Pacsafe camsafe shoulder bags

[leicanut2]

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I was reading the thread on Naples being dangerous and saw someone talked of Pacsafe bags. I did look them up and sorta like the idea of a slash proof camera strap and bag. Can be locked to a table when out eating, no grab and run then.

They make two sizes of camera bags anyone own one?

Got to remmember there are places ( here in the states and other places ) where they just point a gun at you and say hand over everything so insurance is still the best bet. But the pacsafe stuff could eliminate opportunistic thieves

 

Jan

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[Guest stnami]

Imants krumins

[EJohnE]

If you want your photographic gear to be secure when carried, why do you think of buying expensive bags etc? For years in the 1980s I slung an M4 around my neck, stuffed a few M lenses in my shirt front, and carried the Leicaflex SL/R3 stuff in a disgusting-looking bag which had the handles tied on with bits of rope, and was generally of a quality no bag lady with any hint of self-esteem would wish to seen with. My main security worry was that some civic-minded citizen would pick it up from where I left it, and deposit it in a garbage container.

If you go around looking wealthy, you are inviting trouble. I did better as a street photographer looking like a tramp, as "everyone knew" I didn't know what I was doing, and could safely be ignored. I made quite a lot of cash from minor magazines, whereas the respectable photographers looked elegant if ineffectual.

 

Few know what a Leica is or costs anymore, so why bother with the snobbery of maintaining standards in keeping with the camera's actual quality? Look like a peasant and be actually more secure!

 

Tattered cuffs, frayed seams, and dirty shoes for all,

 

John

[leicanut2]

The Pacsafe bags don't look expensive, I have had 6 billingham bags over the years and love them. Hadley pro is what I use now. I don't call those expensive they are what I call WELL MADE.

And you don't have to have to look rich or carry a expensive camera bag to get robbed I had a gun pointed at my head one time happened to me at a Piza shop when I was 19 he got nothing because I had nothing. But it is a life altering event.. Now I look and watch everyone everywhere I go. I also worked in a area where over the last 30 years we found 4 people murdered by the shop. So I know how bad it can be out there in the big cities.

Jan

[leicanut2]

All I want to know is whats the camera bag like so anyone have one??? Room inside pading etc???

 

Jan

[iShutterbug]

I was reading the thread on Naples being dangerous and saw someone talked of Pacsafe bags. I did look them up and sorta like the idea of a slash proof camera strap and bag. Can be locked to a table when out eating, no grab and run then.

They make two sizes of camera bags anyone own one?

Got to remmember there are places ( here in the states and other places ) where they just point a gun at you and say hand over everything so insurance is still the best bet. But the pacsafe stuff could eliminate opportunistic thieves

 

Jan

Jan, I have several PacSafe products for photography and travelling and I wouldn't be without them. I took a photo vacation through Europe a couple of months ago and I am sure the peace of mind I was given by my secure PacSafe items made the trip much better and safer. I took a Leica IIIg and three lenses, a Canon DLSR and two lenses and flash, cases, two tripods, a laptop and sensor cleaning equipment--it all fit in their DuffleSafe duffle bag which I put in the overhead storage on planes and trains and buses.

 

I have pictures of my setup here:

European Vacation - ishutterbug - Photoblog.com

 

Here is the Pac-Safe website with products and specs:

Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products

 

I have put their slashproof CarrySafe camera straps on all my cameras, they look great and are safe. I have the CamSafe 100 camera bag, which is perfect for one Leica body with lens attached, a spare lens, exposure meter and film, or memory cards. The CamSafe 200 camera bag is a little larger, good for a DSLR. I like to take two Leicas with lenses attached and my CamSafe 100 (black) is crowded with that combination, so I will sell it for $55.00 (PM me) so I can get the CamSafe 200 series with the little extra room.

 

The DuffleSafe duffle bag is like a portable safe that you can attach to a radiator or anything else and in it leave what you don't want to take with you and feel pretty confident it's all going to be there when you get back. That way you can travel light and go where you want on your photo sojourns.

 

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[Guest AgXlove]

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I have always thought a Pelican case with a heavy duty bicycle cable lock or Kryptonite cable https://www.kryptonitelock.com/OutletProducts/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?cid=1001&scid=1001&pid=1183 would be a great anti-theft setup.

 

The Pelican cases are just about indestructible and will accept Master padlocks near the latches to lock the case - just wrap the cable around a secure solid object and lock the cable to the case using the padlocks.

 

The Pelican 1500 case Pelican | 1500 Case with Padded Dividers (Silver) | 1500-004-180 is about the size of a large laptop case and would hold a comprehensive Leica M outfit.

[stuny]

Jan -

 

I mentioned the PacSafe in the thread you cite. I have not yet seen one, though I tried to at many stores, including those whose sites said they had them. I was concerned about weight and internal volume. Now, at least, www.magellans.com lists the wieght of the PacSafe items they carry.

 

However, I've never liked traveling with a bag that is clearly designed for cameras for two reasons. The first is that it shouts "possible collection of expensive stuff to steal!" Second, they generally are not as comfortable to wear hiking, or even in a full day of walking about a city. Consequently, I always use a comfortable, moderate sized backpack that does not look delux. In it I have all my gear in either cloth bags or original lens cases. So far in over 15 years and nearly 90 countries I've not had any mishaps. I suggest considering a PacSafe that is an actual smallish backpack, and cloth bags for the gear inside (which takes up less room that the pacdded dividers).

[bill]

Here's my problem with these things...

 

What do you do when your bag or camera with it's "unbreakable" strap is snatched by a thief on a moped?

 

Do you a) run alongside at 30mph, grab a lamp-post, or c) bleed a lot as you are dragged along...?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[iShutterbug]

I agree with the last two comments for "full travel regalia mode" or "full tourist stealth mode"--and I have traveled in those modes--but for "gentleman local photo mode"--which is what I will pick my Leicas over my DSLRs any day--the light, smallish, low-key (black), well-made, secure slash-proof PacSafe camera bag seems just the perfect size for a Leica body and two or three lenses and some extras. In today's security-conscious world--to me--it just makes sense to protect my priceless equipment in such a subtle, usable, stylish manner--even though it doesn't sport a red dot.

 

[Edit:] I just posted this and saw Bill's comment so I will respond here. All I can say is we try to do as good and as much as we can protecting our stuff hopefully one step above the threat level. Yes, one bad thought I had on our trip was somebody coming in our room with my DuffleSafe securely anchored to the radiator--and using a hefty wire cutter and carrying off the whole shebang--Eeek! Or, yes, the moped driveby scenario. [Keep it close to your chest.] Sure, a safe could fall on my head from the Collesium--or Big Ben--or the Louvre--or the plane could... Whew, I need some space to enjoy my photog equipment and that's what I've decided on--it seems to be effective protection--and dissuasion--for the average and/or spur-of-the-moment thief, which I guess is 80% or 90% of the threat level, and hardly any amount of protection or precaution will protect from the really professional one. Short of leaving the stuff at home locked up in your safe (but it better be fire-proof). And on and on and on ... ya gotta go out some time and click that shutter.

[leicanut2]

Hey Bill

I think it depends on how much you weigh, If a 2 guys where on a moped and going to grab my billingham 206 that I use to use with the waist strap . ( only because it keeps the bag from bouncing around when hiking ) I think he would be in for a surprise and really not be ready for the resistance of a full size man who over the years found out he likes donouts for breakfast. I think he would end up letting go, breaking a few fingers or get ripped of the back of the moped.

I watched a program few weeks back they showed how pickpocket kids in India practice cutting clothe on a melon without cutting the melon with a razor blade. They can cut your bag or back pocket without you feeling it. I was amazed at the guts these street smart kids have. Also how good they are at it.

I use to ride a Harley EletroGlide for over 22 years would not take much resistance to rip you off your bike.

Also pelican cases are great for long term storage or for a really big trip where you need everything I have 2 pelican 1510 cases heavy bulky not a real good vacation option.

 

Jan I also am looking at the pacsafe 200

[peter_n]

After the previous article I was talking to a friend about the Pacsafe stuff and he said he tried the camera strap but found it stiff and a bit uncomfortable over the course of a day. He also said that it wasn't conducive to wrapping around your wrist when you needed the camera in-hand.

[leicanut2]

Peter,

Interesting anyone eles wana put in feedback on the pacsafe camera straps?

 

Jan

[symmetron]

I tried the Pacsafe camera straps and didn't care for them; it's a matter of taste.

 

On another note, I used the "original" Pacsafe DaySafe 100 backpack on trip to Spain a couple of years ago. I'm not really a backpack person, but it worked fine. Pacsafe has since redesigned the bag so that the "exomesh" interior pouch can be removed (it's velcro'd in) so that the exomesh part can be secured outside of the bag if desired while the backpack can be used without the exomesh safe and it's a lot lighter without the exomesh safe installed. The "original" bag did not have the option of removing the exomesh safe.

 

My only advice to using a Pacsafe bag is for securing your equipment in your hotel room. If you don't need it for that purpose, I don't see the point of using their stuff. I think there are plenty of other choices for camera bags, and FWIW, I believe that "screams expensive camera bag" concern is nonsense. That's not to say that carrying expensive camera equipment in broad daylight in bad areas isn't dicey. What I mean is that there are plenty of "other" indicators that potential thieves and muggers "key" such as how you are dressed, wearing jewelry, do you appear vulnerable, etc. A camera bag is probably not near the top of the list.

 

BTW, get a Domke; you can't go wrong.

[Guest AgXlove]

Here's my problem with these things...

 

What do you do when your bag or camera with it's "unbreakable" strap is snatched by a thief on a moped?

 

Do you a) run alongside at 30mph, grab a lamp-post, or c) bleed a lot as you are dragged along...?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

How about d): You beat him half to death with your low tech aluminum monopod as you are taken for a very short drag

[leicanut2]

Ha, I like it beat him to a pulp, funny.

Cheers Jan

[Guest AgXlove]

I tried the Pacsafe camera straps and didn't care for them; it's a matter of taste.

 

On another note, I used the "original" Pacsafe DaySafe 100 backpack on trip to Spain a couple of years ago. I'm not really a backpack person, but it worked fine. Pacsafe has since redesigned the bag so that the "exomesh" interior pouch can be removed (it's velcro'd in) so that the exomesh part can be secured outside of the bag if desired while the backpack can be used without the exomesh safe and it's a lot lighter without the exomesh safe installed. The "original" bag did not have the option of removing the exomesh safe.

 

My only advice to using a Pacsafe bag is for securing your equipment in your hotel room. If you don't need it for that purpose, I don't see the point of using their stuff. I think there are plenty of other choices for camera bags, and FWIW, I believe that "screams expensive camera bag" concern is nonsense. That's not to say that carrying expensive camera equipment in broad daylight in bad areas isn't dicey. What I mean is that there are plenty of "other" indicators that potential thieves and muggers "key" such as how you are dressed, wearing jewelry, do you appear vulnerable, etc. A camera bag is probably not near the top of the list.

 

BTW, get a Domke; you can't go wrong.

There's alot of truth in that statement.

 

I like my Billinghams alot but tend to use my Domkes more often (if it's rainy, I go with a Billingham as they are more rainproof).

 

I Have a couple of tan Domkes (F803 and F4) for use in hot weather, as the light color does not heat up the way a black camera bag does (my Billinghams are tan, too).

 

I have always found it incomprehensible that no one makes a "real" camera backpack with a light sand color exterior for use in hot climates. Most bag makers insist on making their backpacks black, which only helps to bake cameras, lenses and film (for we who still use it) in hot weather. While Domke makes a couple of small backpack bags in tan, I find these bags to be sorely lacking in the way they are designed.

 

Of course, Fogg makes a camera backpack and it can be had in tan, but at a hideous $999US, I think I'll pass.

 

It's too bad that Pac Safe does not have a good camera backpack, like a hybrid between the Lowepro internals with the Pac Safe exomesh and the light tan color of the Day Safe 100. If they ever make such a bag, I'd get one in a heartbeat.

[gwelland]

Here's my problem with these things...

 

What do you do when your bag or camera with it's "unbreakable" strap is snatched by a thief on a moped?

 

Do you a) run alongside at 30mph, grab a lamp-post, or c) bleed a lot as you are dragged along...?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

 

If you have my body build then what you do is wander over to the bloodied thief who was yanked off his moped by the fact that a dense human being (ok, rotund) isn't a good target for a fly by (those Rugby years did do something). You then do a diving elbow drop or just sit on him.

 

Btw, I highly recommend the Pelican 1510/PacSafe cable lock combination if traveling by car. I use this to attach my Pelican cases (Nikon big glass) to my LR3/Disco III luggage hoops and make sure that the cable is plainly visible if someone peers into the rear of the 4x4. I figure if they break in and try to steal the cases then they are going to have to be kitted out with a set of serious cable cutters and have a lot of time, or possess the ability to drag a set of cases and a Land Rover along backwards. The Pelican combination padlocks are pretty beefy too.

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Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[integrale]

I have the PacSafe camera sholder bag; it holds my Nikon D700 with either a 35mm or 50mm lens AND my D.Lux 4 OR D700 with a larger lens alone. The side pocket has room for my money, extra memory cards etc.

 

I also have the PacSafe camera strap which I use for the D700.

 

All in all, I like the PacSafe products; they are low-key (all black) and quite well made. At least the camerastrap is much more downtoned than the original camera strap in bright yellow with "Nkon D700" written on it (as in "come and grab it").

 

And for the risk of being dragged behind a moped; I may fall, but dragging my 225 pounds (with an 18 per cent body fat ratio - which is pretty low) will probably also cause some injury to the "grabber".