Bummed
 

My HV20 just got stolen 30 minutes ago while I was filming. Guy rode by on a bike and grabbed the entire tripod right out of my hands. I chased him for a bit... but it was all downhill so I had no chance. What is this world coming too? What am I supposed to do-hand cuff myself to the camera? Hire an armed guard? What do you guys do? Thank god I didn't have my wide adapter on or I would have lost that too. But this makes me scared to even go shooting in the future. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent guys.

That really stinks -- seems this sort of thing is happening more often these days, unfortunately.

In any kind of a populated area, if you're going to be away from the camera at any time, it's usually a good idea to bring a friend with you when you're shooting so that the tripod is never left unattended. Even if you're only a few feet away, it's an opportunity for theft. Any time I take my camera and sticks into San Antonio or Austin, my wife comes along for extra security. Just having another body and an extra set of eyes makes all the difference.

What a sad situation -- just remember it could have been worse.

This is terrible. :( :( :(
It makes me want to buy the Canon ZR800, which is the cheapest of all, and shoot with that instead of getting my HV20 out and about.

That really is unfortunate. Last year my daughter was talking on her cell phone in Brooklyn when a young boy rode by on a bike and stole it out of her hand in the middle of a conversation.

What drag.... Worse, the guy will probably fence it for $50.00.... not knowing what he has....

If you have homeowners, there may be coverage, though here in the states when you make a claim on you homeowners, they start looking at raising your rates, and/or cancelling policy...

Sorry to hear about your problem..

bad luck man

really feel your pain.
I wouldnt have expected that either

Friggin' gruesome. Don't you just wish that you had someone with you who was sitting in their car idling at the side of the road who could have leapt into action and caught up to the guy.

I've had a few things stolen from me over the years, but I've never seen them do it. That would make me so furious. So sorry it happened to you.

Hey Derek, sorry to hear about your loss. Bummer!!! Your story just convinced me to attach some kind of leash that connects my camera/tripod to my belt when I'm out in public. Yep, what is this world coming to...

Sounds like a repair
 

I wonder how much a repair would be if it DID get picked off by a stranger and he tugged at the camera while riding a bike.

Well, at least you would have the footage you have taken!

Joseph

Thanks for the supportive words everyone. Nathan, I like your idea of the leash thing. I probably would have been able to yank the guy off his bike.

get a permit to carry a TAZER. Its legal, and sane. If this happens again you have about 15-20 feet to take the guy down, and sure enough with the 200-300 tazer it is 100% legal.



edit:

this is the link http://www.taser.com/products/consumers/Pages/C2.aspx

I own one, just incase someone trys to mug me at a gas station or anything. Not saying i live in a bad area, but it doesnt take a bad area to be cautious and safe.


EDIT AGAIN: I do not know the laws in canada but I am sure they would probably be similar. The other thing that you might want to do, depending on your local law officers, is you can qualify yourself to carry handcuffs or even ziptie handcuffs and have the "citizen authority" to make "arrests". After the guy is disabled, handcuff him and call the police. simple. press charges after.

I'm really sorry this happened to you.

A few years ago I was video taping a wedding for a friend of mine and I had a backup camera in a bag sitting in the reception area. I just happened to come into the room to look for the Bride and Groom who were wandering around and there was a guy running out the back door with my camera bag. Well I chased him wityh my main camera on my shoulder and video taped him walking across the parking lot while I chased him. I caught up to the scum and he turned around and set my camera down and said sorry five times and ran off. I later filed a report and made a copy of the tape for the police but they never did find him. I was told there is a pretty large black market that sends people to events to steal cameras. They actually know what to look for.

A clip on security belt for the tripod is a good idea. For HV20 handheld use, Canon have a WS20 wrist strap accessory, very well worth it when you're shooting anywhere.

I was thinking perhaps having a leash between the HV20 and tripod and also a leash between the tripod and belt.

sorry to hear about this to i have yet to finaly purchase a HV20 but intend to get one eventually but i do have a dvx100b and ijust took it out the other day and had it sitting alone on the side to film my self no one was with me im lucky when ihear this some one didnt to the same to me thanx for sharing, make me more watchfull and informed what not to do, i hope it wont be to hard for you to finacial get another.


peace n luv

Martin