p.1 #2 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
Might be kind of hard on your shoulder, especially if the guy that grabs it is on the back of a motorbike.
I've travelled extensively in Europe (average of more than once a year, over forty years), for business and vacation. I use a 'normal' hiking daypack, with each camera and lens safely stored in its own neoprene bag or case. I normally don't use a 'real' photography bag when travelling anywhere. When I have to leave behind my photo gear in a hotel (which is much of the time), I put the daypack in a PacSafe wire mesh bag, and then put that in my suitcase which is parked next to something that I can lock the bag to. Even locking the PacSafe to the suitcase will prevent the grab-and-dash crime of convenience.
Or got with a chest harness, I use these for sports shooting and makes holding the camera more secure and less pressure on my back at the same time. They would have to cut several straps.
p.1 #5 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
It doesn’t matter if there are just some areas this happens, one wants to be prepared for an entire trip and not worry so much if one time it isn’t a risk where other times it might be.
p.1 #7 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
Uarctos wrote:
Europe is a whole continent, with tens of countries, all different. Where is this happening?
I recall this type of thievery in Europe being reported maybe once or twice a year, in North American media. It probably happens at least as much in US and Canadian cities, but our news is usually preoccupied with far worse situations. Like most things, it's greatly magnified by the internet, but like most of those things, a bit of prevention is easier than a lot of recovery.
I've been in three situations of which I'm aware, that I was a mark for a group of thieves. One each in Rome, London, and Madrid. I successfully navigated out of these situations by leaving, and in the Madrid subway, by jumping up and down, and loudly saying "leave me alone". I would not use a wire-reinforced shoulder strap to prevent a grab-and-dash, because my shoulder is of higher value to me than my camera gear. My strategy is to not look like an obvious mark, and be careful. Then, insurance.
p.1 #8 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
The risk is real, I have had my gear targeted in the lobby of a hotel while checking in. I now keep my stuff in a large crumpler man bag that holds the 6D + 24-105 plus other stuff. Easier when you only have to look after one thing. The straps are substantial which might deter a cut and dash.
p.1 #9 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
Be glad it's just a cut and grab and not an abduction if seen with valuable gear like in South and Central America
To answer your question, I'd probably go with a wrist strap. While not wholly uncuttable, it will encourage you to keep a firm grip on your camera at all times. I suspect if you tried to use some type of uncuttable material they'd just find the next most cuttable thing on your body, which you might not like.
It might be more liberating to get an insurance policy and not worry so much. I live in a dangerous area and it was for me.
p.1 #10 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
I'd get insurance and/or a wrist strap. But this is blown up by the internet. There are, of course, thefts from cars or houses, but not that kind of street violence. Europe is still one of the safest places.
p.1 #14 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
Herb wrote:
It’s not a matter of safe, i never feel threatened, because they aren’t going to physically attack you. They want your stuff….not your life…
p.1 #16 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
Years ago, I was on a busy tram in Hungary and a woman standing a couple feet away had her fanny pack sliced off by a thief, so yes it can happen. What is the prevalence? Who knows and I can't blame the OP for wanting to take precautions. While armored straps and bags are useful deterrents, keeping people out of your personal space is more effective albeit frequently difficult. These days, I'd be more fearful of traveling to cities in the US than Europe.
p.1 #17 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
armd wrote:
Years ago, I was on a busy tram in Hungary and a woman standing a couple feet away had her fanny pack sliced off by a thief, so yes it can happen. What is the prevalence? Who knows and I can't blame the OP for wanting to take precautions. While armored straps and bags are useful deterrents, keeping people out of your personal space is more effective albeit frequently difficult. These days, I'd be more fearful of traveling to cities in the US than Europe.
Back in the 90’s I was having a cup of coffee in Portland at the Pioneer Square when a thief ran by a lady ripping her purse off her shoulder and running off. It can happen everywhere…just buy insurance.
p.1 #18 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
Herb wrote:
I have insurance, but you can’t insure the significant inconvenience nor the photos on your memory cards that walked away too.
Thieves will target the easiest victim. Don’t act like an easy victim. Look people in the eye, be aware of your surroundings, don’t have your camera dangling away from your body ( I always carry camera in hand using a wrist strap ). Backup each days images to another device.
Bottom line the chance of being robbed is very small, you can make it even smaller by doing a few simple things…but you cannot ever be 100% safe.
p.1 #19 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
jcolwell wrote:
I recall this type of thievery in Europe being reported maybe once or twice a year, in North American media. It probably happens at least as much in US and Canadian cities, but our news is usually preoccupied with far worse situations. Like most things, it's greatly magnified by the internet, but like most of those things, a bit of prevention is easier than a lot of recovery.
I think there's a question of balance to be asked about overwrought reports of crime in places people travel to. I'm not saying that crime doesn't happen or that being careful and aware aren't warranted, but it is possibly to fall victim not only to crime... but to fear of crime.
As to the question of a camera strap with a wire inside, I'm not aware of one. But, what the heck, if someone made such a thing it would probably sell... and a well-design version that is reasonably comfortable could be a good thing for some folks. My approach — I think like what you described — is to not "look like a photographer tourist" as much as possible. I don't wanter around with an uncovered camera hanging around my neck, and I don't carry a bag that might as well have "EXPENSIVE PHOTO GEAR INSIDE" written on the outside. :-)
There are places where I would be and am more cautious. In Europe, for example, this would include some of the super crowded and super busy tourist spots. But most of the time you are in no more danger than you are in your own neighborhood.
I think that the dangers get hyped up for several reasons. One is that travel almost always puts us in situations that are unfamiliar — that's kind of why we do it, right? Since we aren't certain about how things work, may not speak the language, don't know the rituals, and so on we have a heightened level of concern and this is multiplied by the voices that stoke the fear.
You'll also notice that a lot of the reports of Terrible Awful Danger come from people who don't like in the place, had a bad experience once, or (these days especially) have been persuaded that the people of a region are, in general, not good people. Heck, we've had a few threads on these boards recently about how awful on particular American city is... a city that I visit and enjoy regularly without fear or problems.
- - -
Thieves will target the easiest victim. Don’t act like an easy victim. Look people in the eye, be aware of your surroundings, don’t have your camera dangling away from your body ( I always carry camera in hand using a wrist strap ). Backup each days images to another device.
Bottom line the chance of being robbed is very small, you can make it even smaller by doing a few simple things…but you cannot ever be 100% safe.
Insure and just enjoy your trip.
It pains me to admit it...
... but I agree with this advice. :-)
(To be super-extra-safe with the backed up images, upload them to the cloud occasionally if you can.)
p.1 #20 · Are there any camera straps that cannot be cut?
I've been to the big cities in Europe. In Rome they warned of pick pockets in the train stations, etc but they are everywhere. I've never been concerned but I do pay attention to my surroundings. My friend and I both carry cameras and have never had an issue. We keep an eye on each other and the wives purses. We don't leave cameras/purses on the tables, especially outdoor restaurants, etc. I felt safe the entire time in Rome and we walked a lot even at night. When in very crowded areas I put my hand on the cameras grip and I also had a hand strap that helps secure it. I never used to use a strap so the hand strap helped secure the camera to my hand. I got used to it so now I use both.
I was in a crowded market in Portugal. I just put my back pack on the front. The only encounter I have ever had was in Lisbon and it was a bus tour so they know when the buses arrive. In a tower with a tight spiral staircase they warned us pick pockets walked past you the other way. After leaving the tower I went to a guard rail to take a few shots of the river. All of a sudden there is this person standing right beside me and there was 20 feet on either side of us. I just looked at him until he moved. May have been harmless but I found it odd.
Our friends were pick pocketed in Rome about 30 years ago. When they made the police report they said "oh yes, bus number #. They admitted they were pretty laxy dazy when on that bus.
I've read about kids swarming but I think that happens in poorer areas, off the beaten track. If I want to get robbed or killed I know a few places in my own city to hang around at 2:00 AM
Those are the only ones I have heard of. I've been lucky but that may come. If it does and while inconvenient I'll just get another camera and make an insurance claim back home. Every day I download my files from the cards so if it does happen I don't lose everything.
