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A fool and his camera

James Johnston

By James Johnston
in Digital Forum

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James Johnston

James Johnston

Posted
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My Digilux 3 arrived from B&H several days ago, well packaged and a day early.

Went out shooting for the 1st time Sat. While photographing horses in a hillside pasture and not paying much attention to anything but the images, I was suprised by two men

one wielding a machete. they liberated me of my camera , a new Billingham containing filters, spare battery and 2 SD cards. Oh! and my wallet.

Yesterday the police called as they had found my wallet by the roadside. ID's and creditcards still inside. I have been photographing in the Caribbean for over 20 years.

This is the 1st armed robbery I have been involved in. I guess it was bound to happen.

My thought now after the robbery is how do I protect myself in the future? I am out shooting everyday, it is how I make my living. Generally I am on my own and looking back obviously easy prey. At least this time I was able to talk my way out of getting my head mashed up. I maybe not so lucky next time.

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abrewer

abrewer

Posted
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Hi James.

 

Welcome to the Forum (though I wish the circumstances were different!)

 

My advice is "Find a Partner". Work alongside another photog and you can cover each other's backs (a little better) than alone.

 

Thank God you weren't harmed.

 

Leica (and Panasonic) can always make another D3, but there's only one of you.

 

Sounds like they were just looking for cash. You'll probably find your camera in a pawn shop around the island if you look.

 

Take care and good luck recovering your Digilux.

 

Thanks.

 

Allan

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wstotler

wstotler

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Sorry to hear your equipment was "liberated." Sounds like Kenya.

 

I do know that one of the photographers I met there wasn't with the press, but had a fake Press card that he would flash when it was looking like he was getting into trouble. He claimed he'd used it to get out of trouble a couple of times--the locals let him "off the hook" because he wasn't a tourist. I suppose there are downsides to that approach--depending on where you are--but it seemed to be working for him.

 

Again, sorry to hear your kit was stolen. (And, I suspect, prospects of getting it back are slim at best.) Kenya was always a little scary with its "low tech" implements of intimidation--if I *had* to choose, I'd prefer a serious and quick gunshot wound to being chopped to death. Glad you're OK.

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Photoskeptic

Photoskeptic

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James. sorry to hear about your experience. I've been to the French side several times and never had a problem. I had always heard it was the French side where crime was the worst. I guess it doesn't much matter which side of the island it occured on, when you're robbed you're robbed.

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Riley

Riley

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Posted

sorry to hear, just awful

good thing is you are ok

 

years ago a guy tried to swipe my kit off my shoulder

in the tussle stuff started to spill out

i grabbed a falling 300mm soligor

as things began to look bad, that i might lose the kit

i slugged him in the jaw, actually the front teeth, solidly with the 300mm

then i gathered my stuff and split

 

i think theyre still trying to wake him up

 

remedy? insure your kit

these days i shoot with minimal kit

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gdeliz

gdeliz

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My Digilux 3 arrived from B&H several days ago, well packaged and a day early.

Went out shooting for the 1st time Sat. While photographing horses in a hillside pasture and not paying much attention to anything but the images, I was suprised by two men

one wielding a machete. they liberated me of my camera , a new Billingham containing filters, spare battery and 2 SD cards. Oh! and my wallet.

Yesterday the police called as they had found my wallet by the roadside. ID's and creditcards still inside. I have been photographing in the Caribbean for over 20 years.

This is the 1st armed robbery I have been involved in. I guess it was bound to happen.

My thought now after the robbery is how do I protect myself in the future? I am out shooting everyday, it is how I make my living. Generally I am on my own and looking back obviously easy prey. At least this time I was able to talk my way out of getting my head mashed up. I maybe not so lucky next time.

 

If you like German hardware then I suggest you purchase something from Glock and carry it in an easily accessible pocket when you go out taking pictures.

 

George Deliz

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LichMD

LichMD

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Posted
Carry your own machete.

 

 

Rather not get into a machete duel.

I'm with the Glock/Wwalther proponents.

 

Seriously though, luckily you weren't hurt. Insure your kit and be minimalist with what you carry.

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fotografr

fotografr

Posted
Posted
sorry to hear, just awful

good thing is you are ok

 

years ago a guy tried to swipe my kit off my shoulder

in the tussle stuff started to spill out

i grabbed a falling 300mm soligor

as things began to look bad, that i might lose the kit

i slugged him in the jaw, actually the front teeth, solidly with the 300mm

then i gathered my stuff and split

 

i think theyre still trying to wake him up

 

remedy? insure your kit

these days i shoot with minimal kit

 

I hope you didn't damage the 300!!

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farnz

farnz

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Posted
Rather not get into a machete duel.

I'm with the Glock/Wwalther proponents.

Sorry but this is schoolyard talk.

 

If you arm yourself you'd better be prepared to actually use it (would you REALLY?) and you may be unwittingly providing another weapon for your assailant to rob you with.

 

And if it goes wrong and you injure or kill him are you prepared to spend maybe a lot of years in jail for a camera??

 

FWIW my advice is let them take what they want and if you have to defend yourself keep pepper spray close to hand - it's legal in most countries, highly effective and your not going to jail.

 

James, welcome to the forum, wish it was under better circumstances but glad you're okay.

 

Pete.

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arthury

arthury

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That's why we have a side-arm with us all the time when we're out there. If they want to behave like animals then we'll just have to shoot them like animals. 3-rounds grouping, at your own time, own target ... carry on ... :D

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gdb

gdb

Posted
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James,

 

Sorry for these bad news. I can understand you very sympathetically, because, though I have not been physically threatened, I have been through the same thing. In Bilbao, Spain, after taking pictures of the Guggenheim Museum, I have been "car jacked" by two youngsters who put a knife in my tire amidst a traffic jam, and while I was putting the spare wheel on, they stole my whole R9/DMR along with four wonderful lenses, the charger, the Imagetank and so on...not to mention wallet, cell phone, credit cards and money. Needless to say that the spanish police found absolutely nothing.

 

I can understand the feeling of frustration and hatred you feel. I still feel the same way. But we must keep these feelings inside of us and try to overcome them. You could have been very severely injured, and the consequences could have been terrible for you and those you love and those who love you. Never forget that. It's just a loss of some money.

 

I hope you will recover from the trauma of being aggressed, because this is may be less easy to put aside of your mind.

 

The good reaction is to get new Leica equipment as soon as possible. That's what I am doing.

 

The other good news is to see how many people of this forum are concerned when one of us goes through bad circumstances and turmoil. It gives another reason to trust people, even if they have never seen your face. I have been very moved by that when I lost my equipment.

 

 

 

Very sincerely

Gérard

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Riley

Riley

Posted
Posted
Sorry but this is schoolyard talk.

 

If you arm yourself you'd better be prepared to actually use it (would you REALLY?) and you may be unwittingly providing another weapon for your assailant to rob you with.

 

And if it goes wrong and you injure or kill him are you prepared to spend maybe a lot of years in jail for a camera??

 

FWIW my advice is let them take what they want and if you have to defend yourself keep pepper spray close to hand - it's legal in most countries, highly effective and your not going to jail.

 

James, welcome to the forum, wish it was under better circumstances but glad you're okay.

 

Pete.

 

while being threatened by a guy with a machete

absolutely

i believe i have the right to defend myself

of course in Oz, I cant carry a sidearm for that purpose, neither can i carry pepper spray

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James Johnston

James Johnston

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Hey Guys, thanks for the feedback. Still bummed about the loss. But it was only a camera and walk around cash. I am unharmed and will order a new Leica this coming week. A side note, B&H was very helpful sending me the serial number of the camera and lens ASAP after my request.

Stuff happens, and I'm moving on with my next post being a positive one.

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Johnston

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ECliffordSmith

ECliffordSmith

Posted
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James,

 

There is not much more add but once again sorry for your loss.

 

I think the best advice here has been to take company if you are going to a remote location or dangerous one etc. Of course it is not always easy to gauge these things or practical to go with company.

 

You did the right thing in not putting up a fight though in my opinion.

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neila

neila

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Posted

I was expecting an amusing photo or subject and then read the story.... horrifying. I have, fortunately never been threatened with violence and I doubt it's because I'm big or tall - I've just been lucky I guess.

 

I'm really glad you're OK and very sorry to read about it. You absolutely did the right thing to let them take your stuff - awful as it is to do.

 

It's the aftermath of these events that's a kind of theft too, the fact that you'll be on your guard a bit more, less trusting, anxious perhaps. All that baggage you didn't have before.

 

Nasty stuff and we're all glad you're OK.

 

Neil

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