Crazy lens theft: Travelers beware!

EarlVonTapia · 07-10-2013, 12:28 AM

Check out this video. The back story is that this group of thieves have been working in a certain area of Moscow for a while now, so someone wanted to catch them in the act. And catch them they did!

That poor old man didn't know what hit him. The whole thing made me cringe.

LiveLeak.com - Thieves in Saint-Petersburg (Russia) Steal Camera lens from a photographer

Safe travels this summer!

elliott · 07-10-2013, 12:59 AM - **3 Likes**

Upside to a missing K-5 lens release button?

Na Horuk · 07-10-2013, 01:09 AM

Wow, that is pretty terrifying. A bunch of them as distraction, one takes it off, hides it, passes it on to another guy,..
Good thing Pentax glass is usually very small, so it doesn't look as lucrative

**Digitalis** · 07-10-2013, 01:14 AM

Fortunately for Pentax and Leica photographers, the lens release button on the Right hand side of the camera - Nikon have theirs on the left, so do Canon - this places it away from the grip of your hand and makes it hard to detect when someone is fiddling with your camera. This is one of the many reasons why I eschew around the neck camera straps, because when the camera is safest when it is in your hand.

" A bunch of them as distraction, one takes it off, hides it, passes it on to another guy"

This is a common practice amongst pickpockets as well, speed and misdirection are the tools of the trade for thieves...the video is cringe worthy indeed, that lens looked like a Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 ED IF VRII - a $2000 lens.

Not a Number · 07-10-2013, 01:21 AM

My aunt had her camera stolen in St. Peterburg under similar circumstances. Those guys are pros.

**Digitalis** · 07-10-2013, 01:24 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Those guys are pros.

No, they aren't - this video proves it. Professional thieves doesn't get caught on camera like that.

Apapukas · 07-10-2013, 01:40 AM - **3 Likes**

Russia. And everything is said with it.

elliott · 07-10-2013, 01:52 AM

Originally posted by Digitalis

Fortunately for Pentax and Leica photographers, the lens release button on the Right hand side of the camera - Nikon have theirs on the left, so do Canon - this places it away from the grip of your hand and makes it hard to detect when someone is fiddling with your camera.

Also, pancake primes would make this much harder too, though they would likely be overlooked anyway, can't expect the average thug to know what a FA31 is worth.

calsan · 07-10-2013, 02:04 AM

When you get inexplicably surrounded by people when travelling, you know you've arrived in the wrong area.

I had a guy grab me around the arms from behind once when I travelling and a bit wet behind the ears. Luckily my high school forced kids who were useless at sport to do judo, with the attack from behind being standard move number 1, the others being attacked by a knife and forward rolls. Thankfully, they put us through so much repetition of these three basic moves, I automatically flipped him onto the back of his neck before I even consciously realised I was doing. Three other hoods who had been walking towards me changed direction and walked past without eye contact. Also all those forward rolls have been handy a few times when crashing the push bike and preventing broken collar bones. touch wood. But that guy was totally outnumbered, so martial arts wouldn't be an option to anyone less than Bruce Lee.

I won't travel with a zoom (as said above by elliot), except an 18-55, just because the bigger the size of lens (like that guy in the video had) alerts thugs that you've (probably) got more money than sense.

TenZ.NL · 07-10-2013, 02:48 AM

Originally posted by calsan

When you get inexplicably surrounded by people when travelling, you know you've arrived in the wrong area.

I had a guy grab me around the arms from behind once when I travelling and a bit wet behind the ears. Luckily my high school forced kids who were useless at sport to do judo, with the attack from behind being standard move number 1, the others being attacked by a knife and forward rolls. Thankfully, they put us through so much repetition of these three basic moves, I automatically flipped him onto the back of his neck before I even consciously realised I was doing. Three other hoods who had been walking towards me changed direction and walked past without eye contact. Also all those forward rolls have been handy a few times when crashing the push bike and preventing broken collar bones. touch wood. But that guy was totally outnumbered, so martial arts wouldn't be an option to anyone less than Bruce Lee.

I won't travel with a zoom (as said above by elliot), except an 18-55, just because the bigger the size of lens (like that guy in the video had) alerts thugs that you've (probably) got more money than sense.

+1
Use common sense and much of this can be avoided. Pay attention to your surroundings, don`t see everything from a photographers PoV and be prepared to leave, even if you don`t have your shot yet.
This could happen in most major cities. I`ve had this a couple of times when I was shooting at night in downtown Rotterdam. The same guy(s) will check you out by passing you 2-3 times within minutes. They allways do to check and see if and how vulnerable you are. Best response IMHO is to break up, hold your mono- or tripod in one hand and look them in the eye while moving to a better spot (in my case with more streetlights).

But then again, I usually only bring my small DA15 into the city

Zav · 07-10-2013, 05:16 AM - **1 Like**

Try to do that with a M42!

elliott · 07-10-2013, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by Zav

Try to do that with a M42!

Anyone who can pull that off deserves the lens, that would be amazing.

**LaurenOE** · 07-10-2013, 07:07 AM

I've watched that video 20 or more times, and I am amazed how they do it.
Personally, anyone can get their stuff stolen, but walking around with a big lens is a sure fire way to get it stolen.

I've always advocated that your camera/lens should only be out when you are actually taking pictures.
I have camera holsters and a workflow where I am constantly taking the camera in and out.
In my travels, I also stay away from traditional tourist spots that have a high return for thieves.
I don't wear bright colors when shooting, and I never take shots where others are gathered.
Some places I take the absolute minimum kit with the expectation that I have a high probability of getting my camera stolen no matter what I do.

Arvid · 07-10-2013, 07:52 AM

pretty disturbing, but that's just the way it goes. blocking the victims sight with a map while somebody else picks their pockets really is one of the most common tricks. crazy to see it in action, especially with that big mob of people involved. the guy must have felt as if he stumbled into a hidden camera prank, which it turned out to be in the end. a rather expensive one, though. there are cameras in almost every car in russia, so i guess that is footage from one of them there.

Originally posted by EarlVonTapia

Check out this video. The back story is that this group of thieves have been working in a certain area of Moscow for a while now..

...

LiveLeak.com - Thieves in Saint-Petersburg (Russia) Steal Camera lens from a photographer

OT Newsflash:
St. Petersburg is not really a certain area of Moscow

EarlVonTapia · 07-10-2013, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by Arvid

OT Newsflash:
St. Petersburg is not really a certain area of Moscow

It was late and I was tired.

I should have just said Russia.

07-10-2013, 12:28 AM	#1
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	Crazy lens theft: Travelers beware! Check out this video. The back story is that this group of thieves have been working in a certain area of Moscow for a while now, so someone wanted to catch them in the act. And catch them they did! That poor old man didn't know what hit him. The whole thing made me cringe. LiveLeak.com - Thieves in Saint-Petersburg (Russia) Steal Camera lens from a photographer Safe travels this summer!

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07-10-2013, 12:59 AM - 3 Likes	#2
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Upside to a missing K-5 lens release button?

07-10-2013, 01:09 AM	#3
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Wow, that is pretty terrifying. A bunch of them as distraction, one takes it off, hides it, passes it on to another guy,.. Good thing Pentax glass is usually very small, so it doesn't look as lucrative

07-10-2013, 01:14 AM	#4
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Fortunately for Pentax and Leica photographers, the lens release button on the Right hand side of the camera - Nikon have theirs on the left, so do Canon - this places it away from the grip of your hand and makes it hard to detect when someone is fiddling with your camera. This is one of the many reasons why I eschew around the neck camera straps, because when the camera is safest when it is in your hand. " A bunch of them as distraction, one takes it off, hides it, passes it on to another guy" This is a common practice amongst pickpockets as well, speed and misdirection are the tools of the trade for thieves...the video is cringe worthy indeed, that lens looked like a Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 ED IF VRII - a $2000 lens.

07-10-2013, 01:21 AM	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	My aunt had her camera stolen in St. Peterburg under similar circumstances. Those guys are pros.

07-10-2013, 01:24 AM	#6
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,694	Originally posted by Not a Number Those guys are pros. No, they aren't - this video proves it. Professional thieves doesn't get caught on camera like that.

07-10-2013, 01:40 AM - 3 Likes	#7
Apapukas Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lietuva, Vilnius Posts: 627	Russia. And everything is said with it.

07-10-2013, 01:52 AM	#8
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by Digitalis Fortunately for Pentax and Leica photographers, the lens release button on the Right hand side of the camera - Nikon have theirs on the left, so do Canon - this places it away from the grip of your hand and makes it hard to detect when someone is fiddling with your camera. Also, pancake primes would make this much harder too, though they would likely be overlooked anyway, can't expect the average thug to know what a FA31 is worth.

07-10-2013, 02:04 AM	#9
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	When you get inexplicably surrounded by people when travelling, you know you've arrived in the wrong area. I had a guy grab me around the arms from behind once when I travelling and a bit wet behind the ears. Luckily my high school forced kids who were useless at sport to do judo, with the attack from behind being standard move number 1, the others being attacked by a knife and forward rolls. Thankfully, they put us through so much repetition of these three basic moves, I automatically flipped him onto the back of his neck before I even consciously realised I was doing. Three other hoods who had been walking towards me changed direction and walked past without eye contact. Also all those forward rolls have been handy a few times when crashing the push bike and preventing broken collar bones. touch wood. But that guy was totally outnumbered, so martial arts wouldn't be an option to anyone less than Bruce Lee. I won't travel with a zoom (as said above by elliot), except an 18-55, just because the bigger the size of lens (like that guy in the video had) alerts thugs that you've (probably) got more money than sense.

07-10-2013, 02:48 AM	#10
TenZ.NL Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Below sealevel Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,100	Originally posted by calsan When you get inexplicably surrounded by people when travelling, you know you've arrived in the wrong area. I had a guy grab me around the arms from behind once when I travelling and a bit wet behind the ears. Luckily my high school forced kids who were useless at sport to do judo, with the attack from behind being standard move number 1, the others being attacked by a knife and forward rolls. Thankfully, they put us through so much repetition of these three basic moves, I automatically flipped him onto the back of his neck before I even consciously realised I was doing. Three other hoods who had been walking towards me changed direction and walked past without eye contact. Also all those forward rolls have been handy a few times when crashing the push bike and preventing broken collar bones. touch wood. But that guy was totally outnumbered, so martial arts wouldn't be an option to anyone less than Bruce Lee. I won't travel with a zoom (as said above by elliot), except an 18-55, just because the bigger the size of lens (like that guy in the video had) alerts thugs that you've (probably) got more money than sense. +1 Use common sense and much of this can be avoided. Pay attention to your surroundings, don`t see everything from a photographers PoV and be prepared to leave, even if you don`t have your shot yet. This could happen in most major cities. I`ve had this a couple of times when I was shooting at night in downtown Rotterdam. The same guy(s) will check you out by passing you 2-3 times within minutes. They allways do to check and see if and how vulnerable you are. Best response IMHO is to break up, hold your mono- or tripod in one hand and look them in the eye while moving to a better spot (in my case with more streetlights). But then again, I usually only bring my small DA15 into the city

07-10-2013, 05:16 AM - 1 Like	#11
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Try to do that with a M42!

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07-10-2013, 06:17 AM	#12
elliott Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North Carolina Photos: Albums Posts: 1,720	Originally posted by Zav Try to do that with a M42! Anyone who can pull that off deserves the lens, that would be amazing.

07-10-2013, 07:07 AM	#13
LaurenOE Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Back in Florida, but worldwide gigs! Photos: Albums Posts: 3,690	I've watched that video 20 or more times, and I am amazed how they do it. Personally, anyone can get their stuff stolen, but walking around with a big lens is a sure fire way to get it stolen. I've always advocated that your camera/lens should only be out when you are actually taking pictures. I have camera holsters and a workflow where I am constantly taking the camera in and out. In my travels, I also stay away from traditional tourist spots that have a high return for thieves. I don't wear bright colors when shooting, and I never take shots where others are gathered. Some places I take the absolute minimum kit with the expectation that I have a high probability of getting my camera stolen no matter what I do.

07-10-2013, 07:52 AM	#14
Arvid Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 168	pretty disturbing, but that's just the way it goes. blocking the victims sight with a map while somebody else picks their pockets really is one of the most common tricks. crazy to see it in action, especially with that big mob of people involved. the guy must have felt as if he stumbled into a hidden camera prank, which it turned out to be in the end. a rather expensive one, though. there are cameras in almost every car in russia, so i guess that is footage from one of them there. Originally posted by EarlVonTapia Check out this video. The back story is that this group of thieves have been working in a certain area of Moscow for a while now.. ... LiveLeak.com - Thieves in Saint-Petersburg (Russia) Steal Camera lens from a photographer OT Newsflash: St. Petersburg is not really a certain area of Moscow

07-10-2013, 10:37 AM	#15
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207 Original Poster	Originally posted by Arvid OT Newsflash: St. Petersburg is not really a certain area of Moscow It was late and I was tired. I should have just said Russia.