tanvach
Newbie
Hello everyone,
I hope it is ok to post on this forum as well (original: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/98637-stolen-m6-summilux-elmarit-london.html)
Last Saturday was the Thames festival in London, and I took out my M6 to photograph the event. In the evening, my camera bag with all my Leica equipments was stolen near Earls Court station. In it contained a M6 TTL and two lenses.
Fortunately, we have a good CCTV footage of the thief showing his face clearly. I have reported the theft to the police who said there is a chance of catching him from the footage. But I'm afraid that when they do it would be too late.
Can anyone suggest what else I can do in the mean time? I have heard that it is possible to report the serial number to Leica where they kept a database of stolen equipments, but I haven't had much luck looking for this online.
The serial numbers are:
Leica M6 TTL 2756569
50 Summilux 3964779
24 Elmarit ASPH 3783157
Please, please be careful with your bags. It only took me half a minute from it, with table full of people I know.
Pithawat
I hope it is ok to post on this forum as well (original: http://www.l-camera-forum.com/leica-forum/film-forum/98637-stolen-m6-summilux-elmarit-london.html)
Last Saturday was the Thames festival in London, and I took out my M6 to photograph the event. In the evening, my camera bag with all my Leica equipments was stolen near Earls Court station. In it contained a M6 TTL and two lenses.
Fortunately, we have a good CCTV footage of the thief showing his face clearly. I have reported the theft to the police who said there is a chance of catching him from the footage. But I'm afraid that when they do it would be too late.
Can anyone suggest what else I can do in the mean time? I have heard that it is possible to report the serial number to Leica where they kept a database of stolen equipments, but I haven't had much luck looking for this online.
The serial numbers are:
Leica M6 TTL 2756569
50 Summilux 3964779
24 Elmarit ASPH 3783157
Please, please be careful with your bags. It only took me half a minute from it, with table full of people I know.
Pithawat
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robin a
Well-known
That hurts.................
oldoc
oldoc
Shoot the *******...
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
So sorry to hear that. I had some one I know got whole kit stolen from parked car in LA. (yeah, that's a bad idea)
Look for auction sites, classifieds and if you see your camera/lens there, ask the seller serial number for production year id or something. Or ask photo of the region that shows serial number, but not actually asking serial number itself.
Look for auction sites, classifieds and if you see your camera/lens there, ask the seller serial number for production year id or something. Or ask photo of the region that shows serial number, but not actually asking serial number itself.
arseniii
Well-known
Contax G1 + G lenses + Nikkor lens of mine were stolen in Montreal 2 years back. But worst of all, my exposed films were in the same bag too :-( I am still sure my best pictures were on those films... Condolences for you!
I think you did all you can at this point. Hope you will have a luck to get it back...
I think you did all you can at this point. Hope you will have a luck to get it back...
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35mmdelux
Veni, vidi, vici
Never put your gear down.
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Very sorry to hear that you had your gear stolen. I really don't think you stand much of a chance of getting it back after the fact. If you have a home owners or tenants insurance policy then look into making an insurance claim on it. I hope it all works out for you.
Bob
Bob
tanvach
Newbie
Thank you for the suggestions, I am checking ebay as often as possible. I have communicated with local dealers here to ask if they can check the serial numbers, but realistically it's going to be hard to predict where they will be selling the cameras. I can only hope the serial number will come up sometime, and someone from the dealers will take notice.
And yes it has a few rolls of films I'd rather not lose. That alone is really heart breaking!
And yes it has a few rolls of films I'd rather not lose. That alone is really heart breaking!
Turtle
Veteran
Sorry to hear about that 
Could you let us know how it was stolen and under what circumstances? All helps to guard against it...
Could you let us know how it was stolen and under what circumstances? All helps to guard against it...
menos
Veteran
Sorry, to hear about that tanvach. I hope, the items will show up again.
Can you tell us, what color the items and what viewfinder the camera have + some possible unique details like marks, scratches?
When shopping for my first gear, I prepared a spreadsheet including all items, I had a look at. I would like to have stolen gear included too, so I can check with my list, if I come over something suspicious.
I never buy a camera/ lens without checking the serial first. I am very happy, this is easier with Leica than with Nikon ;-)
Can you tell us, what color the items and what viewfinder the camera have + some possible unique details like marks, scratches?
When shopping for my first gear, I prepared a spreadsheet including all items, I had a look at. I would like to have stolen gear included too, so I can check with my list, if I come over something suspicious.
I never buy a camera/ lens without checking the serial first. I am very happy, this is easier with Leica than with Nikon ;-)
Przemek
[' o°]
tanvach
Newbie
Thank you very much menos, any extra pairs of eyes will surely help.
The M6 is a TTL model, black with white leather wrist strap. It is factory standard finished, red Leica logo and dot, and very few markings or scratches. No grip or accessories, 0.72 viewfinder. The flash cable connector is missing a plastic cap.
Summilux 50mm (pre-ASPH), black, new style, which I think is version 4. No significant markings unfortunately, but slight paint chip on the extendable lens hood. Fitted with polarising filter in cross configuration.
Elmarit 24mm ASPH, black with hood and cap. Few pain chips on the focus ring, front of the lens barrel, and hood. No filter.
The bag was lost in a restaurant. We were with 5 other people on the table, and I left the bag for a friend to look after. It was placed on a chair next to one person. In total I was away for less than a minute to go to the bath room. From the CCTV footage, the thief was seen looking at our direction once I left the table, and unfortunately there was a lot of commotion with new guests walking in. He took that oppotunity to grab the bag while walking out, and actually took off his jumper to disguise his look. Very professional.
Today, I have heard back from a couple of dealers, and they are now looking out for a matching serial number. It's amazing that they'll go out of their way to do this, and the Leica community has been amazing as well.
The M6 is a TTL model, black with white leather wrist strap. It is factory standard finished, red Leica logo and dot, and very few markings or scratches. No grip or accessories, 0.72 viewfinder. The flash cable connector is missing a plastic cap.
Summilux 50mm (pre-ASPH), black, new style, which I think is version 4. No significant markings unfortunately, but slight paint chip on the extendable lens hood. Fitted with polarising filter in cross configuration.
Elmarit 24mm ASPH, black with hood and cap. Few pain chips on the focus ring, front of the lens barrel, and hood. No filter.
The bag was lost in a restaurant. We were with 5 other people on the table, and I left the bag for a friend to look after. It was placed on a chair next to one person. In total I was away for less than a minute to go to the bath room. From the CCTV footage, the thief was seen looking at our direction once I left the table, and unfortunately there was a lot of commotion with new guests walking in. He took that oppotunity to grab the bag while walking out, and actually took off his jumper to disguise his look. Very professional.
Today, I have heard back from a couple of dealers, and they are now looking out for a matching serial number. It's amazing that they'll go out of their way to do this, and the Leica community has been amazing as well.
Mountainsmith
Member
Exactly. When i was in london or traveling, i never put my camera bag down. I use billingham, when i'm outside my hotel room, my bag is always on my shoulder, dinning, resting, shopping. Sounds and look silly maybe, but i feel safe.
_goodtimez
Well-known
Sorry to hear about these news. Leaving another person to look at your equipment is sometimes very disapointing.
A few months ago I travelled in Turkey for work. As we were looking for a particular address I left my colleague in the car with my Leica gear and reminded him to stay in the car because of this.
A few mintues after I was talking to somebody in a supermarket, I just saw my colleague in the supermarket as well, looking around. He had left the car open with my gear bag on the back seat ! Luckily nothing was stolen but it shows you can't trust others for that.
Now I prefer to take all my gear on me all the time, no compromise !
Does Leica not have a special registery for stolen gear ?
I hope you can track your equipment in the future.
A few months ago I travelled in Turkey for work. As we were looking for a particular address I left my colleague in the car with my Leica gear and reminded him to stay in the car because of this.
A few mintues after I was talking to somebody in a supermarket, I just saw my colleague in the supermarket as well, looking around. He had left the car open with my gear bag on the back seat ! Luckily nothing was stolen but it shows you can't trust others for that.
Now I prefer to take all my gear on me all the time, no compromise !
Does Leica not have a special registery for stolen gear ?
I hope you can track your equipment in the future.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
Sorry about the theft again, but it is good to hear that dealers are trying to do what they can do. After all, we all hate thefts, and especially hate that happen to fellow photographers and their equipment.
In San Francisco, there are laptop computer thieves all over the place. I even saw some one right in front of me left the table for 10 seconds to the counter right next to his table, and the thief just grabbed his computer and run out like crazy. My friend got his macbook stolen literally taken from his hands while sitting open cafe area. I now never leave my laptop or camera for any length of time, and often have shoulder strap around my arm when I have my camera and working on a laptop at cafes.
I don't think what you did (leaving bag with friend and went restroom) was wrong or careless. There are only so much you can do, and always the thief is who to blame for his crime.
After reading your post, I finally got up and memoed serial numbers of all of my equipments. I'll also take picture of each camera and its characteristics (marks, dings, etc).
I hope your camera and lenses will show up. When a bicycle is stolen, thief might sell the frame for pure metal so the bike will never show up as a complete bike. But I bet thief will try to sell Leica as camera, so it's not impossible to find it.
I'll spend an extra minute screening for your equipments when I go ebay. Thief might sell it overseas.
In San Francisco, there are laptop computer thieves all over the place. I even saw some one right in front of me left the table for 10 seconds to the counter right next to his table, and the thief just grabbed his computer and run out like crazy. My friend got his macbook stolen literally taken from his hands while sitting open cafe area. I now never leave my laptop or camera for any length of time, and often have shoulder strap around my arm when I have my camera and working on a laptop at cafes.
I don't think what you did (leaving bag with friend and went restroom) was wrong or careless. There are only so much you can do, and always the thief is who to blame for his crime.
After reading your post, I finally got up and memoed serial numbers of all of my equipments. I'll also take picture of each camera and its characteristics (marks, dings, etc).
I hope your camera and lenses will show up. When a bicycle is stolen, thief might sell the frame for pure metal so the bike will never show up as a complete bike.
But I bet thief will try to sell Leica as camera, so it's not impossible to find it.I'll spend an extra minute screening for your equipments when I go ebay. Thief might sell it overseas.
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Spoks
Well-known
This type of theft has increased drastically the last few years here in Scandinavia and is most often performed by East Europeans. To run off with a bag like this is typical. This type of crime has increased 25% in the city I live in (Oslo, Norway), according to statistics. According to our police the whole increase can be credited East Europeans.
martin s
Well-known
In Germany it's pretty bad, too, though most crimes are committed by Scandinavians. To be honest, it's quite typical. There are statistics, too, you'll have to believe me on this. If you don't, ask the police. I did, and they sure confirmed my suspicion.
martin
martin
Spoks
Well-known
Well, in Britain it is not that bad, only 10%:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-413985/Eastern-European-immigrants-carry-tenth-crime.html
That was good to hear.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-413985/Eastern-European-immigrants-carry-tenth-crime.html
That was good to hear.
martin s
Well-known
If you read Dailymail, you're excused.
martin
martin
mike kim
Established
I'm so so sorry to hear this. I know exactly how it feels. A similar thing happened to me a couple of months ago in Spain. I lost my new M6 and 35mm Summicron... As 35mmdelux and Mountainsmith said, I take my bag everywhere with me, but I got distracted for just half a minute, left my bag 2 inches from a friend asking her to look at it for me, and it got stolen without anybody in the group noticing (long story). Another friend of mine got his brand new Macbook Pro and external disk with all his work stolen inside a bank in Oxford while he had it in a bag between his legs. CCTV caught him, but the police worked too slow.
You were robbed by a professional, and there's probably not much you could have done. Fortunately, it was not a violent robbery and you and your friends were not hurt.
I know that we all might have thoughts about which ethnic group commits more crimes and I find that article above interesting, but let's try to keep this thread on topic instead of deviating it into a "gypsies/immigrants/etc are thieves" thread...
You were robbed by a professional, and there's probably not much you could have done. Fortunately, it was not a violent robbery and you and your friends were not hurt.
I know that we all might have thoughts about which ethnic group commits more crimes and I find that article above interesting, but let's try to keep this thread on topic instead of deviating it into a "gypsies/immigrants/etc are thieves" thread...