lieberdavid Posted November 18, 2007 Share #1 Posted November 18, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Everyone, I have had a serious burglary in my home in Thailand last May. I have filed a police report, visited all the pawn shops, all the Leica dealers I know of, the Leica distributor in Bangkok, and sent letters to Leica (Solms and USA). I keep an eye on ebay, too. So far nothing. I'd be very interested in a section here devoted to stolen or lost equipment. For now, however, here's a list of the equipment and serial numbers just in case it helps. Leica M MP 2939515 Summilux-M 1:1.4/35mm ASPH 3748826 Summilux-M 1:1/4/50mm ASPH 3985485 APO-Summicron-M 1:2/90mm ASPH 03893398 Leica R R8 2552531 Motor Winder for same 06972 APO-Macro-Elmarit-R 1:2.8/100mm 3496527 1:1 Close-up Lens for same PC-Super Angulon-R 1:2.8/28mm 03838098 I have still all the sales slips, warranties, cases, boxes, and instruction booklets that came with these items. If any one comes across any of these stolen items, I'd sure appreciate hearing about it. Thanks. Cheers, David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted November 18, 2007 Share #2 Posted November 18, 2007 Ouch. Sorry to hear that. Wonder if it would be worthwhile having a list of stolens attached to the buy and sell here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandokan Posted November 23, 2007 Share #3 Posted November 23, 2007 Hi Commiserations on your loss - I hope you get to re-purchase replacements soon. Before thinking of buying a camera I asked both UK and Swiss Leica:- From UK I heard:- "If we are notified of a theft of Leica equipment we add these details to our database, but obviously our listing can not be taken as definitive. I believe there is a similar arrangement in Germany." and the Swiss, also confirmed it was not on their list. It would be good to have an on-line database, preferably here. How would someone go about getting this? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest darkstar2004 Posted November 26, 2007 Share #4 Posted November 26, 2007 How awful to have your Leica gear stolen! Considering the amount of gear you lost, it must be devastating. I know how I would feel - I'm more attached to my MP & lenses than to any of my other cameras. Hang in there and hopefully you'll get to replace it soon, if the stolen gear doesn't surface. Man, that's awful! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted November 26, 2007 Share #5 Posted November 26, 2007 .... gosh... for a person like me, who has always and expecially LOVED the lenses... seeing three M Asphs + One legendary R lens + One special R lens (that many burglars don't know even what is such a thing) flown away in such a manner... really is a pain & tears thought... I sympathize with you with all my heart Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny2p Posted November 29, 2007 Share #6 Posted November 29, 2007 Sorry to read about your loss David. I hope you had good insurance. Many stolen items make it to our shores here in Vancouver, BC. I made a print of your list and will keep an eye open as I am always inquisitive about used Leica equipment sold in various pawn shops. I hope you luck turns around in your favor soon. Daniel, Vancouver Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lieberdavid Posted December 4, 2007 Author Share #7 Posted December 4, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi Everyone, Many thanks to you who have replied and sympathized. It broke my heart to lose those items. I've been an R user for 30 years, but the MP and lenses were nearly new and had very quickly become my favorites. No insurance; it's too expensive here. I thought I had been sufficiently careful. I've had a policy never to leave the house unoccupied at night, and I had hired someone (an honest person and a friend) to be on hand when I was away on a trip. That person unfortunately wasn't reliable and didn't sleep in the house as I had required, and the burglary occurred on one of those nights. Nothing else was taken - the aim was to get the camera equipment, and I fear I know the culprit - someone who had visited me here, was a camera store emplyee, knew the cameras were here, and knew their value. He also has, I found out later, a reputation for having broken into houses. The police know the situation but so far have come up with nothing. I've now bought a safe and we are building a strong room, as well as installing an alarm system. Yikes! I am very slowly and painfully (financially) replacing the items, but I still have most of the way to go. Thanks again, everyone, for your care. Cheers, David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest demian1900 Posted December 8, 2007 Share #8 Posted December 8, 2007 Hello: I too am sorry to hear this news that is a very horrible thing. One feels very vulnerable afterwards, "violated"... I am even more sorry that people must remind you just how horrible it is. I (not too long ago) apologised in like manner to my wife's friend who lost their family dog...she was very, very upset...i then proceeded to **remind** her just how sad it was and sorry I was for her... What a stupid things?! I don;t know why we give our condolences to people who have lost their loved ones, etc...it does nothing but make them remember a thing they are trying to forget and get over! It makes them more sad because we force them to remember all over again! At any rate, to the future..... I'll share a crazy story with you....perhaps it will help in some way. I too had an insane experience in Berlin last year, exactly (ironically) the same time as now....for the New Years Eve. I take very good care of my gear, a very secure person and aware always of surroundings, well travelled, balh, blah.....force the wife to give me all of her things, leave nothing in hotel, in my backpack, protected and covered always... I learned the hard way, we are all falwed, and mistakes HAPPEN...one cannot be perfect all the time.. Picture this, Brandengurg Gate, 1million plus people...no exaggeration... ....she is pulling me through the crowd...packed, shoulder to shoulder with people....CANNOT MOVE, yet she is pulling me and tugging me through towards the stage. Forced to drink a bottle of wine before entering (not a drinker) I was not at my best...and it would not have otherwise happened. Anyway, 2 minutes before midnight, PRECISELY PER COUNTDOWN CLOCK ON THE STAGE as the Scissor Sisters sing, I yell to her, as suddenly I realised, within the blink of an eye: "I lost the backpack!" "what?!" "I lost the backpack!" 3-2-1.....happy new year!.............. So, long to short, My pristine MP, black paint, 35 ASPH, M6ttl, passport, etc. are all in the bag... So, OUR New Years Eve was spent i the cold, on our knees in a crowd more dense than any other I have been in, looking for a black Tamrac backpak... Girls giving oral sex to guys, having sex on ground, and I with my lighter asking them ? have you seen a backpack?.......... So, it begins to rain, go into the nearby famous park to search, girls and guy sgoing to pee, have sex, etc....while I the pervert am looking for my backpack.... It begins to rain, it is cold...it is Berlin! So, 4am, we decide to go police station....tell the wife to goto hostel, meet her there. i go, break up their celebration to make a report.... "what is your passport number?" "I dont know" "what is your cellphone number?" "I dont know...(I honestly didnt know, I never suse the thing!)" "What is your hostel address?" "I dont know" it is named "xyz hostel" "It is a black Tamrac photo backpack" How foolish can one feel? I ask you.....how more vague?! At any rate, I take another sweep as teh crowd was clearing out....raining...muddy, etc... Vultures already out, searching the grounds...empty backpacks on the ground, etc.. I return at around 5:30 to hostel. I tell my girl, I gotta go back until I am satisfied I serached and did all I can...so I return. Please remember, Berlin is 7X LARGER THAN PARIS... I am very well travelled, but Berlin, YOU CANOT WALK IT, DO NOT TRY!! So, I remained unitl around 8am. Searching in the mud, in the cold... I realised it was gone..I put all i had into that setup..my "dream" setup....right... Anyway, long to short, I return to the hostel... Upon my return, 9am, the English "Ivy leaguer" staying there answers the door, half asleep, in his mellow tone... "The cops called..." "oh?" "They found your backpack..." "what?!" I cried... So, I return to the precinct, soaking wet, exhausted, in tears... Now, my family name is German, my family is German, but I generally have a serious problem with Germans in my expereinces...I dont like them...wrapped far too tight much of the time...especially Berlin..and northeast. I am amellow person, hate vilience, and people were rude as hell, to the point of truly ruining my time there.. these police heard of me, took me to another precint where it was as I had no cash on me at the time...no way I could. Now, I have a german email address also...in order to get free POP access, one requires a german address. I got one at random some time ago.... ..and I will be d@mned if it was not the exact same address as the police precinct that found the camera......exact same. Everything was intact, nothing missing, not a thing.....B+W filters, wallet, passport, you name it.... I shall never say another negative word about Germans. Never. Now, i realised we should not own something we are not capable of losing. As a result, I sold the ASPH and got a a 40mm CL-summicron C lens...(couldnt be more pleased BTW)... But you tell me, hwo could I EVER sell this camera....it is karma, is it not?! Now, I am an American who has (and has always desired to) live abroad for about 6 years now. And for us my friend, in a little country called Italy, our police become police merely to wear the nice uniform to pick up girls....this is my theory..they do little else. This my friend, is why we have a little thing called the *mafia*.... People must take matters into their own hands. Otherwise, nothing will get done, no justice can be served on your account...period. This I belive is how it all got started. People do not harm others here as they know the others family will come over and knock on your door...they as a result have learned a thing called "morals" which really don't exist in the States so much these days. In the States, they try and create a law as a substitute for peoples' lack of morals...but I digress. So, my suggestion to you, is to go after this mother f@#@r and threaten to break his legs and kill his f#$#king family until he gives you your money or equipment...old school. Just a suggestion. Hope this was somewhat helpful..... Take care...and just dont let it happen again! There are very, very few people we can genuinely call our friends in this life.. it is sad, but true. I am not cynical...yet it is true. I was burgalrized once. My wife now feels I am always observant....not paranoid...but aware... As Nietzsche said, "what seeks to destroy us only serves to make us stronger." My wife does not undertand how I behave locking doors within the house etc...I know how it feels. Keep the stuff in a safe now. Do not let up on this other guy. you know who it is? find a way...DO NOT let him disappear. I recall Homer's famous line from the "Odyssey" when Ulysses returns home in disguise and returns to his city with his son..... His son gets angry with some of the suitors and begins to fight, but Ulysses (as the old begger in disguise) yells, "to be angry is easy!! But to be angry in the right way, and at the right time shows the reflection of true character, true wisdom, and of a true man!" So, dont act in anger or foolishly. Think, then act...never let them see you coming. Ciao Demian Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest demian1900 Posted December 8, 2007 Share #9 Posted December 8, 2007 PS: ..and prior to the attacks on my intelligence, yes, it was foolish. One of those "moments". It all appears quite juvenile, andalthought I believe tha immaturity is oner of the secrets of youth, I am older than I wish to say.... I typically carry the backpack over my one shoulder, with arm overhanging (pickpockets can enter it easily if on the back over both shoulders). I thought it might have been cut, but one must imagine the circumstances..it was a crowd of insane proportions and scope....beautiful girls....sigh.... Immediately upon my return home, the first thing I did was research seriously camera bags...so this would never have the potential of happening again. Backpacks are not a good option. so, upon researching everyone and everything after some time, I came to Billingham. An outstanding bag, highly recommended, none better. Although not a slave to it or possessed, I do adore craftsmanship and apprecaite that involved with these bags. Got the Hadley Pro. Outstainding in all respects and cannot imagine many better. This model particaularly I was concerned that the "quick release" leather straps would be a bit *too easy* to release and allow a hand easily in , etc. But no, it is very secure, light, holds a lot of gear, and perfect size. Remember, these days one cannot enter museums, etc with backpacks...I have never had a problem, not once, entering a museum with my Hadley. Live and learn. Of course the Berlin Police shall always remain on my xmas list...I do what I can. Happy Holidays!!!! Be Safe. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartpoe Posted December 8, 2007 Share #10 Posted December 8, 2007 Hi David, i just come and see your topic today....sorry to hear that. I was try to help you by post link of this topic at BW Foto Questions and Answers / Black and White Rhapsodies Group - ¾Öè§ä»àËç¹ÁÒ ªèÇÂà»ç¹ËÙà»ç¹µÒ¡Ñ¹Ë¹è͹ФÃѺ There're many leica user in Thailand here. Hope this can help you to get more chance to find you item. good luck. Yoad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lieberdavid Posted December 9, 2007 Author Share #11 Posted December 9, 2007 Hello Smartpoe, Thank you! Best wishes, David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
panuraj Posted March 20, 2008 Share #12 Posted March 20, 2008 Please check your PM inbox Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
keving Posted March 23, 2008 Share #13 Posted March 23, 2008 I had my Leica & lens stolen 4-5 years ago. At that time Leica had an area on their website where you could report stolen equipment. I was looking for it to give you a link but I could not locate it since the site has been redesigned. Anyway, I reported it to Leica in Germany. 2 years later I got an e-mail from Leica when they received an inquiry about the serial #'s of the equipment I had reported missing. I made a search on e-bay and the seller had an image showing the lens + serial #. I reported it to the police and 2 days later I got the camera back. I'm sorry for you and hope you succeed in recovering your camera. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Velez Posted August 25, 2013 Share #14 Posted August 25, 2013 I am replying to this really old thread because I noticed that the MP stolen six years ago is now being sold by a dealer. See link below. Leica MP Black paint camera 0.72 Ex+ - Classic Connection Store I saw the camera for sale on the Classic Connection website. I decided to google the serial number and stumbled on this thread. Thanks. Frank Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenton C Posted August 31, 2013 Share #15 Posted August 31, 2013 Holy cow! Serial number's a match. So who's the correct authority to contact, Interpol? The police in juresdiction of the Classic Connection? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted August 31, 2013 Share #16 Posted August 31, 2013 Holy cow! Serial number's a match. So who's the correct authority to contact, Interpol? The police in juresdiction of the Classic Connection? I would have thought the OP PM sent. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenton C Posted August 31, 2013 Share #17 Posted August 31, 2013 I sent him a PM as well. Hope he's still around. Hope he hasn't lost his passion for photography. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted September 1, 2013 Share #18 Posted September 1, 2013 I too sent a PM when this info was posted. Seems the OP doesn't visit anymore. Do Admin have the ability to email directly I wonder? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted September 1, 2013 Share #19 Posted September 1, 2013 Email sent, but whether his address is still valid I don't know. If you google him you find him (possibly, but it is an uncommon name) on Facebook, but it stops there for me, as I am not. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_livsey Posted September 1, 2013 Share #20 Posted September 1, 2013 His last forum post was Jan 2012. But last activity 31/5/13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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