going bare....do you feel safe?

msbarnes

msbarnes

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OK so sometimes I want to go very minimal. Well Leica M's and lenses are pretty expensive. Do you guys feel safe walking in not-the-best neighborhoods with this thing? I usually hide my camera in my bag when I feel that it isn't the the best time to expose. Bags kind of get in the way so I'm contemplating a smaller bag or going bagless.
 
I live in a pretty dangerous place (it was ranked among the most dangerous of the world sometimes) and I go out with whatever gear it is needed. I don't see the point of owning something to keep in a drawer, like anticipating the lost. If I will get robbed I will buy new gear and if I won't have enough money for gear of the same level I will buy cheaper or simpler gear. I can take pictures with an entry level camera, one standard lens and one manual strobe plus a few accessories like a brolly or a piece of cardboard to reflect light and I am sure you can too.

GLF
 
Well, I don't see a point of owning a camera to keep in a drawer either but i do see points in taking precautions....theft is real. I do take alternative cameras for different situations: I went ice skating with my Retina last month, snowboarding with my Rollei 35 this month. Not worrying about a bag was liberating. I would like to walk around a city with an M but I don't want avoid dark alleys and worry about theft. So since many here are actively involved in street photographaphy (I am not) I figured that they have thought this out. There is the coat pocket thing, but that only works in the winter and if you have compact lenses.
 
Well, i live in one of the safest places in the world (Finland), so carring Leica here is the same as carrying a bottle of water, but would I go some much less safe places (if I go :)) then I'd take my Konica T3 and Olympus Trip :)
 
I used to carry my M9 with a few M lenses through north Philadelphia and I lived in west Philadelphia. Both some of the worst neighborhoods in the country. No problems ever and I had well over $10k worth in gear on me. I didn't look obvious either, with a plain messenger bag and not out looking for trouble, nor looking like a naive tourist.

Phil Forrest
 
I generally carry my camera in my right hand. It is less obvious to the general public than wearing it around my neck, and also it is more ready to shoot.

In more dangerous areas or at night I like and prefer only carrying one camera (I often carry two) because if I have to I can run faster, and if I have to fight I'm not weighted down.

Also know that I have a Nikon F3P with motor drive and hand-strap that clearly can be used as a deadly weapon. Also know that my Wetzlar M6 is also similarly rigged with a TA Rapidgrip, TA Rapidwinder, and a custom hand strap. Both cameras look aggressive, and in a bad situation it's pretty evident that they offer a tactical advantage in a combat situation that would have to be considered by any aggressor.

Cal
 
I've spent literally years tramping around Whitechapel in the east end with all kinds of cameras including my M8, MP, Hasselblad kit and others. Of course there is a risk although the only people who have approached me have often wanted to enquire, compliment or discuss photography.

Mind you, I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of a Hasselblad smashed into the face of someone who took a fancy to it (or most M cameras for that matter). It's how you hold and wield 'em that is important.

LouisB
 
msbarnes said:
Well, I don't see a point of owning a camera to keep in a drawer either but i do see points in taking precautions....theft is real. I do take alternative cameras for different situations: I went ice skating with my Retina last month, snowboarding with my Rollei 35 this month. Not worrying about a bag was liberating. I would like to walk around a city with an M but I don't want avoid dark alleys and worry about theft. So since many here are actively involved in street photographaphy (I am not) I figured that they have thought this out. There is the coat pocket thing, but that only works in the winter and if you have compact lenses.
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I understand this, probably the fact that you can use a different camera when you go to more dangerous places is part of the equation. I cannot think of a single place where I live in which carrying a camera is safe, so I decided to be careful but to bring what I have wherever I go. I try to keep a low profile with the camera on the shoulder below the jacket, sort of gun holster position, and pretend I have something of no value. Sometimes I also use a paper bag and a simple shopper and put the camera in the same way some street drinker put their bottle of liquor. I am sure eventually I shall be robbed but I am also sure that in the long run I shall have many more pictures than if I would go always with no camera. :)

GLF
 
louisb said:
Mind you, I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of a Hasselblad smashed into the face of someone who took a fancy to it (or most M cameras for that matter). It's how you hold and wield 'em that is important.

LouisB
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This is to be considered seriousy, for instance I would not try this lightly in most Eastern European country nor I would try it in, say, Brazil or Paraguay. Mind you that Hasseblad is a hell of a company but so are Smith and Wesson and the likes and dead photographers don't get many pictures... :(

GLF
 
True, I think a bigger part of the equation in protecting yourself from theft is your clothes and how you carry yourself. And I too would rather get hundreds of great rolls with the cameras that work at the risk of theft. I read about a guy in Manila, I think, that makes his cameras look beat up using blue tape or something like that.... I would perhaps look into ways of looking inconspicuous. Well, being 25, some people would think I'm a hipster when I take out my Rollei.
 
giellaleafapmu said:
This is to be considered seriousy, for instance I would not try this lightly in most Eastern European country nor I would try it in, say, Brazil or Paraguay. Mind you that Hasseblad is a hell of a company but so are Smith and Wesson and the likes and dead photographers don't get many pictures... :(

GLF
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Well, even though we seem have imported most of eastern europe into the east end guns are still very unusual.

I just fancy smashing an assailant in the face with the Hass and then standing over them and saying "in all the confusion, punk, I don't know if I took 11 or 12 exposures. Well, do you feel lucky punk?"

This is all fantasy of course, the best action is always to hand over everything...

LouisB
 
I live in west philadelphia, a place not as crime-ridden as some imagine; but yes, bad things can happen.

I routinely carry leicas, have not faced any issue at this point (with the exception of positive encounters when it is recognized that I am using 'old school' gear). I have an M3 and a IIIf, not an M9.

Does not mean of course that something will not happen at some point in the future. ;-(

Randy
 
msbarnes said:
True, I think a bigger part of the equation in protecting yourself from theft is your clothes and how you carry yourself. And I too would rather get hundreds of great rolls with the cameras that work at the risk of theft. I read about a guy in Manila, I think, that makes his cameras look beat up using blue tape or something like that.... I would perhaps look into ways of looking inconspicuous. Well, being 25, some people would think I'm a hipster when I take out my Rollei.
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Handling one-self is very important. Overall I keep a low profile, but sometimes when engaged by a stranger a great amount of tact is required where mutual respect is required, otherwise things can go bad.

Cal
 
Depends on who I'm with haha. I've been to some rough parts of Nashville with some friends from the area and it's fine and I've been a few times since then on my own and a few people recognize me (nicely, saying hey and stuff) and either speak to me or don't bother me at least. This coming from a skinny (super) white guy going to "rough" parts of town.

Oh, and I carry. So there's that too.
 
And I think it's about how you act as well. If you *look* like a tourist or you're snooping. Nondescript bags and clothes can also help with this as well.
 
I think it depends on how familiar you are with the neighborhood, and how bad it actually is.
As another Philadelphia native, I would ride my bike and walk around North Philadelphia with an M and a few lenses.
If I was on my bike the camera would be in my bag until I got off my bike to take a shot.
If I was walking my camera would be in my hand.

Just be aware of your surroundings.

For instance when shooting in Camden, I do not walk around with my camera out.
Screenshot2013-02-25at23915PM_zps56cdfa34.png
 
louisb said:
Well, even though we seem have imported most of eastern europe into the east end guns are still very unusual.

I just fancy smashing an assailant in the face with the Hass and then standing over them and saying "in all the confusion, punk, I don't know if I took 11 or 12 exposures. Well, do you feel lucky punk?"

This is all fantasy of course, the best action is always to hand over everything...

LouisB
Click to expand...

Nowadays its a badge of honor to kill someone or a situation can be part of a gang initiation.

Not sure the best course of action is to be passive. Heard too many stories where people were almost executed, except the gun jammed or a round was not chambered that confounded the would be robber. Consider that when someone pulls out a weapon, that giving them what they want to rob might not be good enough, and that really you might be giving up your own life.

Of course it all depends on the situation, but if given the opportunity of surprise, advantage of speed, or tactics I say defend myself with deadly force.

Cal
 
One Leica one lens, anywhere, any Leica, even the M9, in the right hand. Mine are chrome and look kind of old. I'd rather they weren't wondering what was in a bag. Even getting something out and especially putting something into a bag distracts you from what's happening around you. My city is pretty safe of course, but I remain vigilant. To people not looking for me or at me I just blend in. Anyone sizing me up will notice my alertness and deliberate casualness and will probably pick an easier target. Drug law enforcement officers in airports look for someone looking out for them. Crims on the street look for someone not looking out for them. Consider how easily you notice another photographer even before you see his camera or bag.
 
They'd rather steal your iPhone than a weird-looking chrome thing that doesn't even play music. Just because YOU know a Version IV Summicron sells for $2K doesn't mean they have a clue what the thing is. We flatter ourselves that our fetishes are shared by anyone other than ourselves. I'd be more afraid of the 50-something chubby guy with bad hair draped in M bodies stealing my gear!
 
! Richard G ...

Quote : ..''Consider how easily you notice another photographer even before you see his camera or bag''... ?

How exactly DO you determine that a photographer is a photographer before you see his camera or bag... ?
 
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