Saigon Warning for all photographers

[eleveninth]

Thanks for the advice , Ijust bought this

Lens Loop — Welcome | Seat Belt Camera Strap - Camera Slings - LensLoop

Made out of the car seat belt material so difficult to cut

that strap is quite uncomfortable, i gave mine to my cousin.

 

[eleveninth]

I'm just wondering, if the camera is so securely strapped to you, won't it increase the risk of serious injury if some a**h**e on a motorbike tries to rip it away from you? I mean, instead of the camera being freed and stolen, you might end up crashing to the ground or being dragged along and this might result in head injuries or worse.

yes. if the guy does not want to let go and your strap is super strong, you're going to be up for quite a ride.

 

[sachokphantom]

I believe the a**h**e is on top of his/her bike, so it mean the force is not as much as you are standing on ground right? a**h**e only manage to get away with it when we are not alert.

I'm just wondering, if the camera is so securely strapped to you, won't it increase the risk of serious injury if some a**h**e on a motorbike tries to rip it away from you? I mean, instead of the camera being freed and stolen, you might end up crashing to the ground or being dragged along and this might result in head injuries or worse.

 

[esoeij]

I believe the a**h**e is on top of his/her bike, so it mean the force is not as much as you are standing on ground right? a**h**e only manage to get away with it when we are not alert.

Er, but the motorbike will be moving fast, it won't be stationary when it happens. And if you don't see it coming, I think very easy to go off balance.

 

[cowmera]

Another thing is, being very friendly with the locals, vendors and all, really helps. Most of the time we were laughing together, and as I leave we always smile and wave goodbye. And more than often, these vendors remember us the next time they see us, and will smile and wave. This will make the crooks think twice, because they are not sure if these locals know us or not. ANd many times, these locals have helped some of my friends to stay out of trouble.

I always try to chat with the locals cos i want to know more about the city. Never occurred to me that it's also useful for not being a target of robbers. That is great advice! Thanks!

 

[zan82]

Er, but the motorbike will be moving fast, it won't be stationary when it happens. And if you don't see it coming, I think very easy to go off balance.

Actually the motorbikes are not very fast in Vietnam, it's the shock that caught us (yes I posted a reply on getting mugged) that left us stunned.

Actually besides side slinging, the camera should not be facing the roads, rather, facing the shops instead as advised by locals. If you side sling with camera facing away from roads, and a friend is beside you, the Ali babas won't stand a chance as he will be thrown off the bike

 

[jefferychar]

My D90 was ripped off my hand at 7:40pm @ one of the intersection just outside my hotel in district 1. Was standing at the side of the curb trying to get a shot or 2 before heading back to the hotel thus I didn't wrap the strap around my wrist (which I usually do). I was alone then and which probably made me an easy target too.

Reading on the past comments made me felt that things might turn out even worst if I have strap on tight to the camera.. If these guys are so determined to get the camera.

Have already made a police report, and was told to go back and collect the copy the next morning.

Btw guys, Are there any other things I'll have to take note before heading out of Vietnam?

Not too sure how much I can claim from my insurance though.

The saddest part is the photos I took along the way from bkk - Laos - Hanoi - halong bay..is all gone

 

[Far far away]

My D90 was ripped off my hand at 7:40pm @ one of the intersection just outside my hotel in district 1. Was standing at the side of the curb trying to get a shot or 2 before heading back to the hotel thus I didn't wrap the strap around my wrist (which I usually do). I was alone then and which probably made me an easy target too.

Reading on the past comments made me felt that things might turn out even worst if I have strap on tight to the camera.. If these guys are so determined to get the camera.

Have already made a police report, and was told to go back and collect the copy the next morning.

Btw guys, Are there any other things I'll have to take note before heading out of Vietnam?

Not too sure how much I can claim from my insurance though.

The saddest part is the photos I took along the way from bkk - Laos - Hanoi - halong bay..is all gone

I am very sorry about your predicament bro.. Good thing nothing worst happened to you.

Hope you bought travel insurance which will be able to cover some of your losses. Probably other than the police report, ask your hotel to make a collect call to the emergency assistance phone number provided when you purchased your travel insurance. Talk to the service agent and describe what happened to you and ask for advice. They will be able to tell you what you need other than your police report. Do call them asap. They are a 24 hr service I think.

All the best!

 

[ManWearPants]

You can still bring it along. All you have to do is be very very careful. Always look out for motorbike that gonna past you. Mine happened at backpacker area as the road there is not as busy as other roads.

There are so many bikes in HCM. How to look out? Think just bring a PnS. There is not much to photograph in HCM anyway.

 

[Expat yorkshire]

Just to provide an update re insurance

I put in a claim but loss of 1 7d and 1 24-70 L lens ( the 7d was 2 +years old and the lens was new ( value around $3k if you take into account depreciation


Got back $712 mainly due the the policy only covering $300 maximum per item of baggage .

Looking for a new policy now hopefully found one recommended by the above poster

 

[yrh0413]

wow that is pretty low... $712 can only get you a used 500D + kit lens. :embrass:

Sorry for your loss.

 

[esoeij]

At least it's something. More important thing is that there was no physical injuries.

 

[fishermen21]

Pick pocket is every where even in sg especially during holidsy gathering.. Christmas count down new year count down. These people form around the world- will gather to commit such act. So be careful. Witness many such acts.. slash backpack- unzip outer section of bag pack- n best of all take the bag n go. I also manage to deter of them too.

So becareful in sg as well as outside of sg. So while walking are the street keep watch out for these kind of people while taking street foto in crowded place. Kind of easy to spot after awhile

 

[BBTM]

Even taking photos at local, we also need to be alert. Cause our county got too many 'imports' till we looks like 3rd class citizen when a grp of them walk pass you. Always listen to your surrounding for any 'incoming'. Got once, i setup tripod on the bridge n 1 gp of 'imports' walking towards it blindly. I dash over to prevent them from knocking it down n maybe to the water below. They stares at me as if they are blind n cant see my setup. If i in a grp, sure whack them up, ha ha!

 

[vee5]

I just came back from Hanoi and I had my camera out at all times, even late at night out in the streets, in the parks etc lol... Didn't felt any threat to my safety at all..
Guess I was lucky. Thanks for the advice.

I lost my camera previously when I was in Italy too. It dampens the trip but do try to make the best out of the rest of the trip. There's still your camera phone if you spot some nice shots

 

[aloks]

Hi
Looking like Saigon is a very bad country for Travel Photographers, what about local police and Govt of Saigon ??

Thanks
Alok