Warning to all Hedgehogs
Dec 9, 2015 11:51:44 #
I traveled more than 15000 miles, out of the country to a third world country for nearly a month Thailand, with out a hitch in the trip. The photography was great. There was never a problem with the people, they were wonderful, the hotels I stayed in were great, the transportation while a bit crazy was just fine , and I never had a health issue while there. My son and his wife had planned a really great trip. My son lives in LV Nev. and I live in Mesa AZ, so I flew to LV so that we could travel together. Everything went off perfectly until we got back to the good ole USA. Once back, my flight back to Mesa didnt leave for a couple of days, when the day arrived to go back to Mesa we loaded up the car with my luggage, including the Canon bag that had my 6D and a Tokina Super wide in it as well as a Canon G12, and left for the airport. We stopped at the SantaFe Casino in LV to have dinner on the way to McCarran international airport. After dinner we proceeded to the airport. pulled over to the curb at the airport, opened the trunk of their Toyota Prius to unload my luggage and everything was gone. Luggage - Camera bag with camera - Extra bag with items from Thailand to give to everyone and my briefcase, everything. The worst loss was the 5600 photos that I took on the trip, that were on the 256gb memory card that was still in the camera. Apparently we were hit while having dinner. Needless to say I am sick. My daughter in law took a few with her phone, thats all i have. The reason this story is here is simply to caution all of my fellow Hogs that you cant be to carful with your equipment. Watch it close. Many newer cars have electronic locks and apparently there are now devices available that neutralize the locking system. Its all electronic, no marks on the car at all. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/style/keeping-your-car-safe-from-electronic-thieves.html?_r=0
Just in case you see a super buy on a Canon 6D with a 24-105 f4L (sn on body 04692252 and lens Tokina 16-28mm sn 8628715) so just beware the bad guys are out there for sure, and they want your gear. - Photographer with out a Camera.
Just in case you see a super buy on a Canon 6D with a 24-105 f4L (sn on body 04692252 and lens Tokina 16-28mm sn 8628715) so just beware the bad guys are out there for sure, and they want your gear. - Photographer with out a Camera.
Dec 9, 2015 12:04:41 #
Smudgey wrote:
I traveled more than 15000 miles, out of the count... (show quote)
Sorry to hear this happened to you. That's why all of my camera equipment is with me, or within sight, at all times. That includes 5 cameras, film holders, tripod, etc.
If I can't see it through a restaurant window and it's not within a 50 feet of me, I'll eat elsewhere. No meal is worth my camera equipment.
--Bob
Dec 9, 2015 12:08:18 #
Sorry to hear of your loss. Has to be a heartbreaker. My nephew had a Canon 6D with five very expensive prime lenses in camera bag on rear floorboard of car. Went into restaurant for lunch in Yosemite. Car was definitely locked. Yep, when he returned to car all gone. No marks on car to show break in.
Dec 9, 2015 12:12:26 #
Worth checking your homeowners insurance -- I looked into it before the last trip, and as long as I am not "Professional", my gear is covered. No replacing the photos. Have to think about keeping SDHC cards on my person when heading home. Like rmalarz -- I tend to keep stuff close. Feel bad for you.
Dec 9, 2015 12:12:28 #
Sorry to read of your loss, Smudgey.
There are a number of sites on the internet where you can enter the serial number of your stolen camera (and maybe the lenses too).
It might be worth the effort to put your camera information into one or more of these free registries.
No guarantees, but it might assist in recovery of some or all of what was stolen.
There are a number of sites on the internet where you can enter the serial number of your stolen camera (and maybe the lenses too).
It might be worth the effort to put your camera information into one or more of these free registries.
No guarantees, but it might assist in recovery of some or all of what was stolen.
Dec 9, 2015 12:34:47 #
Dec 9, 2015 12:53:06 #
When your camera gear is safer while over in a third world country than back at home... sad indeed. Of course, Las Vegas certainly has plenty of thieves, taking advantage of the endless flow of visitors.
Dec 9, 2015 12:56:43 #
Dec 9, 2015 13:00:20 #
Dec 9, 2015 13:01:32 #
Smudgey wrote:
I traveled more than 15000 miles, out of the count... (show quote)
Sorry to hear about that. What a nice "Welcome to America" reception after your travels around the world.
Perhaps we should take a long look at ourselves before we listen to would be politicians that suggest that our problems can be solved by closing our borders.
Sadly, many modern vehicles are easily compromised. A vehicle with physical keys, and a lockable trunk that is inaccessible either externally or internally without a physical key is a photographer's friend. They don't make too many of those any more! Even better is a chipped key, that won't start the vehicle even if the lock turns or the vehicle is hot-wired. Thieves recognize both hard and easy targets.
Anyhow, condolences. A loss like that hurts....
Dec 9, 2015 13:04:21 #
Does that car have a lever inside next to the driver that will open the trunk/boot. A friend of mine was followed from the Wetlands to a drug store where his Toyota drivers window was smashed, the lever accessing the truck actuated, and all his gear in the trunk stolen. It happened in a matter of 5 minutes. I have a Honda Civic that has a latch for the fuel door/trunk. It is lockable and I keep it that way so nobody can get in. Of course, a crowbar and a pretty strong person could probably open the trunk/boot.
Smudgey wrote:
I traveled more than 15000 miles, out of the count... (show quote)
Dec 9, 2015 13:13:33 #
Thanks to all for the comments, I have notified my home owners, and am still waiting for them to call back, as this just happened on Dec 4th. Not sure just what the car has, but I do know it has an electronic locking system. Be sure to read http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/16/style/keeping-your-car-safe-from-electronic-thieves.htm... It is really informative.
Dec 9, 2015 13:20:48 #
That really sucks and very sad to hear. I hope your homeowners will replace the gear for you. As for the photos, IMO that's the biggest loss.
I actually have a system I use when I travel, that - for the most part - makes sure that no matter what I'll always have my images. I explain it in the video below. I know it doesn't help now, but keep it in mind for your next trip - and thanks for the warning too!
http://youtu.be/quXFrbw-Dh0
Also - thanks for the article, very eye opening!
I actually have a system I use when I travel, that - for the most part - makes sure that no matter what I'll always have my images. I explain it in the video below. I know it doesn't help now, but keep it in mind for your next trip - and thanks for the warning too!
http://youtu.be/quXFrbw-Dh0
Also - thanks for the article, very eye opening!
Dec 9, 2015 14:43:29 #
My sympathies and I agree with you. I had a brand new 20d stolen out of my vehicle in front of a Quick Mart in Tucson Az. several years ago. My new T5i now is a permanent extension of my hand. Remember "Protect yourself in the clinches.
Dec 9, 2015 16:27:34 #
Bad news Smudgey, unfortunately these scumbags live among us. I'm surprised with all the technical gadgetry about that nobody has brought out an app that alerts your phone if any of your car doors are opened when it's locked.
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