Warning to all Hedgehogs (Page 2): Sincere sympathies for your tragic loss. Saddest of all, I doubt if the thief gave a damn about the images on the memory card, probably just wanted...

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Sincere sympathies for your tragic loss. Saddest of all, I doubt if the thief gave a damn about the images on the memory card, probably just wanted as many items as possible for re-sale. Some thief stole the rear license plate off my car while it was parked for 50 minutes outside a busy restaurant in Colorado Springs.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Doddy wrote:

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.

Things like that do exist, but it's just another potential point of weakness from a hacking perspective. Especially when people have no idea about cyber security and passwords.

Tech can be good if you know how to use it responsibly. If not, it can be hazardous to your health...

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

rmalarz wrote:

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

I'm the same way. Paranoid. I check and recheck everything.

I never leave camera gear anywhere. Even a locked car.

I look at it like risk vs reward. The risk is very high....much to high for the reward of not lugging my camera backpack into the restaurant.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

Smudgey wrote:

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.

I traveled more than 15000 miles, out of the count... (show quote)

Sorry to hear about your loss. For what it's worth you may want to register your loss with Canon with the serial numbers so that in case the equipment tries to get registered again there may be some trail to follow. Though that may not bring your precious memories back, getting a separate Personal Articles Policy with your P&C insurance company is advisable as they'll reimburse you for your financial loss atleast.

corryhully Loc: liverpool uk

really sorry for you and family. a terrible way to end a holiday.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Steve Perry wrote:

... 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 ...

First, my heart goes out to Smudgey! And thank you for sharing that NY Times article.

Thank you, Steve, for providing that YouTube URL. There was at least one discussion on the subject regarding backing up while traveling. It was titled On the go SD card backup and created by Ed Chu on August ~22nd. Of course, that discussion, as did the above URL, posited that one has a laptop computer or tablet along for the trip! Obviously, intercontinental travel tends to impose restrictions on weight that can only be overcome, in my opinion, by sheer wealth, i.e. hiring someone just to schlep gear for you, paying the excess weight fees imposed by the airlines, etc.

I don't have a system worked out for myself yet, but I'm currently trying to devise one using my Sony photo gear, my Apple iPad Air (w/card reader adapter), a Sandisk iXpand 64 GB drive that has both USB & Lightning plugs, and some USB 3.0 Flash Drives.

That URL has made me rethink the use of SD cards as the Back-ups-of-Choice instead of USB FD's.

Thank you,
lev29 👍🏻 8-)

Larrymc Loc: Mississippi

Sorry to hear about your loss, Smudgey. That has to make you sick. Best of luck with your insurance company.

Larry

rbfanman

That is too bad. You have my sympathy. I learned the hard way when some Pro Mamiya film gear ( a C-330, and an RB67, along with lenses, filters, etc,) was stolen from me years ago. The entire bag vanished after it had been checked. I learned my lesson. From then on, I never checked any bags at all. I now keep my photo gear in my carry on bag, and the only time it is out of my hands is when I hand it to security, or Immigration, agents, or pass it through a scanner / x-ray unit...and then I am there to see what they do with it. I can't carry a lot of gear, in a carry on bag, but I never lose any of it.

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

Sorry Smudgey to hear of your loss. I haven't any pleasant words to describe the thieves. I am sure that your insurance will cover the cost of your camera equipment, but nothing will replace those photos.

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

Steve Perry, thanks for your very informative video on how to keep safe and protect our photos from thieves. I am glad that I looked in on this thread, as I hadn't heard of you before and although I have watched several videos on YouTube, I have never come across you. I am now signed for your tips etc., as I like your easy to understand video. I encourage others to have a look in on the link that you have provided. Thanks Steve.

The Villages Loc: The Villages, Florida

Maybe something said for the "old fashion" Car Key.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

lev29 wrote:

First, my heart goes out to Smudgey! And thank you... (show quote)

Happy to help :)

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Heather Iles wrote:

Steve Perry, thanks for your very informative video on how to keep safe and protect our photos from thieves. I am glad that I looked in on this thread, as I hadn't heard of you before and although I have watched several videos on YouTube, I have never come across you. I am now signed for your tips etc., as I like your easy to understand video. I encourage others to have a look in on the link that you have provided. Thanks Steve.

Thanks for the kind words :)

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Heather Iles wrote:

Steve Perry, thanks for your very informative video on how to keep safe and protect our photos from thieves. I am glad that I looked in on this thread, as I hadn't heard of you before and although I have watched several videos on YouTube, I have never come across you. I am now signed for your tips etc., as I like your easy to understand video. I encourage others to have a look in on the link that you have provided. Thanks Steve.

This is useful information, and well presented. What is scary is how many people have such little comprehension of life and photography in this interconnected world of ours.

Very little in this video is about photography. Part of it is about common sense advice for traveling in the modern world. Crime happens, so we all need to learn about how to lower the probability of becoming victims.

Much of the rest is about data loss prevention which is a basic element of computer usage awareness. Sadly, many people do not think of their cameras and photos in computer terms, and the concept of 'disaster recovery' is unfamiliar until the disaster happens.

The big take away is that your cameras are computers, your photos are data, and backup including remote backup is important. Not paying attention to that is like leaving a large amount of cash in a visible location (front seat of your open top car, for example) and expecting it to remain there.

Computer skills are a necessary evil in today's world, ignore the basics at your peril! Steve's video is essentially life survival skills 101 in our modern world.