Self defense with camera gear

LaurenceGough

LaurenceGough

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Laurence
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Hi all,

Just thinking of all the kit that we carry around, I like taking night pics and sometimes I do think anyone could be around in the dark.


I normally carry a high power torch but not sure if this would do much.

Pepper spray would be ideal - but illegal it seems in the UK.

There is something called Farb Gel but it only appears to mark people.

Or is it just a case of a good whack with the tripod will sort them out? :bonk:

Just on my mind that's all...

Cheers,

Laurence
 
Just insure your equipment and if the worst happens, it'll be covered and you won't have to risk a violent confrontation - simple.
 
I'd bend the tripod around anybody who tries it on.

If there is more than one, then I would let them know that at least two of them are going to get it around the canister, so who is going to make the first move... Basically.

If they have a bigger tripod, big knife or even a shooter. Then just hand over your gear. :lol:

Or as above.. The simple, Non assaulting way :)
 
A bigger tripod ahahaha :lol::lol: I like that! :)


Good point with the insurance I guess I should just get some...

Any recommend insurance companies?
 
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Just make sure you get a photos of your assailant. That way the police will have a good chance of catching them and your widow will be able to sell the pics of your last moments to the tabloids for a decent sum. Try not to bleed onto the memory card.
 
Im with Photoguard. I think I read some reviews on here before I went for it.

They seem pretty decent.
 
itsdavedotnet said:
Just insure your equipment and if the worst happens, it'll be covered and you won't have to risk a violent confrontation - simple.
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Right on.

It's not worth risking life or limb if someone trys to mug you, just hand over the gear and get some shiny new stuff on the insurance.

On top of that just excercise common sense. If you feel uneasy going somewhere secluded at night, don't go.
 
itsdavedotnet said:
Just insure your equipment and if the worst happens, it'll be covered and you won't have to risk a violent confrontation - simple.
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:thumbs: Indeed. No piece of kit is worth risking your life over.

The best defense has to be prevention though. Don't go alone to areas where you feel unsafe and carry yourself with confidence. Apparently showing vulnerability through your body language makes you statistically more likely to be a victim.
 
I'm not sure about the tripod but a hefty whack over the head with a D3 should make their eyes water.
 
I largely agree with dave and sarah - but would mention that i once belted someone with a mamiya 645 - he had a knife and said - give me your camera , so I did , straight in the face at full extension swinging on its strap like a chain mace :lol:
 
Think photo gear is best kept for photography - avoid areas of possible problems, get insurance, work with a friend if possible at night ... and never put your life at risk for your equipment.
 
Sorry but i couldn't hand my gear over to anyone. I've worked hard for it and i'm buggered if i'd let some scumbag walk off with it.

My gear is insured but that's because i'm a clumsy £$%*&%£".
 
A tip from my Grandad, when you go anywhere risky, carry a load if pennies. Through a couple dozen from point blank at full force and you will likely have time to walk away at your own pace.

Oh and the example he gave was a big dog came and was about to attack him but ran off literally screaming after he gave a few pennies for its thoughts.
 
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I would have thought that if someone wants your equipment then they are not going to "ask" you to give it to them, they will most likely try to just grab it and run.
 
Macho talk of hitting people with tripods is all well and good but it just might be best to make sure that your equipment is covered by insurance and that you've logged model numbers and serial numbers.

If there's a confrontation you've really got to use best judgement and keep in mind that being hurt or worse in defence of you kit really isn't worth it. Getting into a scrap over it is also highly dubious IMVHO. Use too much force and the police will be taking a long and hard look at you and even if there are no legal repercussions or any come back from the bad guys and his mates you could potentially have something on your conscience.

The potential for this sort of thing is partly why I like to be an inconspicuous as possible. Try and read the situation and if there's any doubt at all remove yourself from it PDQ.
 
woof woof said:
Use too much force and the police will be taking a long and hard look at you and even if there are no legal repercussions or any come back from the bad guys and his mates you could potentially have something on your conscience.
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If there was no legal repercussion or come back from a criminal (not sure how they would find you) why would you have anything on your conscience?:thinking:

As for defence, I've heard the "throwing coins" bit before, personally I always make sure I am carrying a few pens on me in case of an emergency.

Defending yourself really comes down to whether you think you will get hurt or not while doing so. I've had someone attempt to mug me before, they pulled a knife on me at 6am one morning while I was jogging on a winters morning. He was a little worse for wear so took my chances, I came out better but I've still got a nice 4 inch scar on my leg where he slashed me as he fell down.

I'd be tempted to give the D700 a swing at them. I'd rather break it on them than hand it over. I can then claim it on the insurance and be happy in the knowledge that not only did the criminal not get any cash for it but a nice beating from a solid metal body.
 
Wouldn't your conscience bother you if you got into a fight and killed or seriously injured someone :thinking: I'm sure that it would bother me to the end of my days even if I was the one who was attacked, unless of course I'd taken every possible action and opportunity to avoid doing so and even then it would still bother me.

As to how people would find you, gosh you do seem to be one of lifes innocents. Think about it.

I too have had more than one confrontation that's got physical and although I always used the absolute minimum force I've still been questioned at length and I suppose that's how it should be, the police have to try and establish the facts and then it's down to the CPS to decide if any action is to be taken. It's a route I'd urge people to avoid if at all possible, especially over things which can be replaced.
 
as said insure your kit properly job done, the only thing that worrys me is nature, walking along birding i hear a grunt and the ground moved twice, as i turned theres a load of cows with some young behind a hedge and a bull stamping its feet at me,
I just stayed as calm as i could (bricking it really:dummy:) then it started dummy charging me so i picked up the pace, could only go foward or back(tried to stay as far away as possible) carried on then it decided it didnt like me and started charging at me from the side, i run like the wind:exit: and jumped this metal gate( man that thing nearlly had a d300 andd 50-500mm stuck in its head:bat:)
 
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woof woof said:
Wouldn't your conscience bother you if you got into a fight and killed or seriously injured someone.
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No! They broke the law, they should live (or not) with the consequences of their actions.

As to how people would find you, gosh you do seem to be one of lifes innocents. Think about it.
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LOL! Seeing as I've been a special constable for nearly 4 years I can pretty much tell you that 99.9% of all muggings are crimes of opportunity, and that if the mugger came off worse and the police had to investigate the mugger would never be given the defenders details. Add in to the mix that most criminals are complete retards and its safe to say you are safe.

I too have had more than one confrontation that's got physical and although I always used the absolute minimum force I've still been questioned at length and I suppose that's how it should be, the police have to try and establish the facts and then it's down to the CPS to decide if any action is to be taken. It's a route I'd urge people to avoid if at all possible, especially over things which can be replaced.
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Having been in several altercations over the years, I can say the police have only been involved once and that was only because a policeman stood there while 8 18-20 year old lads beat the crap out of me for being a 15 year old that stood up for a girl that was being slapped about. The other times I've had people attack me, I've not bothered with the police, and I can't imagine many thugs going to the cops to make a complaint!
 
Mace might not be legal, but aerosol deodrant sure is ;) aswell as learning basic martial arts (keeps you fit aswell as alert,) but the main trick as many others have said already is to avoid these situations altogether. Many times these idiots who try these tricks are bluffing infront of their mates, or just druggies looking for a quick cash-fix. The cops know who they are so don't be afraid to stand you're ground as 9 times out of 10 they'll already have standing convictions against them.
 
Harvey, all I can say is I have a conscience and I've always tried to avoid confrontation and when that's been unavoidable or indeed when force has been necessary to prevent something worse I've always used the minimum force needed to either get away or to get control of the situation and I've always called the authorities, for two reasons, to report what's happened as it might be repeated a mile down the road and in other instances when the offender isn't going anywhere.

As for the rest of your post, our experiences and attitudes seem to be very very different.

Each to his own I suppose.
 
Harvey_nikon said:
No! They broke the law, they should live (or not) with the consequences of their actions.
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You sound like a nice guy. :shake: You have no idea of the situation that person is in that led to them trying to take a camera. And you'd be happy to potentially leave a kid without a dad/mum, make a widow of someone, kill someone's child, for the sake of not having to fill out an insurance claim? :thinking:
 
I wouldn't hand my kit over. It's contrary to all the advice I know, but I just wouldn't/ couldn't hand it over to some thieving scrote- end of. They'd have to earn it if they wanted it. I have been in these situations a couple of times and that's just the attitude I've taken - they've buggered off on both occasions.

The truth is they're looking for someone with 'VICTIM' written across the forehead and they take the easy option every time.

What's right for me may not be for you - personal choice.
 
My gear is insured :thumbs: but must times that I'm out at night I have a maglight that takes 5 D Cell batteries :D just incase :lol: :naughty: but then I'm a very big guy and most cross the road when they see me :lol:

Matt
MWHCVT
 
I had parked near my mother's house and was getting my camera bag out to take inside when I noticed a sleazy stain sat on her wall watching me intently. I grabbed my hefty Manfrotto monopod on the offchance, closed the car and walked towards him and my mother's. As I got close I flipped one of the latches and the monopod extended slowly with a metallic grating sound - just like a light sabre. Then he was up and walking away.
 
Alway a hard one,i carry a camera around a lot at night,keep it out of sight,when not using it,and keep an eye on what going on around you.

What would i do if it happened,i dont think i would just give it up my stuff :D
 
Funnly enough, the navy togs i met onboard HMS Arch Royal 3 years ago, there training defensive included a dummy 300 mm prime lens as a weapon! Still the togs there get all gear free and supplied so why not them ise it! I dont think i would use my gear to defend myself............... ;-)
 
Jayst84 said:
You sound like a nice guy. :shake: You have no idea of the situation that person is in that led to them trying to take a camera. And you'd be happy to potentially leave a kid without a dad/mum, make a widow of someone, kill someone's child, for the sake of not having to fill out an insurance claim? :thinking:
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Come on also think about the victims of crime,some of us have had some bad things happen to us,and not everyone turn to crime :shrug:
 
Seriously.. if you're woman on your own or you're a guy and it isn't in your nature to deal with that sort of confrontation - just hand it over it's the sensible thing to do.

Just because I wouldn't doesn't make me right ,but after a lifetime of dealing with this pond life it goes against the grain conceding the high ground to them and i'm not starting now. ;)
 
Just cover over any markings that say Canon or Nikon and write Pentax in their place. No-one will touch it after that....:naughty:
 
I must admit. It worries me. Having worked so hard to purchase the photography equipment I have, I do not think I would simply let go of it. As stubborn as it sounds, I know I should just let it go but won't be able to.

This is a problem for me, as I have refrained from attending certain places simply as I will be putting myself in a position that could lead to trouble.

I also think this is preventing me from getting out there and taking the shots I need to :(
 
The one thing not considered is the times people have been killed for no reason after simply handing their stuff over to a mugger. Sometimes taking action when you have a tripod that could knock someone out with a good swing maybe the sensible option.
Just a thought.....
 
jon ryan said:
Just make sure you get a photos of your assailant. That way the police will have a good chance of catching them and your widow will be able to sell the pics of your last moments to the tabloids for a decent sum. Try not to bleed onto the memory card.
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:lol::lol::lol::lol: youve been to Bristol then Jon

Les
 
Hmmmm, until or unless you've been involved in a violent confrontation, you do not know how you are going to react. Adrenaline will hit you suddenly and it'll be a case of fight or flight. Unless you're really confident in your abilities, or just like a scrap, chances are you'd be better off just handing it over or legging it.
 
Jayst84 said:
You sound like a nice guy. :shake: You have no idea of the situation that person is in that led to them trying to take a camera. And you'd be happy to potentially leave a kid without a dad/mum, make a widow of someone, kill someone's child, for the sake of not having to fill out an insurance claim? :thinking:
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I guess that's just one of the pitfalls of being a mugger - the risk of being seriously injured or even killed. I certainly would not have any sympathy for a mugger who got injured!
 
Jayst84 said:
You sound like a nice guy. :shake: You have no idea of the situation that person is in that led to them trying to take a camera. And you'd be happy to potentially leave a kid without a dad/mum, make a widow of someone, kill someone's child, for the sake of not having to fill out an insurance claim? :thinking:
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So mugging with the threat of violence is ok if you've got a reason for doing it? What happens if the victim refuses and this mythical mugger carries through the threat of violence? I think tif they're going to threaten violence to people, at some point they will come up against someone who will fight back.
 
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