roger

Well, yes. The lens was right at $1000. It was like new, but 4 years old. The insurance allowed me roughly $500, paid this way. About $122 paid immediately and the balance, about $400, paid when I submit a receipt showing I bought a replacement lens. Kind of funny way to do business, but I guess it prevents people from claiming an item was stolen and then not replacing it.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

If something is stolen shouldn't the victim be allowed to purchase what he wants with the insurance money? Perhaps he no longer has that specific camera or is no longer into photography.

Dennis

FTn

I'm supprized that this site does not have a lost and stolen section like the one on the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum (UMGF). It a place where members can post descriptions and serial numbers when gear disappears. It becomes a great resource for used gear buyers, pawn shops, and police departments to check when photo equipment shows up.

- FTn

Dean37 Loc: Fresno, CA

In 2009 besides some firearms, I lost my Nikon D200 with a Nikon 17-55 f/2.8, with a dollar value for everything over $30,000.00 when a thief broke into my truck. I had loaded everything into the truck about half an hour before, got a phone call and went into my house to talk. When I went back out a neighbor told me he was coming over to see if I knew the driver's window was smashed.

Reported it to the police who responded within 10 minutes. I know where the stolen items were, in a small camper about 20 feet from my truck, but the policeman said unless I saw the items being put in the camper, he could not even look. That neighbor, not the one who told me about the broken window, would not talk to me or even look at me for well over 4 years. When I asked a common friend whether the neighbor was guilty or not, he looks down and slightly nodded. Still no evidence.

In California auto insurance does not cover loss of vehicle contents, but homeowners (renters) renters insurance does with limits. The loss is deductible on income tax if you itemize.

The loss caused me to give up photography for 5 years. I am sorry for your loss, but I hope that some of my experience might point you in the right direction for recovery of your lens.

kenJN

For my big Sigma 200-400 zoom I purchased a zippered black canvas tool bag at Harbor Freight for $15, cut up a slab of seat-cushion foam from the fabric store for a liner. It matches the black floor mats in my back seat, works really well and doesn't attract any attention.

ORpilot Loc: Prineville, Or

This is what I tell my students to get especially when they travel. I also tell them that they should put a baby bottle ( they make great non spill water bottle) in one of the outside visible pockets for more realism.

BBurns Loc: South Bay, California

Please consider registering with Lenstag.
It is a global register that thousands of photographers use to fight theft.

Get your lens listed on the 'Stolen Gear List'

Dave H2

I have a extended cab pickup in which I installed a small safe under the back seat. Picked the safe up at Harbor Freight for about $50. Through bolted it to the floor with 1/2 inch carriage bolts whose nuts are inside the safe. Perfect for camera gear or other valuables small enough to fit. It has a combo and a key.
D

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

If you have comprehensive insurance on your trucx it may well cover things stolen from it.

Nddave01 Loc: Bismarck, ND

Back when I was starting into photography (@1980) I went to one day seminar put on by Nikon. When presenting best way to pack cameras they asked the group if we knew what the translation of "Nikon" was. After a pause he said "steal me!" Then they suggested buying beat up aluminum cases and fitting them with cut out foam. Since that time my cases and bags were chosen for function and lack of branding.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

That totally sucks. Not likely I'd find it in CALIFORNIA, but you may want to watch eBay, Amazon, Craig's List, etc. But it is a common lens. There are a bunch on eBay right now.

I got burglarized in my apartment back in 1987. At the time stupidly with no insurance but luckily I had my photo equipment at three locations, and so they only got some of what was there. But they did get some prized equipment including my Gossen Luna-Pro, Pentax K1000SE and KM bodies, and what hurt most was my rare Asahi smc-Pentax-K 30mm f/2.8 lens. A collectors item today.

roger

Well, I agree with you. But, as I really want that lens, that's what I'm going to buy.

roger

I have checked ebay and Craigslist, and sent it to the local birdwatchers groups. Thanks for your help.

roger

Isn't it great having to deal with and be around some kinds of people?

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

Sorry about your lens. I always carry my gear in old backpacks I have had for years.
Your home owners or gear insurance might cover replacement.

A smash and grab story in Italy. About 10 years ago we were in Milan Italy overnighting
at a hotel flight the next day. We pulled up to a hotel to see if they would take our voucher.
I carry a bag with camera passports etc on my arm. Got back to rental car sat next to my wife
and we heard an explosion. I thought the car was blowing up. 2 thieves on a motorcycle
had smashed out the back window drivers side and grabbed the small case from under my
arm on the console and sped away. The experience and sound efx really scared my wife
for a few days. Always split some credit cards and money in 2 or 3 places. We got new
passports next morning and made plane.