Locks - How Do You Protect Your Equipment From Theft?

Glenn Fisher · August 8th, 2008, 09:14 PM

I often find myself working as a one-man show. For some events, I'll use two or three cameras that remain mostly static (except for one that I'm operating) and that are scattered around the venue. My main concern is that someone will come by and steal my camera either right off of the tripod, or even just pretend like they're the camera operator and break down the camera and tripod and take it home.

Does anyone have any advice on ways to lock down your equipment? It seems like it wouldn't be too hard to lock a tripod to a table or something similar, but then what prevents someone for just stealing the camera right off of the tripod?

Frank Simpson · August 8th, 2008, 09:57 PM

These are very real concerns. If you are working in an unsecured area, you may have to cease being a one-man operation. If you can't afford/don't need additional operators, perhaps you can recruit or hire someone for pretty cheap whose only job it is to watch the gear to make sure it doesn't walk away.

Personally I would never leave a camera unattended if I was in the least unsure about the venue and the people inhabiting it!

If a camera/tripod, etc. have a lock on them, then it might become a sign that says, "see how valuable I am? Why don't you steal me!" If opportunity and a thief are in the same place at the same time, the thief is not easily deterred.

Alastair Brown · August 9th, 2008, 06:15 PM

One of the big appeals about a second shooter is the security aspect and free gear lugger and another set of eyes for a different perspective and .......company during the breaks!

Travis Cossel · August 10th, 2008, 05:52 PM

Someone posted about this a few weeks ago (they had a bunch of stuff stolen). You should do a search and pick through that thread. Lots of good info.

One thing I'm going to be doing (as was suggested in the thread) is using one of those steel cable locks to lock my camera cases together. This way they are basically impossible to walk away with, at least not without creating a big scene. I suppose you could also use a cable lock to secure a camera to a tripod. Just run the cable through the camera handle and through a slot in the tripod legs.

Rick L. Allen · August 10th, 2008, 06:13 PM

When I don't have my sound guy or B-camera guy to watch gear I lock my gear with a vinyl coated aircraft cable and a sturdy lock. I'll use it at NASCAR races to lock my gear into our camera cart or in the back of my vehicle. Works like a charm.

John Sirb · August 10th, 2008, 06:16 PM

Something else I wondered if this would work it this

http://www.brickhouse-childsafety.com/locator.html

It's being featured in Duracell commercials

Fred Todisco · August 10th, 2008, 10:18 PM

Hire a college student that is studing Media.
Give him $10 dollors a hour.

Taky Cheung · August 10th, 2008, 10:38 PM

I got my gears stolen before in a hotel by their kitchen staff. Now I'm using two of these luggage lock. They are proven to be helpful.

http://zelcocom.nationprotect.net/Me...ode=TravelTour

Another time, I tied my bags with the photographer's bag together. We went outside to shoot photos and video at the cocktail hour. When we returned, we found out all our bags were dragged about 10 feet away heading to the exit door to the parking lot. I guess they realized all our bags are tied together, they can't really take one easily.

Jack Tran · August 12th, 2008, 01:33 PM

You could buy 'wireless separation alarms' that beeps when the transmitter and receiver gets separated.
Similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Security-wirel.../dp/B000J5IG7U

I haven't tried it with my gear, but i know a friend who has something similar that beeps when she forgets her purse.

Its small enough so that you can hook it to your camera bag, tripod, or wherever you feel like.

Dawn Brennan · August 17th, 2008, 08:54 AM

I just worked with a photographer yesterday that had an AWESOME bag... and it had its own locks... just thought I'd post since this has been brought up several times recently. They are "carry on" size, have wheels, and are extremely sturdy. You can arrange the deviders inside to fit your gear. Check them out! I am actually ordering one today!

Professional photography equipment - camera bags, camera cases - from Think Tank Photo

August 8th, 2008, 09:14 PM	#1
Glenn Fisher Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bridgewater, NJ Posts: 29	Locks - How Do You Protect Your Equipment From Theft? I often find myself working as a one-man show. For some events, I'll use two or three cameras that remain mostly static (except for one that I'm operating) and that are scattered around the venue. My main concern is that someone will come by and steal my camera either right off of the tripod, or even just pretend like they're the camera operator and break down the camera and tripod and take it home. Does anyone have any advice on ways to lock down your equipment? It seems like it wouldn't be too hard to lock a tripod to a table or something similar, but then what prevents someone for just stealing the camera right off of the tripod?

August 9th, 2008, 06:15 PM	#3
Alastair Brown Major Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Glasgow/Scotland Posts: 499	One of the big appeals about a second shooter is the security aspect and free gear lugger and another set of eyes for a different perspective and .......company during the breaks! __________________ My Site - www.abrown.eu My Sideline - www.glidetrack.com

August 10th, 2008, 05:52 PM	#4
Travis Cossel Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,838	Someone posted about this a few weeks ago (they had a bunch of stuff stolen). You should do a search and pick through that thread. Lots of good info. One thing I'm going to be doing (as was suggested in the thread) is using one of those steel cable locks to lock my camera cases together. This way they are basically impossible to walk away with, at least not without creating a big scene. I suppose you could also use a cable lock to secure a camera to a tripod. Just run the cable through the camera handle and through a slot in the tripod legs. __________________ www.dreambigproductions.com www.dreambigweddings.com

August 10th, 2008, 06:13 PM	#5
Rick L. Allen Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 199	When I don't have my sound guy or B-camera guy to watch gear I lock my gear with a vinyl coated aircraft cable and a sturdy lock. I'll use it at NASCAR races to lock my gear into our camera cart or in the back of my vehicle. Works like a charm. __________________ "It's better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." Mark Twain http://www.nautilusproductions.com

August 10th, 2008, 06:16 PM	#6
John Sirb Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Amherst, OH Posts: 69	Something else I wondered if this would work it this http://www.brickhouse-childsafety.com/locator.html It's being featured in Duracell commercials __________________ ----------------- John Sirb

August 8th, 2008, 09:57 PM	#2
Frank Simpson Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 165	These are very real concerns. If you are working in an unsecured area, you may have to cease being a one-man operation. If you can't afford/don't need additional operators, perhaps you can recruit or hire someone for pretty cheap whose only job it is to watch the gear to make sure it doesn't walk away. Personally I would never leave a camera unattended if I was in the least unsure about the venue and the people inhabiting it! If a camera/tripod, etc. have a lock on them, then it might become a sign that says, "see how valuable I am? Why don't you steal me!" If opportunity and a thief are in the same place at the same time, the thief is not easily deterred.

August 10th, 2008, 10:18 PM	#7
Fred Todisco New Boot Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 12	Equipment Protection Hire a college student that is studing Media. Give him $10 dollors a hour.

August 10th, 2008, 10:38 PM	#8
Taky Cheung Major Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 339	I got my gears stolen before in a hotel by their kitchen staff. Now I'm using two of these luggage lock. They are proven to be helpful. http://zelcocom.nationprotect.net/Me...ode=TravelTour Another time, I tied my bags with the photographer's bag together. We went outside to shoot photos and video at the cocktail hour. When we returned, we found out all our bags were dragged about 10 feet away heading to the exit door to the parking lot. I guess they realized all our bags are tied together, they can't really take one easily. __________________ Brand New for Sale HV20/30 Battery & Charger and Canon BP-970G Generic Battery

August 12th, 2008, 01:33 PM	#9
Jack Tran Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Houston USA Posts: 32	Wireless seperation alarm You could buy 'wireless separation alarms' that beeps when the transmitter and receiver gets separated. Similar to this: http://www.amazon.com/Security-wirel.../dp/B000J5IG7U I haven't tried it with my gear, but i know a friend who has something similar that beeps when she forgets her purse. Its small enough so that you can hook it to your camera bag, tripod, or wherever you feel like.

August 17th, 2008, 08:54 AM	#10
Dawn Brennan Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 139	Think Tank Photo I just worked with a photographer yesterday that had an AWESOME bag... and it had its own locks... just thought I'd post since this has been brought up several times recently. They are "carry on" size, have wheels, and are extremely sturdy. You can arrange the deviders inside to fit your gear. Check them out! I am actually ordering one today! Professional photography equipment - camera bags, camera cases - from Think Tank Photo

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