Nick De Marco Posted June 5, 2013 Share #1 Posted June 5, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) just had a wonderful time in Ho Chi Minh city. Luckily had my Leica M with me. Used it a lot, and got over confident (as I do). Spent the last day strolling around a slum alone and being invited into people's houses and taking photos. Everyone so nice and never a single problem despite the warning of crime. Then, on the way back to hotel, I was shooting movie from the back of a Vespa, leaning off it with the M. Had been doing tis for a couple of days with no problem but suddenly, out of the blue, a guy on a motorbike came up and grabbed my camera, trying to snatch it from my hands. I had a good grip though and I wasn't about to let it go. For what seemed like ages, but must have been only seconds, he pulled like hell with his hand on the lens (28 Summicron with hood) whilst I pulled the body like hell, both on bikes at about 50kmph. I snatched it out of his hand and he, looking frustrated and bemused drove off. He probably had no idea what he was trying to steal and why I was never going to let him. The Vietnamese Vespa driver was shaken, but I felt quite good - I hadn't lost the camera and amazingly even the hood never snapped off. My regret was I didn't catch the episode on film which would have been great. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/206164-nearly-had-my-m-stolen/?do=findComment&comment=2339586'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 5, 2013 Posted June 5, 2013 Hi Nick De Marco, Take a look here Nearly had my M stolen. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Popular Post earleygallery Posted June 5, 2013 Popular Post Share #2 Posted June 5, 2013 (edited) Wow that could've ended up very differently! At least you and your vespa driver are both OK. The would-be thief clearly didn't know it was a Leica M or he'd have tried to grab the body and hoped the lugs would come off Edited June 5, 2013 by earleygallery 20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
viramati Posted June 5, 2013 Share #3 Posted June 5, 2013 lucky escape and you must have had a good driver as you both didn't fall off Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted June 5, 2013 Share #4 Posted June 5, 2013 (edited) clearly didn't know it was a Leica M or he'd have tried to grab the body and hoped the lugs would come off You don't want to yank a 28mm Summicron by the hood either (for those who don't know, the front of the lens is held on by two tiny grub screws that have a habit of coming loose). More seriously, instincts often kick in and cloud your judgement but I'm not sure a camera is worth fighting over from the back of a moving moped. Incidentally, the would-be thief probably looked "bemused and frustrated" because his mate (the Vespa rider) had told him your camera would be an easy opportunity. Edited June 5, 2013 by wattsy 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick De Marco Posted June 5, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted June 5, 2013 I have a nice Angelo Pelle case - it has a big fat grip on it, very easy to hold camera tightly. He was obviously just an opportunist thief, definitely no set up and had no idea what the camera was. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 5, 2013 Share #6 Posted June 5, 2013 You see what happens when you don't tape over the red dot <grin>. Being serious, I'm glad to hear that it all worked out well, though I'm sure was far from a pleasant experience. I imagine one of those things that shake you up afterwards when you consider what could have happened - and I'm not talking about just losing the camera. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tanks Posted June 5, 2013 Share #7 Posted June 5, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) That's why I don't leave home without... Spyderco Civilian G-10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
alandash Posted June 5, 2013 Share #8 Posted June 5, 2013 We guys who were there years ago when it was still called Saigon, recall when that sort of episode happened on a daily basis. A lot of gold Rolex watches were ripped off the hands of pedestrians, sometimes with the aid of a sharp knife. There were many soldiers and civilian contractors there, making tons of tax-free money, and they were fair game for those "Cowboys". The military PX sold heavily discounted cameras, stereos, etc., which were often re-sold on the black market. How about a brand new M3 with 50mm Summicron for under $500 (no tax)? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted June 5, 2013 Share #9 Posted June 5, 2013 That's why I don't leave home without...Spyderco Civilian G-10 Yes, that would have been a lot of help. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted June 5, 2013 Share #10 Posted June 5, 2013 On a lighter note, you skin-tones look good. Pete 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted June 5, 2013 Share #11 Posted June 5, 2013 That's why I don't leave home without...Spyderco Civilian G-10 Would it have been better to have disemboweled the would-be thief or just tried to cut his hand off? 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marac Posted June 5, 2013 Share #12 Posted June 5, 2013 Just hit the record button next time... would of been a hit on youtube Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonki-M Posted June 5, 2013 Share #13 Posted June 5, 2013 On a lighter note, you skin-tones look good. Pete a tint of green is still very noticeable though. i was surprised the hood is still intact! kudos to Leica Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoskeptic Posted June 5, 2013 Share #14 Posted June 5, 2013 Way to hang in there, Nick! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted June 5, 2013 Share #15 Posted June 5, 2013 Jeez, sorry it happened but glad you held on to it. Good story. I bet it will inspire Ken Rockwell to add to his dopey Leica man/chuck norris page. LINK A real Leica Man laughs at the thought of thieves stealing his Leica. He holds onto his Leica and disembowels the theif. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted June 5, 2013 Share #16 Posted June 5, 2013 That's why I don't leave home without...Spyderco Civilian G-10 To adjust the rangefinder? 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stealth3kpl Posted June 5, 2013 Share #17 Posted June 5, 2013 a tint of green is still very noticeable though. That's the Snake Wine. Pete Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ecar Posted June 5, 2013 Share #18 Posted June 5, 2013 Went to Saigon/HCMC a couple of years ago - seemed very safe to me. It must have changed since then. A happy ending at least. You were very lucky. And I'm talking about your physical integrity, not the camera's. Nice watch, btw. Luigi's leather? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted June 5, 2013 Share #19 Posted June 5, 2013 My neighbour had her car window smashed in and had her handbag stolen at 9am this morning, in front of a busy school in London while dropping her kids off. No where is safe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT710 Posted June 5, 2013 Share #20 Posted June 5, 2013 As a side note, just saw the photos from Whitby on your blog - they are terrific, congratulations! Michael Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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