How to outsmart camera thieves and keep your gear safe 

As a photographer, that red dot stands out. To the average person, they have no idea. I literally upgraded my D750 to a Z6ii (with new Z glass) and my wife had no idea I bought a new camera and lenses.

If I’m a criminal thief I’m looking for the taped up cameras.

Im thinking, I'll pick up some Hello kitty stickers and plaster them all over my camera !!! No Manly Man thief would think of stealing my camera!

There aren’t too many Leica owners doing this! In my experience every red dot owner is very keen on letting literally everyone around them know they have one 😅

Straight up no BS explanation. As a former cop myself I can’t disagree. Make yourself less of a target. The tape makes the appearance devalued to a degree. Also no leather bags. A beat up nylon zipper bag or small pack is best. Nobody wants to steal dirty clothes. Lol. Avoid silver Leica cameras and silver lenses too.

Dress down, no watch no jewelry, have a dummy wallet full of expired cards that you can throw on the floor if threatened. Wear good running shoes. Be fit. I roll my strap around my wrist, Leicas are tough and can be used as weapon to hit someone in the face. 😂 a good idea also is a very short neck strap so your two hands are always free….

i've been taping my cameras for years. Use a crappy old backpack that looks like it's been dragged by a car, inside a padded cube for the gear. The padded cube looks like a lunchbox. Also, don't dress nice, look like a local and go with a spotter who will watch your back.

I remember older street photographers in Chicago doing that to their gear back in the day, particularly Leicas. They often said it was to deter attention by removing any noticeable whiteness from the front of the camera but also to protect from thieves noticing their gear.

People still are stealing your camera without knowing what it is. Unless it’s just an opportunity theft by a photographer. People violently stealing your camera will do it, they don’t even know the brand.

NEVER use electrical tape. Gaffer leaves no residue. Also, if you can afford LEICA, you can afford insurance. I've seen too many stories featuring so-called professionals losing all their gear in a robbery and not having insurance.

I sometimes tape the logos on my cameras, especially when out in the streets, but not to hide how much it could be worth or so but to me it seems less intimidating to people when there is no white or red or other logo/ brand name jumping on them/ attracting their focus. Makes the camera and me kind of more humble I guess…

An excellent post Justin, and prob the main reason I use a cheap plastic disposable shopping bag as my camera bag. I also tend to wear sunglasses (remove them quickly to shoot) which helps to avoid unneccessary eye contact, and don't tend to go out shooting if I have an injury such as a limp etc. I think thieves tend to latch on to any signs of weakness. The Gaffer tape is a really good idea though.

Been using “blackout” stickers for LEDs and such, found them online. They look pretty natural & low-profile on black finish

Great post Justin. I was in Caracas a number of years back and was drugged in the back of a taxi with fake cigarette smoke. Let my guard down at the airport and took a standard airport taxi to the hotel. Fortunately, I had the sense to make a fuss and get out of the cab at a gas station. Nothing was stolen; my camera gear and computer were intact. Yes, becoming familiar with a place can make you a little complacent. There is a balance though, and in my experience, you have to dress down, act the part, blend in and carry your kit in an older bag. The nice shiny ones that compliment our Leicas (Ha!) are a dead giveaway that 'this dud is worth robbing' ....

I can never decide if it helps to tape my camera...it definitely doesn't help when I've got a big white 70-200 on the front. Being aware of your surroundings is the most important thing...and having insurance

I know what you mean , I used to bank the weeks takings ( up to £50k ) at the post office I used to carry it in an Asda bag, the cheap plastic one never had an issue . I have put my camera bag inside one

I tape my m6 and m11 to. I Also bought the black version because they’re are less visible and looks less like a Leica then the silver ones

I don’t think a thief is saying (from a far), “is that the Leica M8.5, or is that an M11. Hmmm, with the 28mm or is that a 35mm”. Nah…. they just see a camera - could be an XPro3 or an M11, or a D5100.

Living in China mainland, almost never heard of some one get stolen since I born, but there is lot of robbery and thieves before I born which is like 15 years ago.

Loved the story time Justin! Thanks for the reminder as I'm a dumb dumb sometimes walking around with a gigantic lens. I forget sometimes. Just a shiny shiny target.

I often photograph different types of boats, along an inlet on the Chesapeake Bay-Maryland. I can walk to this area as it is adjacent a park that is situated near my home. Even though I am “close” to home, I try to be cognisant of the environment as the neighbourhood that I live in is not safest. It is a shame that many of our cities in America have experienced so much violence in the last decade.

You are so right. Yes, gaffer tape is the way to go. I tape everything that says what it is. Thanks for telling the folks not hip to this.

I tape my Canon 20D with the kit lens :D

Pacsafe used to sell camera straps with a cable thru the strap. You can’t cut it.

Yeah I used to do this until I realized that it's not going to do anything to deter an actual thief. They want crack my dude not a camera they will take it if its a Leica or a Canon Rebel from 2002. I mean you proved it by describing how your buddy's Holga got attacked first. But you know, if you like it thats fine too! Doesn't hurt anyone to rock stealth mode.

On taping Leica's. In my experience as an M owner and being around M owners, there is a faction (not all) that tape up the camera because they want "devalue" their expensive totem as some sort of weird flex. This type of M owner also loves brassing as a sign of "see? even though it's expensive, I don't care"...it's kind of a odd thing I've noticed from Leica M owners ONLY.

Do you tape your commercial photography cameras too?

Yes, i find it good advice depending on where you are going to take photos i have though doing the same.

Over the years, I’ve known a few photographers, South American countries seem to dominate the theft stories. The stories are rare for other continents.

It amazing nobody mentions one of the main reasons I and many others tape the logo when it's in front of the camera. To prevent the person you're taking a photo of to be distracted by the logo and focusing their eyes on the lens. Keeping the subjects eyes where they should be looking means you're getting the deep stare you want in your photo. People are dumb, keep their attention where it should be.

I am baffled by the "know-it-all" reactions of people who are against this practice, if you have ever been followed/chased by dubious characters when having a nice camera with you - even in beautiful touristic cities (Lisbon in my case) - it's a no brainer to try to minimise you as a target by hiding the notorious (even for thieves) red dot ... local friends warned me that pro thieves know the brands very well so if you have an expensive watch or bag or camera you will attract their attention .

I take it a step further. I shoot Canon and have rubber skins for my camera bodies. I do not use Canon white lenses and I cover the red stripe on my l glass.

Had a Nikon D3s stolen from a tatty Domke whilst my feet were resting on the bag on an overnight train in India when I was on assignment there once.

Another tip ...for the idiots carrying flashy bags .... I also carried my REMINGTON Hunting knife , I used that eating , and for unusual events, No one ....seeing a 6'2.5 inch tall man , in a KILT with a large sheathed Knife .... approaches you in the night . Another tip ... as most Photographer's are not old Oil Field , or TUNNEL workers ... like me.... When you seee someone looking at you ... LOOK right back , do not break eye contact first ....and Stand Strong with positive HARD body language ... You will be Respected. In SAIGON in District 5 , 4 , One ( Embassy District ) , and Than Bin ( SP bad ) ... I was never bothered ... even in the Yakuza District ... yes Japanese Mob are in Saigon. So ... in the end , carry yourself upright do not smile all the time , head on a swivel , and ALWAYS ... Look directly into ... people , and I carried my thick shanked knife ... on a wide belt on my Seattle Utili Kilt , I had SNAP down pockets with Flaps , and No One ...could reach anything , without my Laborer , Tunneler ...hands closing upon theirs. A little " positive body language " ... carries immense weight and presence. I was 57 then and I am 63 now ... I still work out in GYM ... on weights. 🇻🇳 🇺🇸 💪🏻

Justin do you prefer the M11 with 35mm APO or Leica Q3 with AF?

I do tape.

Another positive side effect is that you get into fewer conversations with people who want to interrupt your shooting to talk about Leica (or Nikon etc). White camera logos are made to attract attention via contrast against the black! Cover them even if it's just Kodak.

I truly believe that the tape does not matter. If it makes you feel better like peace of mind then go for it. But a thief who wants your camera is gonna take your camera or at try to no matter the brand. They really don’t care. The only people who care about the red dot are other photographers and to be honest they really don’t care. We need to stop pretending like our red dot is this huge beacon of luxury that everyone else around us including thieves care about so much. They don’t. A thief is gonna thief and that’s that. Wanting to tape a red dot on your camera because you think you’re the main character and everyone is paying attention to you sounds so pretentious. I’m not saying you are, Justin. Everyone has their own reason, but honestly, I think a lot of people tape up their red dot because they think they’re camera is so cooo and famous and they want to avoid the attention even though secretly I bet they want people to ask why they tape their red dot so that they can boast about how expensive it is. That’s just my take but to each their own. This isn’t a commentary on you, Justin. I love your work and your videos. This is just my two cents on the subject matter.

If you Put Nikon Stickers it will work better 👍🏻

Excellent advice!!!

Just last week I was in Seattle. I did not bring my good camera because I was walking alone. I was taking street photography pics with my phone when a guy ( who I just took a picture of) shot and robbed a guy just up the street. Luckily I was able to show a great picture of the shooter to the police so they could try and catch him ( he got away). I think I will get some tape for my camera. Things are so unpredictable.

Add your camera protection tips here.

I am in NYC, and lots of people get robbed, yet the thing is, they will take just about anything that looks professional. Next, if they know what cameras to take, the taping a Leica will not make a difference. The thing is, have a companion, like someone you know, or someone local you can trust. Why cay camera bags with logos anyway, when it's smart to carry just a regular bag. When someone decides to take what I own, I understand they want to meet Jesus ,immediately,and I will help them.

I have been tapering over camera logos even before you have been born.

I tape over markings because I hate gear talk.

So, use (couple of) Holgas! And gift to the thief.

Not convinced. If à professionnalisme thief knows what Leica is he will probably recognizes the camera and the tape might even suggests that if the orner masks the camera it is value... I tape the brand name of my camera in the top front not to hide the name but to make the camera more discrete (no White contrasty letters on black)

You are professional so are the thieves, except for some addicts who steal everything for their needs, doesn't matter if you tapped it or not. In my experience, most YT Leica users like to stick out from the crowd instead of blending in. Funny hats, colourful dresses, Billingham bags and so on and telling everyone how wonderful they are and how wonderful their Leicas are.

Why not give it the acid test in like San Francisco, or Portland? ;)

The other way would be, if possible, to also carry a 357 in your armpit. Or the Glock 9, whatever you prefer... I have a friend who was also robbed, while sleeping ON his backpack in the airport; thieves opened it and slowly removed all cameras and lenses. The only thing that they left was a laptop computer, course my pal would felt that and woke up. The moral of the story is, do NEVER EVER fall asleep while abroad unless you are in hotel room, with a locked door. So don't skimp on that extra coffee...

Don't tape your camera; just don't take your camera to sketchy places unless it's a Holga. To a thief, any camera is worth stealing.

I used matte black washi tape to tape all my gears and lens and make it look old and cheap. Also use a bag putting lots of cute stuffs lkke keychains and make it looke like a schoolkid bag 😂

Every time I go to London (most recently Wednesday) I ALWAYS put black tape over the red dot on my Q2 - sensible advice which I endorse….shame we have to, but that’s the world we live in :- (

They will steal whether it's a Holga or a Leica. Taping the camera doesn't change anything. If you are going to shoot photography at sketchy places just don't carry anything that you can't replace. Take a cheap digital camera next time and photograph your friend actually getting robbed then take the SD card out and if you make it out of there with at least your SD card those photos will be some damn good photos.

You know we're in different brackets when someone calls gaffer tape cheap.

makes no sense, if you know about cameras you dont need the logo to know...if theyre gonna rob you itll be for a $100 camera or $8000 camera

I guess it's a matter of time when they will figure out that taped things are expensive things 🙂😉

Imaging when you tape your camera, when your camera can tape.

wait, wait, the police Robbed you?

Next up! Why certain Leica owners wear a short strap. To emulate Flava-Flav's necklace as a flex, or because they have T-Rex arms? :P

I dont think thieves would care much about the tape. If its a camera, they would still steal it no matter the brand 😁

I spray painted mine like Eddie Van Halen.

Seems like it's more of a placebo. If you're getting mugged they are going to take your camera regardless.

Why buy the camera I bought mine to take images not to advetise to geezers to mug me. /been doing tis for a while now especiall the x2d 😃

If you think thieves don't know an expensive camera when they see one, tap or no tape, then you are a very naive person.

Taping a camera is ridiculous. I have never been approached for my camera gear.

No matter how much tape you put on a Leica M, it still looks like a Leica M.

Pro tip, don’t take a good camera to a shitty city

lol, waste of time. A camera is a camera. If I was a thief, I would take your camera no matter what. If it turns out a cheap camera then I'll just throw it away in the trash and find me another victim. Taping a camera is childish and amateurish.

I prefer washi tape instead. Easier to remove 😊

Why, you are bragging you have unlimited money. Why not get a well used and banged up Pentax from the 80s? Save your Leica for safer places where people will converse with you and not try to steal your camera.

To be honest I think you’re wasting your time, thieves will still it anyway

Always great content but this post is nothing more then scaremongering. 👎

I tape off my camera logos, too... although it's more about I do not want to wave a $5,800 camera rig branding in people's faces when I barely make minimum wage and my camera represents 1/3 of my yearly income. Seems strange to those who aren't obsessed with photography, and everyone runs around with an iPhone. A photographer is only as good as the camera they can afford to replace. I can't replace any of them.

I’m sorry, but it’s ridiculous to tape the camera, to save your stuff. I’m sure the nobody is reading the logo before he try to steal it. Oh it’s not a Leica you can keep it, ridiculous. It’s just hype from some boring guys who are believe they would be a great photographer