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?

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.

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!

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.

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.

Something else I wondered if this would work it this

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

It's being featured in Duracell commercials

Equipment Protection
 

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

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.

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.

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