be reversed in case I wish to sell up.

I have been thinking maybe covering up the logos and model numbers and also using some well placed duct tap.

What are you thoughts?

PS: Yes I am insured.
 
it looks cool roughed up! im going to smash the f**k out of mine tomorrow!!!!!! but yeah it does look the business like you are proper pro, it just does. And will be less attractive as they cant sell it on.
 
Seriously don't bother you average scum bag isn't going to know a 5D3 from a 450D or a kit lens from a 24-70/2.8 mk2 roughed or disguised with tape...if they're going to steal it they see camera not x or y etc

So your insured, just use the camera as you want if the worst happens claim on your insurance it's what you have it for (y)
 
Last edited:
MWHCVT said:
Seriously don't bother you average scum bag isn't going to know a 5D3 from a 450D or a kit lens from a 24-70/2.8 mk2 roughed or disguised with tape...if they're going to steal it they see camera not x or y etc

So your insured, just use the camera as you want if the worst happens claim on your insurance it's what you have it for (y)
Click to expand...

Do you guys insure your camera kit separately or as part of your contents insurance?
 
Chriscooke said:
Do you guys insure your camera kit separately or as part of your contents insurance?
Click to expand...

Part of my contents. Just make sure it's covered out of the house!
 
Roughing it up won't do much for your valuation should you want to sell at a later date............
All my kit is insured separately along with public liability insurance. Lot's of exclusions on home insurance cover - ensure you read all the small print.
 
if you have to make it look a bit rough then i suppose some of the self adhesive cloth tape that you would tape the grip of an ice hockey stick with would work.
it starts to look nice & tatty once you get a few loose threads on the edges, it would cover any logos well & wouldn't add much bulk as its thin.
plus i guess it wouldn't be that bad to hold as after all it is used as a gripping surface elsewhere (all be it with gloves on)...

oh & it would just peel off when you have had enough of it :)
 
IF I were to do anything then just cover the name/logo with black tape, so that it doesn't have the 'Oh look, a Nikon' factor. Other than that, no thief is likely to carefully examine your camera for damage before handing it back to you as not worthy of their energy & time to steal it. Most likely they'd examine the goods after getting a safe distance away & then dump it.
 
Masking tape would be better than fabric tape. (Duct tape and fabric tape could damage the finish on your cameras)
It peels off without leaving any traces (lens wipes would remove any tackiness).
It also gets grubby quickly.

On the other hand, I've been taking pics for almost 40 years with Contax and Nikons and never had a problem.
I've been around the world and visited more countries than you could shake a stick at.

So is it worth it?
 
Last edited:
Rough up your gear, so it looks crap and loses a lot of value, just because you are travelling?! Sorry, but that's the daft idea of the year so far.
 
Ahem. Get with the programme.

This is the 21st century, not 1974. It is not 'roughing up' your gear, the proper term is 'relicing'.


It does not make your camera worth less, it makes it worth more, because it makes it more desirable and makes you look cool.

The OP should avoid it because it will be counter productive; it will make his gear more attractive to thieves.

;)
 
Last edited:
masking tape is awful to remove if its been on for a while.....
 
I wouldn't bother a thief wont pass up an opportunity because of a bit of duct tape.
 
mart77 said:
it looks cool roughed up! im going to smash the f**k out of mine tomorrow!!!!!! but yeah it does look the business like you are proper pro,
Click to expand...

In all my years of shooting professionally, I never had any of my gear get "roughed" up. I think only press and sports guys get their gear to have a certain patina applied to it :) Most professionals take care of their gear... it earns them money. If you deliberately rough up expensive gear... you're a fool if you ask me. As already stated, your average scum bag will not know a D200 from a D4. It will still obviously be a SLR and therefore obviously worth stealing. As most people who will mug you to relieve you of your gear will be doing so to finance a drug habit, they'll rob you of anything that looks expensive. A bashed up D4 will still look expensive.

As for taping over the name... again.. really? Would a top end SLR looks less attractive because you can't see the name? Seriously... just stop worrying.

All pointless.
 
Last edited:
Don't bother doing it. If you are concerned with it being stolen, then not leaving it on display all the time is easier & safer for you. Get a bag for it - only remove from bag when taking the shot.
 
Get your self a couple of old Zenit 35mm SLRs. They are less likely to get stolen, and if someone DOES decide to make off with them, they wont get far due to the weight :D
 
I use some black sign writers vinyl, matches cameras well, removes easily without leaving residue.
 
PMN said:
One of the most stupid things I've ever known musicians do, right there. I'm profoundly puzzled why on Earth anyone would want to do this, it's pretty much the ultimate in falseness.
Click to expand...

I think even more crazy is that people pay more to get that look direct from the factory. I really dont buy in to the Road Worn look, at least not unless it truly road worn by the owner.

As far as putting tape over the logs on a camera, i see this done quite often by the pros, but to me this screams expensive pro camera trying to look like a cheap camera, come and steal me.

A bit off topic but here in central London ive read reports that thieves will now try and steal lenses rather than the whole camera. One thief will distract you in a crowd while the other will get the lens off the body without you realising it. To me this shows that organised thieves are getting camera savvy.
 
I dont do it for the steal factor, I cover the logos because they scream high contrast white logo on black background, look at me. On some cameras it just looks tacky.
 
Some PJs and conflict photographers do carry gear that looks a bit "rough" but that's wear and tear in the field, not deliberate abuse.

Don't bother, you'll just devalue your equipment. Most thieves are opportunists, they're not selective and just go for an easy target that'll give them something they can sell (camera, iPod, watch, jewellery etc). They don't want to get caught and are usually pretty good at picking out the sheep and leaving the wolves alone. Your camera might go for £500 - £1,000 or more in the classifieds, but a thief - particularly in a third world country - will take what he can get, even if it's only £50 or less. Quite a lot of people have been murdered for a cellphone in South Africa.

If you're really going to high risk places, you have more important concerns than your camera. Familiarise yourself with the personal safety and security precautions for the destination and follow them.
 
Funnily enough people often used to use tape to PROTECT their cameras and keep their resale value. Think about it!

Masking tape is a pig to remove after time, what should've been suggested is DRAUGHTING tape (as is used with a drawing board). However black tape normally looks better and electrician's insulation tape fits the bill - it can always be peeled off.
 
dave_bass5 said:
I think even more crazy is that people pay more to get that look direct from the factory. I really dont buy in to the Road Worn look, at least not unless it truly road worn by the owner.
Click to expand...

Exactly, it's crazy. My G&L and Precision have dents and marks all over them and I'm happy to say I did every single one. Well, most of them anyway!

dave_bass5 said:
To me this shows that organised thieves are getting camera savvy.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I'd go that far, more like they've only just learned how to press buttons. It's a big step forward in their development! :D
 
Pookeyhead said:
In all my years of shooting professionally, I never had any of my gear get "roughed" up. I think only press and sports guys get their gear to have a certain patina applied to it :) Most professionals take care of their gear... it earns them money. If you deliberately rough up expensive gear... you're a fool if you ask me. As already stated, your average scum bag will not know a D200 from a D4. It will still obviously be a SLR and therefore obviously worth stealing. As most people who will mug you to relieve you of your gear will be doing so to finance a drug habit, they'll rob you of anything that looks expensive. A bashed up D4 will still look expensive.

As for taping over the name... again.. really? Would a top end SLR looks less attractive because you can't see the name? Seriously... just stop worrying.

All pointless.
Click to expand...
No i agree, i was only messing about. I just loved the idea of someone taking a D4 or something and going right, no one is taking this! and then taking some rocks to it lol
 
PMN said:
I'm not sure I'd go that far, more like they've only just learned how to press buttons. It's a big step forward in their development! :D
Click to expand...


Colud be but the reports ive heard at least indicate they target the more pricier lenses rather just kit lenses. I suppose ill have to start taking the red rings off my lenses :-)
 
  • Like
Reactions: PMN
dave_bass5 said:
Colud be but the reports ive heard at least indicate they target the more pricier lenses rather just kit lenses. I suppose ill have to start taking the red rings off my lenses :)
Click to expand...

Easy targets are the white ones.
 
A little OT, but a roadworn guitar at a gig is the equivalent of a sepia print - an attempt to create an impression of age that generally doesn't work.

I'm not in favour of relicing, but I rather suspect it's a reaction to the super-glossy and incredibly tough finishes many manufacturers put on their guitars, Fender being one of the most guilty in this respect. The finishes are so tough that it's really hard to generate noticeable wear outside of the odd chip or ding after 10 years of playing hard, and remain glossy against all odds. If you don't like a hard gloss finish then relicing can work well, although it's easy to overdo things. A good half-way position is to use a scotchbrite pad on a glossy finish to give a satin nitro-style sheen and lose the stickiness - quite popular for a while on Epi Les Pauls.

Personally I always try to keep my gear - music and photographic - in the best condition possible, but sometimes a little wear is unavoidable.
 
Here's my favourite flashgun. I'd be gutted if anybody nicked this one.

sb800.jpg


4 different kinds of tape and some bluetack - it's taken years to get it to the peak of perfection.
 
Tirpitz said:
if you have to make it look a bit rough then i suppose some of the self adhesive cloth tape that you would tape the grip of an ice hockey stick with would work.
it starts to look nice & tatty once you get a few loose threads on the edges, it would cover any logos well & wouldn't add much bulk as its thin.
plus i guess it wouldn't be that bad to hold as after all it is used as a gripping surface elsewhere (all be it with gloves on)...

oh & it would just peel off when you have had enough of it :)
Click to expand...

The only problem with that is you'll quickly find yourself on the 'rumour' sites. The prototypes often have the cloth tape over the logos. ;-)
 
JonathanRyan said:
Here's my favourite flashgun. I'd be gutted if anybody nicked this one.

sb800.jpg


4 different kinds of tape and some bluetack - it's taken years to get it to the peak of perfection.
Click to expand...

SB-80DX ??? i have one of those, awesome flash gun.
 
I've blacked out the logo/model on my DSLR's. Only because they are top end models and I sometimes go to places where there are a lot of other photographers and stuff has been known to get nicked. I feel that situation has a much greater potential for more "targeted theft." I heard of one case where a guy was followed to a restaurant after shooting and his stuff was stolen from his vehicle while he was inside.

Still, I don't really think it makes that much of a difference and I have insurance which is what I'm really relying on.
 
Jackwow said:
Rough up your gear, so it looks crap and loses a lot of value, just because you are travelling?! Sorry, but that's the daft idea of the year so far.
Click to expand...

The idea with roughing up the camera is to do it in a way that doesn't alter the appearance of the camera permanently. It's a popular thing to do and I've done it to some smaller cameras, and it does make a difference. For example peeling off the cardboard from disposable cameras and wrapping it around point and shoots... that sort of thing.
 
Jin said:
What are you thoughts?
Click to expand...
If it's a Canon, send it over, and I'll rough it up for you!
mean.gif


But seriously, I wouldn't bother. Doubt any thieves cares, what they steal.
Instead I would be careful where to go and always be with others...


And more important perhaps, please don't be paranoid. Best way to ruin a trip...
 
KayJay said:
The idea with roughing up the camera is to do it in a way that doesn't alter the appearance of the camera permanently. It's a popular thing to do and I've done it to some smaller cameras, and it does make a difference. For example peeling off the cardboard from disposable cameras and wrapping it around point and shoots... that sort of thing.
Click to expand...

If I have to wrap cardboard from a disposable camera, or any other cardboard for that matter, around my point and shoot camera then I'll just leave it at home and get another hobby! This talk is just ridiculous!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top