bono0272 Posted July 22, 2011 Share #1 Posted July 22, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) Dear fellow members, I am going to Moscow very soon for a short trips, around 5-6 days. I am planning to bring my M9 with 2-3 lenses for photo taking, mainly around the tourist points. Is that safe for using a Leica in Moscow? From time to time I heard there were some robberies on tourists, even in day time. Is that really so serious? Thanks in advanced and your advices are highly appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted July 22, 2011 Posted July 22, 2011 Hi bono0272, Take a look here Is that safe to bring a Leica to Moscow?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
earleygallery Posted July 22, 2011 Share #2 Posted July 22, 2011 If you don't think it's safe for your Leica, are you sure you should be going there at all?! You put your camera's safety before your own? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bono0272 Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted July 22, 2011 If you don't think it's safe for your Leica, are you sure you should be going there at all?! You put your camera's safety before your own? Well said! But my actual concern is whether the robbers will target a tourist with Leica? May be a dump question but you know a Leica looks very different from a DSLR… Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_g_wolf ✝ Posted July 22, 2011 Share #4 Posted July 22, 2011 They have a LEICA-shop there which they can easily rob. You will most likely be perfectly safe. They did rob it a few days ago. No need for more gear, for the time being. Have a good trip. best GEORG Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted July 22, 2011 Share #5 Posted July 22, 2011 Well said! But my actual concern is whether the robbers will target a tourist with Leica? May be a dump question but you know a Leica looks very different from a DSLR… Do you think a mugger is really going to be so discerning? Which lenses have you - if you use Voigtlander they'll probably leave you alone! Seriously, you will be carrying a camera, wallet, phone etc., all are valuable to the thief. Just take the 'usual' precautions and make sure that you're insured. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bono0272 Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share #6 Posted July 22, 2011 Do you think a mugger is really going to be so discerning? Which lenses have you - if you use Voigtlander they'll probably leave you alone! Seriously, you will be carrying a camera, wallet, phone etc., all are valuable to the thief. Just take the 'usual' precautions and make sure that you're insured. I will bring a 50mm Summilux version 2 and the 21mm Elmarit ASPH. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted July 22, 2011 Share #7 Posted July 22, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I will bring a 50mm Summilux version 2 and the 21mm Elmarit ASPH. Now you know you're asking for this thread to deteriorate into a "what lenses should I take to ....." discussion! Make sure you are adequately insured, use a new SD card every day (or more often perhaps) so you don't lose all your images if the worst happens. Relax. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmradman Posted July 22, 2011 Share #8 Posted July 22, 2011 Never underestimate Russian, they are very sophisticated people and on balance of probability even robber will know what Leica is, even first dog in space was called Laika, have fun Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bono0272 Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted July 22, 2011 Never underestimate Russian, they are very sophisticated people and on balance of probability even robber will know what Leica is, even first dog in space was called Laika, have fun Haha, this is cool! Anyway, I need to be alerted all the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest nafpie Posted July 22, 2011 Share #10 Posted July 22, 2011 The Leica under the mattress is more safe, but this is not what your Leica was built for. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanyasi Posted July 22, 2011 Share #11 Posted July 22, 2011 Not saying you won't get robbed, but I visited Russia three summers ago (Moscow and St. Petersburg). Never felt unsafe or threatened, but did follow the typical precautions. In St. Petersburg, I followed my usual practice of going out at 5:30AM for the light. In Moscow, I didn't, primarily because there wasn't much around the hotel where we stayed and because of the non-Roman signage, I was more concerned about getting lost--plus it rained a lot. I agree with the insured comment. It is cheap, at least in the U.S. I also agree with daily change of SD cards. I leave the used ones in the safe in the room. Also when not actually shooting, put the camera in a small pouch that you secure over your head and shoulder. No reason to advertise. Your Leica might prove to be useful if you visit the Kremlin. When I did, they would not let me bring my Canon DSLR with the long lens in. I don't remember the limits that triggered the restriction, but it was tied to lens size. I suspect your Leica, looking somewhat like a point and shoot, with the small lenses will not pose a problem, but who knows. My sense was that everything in Moscow was arbitrary and subject to change. You bought the camera and lenses to take photos. Don't become a prisoner of your material possessions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuxBob Posted July 22, 2011 Share #12 Posted July 22, 2011 I am planning to bring my M9 with 2-3 lenses for photo taking, Firstly it is always a good idea to use a camera for taking photos and you have made an excellent choice. Moscow is much like any other city - use your common sense. If you are sensitive do not read further. However I can contact my pal Georgi and you can choose one of his two services; 1. Discreet protection using two very large men with black suits and dark glasses and bulges where men don't normally have bulges. These will accompany you everywhere -even places that you do not want to be accompanied or 2. Georgi can send one of his men to your hotel to meet you and allow you to hand over the M9 and lenses (please confirm that they are in as new condition and bring all packing material) in absolute safety. Both services, of course, involve a modest fee but bring complete peace of mind. Available almost everywhere in the world. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
siglo Posted July 22, 2011 Share #13 Posted July 22, 2011 Why is it when someone asks this type of question (i.e. the Milan thread) everyone goes into smart-ass-sarcasm mode? It makes the Leica crowd seem like a real hostile bunch. If you spend the same time taking pictures than replying with useless sarcasm on online forums the photography world would be a better place. @bono0272 I hope you enjoy your trip to Moscow, I personally have never been there. Just take the usual precautions. If you are really concerned, cover your LCD screen to make it look like a film camera. Use black tape to cover the red dot and M9 engraving. Or maybe do something like what this guy did. I suspect that more thieves in Moscow now understand the value of Leica gear after the recent burglary of the Leica store in Moscow. Have a safe journey. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
djcphoto Posted July 22, 2011 Share #14 Posted July 22, 2011 Cover the red dot with a Kiev or Fed logo. Problem solved Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bono0272 Posted July 22, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted July 22, 2011 Thanks a lot everyone for the suggestions and comments. Yes I have taped the red dots and the M9 engraving. Will enjoy taking photos there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted July 22, 2011 Share #16 Posted July 22, 2011 Yes I have taped the red dots and the M9 engraving. If someone knows what a Leica looks like, covering the red dot will make no difference. If someone doesn't know what a Leica looks like, covering the red dot will make no difference. Most cities are very similar, there's a low level of street crime and the thieves are opportunists. A search on the UK gov websites indicates that there is some pick pocketing in Hong Kong. Presumably that doesn't stop you using your Leicas there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted July 22, 2011 Share #17 Posted July 22, 2011 I experimented and got a Pacsafe Carry Safe 100 straps for each of the M7s. They are sturdy and easy to use after a bit of break-in. The straps incorporate two wires inside the leather straps to keep a thief from cutting the strap to steal it from your carry. They also have covered handy screw-lock clip-offs, should you want to take the strap off without mucking with the strap lugs. I wrote of this before, then someone here drew a vision off a scooter riding thief attempting to cut the strap and steal the camera as he whizzed by, thereby dragging me down the road. There's always someone with such imagination. Here are Pacsafe's products. Scroll down for the straps. I rather like this bag, too. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted July 22, 2011 Share #18 Posted July 22, 2011 If you are really worried: Bring body only - easier to replace than lenses in these days of glass scarcity. Buy a nice Jupiter 3 lens (or other Russian lens); test a few before you decide. Shouldn't set you back more than 150$ for a good sample. Have fun! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve33 Posted July 22, 2011 Share #19 Posted July 22, 2011 I lived in Moscow for 3 years. Never had a problem when I walked with my Hasselblad into the streets. Nevertheless, be careful and use common sense. Steve Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hofo100 Posted July 22, 2011 Share #20 Posted July 22, 2011 I have been there in May earlier this year - and had much fun on taking photos with my M9. Moscow is not really different from any other big city - it's like always a question of preparation and personal behaviour, but not of the camera you are taking with you. regards, Holger Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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