The Stolen Camera

One of the sorest points on the photographic world is the business of stolen photographic equipment.

In 7.8 years of shop work I saw little of this - there were really only two times when I saw that we encountered stolen gear, and fortunately the police were right there to help sort the thing out. But I note from Facebook and other internet sites that theft of photographic gear from houses and cars is rife. It is no joke, so don't look for the usual level of irreverent humour in today's column.

House breaks are a real feature of everyday life. I've had my house broken into once...a terrible feeling, and a financial loss. Fortunately some insurance recovery eased the money side of it but there is very little that makes you feel better about the invasion of your home. It caused me to think out increased physical security for my photo gear and also to institute a security scheme for my digital photos. Fort Knox it's not, but it should stop loss from the average level of suburban intrusion.

Car thefts are even more devastating - coming as they might when people are vulnerable - tourists leaving their cars at well-known sightseeing destinations as they go away for hours. Thieves know these sites, realise that their victims will be away from the cars for a considerable period of time, and break windows with impunity. Note that this doesn't have to happen away up north or away down south - I've seen cars broken and rifled in suburban RSL car parks while people were inside at a function.

The conventional wisdom says to leave no goods visible from the outside to tempt the thieves. It does not address two things; tourists frequently have cars packed with goods that cannot be stowed...and thieves will break cars windows and rifle contents even if nothing is visible. I suspect they lay in wait, observe when goods are shifted into boots and under seats, and then proceed with a lamentable efficiency.

It is certainly one of the reasons that the firearms regulations in WA have had additional provisions - people must be able to lock firearms into safe containers in vehicles as well as at home. I used to shoot muzzle loading long arms - rifles and muskets - and I'm afraid I'd be debarred from the sport if I had to rely upon my current tiny car to transport things to the range.

But...perhaps it is an indication of one response that tourists could make to the theft problem. I note that even in my little Suzuki Swift that there is a space under the rear parcel tray that could be literally armoured and deadlocked to contain photographic gear. A great nuisance, I might add, and a considerable expense, but do-able. If I were a travelling photographer liable to leave my vehicle in lonely places, I would consider it. It would not stop a broken window but at least would not yield anything more of value.

Note to Camera Electronic customers: Talk to the staff about professional photographic equipment insurance. It is a specialist field and possibly expensive, but then so is so much of our beloved gear.

" My Gear Was Stolen..."

We hear this from clients quite regularly and note internet warnings about stolen photo equipment every month. Insurance companies contact us for quotes to replace cameras and lenses. It is really becoming a series of horror tales.

We cannot say who steals the stuff, nor can we say what becomes of it. Anything that is presented for sale or trade here is VERY thoroughly scrutinised by the tech staff, the sales staff, and our second-hand expert. Then it is vetted by the WA Police through their computer and investigative services. So far I have only seen one instance where our commercial vigilance needed the attention of Mr. Plod, but when it did, the response was fast and magic.

Unfortunately we often hear that photographic equipment has been stolen from motor vehicles while the owner is off taking pictures. This would seem to argue that some of the more popular photo locations have a population of thieves that monitor who is visiting. and what they have in their car. We all have a tendency to take more than we use, and if we leave it unattended it seems to become attractive to the crims.

Perhaps the answer is to take only what we can carry - this is my approach - and guard it zealously. At least do not be sen unpacking a tempting camera bag and then stowing it in the back seat of the car under a jumper. Or leave someone on guard with a cutlass and pistol.

The other place things get stolen from are homes. Not studios as much - perhaps business premises have more security. The home break will look for money, jewellery, salable electrical gear, and apparently cameras. It is a reasonable thing these days to install a safe for this sort of thing and to lock the valuables inside it whenever they are not being worn, used, or spent. You might still lose the television but you need not lose the camera.

Does your household insurance cover this sort of thing? Probably, but not anywhere near the real cost of replacement - unless you are sustaining a massively expensive premium each year. Can you get professional loss insurance for photo gear? Yes, there are firms that do just this but remember the phrase "expensive premium' when you do your enquiries.

Note: There is also the business of loss whilst things are in transit. If you can insure for this with your travel agent, do so. There are any number of hands through which your parcels and baggage pass and it is wise to armour yourself against the possibility that some of them are malign.