andybarton Posted August 14, 2009 Share #21 Posted August 14, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Both my Billinghams have leather straps over brass studs. Difficult to open without the wearer noticing, especially if the straps are facing the body. Buy insurance, and worry about it a lot less is my advice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted August 14, 2009 Posted August 14, 2009 Hi andybarton, Take a look here How secure is a Billingham against pickpockets? . I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
ger1g0 Posted August 14, 2009 Share #22 Posted August 14, 2009 I HAVE actually been pickpocketed from my camera bag:( It was not the Billingham I was using at the time, more a local Chinese brand bag that's about the size of the Hadley digital. It was early morning around 7. I was at a local bakery buying some on the go breakfast. I opened up my bag to the camera compartment and was shoving the purchase into the area that was normally occupied by the camera. The lens was sitting in the next compartment for all to see. I was not quite awake then. When I walked out of the shop and starting crossing a pedestrain bridge, I felt a tugging behind me. When I turned the bag around, it was open and the lens was gone. The person took my CV 21 f/4, the only lens I did not bother to insure because it was "inexpensive". Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted August 15, 2009 Share #23 Posted August 15, 2009 ............ that's not pick pocketing that's negligence Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuny Posted August 15, 2009 Share #24 Posted August 15, 2009 Mark - Though I'm too late for you perhaps this will appeal to others. There is a company called "Pacsafe" (Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products) that makes all manner of bags, purses and rucksacks that have steel mesh thorughout the bag area, a steel cable inside the strap, and locks (some models also have a lock to secure the bag to something permanent, such as an iron railing). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted August 15, 2009 Author Share #25 Posted August 15, 2009 Both my Billinghams have leather straps over brass studs. Difficult to open without the wearer noticing, especially if the straps are facing the body. Buy insurance, and worry about it a lot less is my advice. Yes, now that I have the bag I can see that the strap-and-stud closure would not be easy to open without the wearer noticing. At the same time, it still affords easy, quick and silent access for the wearer. An elegant solution. Also, the single front zip pocket on the Leica M version is such that it is comfortable to wear the bag with the straps facing the body, as you suggest. Insurance: I've never had insurance for my photographic equipment before, but I'm definitely getting it now that I've got the M8. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted August 15, 2009 Author Share #26 Posted August 15, 2009 Mark - Though I'm too late for you perhaps this will appeal to others. There is a company called "Pacsafe" (Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products) that makes all manner of bags, purses and rucksacks that have steel mesh thorughout the bag area, a steel cable inside the strap, and locks (some modles also have a lock to secure the bag to something permanent, such as an iron railing). Thanks, Stuart. I've seen one of these Pacsafes in a shop somewhere - they really are a heavy duty solution! I wasn't too concerned about my bag being cut open (though no doubt that does happen); I was just curious as to how effective the strap-and-stud closure is. I like it now that I have the bag and see how it works. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
iShutterbug Posted August 15, 2009 Share #27 Posted August 15, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Mark - Though I'm too late for you perhaps this will appeal to others. There is a company called "Pacsafe" (Pacsafe Anti-Theft Bags & Travel Security Products) that makes all manner of bags, purses and rucksacks that have steel mesh thorughout the bag area, a steel cable inside the strap, and locks (some modles also have a lock to secure the bag to something permanent, such as an iron railing). That's what I'm taking on my trip, it's just right for a body with lens mounted and one or two more lenses (I see they have a slightly larger size now but its sold out), plus viewfinder(s) and film/extras. It is not flashy--which is what I wanted on this trip--and I feel very secure with its wire and mesh armored body and straps. I can concentrate more on the vacation sights and enjoy them and less on worrying about the photo equipment. They also have wire-reinforced camera straps for a reasonable price that should help prevent slash-and-grab and I have fitted them to all my camera bodies, film and digital. I have their mesh-lined duffle bag which anchors and locks to something permanent in hotel rooms or car to leave equipment in so I can travel lighter while I'm out. Like their advertisement says, if your equipment is secure you'll enjoy your trip more. http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/customer-forum/94705-need-advice-my-ltm-european-vacation.html#post992669 (yes, that's a Leicavit on the IIIf ) Best, Don Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
octo Posted August 16, 2009 Share #28 Posted August 16, 2009 Mark, I think it was Bill, a few years ago, who gave me the tip of having a piece of strong string attached to a carabiner tied to your bag: quite useful when sitting at a retaurant, bar, whatever, when you cannot, realistically keep the bag on your lap: it's not foolproof, of course, but it can help against bag snatchers by looping it around the table leg, your chair, you belt... Regards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted August 16, 2009 Share #29 Posted August 16, 2009 Can anyone actually put their hand up and say " they were pickpocketed from their camera bag, while they were awake that is? Yes, I think so. I 'lost' a decent Sekonic light meter in Florence a few years ago. I can't be 100% sure how it disappeared but the most likely explanation was that someone took it from my bag whilst I was on a crowded bus. I used to keep the meter in the outside pocket of a Domke bag and it would have been pretty easy to nick without me noticing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wattsy Posted August 16, 2009 Share #30 Posted August 16, 2009 Buy insurance, and worry about it a lot less is my advice. I agree but making a claim is not necessarily without cost (possible excess charge and the impact making a claim can have on future premiums). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_s Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share #31 Posted August 16, 2009 Mark,I think it was Bill, a few years ago, who gave me the tip of having a piece of strong string attached to a carabiner tied to your bag: quite useful when sitting at a retaurant, bar, whatever, when you cannot, realistically keep the bag on your lap: it's not foolproof, of course, but it can help against bag snatchers by looping it around the table leg, your chair, you belt... Regards. Ah, now that's a very good tip, Octo. Thanks. I have a short length of very thin and flexible plastic-coated steel cable with two loops at each end that came with an Eagle Creek luggage padlock. It's just been lying around unused. However, with a carabiner that would be perfect for tying the camera bag to a table leg, etc. Now, where did I put that cable... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpattinson Posted August 17, 2009 Share #32 Posted August 17, 2009 Can anyone actually put their hand up and say " they were pickpocketed from their camera bag, while they were awake that is? Yes (although the attempt was unsuccessful), I had a female pickpocket open one of the buckles on a Hadley Small on the Paris Metro. Fortunately, the section of the bag she got access to contained a Plaubel Makina 67... not the easiest item to remove unnoticed. Billingham could make their Hadley bags much more secure by including a zip around the 'lid' of the photo insert, with a clip to prevent the zip from being easily opened once closed. Still wouldn't help you when you have the bag open while shooting - but it would help a lot when your'e in prime areas like public transport or crowds. I would say that any time you are in a crowd, or other place where people could reasonably be pushing against you, a Hadley is not at all safe against pickpockets. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_n Posted August 17, 2009 Share #33 Posted August 17, 2009 Can anyone actually put their hand up and say " they were pickpocketed from their camera bag, while they were awake that is?Yep, but it was unsuccessful as well. It was the one time I went into crowds with my Domke F-2 flap out instead of in. In the Rastro of all places. I felt something, yanked up on the strap pulling the bag to my front, but they had only succeeded in undoing a clip. Too much Madrid nightlife the night before... I'm usually pretty careful about these things. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 17, 2009 Share #34 Posted August 17, 2009 Interesting to note the responses to my earlier question re. "putting your hand up if.....etc". I think the indication is that we are negligent if we expect 'safe systems' to be solely effective without some concerted input from ourselves. My reading of the above responders is that there may have been contributing negligence on their behalf. Of course, I was not there and am only 'reading' between the lines, but it is fair to say that in high risk situations we all need to be very alert as the most effective defense, backed up by secure systems as may be appropriate. In my case, I use a Billingham 'Alice'. In places like crowds on the Paris Metro, I wear the stap diagonally across my body with the bag squarely on my stomach. Very convenient for rapid access by me when I spot a nearby image in the crowd, I might add! Nobody can gain access to it without getting my full attention. My wallet also moves from my hip pocket to the front pocket of my jeans, where it is effectively covered by the Billingham. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinis Posted August 18, 2009 Share #35 Posted August 18, 2009 Anybody have their Billingham turn turtle on them threatening to dump the entire contents on the floor as hapened to me a couple of times years ago .The smaller bags don't seem to be prone to this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted August 18, 2009 Share #36 Posted August 18, 2009 Anybody have their Billingham turn turtle on them threatening to dump the entire contents on the floor as hapened to me a couple of times years ago .The smaller bags don't seem to be prone to this. Never with my Packington. Charlie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 18, 2009 Share #37 Posted August 18, 2009 Anybody have their Billingham turn turtle on them threatening to dump the entire contents on the floor as hapened to me a couple of times years ago .The smaller bags don't seem to be prone to this. The smaller Alice I think could not do this, but I have memories of an old Hadley turning turtle in Turkey many years ago. I think the location was Chanakele (sp). It dumped a full kit of Nikon gear (so it didn't matter ) into an extensive spread of a naturally occurring white sludgy stuff through which I was wading bare foot. It was a tiered natural spring of watery sludge. I've forgotten what it is called. Anyway, as the stuff dried a fair amount of it stuck to the inside of the bag. Upon returning home, a customs official pulled me up and wanted to check my gear. Upon seeing the now white powdery substance spread around my bag, he immediately wiped it with his finger and went to taste it! I called him to stop, with which he said "I don't think so!" He then tasted and immediately pulled the most amusing face I have ever seen. I said, "I told you so." My daughter now uses that bag and camera outfit to great benefit, so it survived OK. I haven't seen that Customs Official since. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted August 18, 2009 Share #38 Posted August 18, 2009 I think the location was Chanakele (sp). It dumped a full kit of Nikon gear (so it didn't matter ) into an extensive spread of a naturally occurring white sludgy stuff through which I was wading bare foot. It was a tiered natural spring of watery sludge. I've forgotten what it is called. Anyway, as the stuff dried a fair amount of it stuck to the inside of the bag. You're probably thinking of Pamukkale... Pamukkale - Tatl? A?k?m I managed to visit without a tumble. Maybe we should hold the next challenge in Turkey. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff S Posted August 19, 2009 Share #39 Posted August 19, 2009 My wallet also moves from my hip pocket to the front pocket of my jeans, where it is effectively covered by the Billingham. Mine goes in a money belt under the front of my jeans...always when street shooting ...alleviates any concern while paying attention to pictures. No bag required. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erl Posted August 19, 2009 Share #40 Posted August 19, 2009 You're probably thinking of Pamukkale... Pamukkale - Tatl? A?k?m I managed to visit without a tumble. Maybe we should hold the next challenge in Turkey. Steve, your prompt has helped. I think it was Pumakkale!! The next challenge in Turkey? Turkey is one of those places you can return and return to ad infinitum. I'm still struggling with the "financial & time" trials of getting to Malta this year. the route from Melbourne seems tortuous and expensive. Whooops! Just checked the link you provided. Yep! That's the place. Seems they've changed the spelling since I was there. ;) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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