CharleyL
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 p.1 #7 · Pickpockets? Seeking Camera bag for Europe Trip | |
I have been known to carry my Canon 77D DSLR and Tamron 18-400 Lens, Flare Shield, batteries, Lens Cleaner, and a few memory cards in a nylon lunch bag ( one like used to carry a 6 pack and a sandwich). Only those in the very poorest areas would be interested in stealing someone's lunch bag, especially after lunch time. The camera and lens with Lens hood (installed backwards) fits in one of these tightly, but it fits. Spare Batteries, lens cleaner kit and memory card pouch fit easily in the sandwich compartment above the camera. These lunch bags cost me about $10 - 15 each at Walmart, and I have several, of different colors and tow sizes to use. My camera and the gear that I listed above are in a red one right now.
Whenever I am out in public, especially in an unfamiliar place, and I need to set my backpack, this lunch bag, or any others with me, down on the ground while shooting, I place my leg and foot through the strap and stand there with both feet on the ground while I'm taking the photos. If they grab the bag, they will be taking me with it, and I can guarantee that I will make this theft very hard for them. For one, I am 220 lbs, so it will be very hard to drag me and my camera bag any distance. But I'll be beating on them until they get it off of me too. I always keep it zipped closed and open just one pocket at a time, and then zip it back up before going to another pocket, etc. When holding my camera, the camera strap is always around my neck and one shoulder too. I have even had it on a wrist strap as well, a few times. Pick pockets will try to brush or bump into you to create a mental diversion so they can get what they are after without you knowing it. "Run and grab" is another method used. Another version of "Run and Grab" is to ride by on a motorcycle, motor scooter, or even a car with an open window and grab purse, camera bag, etc. and it's gone before you can stop them. Stay away from the curb when walking and again, stay aware of what is happening around you. Keep them out of your safe space or prepare for what they might be up to. Make it difficult for them, and most of the time they won't try anything. There are too many other "easy prey" that will be easier for them.
I haven't traveled overseas in the past 25 years, so I don't really know what the conditions are like now. I had been in Germany and the Czech Republic on my last trip to Europe and I followed my own methods while there without encountering any problems. But I have been in several large cities in the USA, even NY City several times since then, and used the same tactics while there with no attempts ever made on me. Always keep yourself fully aware of what is going on around you, and if someone seems to be following you, or getting uncomfortably close, go into a store, police station, or some place safer for a while. Or find a cop and have a chat with him about why you suspect trouble, etc. Don't go down dark alleys or dead ends. Stay where the better dressed people are and out in the open where you can easily keep watch on your surroundings. If you stop to take photos it helps to have someone else with you to keep an eye out for anyone sneaking up or running toward you. Have a list (in a different pocket) of the contents of your bags, any unique identifying marks, serial numbers, and even the value. Have insurance for your gear too. If you do loose something via theft or other, this list will help them identify what is yours, if they should find it and the one who stole it. Don't keep your money in the usual places on you either, definitely not in your back pocket or wallet, well maybe a small amount each day for your convenience, but Travelers Checks for most of it. One time many years ago I needed to take a very large sum of money with me to NY City, and hid most of it in a small fabric bag that was tied to the pull straps of the Western style boots that I was wearing, with this bag comfortably inside the high top of the boot just above my ankle. I carried a smaller amount, not in my wallet, but in the front pocket of my jeans. My wallet in my back pocket only contained the bare essentials, like drivers license, a single credit card, again a few dollars so they wouldn't look further, etc. and I had a copy of all of this in my desk at home, so I can stop the credit card, and get replacements when I get home. A phone call with most travelers check companies will usually get you replacements in 24 hours or less, wherever you are. Have your valuables that you don't want to take with you daily, put in the hotel safe and don't leave them in the hotel room. There are too many master keys and even if the staff doesn't steal anything, someone else with a master key might. Some rooms have small safes. I never trusted them, so never used them. When it's in the hotel safe, they seal and record what goes into and out of the safe, so there is tracking capability and accountability on everything put into the safe. The hotel is responsible for any losses, so they are very careful who has access to the safe, and when.
Enjoy your trip, but keep yourself and companion always aware of your surroundings and try to follow my suggestions. I think you, your companion, as well as your gear will all come back safe and unharmed. Watch what you check in your baggage too. The scan every bag now.
Charley
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