sm23221 Posted January 19, 2012 Share #41 Â Posted January 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Agree. I use a PacSafe steel wire reinforced fanny pack. It makes for a very tough grab. If you don't like fanny packs then try a diaper bag - nobody will want it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted January 19, 2012 Posted January 19, 2012 Hi sm23221, Take a look here Security travel tips. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Ecaton Posted January 19, 2012 Share #42 Â Posted January 19, 2012 Agree. I use a PacSafe steel wire reinforced fanny pack. It makes for a very tough grab. If you don't like fanny packs then try a diaper bag - nobody will want it. Â Sure, and the next level of security would be a stroller with a doll in it making baby sounds and the M9 safely under the blanket. I guess even criminals have some ethical boundaries. So much about babying your Leica gear. Just don't breast feed it in public, it would look conspicuous. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted January 19, 2012 Share #43 Â Posted January 19, 2012 Sure, and the next level of security would be a stroller with a doll in it making baby sounds and the M9 safely under the blanket. I guess even criminals have some ethical boundaries. So much about babying your Leica gear. Just don't breast feed it in public, it would look conspicuous. Â For what it's worth, while in a police station in Barcelona after being robbed (no M9 with me that day), a Spanish lady with baby and stroller came in (there were about 100+ in the station reporting all kinds of thefts) and a thief had taken her baby bags and even the baby formula! We could not believe it-the under 30 male unemployment rate is hovering just under 30% so no job, no food=baby formula! Â What a horrible city!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And we were in just one of about 20 such police stations in town! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deliberate1 Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share #44 Â Posted January 19, 2012 I am the OP and appreciate the discussion. The more I play around with my various bags, and in light of advice here, I think I will dispense with a camera pack or shoulder bag alltogether and go with my old Kinesis waist system Belts | Kinesis Photo Gear. It is a very stout waist belt with two componant bags secured to it. The larger bag will easily accomodate the M9 with the Summilux 50mm, and one other lens. And the smaller bag could hold a third lens and battery,etc. There is nothing subtle about this belt, though it does not scream camera gear, per se. But there is no way someone is going to snatch and grab it, or get into it with my knowing. If they want it, they are going to have to work for it. I figure that with my crew cut, well-toned physique, dark shades and "tactical" gear belt, no one one would miskate me as a willing victim. Though with that bug dope technique in mind, I might just postion myself next to some skinny guy with a Billingham slung over his shoulder. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deliberate1 Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share #45 Â Posted January 19, 2012 And if some thief determines that you have something of great value down your pants: well that is an unpleasant situation to be in to say the least... Â Jacques, you have just given me something else to worry about. Fortunately, that item is very well secured, though insurance may be in order. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaques Posted January 19, 2012 Share #46  Posted January 19, 2012 " I figure that with my crew cut, well-toned physique, dark shades and "tactical" gear belt, no one one would mistake me as a willing victim."may help. My cousin is 6'4, built square, huge, and master of 3 or four martial arts. Undefeated in short ring career, fitness fanatic and personal trainer. Latvian. A little guy in NYC pulled a knife on him anyhow... mugger made bad decision in that case but still... The point about Barcelona: I felt much more threatened in parts of Europe than I ever did in India. And I saw more s!@# go down in the USA... Not sure where your trip is to and what weather will be but make sure your pack thing is comfortable- if you are on a tour you will be getting in and out of vehicles, buildings, chairs, hotels, markets, etc... If you have to remove it often it defeats its purpose. Importantly I found a huge advantage in blending in, (just about anywhere), when I wasn't carrying any thing: no packs, luggage or bags. If you look like you are carrying virtually nothing- people really leave you alone. It makes you look as if you need nothing as strange as that sounds (because you have nothing- you need nothing).  I would consider the following attire for discreet comfortable shooting in tropical climes:  Wear a cotton teeshirt (white for chrome camera black for black) with the camera over one shoulder- then put on a light cotton jacket (or thick shirt)- one that can be left unbuttoned ( ideally one with buttoned pocket/s at your waist/s for an extra lens and battery). A light cotton jacket will not get too hot and will protect you from the sun. Likely you will be exposed to air con a lot and a light jacket is a good compromise between the various extremes you will confront. Inner and outer chest pockets is very nice too... small change outer, fat wad inside- all buttoned up against light/deft/invisible hands.  When the camera hangs at your left side under your arm- there is nothing directly visible to see or snatch- let it roll to the belly with a flick of the hips (or grab it with you right hand...) and lift for shooting in an RF focus flash. Let camera drop and roll back into hiding. No chimping! Carry a tiny hand held meter- calculate good exposure and set camera whenever you enter a new 'light' zone.  You will have an odd lump under your arm- but nothing as weird looking as a bum-bag in india... (bum-bag is what we call 'fanny packs' in australia). You will never panic becuase you will always be able to feel the camera under your arm agianst your side- safe and sound.  Practice the motion like a quick draw... take only two lenses on any day.  that's how I am going to do it next time I go... I might have to make a artisan customized safari style jacket for tropical street-shooters... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deliberate1 Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share #47 Â Posted January 19, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Jacques, all good advice. I too like the idea of parking the camera under one arm when not in use. Actually, with the Kinesis belt on, the camera can rest on top of one of the waist bag attachments which is directly under the arm pit at waist level. Keeps camera out of sight. There is no pull on the neck strap either. B&H just delivered a Lowepro Passport Sling to me yesterday for trial. Lowepro | Passport Sling It is a nice rig - not a back pack and not a conventional shoulder bag. Has lens dividers and then an open space that is expandable. Open pockets on the outside as well. You wear it bandolero style. The mass of the bag can fit directly under the armpit and is soft enough to conform. It opens at the top. Actually, it can ride high enough that the camera either rests on top of it, or can go inside it which is cool - totally out of sight. Very sturdy strap. Place for stuff. As bags go, this is probably the best bet - probably could changes lenses in it as well, keeping the dust down. But the waist system is more comfortable, because nothing around the neck, but it is more exposed. I'll just spend a couple local outings and see which would do it. I do like the idea of T shirts with that light top. Need to keep arms covered to avoid mosquitos and malaria. As for security, Jacques, I do have a ball cap that says "CIA." Too much? David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoRoRoPa Posted January 20, 2012 Share #48  Posted January 20, 2012 As for security, Jacques, I do have a ball cap that says "CIA." Too much?David  Don't forget to wear that cap when you cross into Pakistan. Someone stealing your camera might be the least of your problems then. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deliberate1 Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share #49 Â Posted January 20, 2012 Don't forget to wear that cap when you cross into Pakistan. Someone stealing your camera might be the least of your problems then. Â What do the Pakistanis have against the Culinary Institute of America? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted January 20, 2012 Share #50 Â Posted January 20, 2012 David, I have no experience in India but in China I'm less worried about the motorcycle-drive by-grab my camera/bag scenario than I am little hands unzipping my bag or backpack and making off with something. My Wotancraft bag has a zippered top compartment covered by a flap with two secure straps. When I use the Ona Camps Bay backpack I secure the zippers with small TSA cable locks. It wouldn't keep a determined thief with time out of my gear, but for most opportunist thieves if a target isn't easy they just move on. Â I learned from my Chinese wife never to buy a bag (purse in her case) that doesn't have a zipper closure. Lucky for me that Louis Vuitton doesn't make too many like that!!! Â For the train in China I use a Think Tank International wheeled case that has zipper locks and also a cable lock to secure it to something solid and keep it from rolling away. Again, not 100% foolproof, but enough to prevent an opportunistic crime and allow me a decent nights sleep. Â Insurance should always be the 2nd line of defense. Absolutely necessary, but hopefully never needed. Â Cheers, Stephen Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted January 21, 2012 Share #51 Â Posted January 21, 2012 Bag lock is good advice. And a very modest amount to spend for extra insurance! Get a small padlock with key or combination lock. Red Oxx includes a simple metal cable lock with each bag. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecaton Posted January 21, 2012 Share #52 Â Posted January 21, 2012 What do the Pakistanis have against the Culinary Institute of America? Â They might not give you enough time to explain that:cool: Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deliberate1 Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share #53 Â Posted January 21, 2012 They might not give you enough time to explain that:cool: Â Good point. No hat. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deliberate1 Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share #54  Posted January 21, 2012 I learned from my Chinese wife never to buy a bag (purse in her case) that doesn't have a zipper closure. Lucky for me that Louis Vuitton doesn't make too many like that!!!   Cheers, Stephen  Stephen, Sensible woman, your wife. Agree that zippered top is key.The absence of one is what deflects me from many of the favorite bags recommended on this site. It is also what attracted me to this: Lowepro | Passport Sling. Got it this week and it is a keeper - particularly at $59.00. It has a long, top double pull zipper closure. If you wear it backwards, with the expandable section in front, the two zippers meet just under your nipple. No surreptitious, tiny hands there. And it is very deep. The top is flat enough to provide a very nice "shelf" where the camera rests very nicely under the pit, out of view, and felt by the body. Best, there is enough room for the body and lens to fit inside, totally hidden, even while the strap remains around your neck. This is nice because lens changes can be done in the bag two-handed.The bag has an extension, width wise. Good space for water bottle. Lots of open pockets all around the exterior. I have some Velcro tape that will make them more secure. No Lowepro logo or any graphic that identifies it for what it is. Since it does not look any other camera bag, it is not instantly identified as one. Thick strap worn across the body will be difficult to cut. Think I am going to like this one. David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted January 21, 2012 Share #55 Â Posted January 21, 2012 Once while on the commuter train from Chicago's Loop to the South-Side I was alone in a car when three Brothers came sauntering down the aisle, each with the side-long glance of a pigeon kicker. This was bad. My M2 with collapsible 50mm was under my coat, under my left arm pit. A brother leaned over, I moved my hand under the coat and the Brother bumped the Leica and stood up straight saying, "Jest sayin good day, officah". Months later after a mugging and hospitalization I replaced the Leica with a Colt 1911. And moved from the state soon after. I didn't live through a war to get offed by some low life. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted January 21, 2012 Share #56 Â Posted January 21, 2012 "Brother"...? They were monks? Â Regards, Â Bill Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deliberate1 Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share #57  Posted January 21, 2012 Maine! Are you aware of the urban trend in 'custom' firewood used largely for display by their never used fireplaces? Get over to Heidi's Firewood for their kiln dried stock, recut it for aesthetics, multiply the price by 500% and make a mint! Buy Leicas! (I am aware because I could kick myself for not harvesting the same when I had a lot of land.)  Pico, kiln dried firewood sounds like something LL Bean would sell to you folks "from away." Reminds me of a client of mine who worked as a maintenance guy for a very wealthy man who owned an island of the coast of Maine. In the fall, when the owner moved back to NYC he would instruct my client to get in his truck, drive it onto a barge to get to the island, cut two cord of wood, put it in the truck, get back on the barge and then drive 500 miles (one way) to 5th Avenue in NYC. He wanted to be able to tell all his tony friends that he was burning wood from his Maine island in his NYC penthouse. So every fall, my client would dutifully get in his pickup, and the drive directly south. Somewhere in southern Maine or northern New Hampshire, my guy would pick up a couple cord, cut and split, and drive it down to his boss' place on 5th Ave, who was none the wiser. Certainly not wiser than my guy. By the way, did you retire the Colt when you moved to Winona, or get a bigger piece? David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
algrove Posted January 21, 2012 Share #58 Â Posted January 21, 2012 They might not give you enough time to explain that:cool: Â Hey, the law of that land is shot first and then ask questions, i.e., dead people can't fend for themselves during an inquiry. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Black Posted January 21, 2012 Share #59 Â Posted January 21, 2012 I'm highly aware of what is going on around me when walking around with my camera. Watch where you leave it while eating ect. Try to stay with other people and consider hiring a body guard/guide. In India I'm sure you could hire your own gang for $50. Â are you for real? Â Â really? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Black Posted January 21, 2012 Share #60 Â Posted January 21, 2012 Much more chance of falling down a hole. There are some big ones... keep an eye out. Oh- yeah- and insure. Â if someone finds a big bodyguard slash guide he will be safe.....he will fall into the hole for 50 bucks a day.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.