How desirable are cameras to muggers? (Canon, DSLR, Sony, PowerShot)
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I go anywhere and all over the place. I never take dumb risks, but I am not necessarily scared of seedy areas. Nothing ever happened to me, probably because of the way I carry myself (and maybe a little luck).
Recently I added a Sony RX-1R to my gear, which is an amazing full-frame camera with an unbelievable Zeiss lens. I'm pretty sure that to the average ignorant user, it doesn't look much more impressive than a nice point & shoot, which is something I really like about it. It doesn't have the same kind of presence as a DSLR, even though it costs $3k and matches, and sometimes even exceeds, the IQ of the top models.
I'm planning a travel through the US and I'm also going to hit cities like Chicago, Memphis, and maybe even Detroit. My plan is to document my journey and try to avoid the beaten path every now and then. I intend to meet people along the way, hear their story and take some photos of them and their environment. If I meet someone I'm comfortable with who offers to take a little tour of some of the more less... touristy areas, I'm completely open to that, too. Stuff like that fascinates me to no end.
With all that said, would a camera like that around my neck make me a more prime target than the average guy?
I’d have to say “yes”. Don’t expose any valuables while in strange areas of most cities. You’re sure to become a target for those who simply want whatever valuables you might have. If you have a camera, you most likely have a cell phone, and a wallet with money. Cameras are good items to pawn or sell on Craigslist quickly and turn a profit. Avoid seedy areas, there’s nothing but trouble waiting for you there, and travel with another person if possible at all times or stay in groups of others. It’s always helpful to have someone watch your back!
With all that said, would a camera like that around my neck make me a more prime target than the average guy?
I just want to hear some opinions.
It depends on a lot. I don't usually like anything around my neck, one reason for clip on ties... It's hard to judge
approaching danger. I have seen two purse snatchings over the years. Never got to really see what happened.
But I've been pretty lucky walking around with a camera...
Last edited by Poncho_NM; 12-11-2013 at 08:14 AM..
It depends on a lot. I don't usually like anything around my neck, one reason for clip on ties... It's hard to judge
approaching danger. I have seen two purse snatchings over the years. Never got to really see what happened.
But I've been pretty lucky walking around with a camera...
There is not really any kind of "illegal secondary market" for camera like there is for smart phones.
I am sure no thief in any US urban area would risk holding up anyone for any kind of camera -- there are lots and lots of famed street photographers that have shot with far more pricey Leicas, Hasselblads or Rolleiflex cameras in a lots worse situations than you will ever likely come across.
There is not really any kind of "illegal secondary market" for camera like there is for smart phones.
I am sure no thief in any US urban area would risk holding up anyone for any kind of camera -- there are lots and lots of famed street photographers that have shot with far more pricey Leicas, Hasselblads or Rolleiflex cameras in a lots worse situations than you will ever likely come across.
But some thieves will grab anything... If something catches their eye, and they see a chance, they can grab and run.
You are sure "no thief in any US urban area would risk holding up anyone for any kind of camera"?
I've traveled all over the US and most continents and I always carried several cameras and lenses.
I've been in many undesirable areas, including the Amazon Rain Forrest where we saw someone chasing someone else with a gun (a few minutes later we heard shots--needless to say, we got the Hell out of there) In Caracas, we had to have body guards. I won't even talk about Mexico and the Federalles.
And so you wont accuse me of bashing other countries, there are many areas here in Cincinnati that people tell me I am crazy to take my equipment!
The only time I lost a camera was in the Munich Bahnhoff by a group of kids. I had a EOS 3 around my neck and, being the well seasoned traveler that I am, I was standing on the neck-strap with my A2E tight between my feet (One foot on one side of strap - the other foot on the other side) A group of young kids, maybe 25, ran by with several bumping into me. Voila, no A2E.
That's why I have an insurance rider on all of my gear!!
The only thing that I really lost was one roll of B-W film that I shot at Dachau Concentration Camp. A major loss because Dachau deserved to be shot in B&W
There is not really any kind of "illegal secondary market" for camera like there is for smart phones.
I am sure no thief in any US urban area would risk holding up anyone for any kind of camera -- there are lots and lots of famed street photographers that have shot with far more pricey Leicas, Hasselblads or Rolleiflex cameras in a lots worse situations than you will ever likely come across.
OTOH, popular photographer Justin Ryan Beck does his good art, his street photography, for free for one and all – isn’t that nice? Or least it was nice, until yesterday, when the digital camera he was using got stolen out of his hands in the Richmond District at four-something PM in the afternoon:
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