STOLEN EOS 60D KIT!!!!

[Hankosaurus]

Hello Himadri.

Thanks for the insight and additional suggestions. It looks like one will just have to be very diligent to guard and care for his equipment, since recovery is nigh unto impossible.

Frankly, I would do no less over here, even though I believe the authorities here would be much more responsive than how you described.

1. If they don't want it, they won't steal it.
Camouflage comes to mind. Making something appear as it is not. I have a drink cooler which is designed for a six pack of cold drinks. I use that cooler to leave my camera in when I run into a store. It keeps the camera from over heating while the air conditioner is off, and looks relatively worthless. Far less risky and dangerous than leaving a camera bag on the seat, or even in the trunk (boot) where it might bake.

2. Just take the camera with you.
It's probably safer on your person than in your vehicle. Besides, anyplace where you are comfortable, the camera probably is too.

3. Look cheap.
Cover your camera/lens not with an expensive lens coat but something home cut and home stitched. Loose threads hanging out from cut cloth will make it look very inexpensive.

4. Body language
Should be like as if one is at home, confident but relaxed and in control of the situation.

5.   Any others?

[m@nish]

Out of curiosity I tried stolencamerafinder.com ... tried my 7D and 50D serials and yet it shows nothing though I have few pics on web taken by these cams and few of them are absolutely there with complete EXIF data.
May be they want me to hit on "pay n go pro"

PS: My cam isn't stolen as I just wanted to try if the process was actually as easy as it sounded like

[amitk26]

Here are my suggestions for protecting camera gear.

1. Buy a DSLR bag which looks like normal backpack , Avoid bags with Nikon , Canon , Sony Logos
Even well known brands camera / laptop bag brands like Targus should be avoided or masked with black tape.
2. While leaving camera-bag in car , put it on floor and cover with either a newspaper or cleaning cloth.

3. If you are using a DSLR backpack then get an steel S hook or a welcrow  strip and put it across both the zipper locks so that someone can not open when it is on your back.

4. Dump the OEM camera strap and buy a generic one without logo from market ( I am yet to do this)

5. If you have expensive L lenses invest in lens coat in camouflage shades , bird will be less weary and thieves will be less tempted. 

6. For street photography mask the brand of camera by a black tape. Canon / Nikon do not pay you to be a brand ambassador

@Joshi if you really want the serial number of camera to be there in EXIF use the official photo editing tools provided with your camera or try to find some settings in Photoshop to preserve EXIF.

I have observed that after layer based operation in PS it wipes off the original EXIF data

[m@nish]

@Joshi if you really want the serial number of camera to be there in EXIF use the official photo editing tools provided with your camera or try to find some settings in Photoshop to preserve EXIF.

I have observed that after layer based operation in PS it wipes off the original EXIF data

Thanks amit,
Am gonna do that.
and in my bag I would most definitely love to keep a copy of the official photo editing tools provided with my camera manufacturers .. I use it or not but would always pray that those who steal my cam use it and make stolencamerafinder process easy

[amitk26]

Ohh ya I just realized that thief should use the tools which preserve the serial number in EXIF 

[m@nish]

When they are that good they will never steal.
Safety is a cheap and effective insurance policy .. When my camera is too precious for me I must remember to keep it safe .. thats number 1 point in all suggestions.
I feel sorry for those who's cams got stolen (I've been one of them myself) and always hope that never happens to anyone of us.
please take care

[g13a]

Sad to hear about the loss.
Even though I take many preventive measures,but still wanted to ask if there is any Insurance that can cover theft and damage of my camera gear ? (Nikon D90 bought with Bill)

[prakhardeep]

Sad to hear about the loss.

Is it possible to get insurance for our expensive gear in case something like this happens?

If yes, where and how ?