jklotz Posted November 2, 2007 Share #1 Posted November 2, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Just ordered my M8 - I think the wait for the fed ex truck is going to be one of the longest waits I've had in some time.... (yea yea, I know - been pondering this thing for months, what's a few more days) I have a trip coming up in December to Columbia (South America, not South Carolina), and I had a question; Other than covering up the logo with black tape, any other ideas for bieng "stealth"? Crime down there is pretty bad, so I'd like to be as inconspicious as possible. Maybe a good camera bag that looks like a junk bag? Any ideas would be appriciated! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 2, 2007 Posted November 2, 2007 Hi jklotz, Take a look here camouflaging an M8. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
bayerische Posted November 2, 2007 Share #2 Posted November 2, 2007 Criminals are usually dumb people. And I honestly don't think it matters if you have the Leica dot covered or not, Desperation feeds camera theft, and the snatcher is not an expert, so if he needs your M8 for another hit of cocaine, then he don't care about what make it is. For him it's 20 bucks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted November 2, 2007 Share #3 Posted November 2, 2007 An opportunistic thief won't care if it's a Canon, a Nikon or a Leica, he'll take it if given a chance. In fact he probably wouldn't know what a Leica is. Taping up doesn't help in any way IMHO of course <grin>. Your best bet is think about the way you behave rather than trying to camouflage the camera. Again IMHO. I'm generalising, but in Europe I'd guess 70-80% of US tourists are immediately obvious as such. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wparsonsgisnet Posted November 2, 2007 Share #4 Posted November 2, 2007 James, I second your suggestion about the camera bag. I go to a lot of trouble to make sure the bag my stuff is in looks like shit. A friend just came back from a trip during which the camera was lost. The real complaint is that they did not back up the pictures each day, so lots of pictures are gone. Backing up is an easy task. Keep the camera close by ---- BUT take better care of your passport and traveling companion(s). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
miami91 Posted November 2, 2007 Share #5 Posted November 2, 2007 Agree with others. The whole notion of covering up the logo to be less conspicuous to thieves is rather silly. If people cover it up for philosophical reasons (don't like shilling for corporations), fine. But I don't think too many thieves are quite so brand conscious when it comes to cameras. Hell, I find that most people who are otherwise brand conscious have no idea what a Leica is. One thing you *should* do is make sure your household insurance policy will cover any theft at replacement value (ask your agent explicitly about international travel), and if you have a deficit in your coverage, get it addressed. Because if you are unfortunate enough to get jacked, you don't want to be a hero and fight for your Leica. Just hand it over and get on with life. Jeff. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografr Posted November 2, 2007 Share #6 Posted November 2, 2007 Best idea is just to watch where you travel. My brother was in Columbia and was robbed of everything he had with him and he was trying to look as inconspicuous as possible. He wore beat up clothes and carried only a beat up backpack. Made no difference, because he got in the wrong place at the wrong time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LichMD Posted November 2, 2007 Share #7 Posted November 2, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) We just got back from a 2 week trip to India, much of it involved the usual tourist destinations, but a fair bit was off the beaten track to get a feel for how people live. I didn't bother covering the red dot, though I took some common sense precautions: took a rather "beat up" daily carry bag (an old Crumpler), made sure my wife or I (depending on who was taking the pics) kept an eye out for odd behavior, kept the M8 in my hand so that pulling it out didn't attract notice, etc. We stood out as definitely not being local, no way to hide it. But minimal to no jewelry, no "flashy" items, etc. A local guide, especially one referred to you, can also be advantagous. Be careful and enjoy your M8! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwolf Posted November 2, 2007 Share #8 Posted November 2, 2007 I'd like to be as inconspicious as possible! James, Did you consider this model? Sorry, it's a slow Friday. Seriously, I went' with a group to Peru recently and cameras -- any model -- were routine targets. Even in rooms of fine hotels. Backpacks were also favorite targets (while on your back!). I used an inconspicuous backpack, but mostly carried it on my front, at the advice of locals. It's unfortunate because most people there are wonderful. But whatever you can do to secure your gear, do so. John 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/37123-camouflaging-an-m8/?do=findComment&comment=391945'>More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted November 2, 2007 Share #9 Posted November 2, 2007 Criminals are usually dumb people. And I honestly don't think it matters if you have the Leica dot covered or not, Desperation feeds camera theft, and the snatcher is not an expert, so if he needs your M8 for another hit of cocaine, then he don't care about what make it is. For him it's 20 bucks..........what rabbit hole do you hide in? No! not all people are into cocaine in Colombia, typecasting is pretty stupid.............. even most teenagers have a better understanding of reality. Groups are nice targets easy pickings as most groups have a false sense of security coupled with a tinge of fear Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertwright Posted November 2, 2007 Share #10 Posted November 2, 2007 An opportunistic thief won't care if it's a Canon, a Nikon or a Leica, he'll take it if given a chance. In fact he probably wouldn't know what a Leica is. Taping up doesn't help in any way IMHO of course <grin>. Your best bet is think about the way you behave rather than trying to camouflage the camera. Again IMHO. I'm generalising, but in Europe I'd guess 70-80% of US tourists are immediately obvious as such. in new york, 70-80% of european tourists are obvious as such... as long as we are generalizing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted November 2, 2007 Share #11 Posted November 2, 2007 Robert, that doesn't surprise me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertwright Posted November 2, 2007 Share #12 Posted November 2, 2007 I think the recent thread on street shooting and peter turnley has relevance here, there is no way you could not mistake peter for anything but an outsider, however, he gets the job done. So it is not about stealth. When you are in a different culture, city, town, etc, you stick out. It is impossible not to. When I say european tourists stick out in new york, a very cosmopolitan city, it is because of their behaviour, they are not behaving as locals, they are behaving as tourists which is completely appropriate. (Just get outa my way on my way to work-kidding) You can see the camera as a weapon or a tool. this week I had to shoot some kids skateboarding outside the brooklyn museum, they were younger than me, high school age, and mostly black or latino. I'm a 40 yr old canadian who looks much younger. And I was from the "new york times". So they had a bunch of preconceived notions about me from the get go. I'm sure I had many about them. What followed was three very enjoyable hours. Digital is to kids like candy. they love taking pictures and they all gave me their emails which I entered into my iphone (superdork mode was on!) bc I had no paper in my bag. They loved the phone. Kids love technology. I think there are so many ways "into" a situation, usually involving spending time, sharing and humour. At one point one of them said, "you talk like a teacher"...which is probably correct since most of their teachers in brooklyn are probably like me. round to the point, I thought about covering up the red logo to make the camera as small an issue as possible, not for safety so much as a talking point. I have had too many conversations about it already on jobs. But the camera (the instant review really) became an asset as I could show them what I was doing, making "cool" pictures of them skateboarding (continuous mode, thank you). you are going to be an outsider everywhere you go until you are an insider. The difference is time spent. Some areas would take a lifetime, other areas a shared beer or emailing pictures. I think being open is easier than being stealth. If safety is a factor, swim with a buddy like they say. A lot harder to jump two people than one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
don_panko Posted November 2, 2007 Share #13 Posted November 2, 2007 My Dad said that locks only keep the honest people out. A thief will get what he wants but making something less attractive or less easy to take will prevent the honest person from being tempted. I cover my M8 and Leica logo so that it looks like an old range finder and therefore less appealing to a (honest) photographer. The camera doesn't seem to mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jklotz Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share #14 Posted November 2, 2007 Thanks for all of the comments, guys. Some interesting conversation ; ) I'm no stranger to travel, having seen a lot of the world in my 41 years, and mostly I've had pretty good luck. I chalk that up to having pretty good street smarts. I do, however, when visiting 3rd world countries, travel with a $29 casio watch, money belt containing passport, cfredit cards and most of my cash, and a "muggers wallet" (old walet with $30 or 40 cash, a few canceled credit cards, etc). Served me well when I was robbed at gunpoint in Guatamala. That being said, I think taking precautions when traveling with an M8 is a good idea. Call me crazy. A bag that looks like it contains a laptop, lots of camera equipment or anything of value is a target to thieves. A ratty canvas pack with freying edges and some paint splattered on it might get snatched by an opportunist, but I doubt somebody would follow me into a public rest room to mug me for it. I was hoping for some ideas for a camera bag that would be inconspicious. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cocker Posted November 2, 2007 Share #15 Posted November 2, 2007 Just ordered my M8 - I think the wait for the fed ex truck is going to be one of the longest waits I've had in some time.... (yea yea, I know - been pondering this thing for months, what's a few more days) I have a trip coming up in December to Columbia (South America, not South Carolina), and I had a question; Other than covering up the logo with black tape, any other ideas for bieng "stealth"? Crime down there is pretty bad, so I'd like to be as inconspicious as possible. Maybe a good camera bag that looks like a junk bag? Any ideas would be appriciated! Burka? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tummydoc Posted November 2, 2007 Share #16 Posted November 2, 2007 in new york, 70-80% of european tourists are obvious as such... as long as we are generalizing. Yes, they're the ones speaking fluent English Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJP Posted November 2, 2007 Share #17 Posted November 2, 2007 This is the way to do it: 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/37123-camouflaging-an-m8/?do=findComment&comment=392056'>More sharing options...
adan Posted November 2, 2007 Share #18 Posted November 2, 2007 Or......We have camouflage Face Paint set, Camo Face Paint at Surplus and Adventure online Army and Navy store (authentic skin camo formulas also cut the IR signature - a dollop on the lens should mean no IR filter required.) 8^) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted November 2, 2007 Share #19 Posted November 2, 2007 .............. leave it home, suffer from paranoia or ............................... 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/37123-camouflaging-an-m8/?do=findComment&comment=392065'>More sharing options...
sean_reid Posted November 2, 2007 Share #20 Posted November 2, 2007 One thing you *should* do is make sure your household insurance policy will cover any theft at replacement value (ask your agent explicitly about international travel), and if you have a deficit in your coverage, get it addressed. Because if you are unfortunate enough to get jacked, you don't want to be a hero and fight for your Leica. Just hand it over and get on with life. Jeff. I was thinking the same thing. Insurance.... Cheers, Sean Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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