How safe do you feel walking around with all this gear?!

d70mpv · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 05:32 PM

Hi all, well really as it says in the title. How safe do the average WABers feel walking around with say a 1D and several hundred/thousands of notes worth of £££s attached to the front? I'm keen on the Canon pump and 30D but feel it's going to attract a lot of attention. I'm big on travelling and would appreciate less attention in general, being fair on't top and (reasonably) tall I feel already like a human 400 L on-end. Without the class, obviously.

Reading the only post I could find in the forums (titled "Security I think) I remember one forumite fending off a local bunch of lads by threatening to do-in their motorbike. I'm not sure I could get away with that being built like an inside beday.

Any top-tips for reducing one's profile? Or links to cheap martial arts courses

nightshade · #2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 06:07 PM

Insure it,don't pose with it ,look as if you belong there,keep your mobile
ready(check the signal) to send your location and blood group to the police
and ambulance

Digiscoper62 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 07:29 PM

Get some good camo clothing and they wont see you

glsammy · #4 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 07:30 PM

My attitude is simple. If anyone confronted or threatened me or my wife to get my camera equipment, they're welcome to it. No equipment is worth the bother.
I don't travel around feeling vulnerable, and I've never had the slightest concern. It's all insured anyway!

mh68 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 07:58 PM

Thats the best attitude these days Graham.You never know whether they`ll pull a knife on you or even worse.It`s simply not worth the risk.

Mark H

Ollie · #6 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 08:08 PM

I take much the same attitude as Graham. To put it bluntly your equipment is replaceable, your life isn't. I must add though in the areas I usually frequent I have never been or felt threatened.
Roger

Oscar2006 · #7 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 08:28 PM

I only go out these days with Big, Mean, Hard men like Fourwings, MTR, Boddie and Tim Goodlife acting as my bodyguards.

If they cannot come out to work,

then I'd probably wet myself

and need to claim on my insurance policy.

eeyore · #8 (**permalink**) 12-08-2007, 08:52 PM

i'd also advise anyone who regularly goes to places that are a little less than safe to take some self defence or martial arts lessons - giving up your kits all very well but periodically you will encounter someone who wants your kit , your wallet , a sample of your signature , your pin number , the keys to your car - and possibly more besides (as this is a family freindly forum i'm sure i dont need to spellout the worse case scenario)

I've been into the martial arts for a few years (tae kwondo /jujitsu and just started the kav maga) so anyone who tries it with me is going to get a monopod upside their head at the very least.

another deterent as oscar mentions is to go with freinds - particularly if they are fatter / slowe and less fit than yourself in the running away stakes

matt_xyz · #9 (**permalink**) 13-08-2007, 03:48 PM

Since I generally prefer to go out alone with my camera, there are times when I feel slightly uneasy carrying £1500-2000 of camera kit. I'd be lying if I said otherwise. Some of the sites I go to feel safer than others. One in particular is fairly close to housing and a town centre and seems to get a few teenagers hanging around, particularly in the summer holidays. The other day I had my gear all set up on a tripod, when a couple of lads (probably aged 15-16) saw me and came over to see what I was doing. They were just curious (not to mention bemused

) but it did make me think how vulnerable my gear was, particularly if they decided to come back in greater numbers.

So safety is often at the back of my mind, but I refuse to let it influence where I go with my camera. One day I might regret that of course, but until then I'll carry on regardless.

Matt

gardnerbr · #10 (**permalink**) 13-08-2007, 03:55 PM

Don't bother with the martial arts classes, the law does not look kindly on people fighting back when they are trained, you have to prove that you took 'reasonable force' which is near impossible to prove. Best thing to do is just give your kit up as no point in fightng for it.

Better still don't get in the situation in the first place. Hold your head up, act like your meant to be there, heave your chest out and you will not be touched.

I know thats easy for me to say when I am 6 foot 5 over 14 stone and a black belt in taekwondo, but trust me police do not like trained people retaliating unless your in a life threatening situation.