My FA31 is gone.... :(

peterjcb · 08-20-2014, 07:53 AM

I was doing some shopping yesterday at a large strip mall in Charlotte yesterday and when I came out I noticed that button on my driver door was unlocked and my door cylinder had been damaged. I got a sick feeling in my stomach when I realized that my K200D and my K-5 cameras were gone and unfortunately the lens on my K-5 was my prized FA31....

I called the police immediately and went into the store to see if the video cameras had picked up anything but they said it was out of range.
I know that it's just "stuff" and there are a lot of worse problems to deal with but this makes me angry and I just feel at a loss today.....
Sorry for the rant but I had to get it off my chest...

**paulh** · 08-20-2014, 08:10 AM

So sorry to hear this - it's a sick feeling to know you've been robbed

I've been very hesitant to leave my cameras in the car, even for a little while. If I do, I'll put them down on the floor, as close to the seat as possible, and cover them with a dark towel or something. Or even put them in the trunk if I'm not going to be gone that long. Anyway, I feel for your loss. Maybe keep an eye on your local Craigslist - if the thief is not too bright, he might try listing them there. Good luck.

**nicoprod** · 08-20-2014, 08:56 AM

Yea craigslist and eBay. Hopefully you have some paperwork with serial numbers with you...
I definitely put my gear under the seat...

Drake Avenue · 08-20-2014, 09:33 AM

Sorry to hear this. I'm in the Charlotte area as well, I'll keep an eye out

Tanzer · 08-20-2014, 09:44 AM

Like many others I'm sure, I got a sick feeling just reading about this. Good luck with this, and also dealing with the psychological impact of having your car broken into and your space violated. I've had my cars broken into (Trenton and New Brunswick, NJ) and it's hard to get over.

**luftfluss** · 08-20-2014, 09:52 AM

So very sorry to read this...

ruggiex · 08-20-2014, 09:57 AM

II'm really sorry to hear that.

**Mikesul** · 08-20-2014, 10:05 AM

It may be too late for he OP but has anyone used Lenstag? It is a database for camera equipmnt which periodically does a sweep of the internet for lens serial numbers and reports when it finds a photo with a serial number from one of your registered lenses. There a lots of obvious holes and issues here but it might help someone sometime. I have registered equipment but remain a bit skeptical of the actual value of Lenstag.

peterjcb · 08-20-2014, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by Mikesul

It may be too late for he OP but has anyone used Lenstag? It is a database for camera equipmnt which periodically does a sweep of the internet for lens serial numbers and reports when it finds a photo with a serial number from one of your registered lenses. There a lots of obvious holes and issues here but it might help someone sometime. I have registered equipment but remain a bit skeptical of the actual value of Lenstag.

I'm going to look into that and I am going to make notes of all my lenses and serial number for future reference. Unfortunately I saved all my receipts but don't have any serial numbers which is what the police asked if I had.

Good news.....I found a brand new FA31 on Flea Bay for $900 and I just bought it.

Which coincidently is the exact price that I paid for my used FA31 6 months ago.
I'm starting to feel a little better already, now I have to wait & see what my insurance policy will cover...that's stlil up in the air....

Na Horuk · 08-20-2014, 10:34 AM

That's really too bad!
You should go look at other nearby businesses that might have cameras, like ATMs or banks. Another thing is to report the serial numbers of your lenses and cameras. You can also look at local online listings in case someone tries to sell your stuff.
Hope you get something back!

**jatrax** · 08-20-2014, 10:35 AM

Recording all serials numbers is really important. I keep them in a spreadsheet and write them on the invoice/receipt if they are not there already.

I friend of mine had some gear stolen a few months ago, starting watching Craigs List and sure enough there it was. Called the police who then arranged to be nearby when my friend met and re-bought his gear. The police then arrested the seller, serial numbers matched, case closed.

narual · 08-20-2014, 11:21 AM

Chances are very high it will show up on craigslist, at a local pawn shop, or on ebay. Depends how smart/desperate the crook is.

Assuming you set EXIF data in the camera, it will be easy to prove to a pawn shop the camera is yours.

Check local camera shops, too... someone might try to sell it there... the store owner might be willing to capture it and inform the seller that it was reported stolen, etc.

Rupert · 08-21-2014, 06:18 AM

My sincere sympathy. I know that sick feeling, it's like you have been raped, and in a way you have. Something has been taken form you against your will, against your wishes. Something you worked hard to get

Nothing worse than a thief in my books. Over the last half century I have hired some alcoholics, some idiots, and even a couple of convicted murderers, but never knowingly would I hire a thief. The idiots were born that way, the alcoholics had a verifiable disease and were working to cure it, the murderers had some justification....in my opinion, but a thief has NO justification.

Regards

NicoleC · 08-21-2014, 08:27 AM

Don't forget to put the word out with the local camera clubs, too. Someone might be offered the lens for sale, and if they know one has been recently stolen in the area, they can be wary.

**Digitalis** · 08-21-2014, 08:37 AM

Originally posted by jatrax

Recording all serials numbers is really important. I keep them in a spreadsheet and write them on the invoice/receipt if they are not there already.

I do the same with my very long list of photographic gear, what might be a good idea for pentax forums is to have a stolen equipment register - where serial numbers of stolen lenses,cameras and acessories can be posted so people who are looking for new gear can report stolen items for sale( the more people who look the easier it will be to find things). In music forums there are often similar registers where Serial numbers on flutes,oboes and other orchestral instruments are posted so they can be re-united with the original owner.

08-20-2014, 07:53 AM	#1
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468	My FA31 is gone.... :( I was doing some shopping yesterday at a large strip mall in Charlotte yesterday and when I came out I noticed that button on my driver door was unlocked and my door cylinder had been damaged. I got a sick feeling in my stomach when I realized that my K200D and my K-5 cameras were gone and unfortunately the lens on my K-5 was my prized FA31.... I called the police immediately and went into the store to see if the video cameras had picked up anything but they said it was out of range. I know that it's just "stuff" and there are a lot of worse problems to deal with but this makes me angry and I just feel at a loss today..... Sorry for the rant but I had to get it off my chest...

08-20-2014, 10:05 AM	#8
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	Lenstag It may be too late for he OP but has anyone used Lenstag? It is a database for camera equipmnt which periodically does a sweep of the internet for lens serial numbers and reports when it finds a photo with a serial number from one of your registered lenses. There a lots of obvious holes and issues here but it might help someone sometime. I have registered equipment but remain a bit skeptical of the actual value of Lenstag.

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08-20-2014, 08:10 AM	#2
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,268	So sorry to hear this - it's a sick feeling to know you've been robbed I've been very hesitant to leave my cameras in the car, even for a little while. If I do, I'll put them down on the floor, as close to the seat as possible, and cover them with a dark towel or something. Or even put them in the trunk if I'm not going to be gone that long. Anyway, I feel for your loss. Maybe keep an eye on your local Craigslist - if the thief is not too bright, he might try listing them there. Good luck.

08-20-2014, 08:56 AM	#3
nicoprod Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: New Berlin, WI Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 528	Yea craigslist and eBay. Hopefully you have some paperwork with serial numbers with you... I definitely put my gear under the seat...

08-20-2014, 09:33 AM	#4
Drake Avenue Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 140	Sorry to hear this. I'm in the Charlotte area as well, I'll keep an eye out

08-20-2014, 09:44 AM	#5
Tanzer Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Perrineville, NJ Posts: 1,375	Like many others I'm sure, I got a sick feeling just reading about this. Good luck with this, and also dealing with the psychological impact of having your car broken into and your space violated. I've had my cars broken into (Trenton and New Brunswick, NJ) and it's hard to get over.

08-20-2014, 09:52 AM	#6
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	So very sorry to read this...

08-20-2014, 09:57 AM	#7
ruggiex Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: East Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 811	II'm really sorry to hear that.

08-20-2014, 10:17 AM	#9
peterjcb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Weddington, NC Posts: 468 Original Poster	Originally posted by Mikesul It may be too late for he OP but has anyone used Lenstag? It is a database for camera equipmnt which periodically does a sweep of the internet for lens serial numbers and reports when it finds a photo with a serial number from one of your registered lenses. There a lots of obvious holes and issues here but it might help someone sometime. I have registered equipment but remain a bit skeptical of the actual value of Lenstag. I'm going to look into that and I am going to make notes of all my lenses and serial number for future reference. Unfortunately I saved all my receipts but don't have any serial numbers which is what the police asked if I had. Good news.....I found a brand new FA31 on Flea Bay for $900 and I just bought it. Which coincidently is the exact price that I paid for my used FA31 6 months ago. I'm starting to feel a little better already, now I have to wait & see what my insurance policy will cover...that's stlil up in the air....

08-20-2014, 10:34 AM	#10
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	That's really too bad! You should go look at other nearby businesses that might have cameras, like ATMs or banks. Another thing is to report the serial numbers of your lenses and cameras. You can also look at local online listings in case someone tries to sell your stuff. Hope you get something back!

08-20-2014, 10:35 AM	#11
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Recording all serials numbers is really important. I keep them in a spreadsheet and write them on the invoice/receipt if they are not there already. I friend of mine had some gear stolen a few months ago, starting watching Craigs List and sure enough there it was. Called the police who then arranged to be nearby when my friend met and re-bought his gear. The police then arrested the seller, serial numbers matched, case closed.

08-20-2014, 11:21 AM	#12
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	Chances are very high it will show up on craigslist, at a local pawn shop, or on ebay. Depends how smart/desperate the crook is. Assuming you set EXIF data in the camera, it will be easy to prove to a pawn shop the camera is yours. Check local camera shops, too... someone might try to sell it there... the store owner might be willing to capture it and inform the seller that it was reported stolen, etc.

08-21-2014, 06:18 AM	#13
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	My sincere sympathy. I know that sick feeling, it's like you have been raped, and in a way you have. Something has been taken form you against your will, against your wishes. Something you worked hard to get Nothing worse than a thief in my books. Over the last half century I have hired some alcoholics, some idiots, and even a couple of convicted murderers, but never knowingly would I hire a thief. The idiots were born that way, the alcoholics had a verifiable disease and were working to cure it, the murderers had some justification....in my opinion, but a thief has NO justification. Regards

08-21-2014, 08:27 AM	#14
NicoleC Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 448	Don't forget to put the word out with the local camera clubs, too. Someone might be offered the lens for sale, and if they know one has been recently stolen in the area, they can be wary.

08-21-2014, 08:37 AM	#15
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by jatrax Recording all serials numbers is really important. I keep them in a spreadsheet and write them on the invoice/receipt if they are not there already. I do the same with my very long list of photographic gear, what might be a good idea for pentax forums is to have a stolen equipment register - where serial numbers of stolen lenses,cameras and acessories can be posted so people who are looking for new gear can report stolen items for sale( the more people who look the easier it will be to find things). In music forums there are often similar registers where Serial numbers on flutes,oboes and other orchestral instruments are posted so they can be re-united with the original owner.