Comments on: How to Keep Your Camera Safe (and Working): 5 Essential Tips

By: Carl Crosby

Carl Crosby — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 13:07:17 +0000

In reply to Lance Johnson. Good idea...Some lens' front elements are not as recessed as they were in the days of yore.

By: Carl Crosby

Carl Crosby — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 02:04:14 +0000

Good article! A couple of additional tips…I have always used UV or Skylight filters to protect the front elements of my lenses. Filters are easier to clean than lenses. In cold weather…carry a gallon or larger size zip lock bag and put your camera/lenses in it when coming in from the outside. Exhaust the air as well as you can from the bag, and condensation will form on the outside of the bag, not your equipment. One year, I worked for a large western daily newspaper. I had my camera and two lenses. I got a large 30 gallon trash bag from one of the Forest Service offices, and kept my equipment inside, dust free. I’d leave it in my car, unlocked and windows down in the Oregon summer heat. Nobody wanted to steal a bright yellow Forest Service bag! Always be aware of your surroundings. Security! Don’t go into shady or suspect areas, especially after dark, no matter the chance for a great photo. Go in a group, if possible. I was photographing on a Hawaiian beach, where a guy was ” instructing” a young women how to use one of the large “kites” that are used for waterboarding(?) They started some distance from me, and wouldn’t you know it, of all the other folks on the beach, the kite crashed into me and my camera. I was more surprised than hurt, and grabbed one of the lines to keep it from taking it off again, and the young hero that owned the kite got really upset that I would do that. DISINFORMATION…traveling with children, an extra, brightly-colored diaper bag is a good, water and dustproof carrier. Just don’t get them mixed up!

By: Jeremy Mott

Jeremy Mott — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 10:10:23 +0000

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8aba937dde23301e03c724e5ecd64a023df8e85d7df8d81d22976562431ffa30.jpg this is me im a letel kid

By: Lance Johnson

Lance Johnson — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 08:28:18 +0000

A few other tips; some photographers don’t like to use a UV/daylight filter for it’s potential reduction in image sharpness. But it can serve as sacrificial protection to the much more expensive main lens element in case of light to moderate impact. Likewise, use of a lens hood also serves to protect the lens element in case of impact. Finally, I always make sure the camera body is pointing down when I change lenses to ensure any debris falls out instead of into the camera.

By: BrianC

BrianC — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 01:10:00 +0000

Also, you should always loop your camera strap around the tripod head/center column so that if the camera does come loose from the head for some reason, it will be caught by the strap. You may think you’ve taken your time and you may think the camera is securely attached to the head, but s**t happens. Never just leave the strap dangle like in the picture. This habit has saved my camera more than once. One other thing: make sure that your camera bag is zipped shut after you’ve put your camera away into the bag. It’s really easy to put your camera and stuff away, close your bag, but forget to zip it. You don’t want all your gear falling out of your bag when you pick it up.

By: Richard Holloway

Richard Holloway — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 11:29:00 +0000

There are two things that I like to do for safety. One is I have a strap, I use it, a lot. If I’m moving around (walking, setting up, changing positions, shooting freehand, etc) I’m wearing the strap. Another is when I’m out shooting but I don’t take my bag with me I leave the bag open so potential thieves can see it’s empty.

By: Spike Hodge

Spike Hodge — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 11:02:00 +0000

The last three time we were burgled they used the same technique.
The smash the door open knowing the alarm will go off and that they have about 8-10 minutes before the armed response turn up.
This means they grab what they easily carry and run with.
For instance my daughter’s camera bag was on top of an expensive laptop. They took the bag because it had a neck strap and left the laptop as it was too hard to carry. My laptop did go – it was in a bag with a strap. So I don’t keep my camera kit in a bag but loose in draws.
I’m guessing not everybody reading this has quite the same crime problem we have in parts of Africa but if you think a burglar might be in a hurry; make your camera kit a slow target.

By: Kav Dadfar

Kav Dadfar — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 18:02:00 +0000

In reply to Paul Lehman. Hi Paul, it's the Lowepro LP36772-PWW ProTactic Camera Bag, 450... really great bag

By: Paul Lehman

Paul Lehman — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 15:17:00 +0000

Great article and information! Bit off topic but what is that bag shown on the ground with the top open?