Stolen M9, 50 'lux ASPH and 21 SE ASPH

[articulate]

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Good day everyone, I'm just trying to get the word out on the items mentioned that were stolen from me along with my money, travel documents and other miscellaneous electronic possessions on the 4th of October 2012 in Paris at the Gare de Lyon railway station.

 

The Leica M9 is steel grey in perhaps a 6/7 condition with a custom engraving on the top plate 'Leica'. Akin to what the Leica MP sports. Serial number 3906406.

 

The 50mm Summilux ASPH is in somewhat the same condition, most certainly not mint and is chrome. Serial number 4107800.

 

The 21mm Super-Elmar ASPH was brand new, not mint, but certainly not worse for wear. I cannot recall the serial number at this present time, but if it comes as a set with the other two, it would be highly suspicious.

 

I am well aware that the chances of me recovering the items are extremely slim, but one must try no? Especially when such things hold some sentimental value.

 

If anyone has any information regarding the above-mentioned items, please do not hesitate to contact me at; articulate@live.com

 

Thank you and good day!

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[Guest WPalank]

Sorry to hear of your loss. But for the good of the group do you mind articulating how the items were "stolen"?

Knife-point, gun, or just left behind? It might help other think as they travel abroad. Especially myself as I have a trip to Paris on the book in the near future.

Again, very sorry.

[La Morte]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience.

As I was held-up at gun point last month and my whole Leica kit was taken too, I know how you feel.

To circulate the items is what I did too, although the chance are slim on recovery, - you have to try and hope. Hope you are insured? Best of luck.

 

Streamlight Photography

[articulate]

I was robbed by what I believe to be either a wizard or one of the X-Men. I turned my back on my bag for about 4~5 seconds, due to having breakfast at a small cafe with a small round table. My croissant was at the 8 o'clock and my coffee at the 2 o'clock. My bag was on a chair next to me. And after I had taken a sip of my piping hot coffee, my bag and the patron sitting at the nearby table had disappeared.

 

Granted, I could have wrapped the bag strap around my leg, or the leg of the chair, or even taken out the carabiner and clipped it on the table leg. But I've traveled a lot, and I guess one gets complacent. Always a first time eh?

 

 

Finally, yes I am insured. Unfortunately, I doubt it will be able to cover the full damage.

 

By the way, does anyone know of a prominent photo forum in France? I've tried searching google, but I've had little luck.

[Rolo]

Register your loss with Leica Service Dept. They have a log.

 

If it ever is sent in for repair they are likely to retain it for you.

 

Keep your camera paperwork and the police report.

[earleygallery]

I bet the thief wasn't working alone, and had probably clocked you before you went into the cafe. You were probably distracted intentionally, even without really knowing it, whilst the other swiped the bag. There are a lot of thefts of this sort in pubs near the major London train stations.

 

Notify Leica as Rolo says, and I would email the info to as many Leica dealers as possible (they are all listed on the Leica website). Being a specialist camera it is likely to end up being offered to one of them at some point. Also keep an eye on ebay, although it will be harder to do much if you do see your items listed.

 

I once left my Leica lllf on a Paris cafe table after a quick coffee and croissant stop. I wandered for about half an hour before I realised - I rushed back and there it was, still sitting on the table!

[wattsy]

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My bag was on a chair next to me. And after I had taken a sip of my piping hot coffee, my bag and the patron sitting at the nearby table had disappeared.

 

That's really bad luck. If it had happened in a UK railway station, the incident would probably have been caught on CCTV (you can't fart without being spied on) and the police might have something to go on. Not that it would help much with getting your gear back.

[LikeMyLeica]

By the way, does anyone know of a prominent photo forum in France? I've tried searching google, but I've had little luck.

 

Very sorry to hear of your loss - there, but for...

 

This seems to be a very active French Leica forum:

 

summilux.net :: Index

 

Commiserations and good luck,

 

Nick

[andybarton]

Try placing a note on Summilux

[Mr. Doug]

Try this...

 

Stolen Camera Finder - find your photos, find your camera

 

It takes the meta data and finds other pictures on the net with the same serial number.

 

I found my old D70 using it...but 2 years had passed, and the pics it found were of a family that had obviously purchased it from someone. Very cool service though.

[ramosa]

indeed, sorry to hear of this theft. but very glad to hear that you had insurance. (it's a must in my book.)

[articulate]

Thanks for the replies people. I definitely will post it on Summilux.net, after I get a friend to help me out with translating the text.

 

About contacting Leica dealers though, I was told by La Maison du Leica that they or any other dealer shouldn't accept a secondhand Leica without relevant papers. So I'd assume that it'll a) never get sold and if it does, the dealer is dishonest to begin with or the camera comes in and the proprietor stalls for time while the police arrive. Which seems very movie-fantasy if you ask me. But I will hold out hope of course.

 

Also, about contacting the Leica service department. Do I contact Leica Germany? Might seem like a dumb question but I did contact Leica France and have not gotten a reply yet. Might be they don't reply to these type of emails and just take note of them.