How do you protect your equipment against theft?

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reyhan said:
Araba kullanırken veya evden uzaktayken ekipmanlarınızın güvenliğini sağlamak için ne yapıyorsunuz?
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It would be extremely helpful if you can use English when posting on this forum since most of the people here are from English speaking countries or speak English as their second language 🙂

But to answer your question, I have seen some people using AirTags hidden in their carrying bags. While it wouldn’t prevent your equipment from being stolen, it might help you locate it if someone does steal it. Other than that, if you're not living in a high-trust society, it's best not to show off your gear too much. I know people who use camo gear, not to hide from animals, but from other people, to avoid drawing attention and potentially being robbed.
 
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Easy translate on the web today:

“What do you do to ensure the safety of your equipment while driving or away from home?”

I can’t answer that question, because I don’t travel much.
 
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I have a Pelican 1535 with locking latches. Apple Airtag is hidden behind the foam. Try to keep it covered with a towel or jacket that appears to be thrown in the back vs. strategically placed. Won't necessarily stop it from growing legs, but try to keep it from looking obvious and should the worst happen, it will be easily trackable. I suppose I could use a bike lock, to secure the case to the vehicle, but not that motivated. Everything is insured anyway.
If I'm with my Nya-Evo backpack, then it's somewhat similar, cover it loosely with something to make it hide and not stand out, do not under any circumstances make it look like anything valuable, hide an AirTag in it, and make sure everything is insured.
 
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Keep it on me, or keep it hidden/locked up when I can't. That's basically it. Don't draw attention to it as something expensive ,though when you're shooting that's near impossible. Basic situational awareness and not staying in bad parts of towns and being around sketchy areas is a huge help here too.
 
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Generally I keep things out of site and try not to be conspicuous. In the car everything goes into the trunk (boot for our British friends) so it is not visible. When I travel somewhere I generally keep all my equipment with me and never leave it anywhere. I do use an AirTag to add a little extra assurance but that's mostly for when I'm going by plane, etc.

Back when digital cameras were at their height people would comment on how expensive something must be but I'd usually say I got it used or second-hand (which was often the truth) so it would sound less expensive. People don't comment now at all.
 
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My home is alarmed and our dogs are very touchy and vocal when someone comes to the house.

I keep my equipment with me when in the field. I have a pickup truck with a tonneau cover so nothing is in view. I am cautious about trail heads and try to park in a highly visible location if I am going to leave anything in the truck.

Haven't had a loss from theft.
 
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It depends on where I'm traveling and staying. If I leave equipment in my room, I'll turn on the TV with sound at a moderate volume, and hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, to create an element of doubt about whether the room is currently occupied. With rental cars, I try to get one with license plates from the same state/province where I'm traveling, so that I'm not a conspicuous tourist. I generally avoid taking photo equipment to known high theft places, such as San Francisco and New York, but then places like that don't offer much in the way of non-human wildlife anyway 😊
 
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Abinoone said:
It depends on where I'm traveling and staying. If I leave equipment in my room, I'll turn on the TV with sound at a moderate volume, and hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, to create an element of doubt about whether the room is currently occupied. With rental cars, I try to get one with license plates from the same state/province where I'm traveling, so that I'm not a conspicuous tourist. I generally avoid taking photo equipment to known high theft places, such as San Francisco and New York, but then places like that don't offer much in the way of non-human wildlife anyway 😊
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we live in nyc and despite being out doing our photography thing daily i never had a theft issue .

we just take appropriate gear when doing shoots in places like harlem or the south bronx .

we used to use the cheap looking fuji x100s cameras . my wife and i each use a nikon zf with small primes now .

other then that our regular nikon gear goes where we go.

our favorite camera bags are the think tank retro bags when we go to questionable areas or ride the nyc subway .

they look like diaper bags .. you can sew a diaper so it sticks out a bit and no one would question it
 
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My house has an alarm system connected to an alert service. You can’t prevent burglary, you can make it only more difficult for them to get in.
I travel a lot, really a lot throughout the year with and without camera gear. Most of the time do I stay in decent 4* hotels and have no issue leaving my backpack in the room in the evening. I have a “do not disturb” sign on the door and leave. During the day is my kit with me. Sure enough do I use AirTags but it is already too late if they have stolen the goods. Those thieves get smarter every day and will quickly search for trackers.

Edit: I have theft insurance but doesn’t cover for any valuable items that got stolen out of my car.
 
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Besides insurance on all my gear, the first thing I do is take off the Nikon camera strap that comes with the camera. It shouts "steal me". I carry my gear with me at all times. Better heavy backpack than have something stolen from my car.
 
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AirTag in the bag when traveling. Locally…keep the gear in the trunk and never put it back in and then leave the car…you never know when someone is watching and waiting. Amd insurance on our homeowner policy via a rider.
 
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- I have a camo protection cover on the lens, which make Z400 or even Z600 look less 'impressive' appearance wise, plus they do not _look_ big.
- I tend to use a smaller camera these days: Z8 instead of Z9.
- I go to safer areas or established nature reserves.
- I tend to dress in a non-flashy drab way.
 
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I'm "self-insured" - I put what would have been insurance premiums into a bank account to replace gear if it gets stolen. Figuratively. The problem with insurance is that it doesn't keep stuff from being stolen. It covers you financially but you have to do without the gear until it's replaced.

I am discrete with my gear, much as others have described in this thread. Don't leave stuff in the trunk overnight. Don't let people see what you have in your vehicle. Use a drab bag for the camera when not actually shooting. When shooting people in the street, get out quickly when it starts to draw attention.

So far I haven't had anything stolen. I had the rental car broken into twice (in Portugal) but all my stuff was in the hotel room.
 
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I don't leave gear in a car. I generally only take exactly what I need with me and not the kitchen sink of lenses for every occasion. I stay focused on one lens most of the time so less gear out with me.

If I leave the house gear is in generic looking cubes (they look like soft coolers tbh) and stored in a place you wouldn't expect expensive camera equipment. Thieves will likely go for computer monitor/tv/xbox type stuff and overlook the cube sitting with the kitchen goods under the sink.
 
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There is a legal distinction between thefts, such as breaking into your car (larceny) or home (burglary)…and confrontational events (robbery) where you are assaulted or threatened with harm. No possession is worth personal injury or worse…give it up. Gear is replaceable, bodily injury not so much. It’s prudent to realistically assess the risks involved when traveling, and as others have said, don’t flaunt your gear.
 
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