Robbed in Barcelona

[Roger Hicks]

Yeah... sh1t happens. That's how I lost my first 35/1.4 Summilux, along with a 21/4 Nikkor and other good stuff, in Old Delhi Railway Station 25 years ago. Not exactly the same way, but a manufactured crisis.

On the bright side, it doesn't happen very often, so you're probably inoculated now for a decade or two, or more. As jke put it, you're up against serious pros, but they're not common.

Tashi delek,

R.

 

[Marsopa]

Very sorry to hear that... last week my laptop have been robbed in my own house... I left the door open less than five minutes and the laptop dissapeared! I think you could go to second hand shops (there are some called "Cash Converters", the police itself give me the advice about those shops, the web link: www.cash-converters.es there you can find the directions in Barcelona, go with a copy of the police inform in the case you see there the camera)... with respect to buying I think the best option is Casanova (www.casanovafoto.es) they have a huge catalog... If you ever come to Seville I could lend a Jupiter and Zorki 4... Good luck

 

[ferider]

Very sorry to hear that Mike.

Glad you and your friend are OK though.

Roland.

 

[marknyc]

That really sucks for you -- sorry indeed.

Regarding the leaving the M7 at home and taking the Bessa, however . . . personally I'd rather the risk. I am also a M7 and Bessa owner and as much as I love the Bessa I would be kicking myself the whole trip not having my M7 with me. My approach is that I pretty much always keep the camera either in my hand with the strap wrapped around my wrist (ready to shoot) or have it shoved into coat pocket on the few occasions when I am not looking for shots. Several years of big city paranoia (London and NYC) mean that I instinctively keep my hand on the camera even when it is in the pocket. Camera bags are part of the problem here I think. Course, holding the camera is never completely thief proof -- no question a savvy thief could grab it and I would probably loose it -- but it is harder than a simple bag snatch.

By the way, on a recent trip I hit on a useful SOP for vaction photo taking for us B&W film lovers -- I took the M7 out during the day, always loaded with Tri-X. Then in the PM I left the M7 locked in the safe and took the Bessa out, loaded with Neopan 1600. Worked well for me.

 

[b.espahbod]

My condolences mike.
Spanish police is sitting dock for sure.

 

[Ahmed Poltroon]

NEVER carry passport in bag. Losing passport is much more serious and problematic than losing camera. Passport and large bills should be in zipped inner pocket or better, in a case with a cord looped around your neck and under shirt. Lost passport can lead to VERY serious problem.

I agree, don't carry idiotic "camera bag". Keep camera in your pocket if possible. You telegraph yourself as a target. The "nicer" the camera bag, the bigger the score for the thief.

Forget about trying to find camera in store or hock shop. Exercise in futility. If someone just bought a fenced Leica they are not going to show it to an upset tourist looking for it.

 

[marknyc]

Also while we are on scams -- although not camera related -- the "oh look a gold ring" scam seems REALLY popular in Paris this year. I had at least three tries on me a couple weeks back when I was there for a few days. if you look like an obvious tourist it can apparently be a bit of a nightmare. One person on the internet wrote about being approached 12 times in one location (they must have had the full on short pants and dark socks, camera slung around the neck, baseball cap, guidebook in hand, etc.).

Best policy seems to be to completely ignore them (the scammers, not the garish tourists), or if you like you can always give them your best knowing, weary, jaded "really -- you are kidding right -- THAT old one??" look.

Here is the scam if you don't know it.

It's all over the place, but particuarly in Paris, apparently.

http://www.bargaintraveleurope.com/07/France_Scam_Paris.htm

 

[mojobebop]

in ny starbucks once my bag was under the stool i was sitting in.
one guy was trying to push the bag out to an accomplice behind me.
luckily i caught it before it was completed.
this stuff happens everywhere.
really sorry you lost your belongings.
that is a clever trick.

 

[Ahmed Poltroon]

That's not a "new" scam. Several centuries old or older.

The 'found money" in an envelope which is divided after "good faith" money is paid is similar.

Or how about a "brand new" shrink wrapped video camera which turns out to be an empty box with a rock inside?

Also while we are on scams -- although not camera related -- the "oh look a gold ring" scam seems REALLY popular in Paris this year. I had at least three tries on me a couple weeks back when I was there for a few days. if you look like an obvious tourist it can apparently be a bit of a nightmare. One person on the internet wrote about being approached 12 times in one location (they must have had the full on short pants and dark socks, camera slung around the neck, baseball cap, guidebook in hand, etc.).

Best policy seems to be to completely ignore them (the scammers, not the garish tourists), or if you like you can always give them your best knowing, weary, jaded "really -- you are kidding right -- THAT old one??" look.

Here is the scam if you don't know it.

It's all over the place, but particuarly in Paris, apparently.

http://www.bargaintraveleurope.com/07/France_Scam_Paris.htm

 

[kdemas]

That has been a popular on on the banks of the Seine for the last 4 years that I've been going over. If you walk from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower along the bank I guarantee you you'll get it 3 or 4 times in that stretch alone.

Also be careful of the Gypsy women at popular tourist attractions. While one tries to beg with a poignant card from an oppressed father in (pick a place) the other is trying to pick your pocket. I got a very nice hold of one last year, she probably had a nice bruise on her wrist that night.

Anyway, as anywhere, stay alert 🙂

Kent

Also while we are on scams -- although not camera related -- the "oh look a gold ring" scam seems REALLY popular in Paris this year. I had at least three tries on me a couple weeks back when I was there for a few days. if you look like an obvious tourist it can apparently be a bit of a nightmare. One person on the internet wrote about being approached 12 times in one location (they must have had the full on short pants and dark socks, camera slung around the neck, baseball cap, guidebook in hand, etc.).

Best policy seems to be to completely ignore them (the scammers, not the garish tourists), or if you like you can always give them your best knowing, weary, jaded "really -- you are kidding right -- THAT old one??" look.

Here is the scam if you don't know it.

It's all over the place, but particuarly in Paris, apparently.

http://www.bargaintraveleurope.com/07/France_Scam_Paris.htm

 

[emraphoto]

i sent you a pm michael

 

[emraphoto]

sorry, mike... i sent you a pm MIKE

 

[Beniliam]

Im sorry for your bad experience in Barcelona, Mike.

I live in Madrid but know a bit Barcelona. There is not a dangerous city, believe me. There are some places that can be called ´slightly advisable´, like all the big cities.

Barcelona is one of the most popular and visited cities in Europe, its a modern city in all the senses.

Apart Casanova, you can go to Arpi, for try to buy another lens, this is the address: La Rambla 38-40.

--

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I am sorry to hear what happened to you. Your passport/wallet/money in the front pocket. It is difficult to pick. camera bags should always be clipped to a table or chair or belt. Remove the camera bag strap and re-hook it to the desired difficult to move object. If strap can not be unhooked from bag buy a climbing carabiner. The are oval and large. Their test strength runs around 3kg or 5000lbs. The do not break. Hook the carabiner to an object or your belt. (This also is adviseable for woman carrying purses.)

 

[35mmdelux]

sorry about that. I got heisted on a trumped up crisis doing a money change, lost $150 (US). Best reason to travel light and use caution.

Im always on guard when asked for the time since one can be attacked when looking down at your watch. Never heard of the mustard caper until now.

Thanks for the FYI.

 

[35mmdelux]

Look for a Olympus Epic for second camera. Best --

 

[photogdave]

Apart Casanova, you can go to Arpi, for try to buy another lens, this is the address: La Rambla 38-40.

Arpi is the store I was thinking of!
Nice to see you're still around Beniliam!

 

[alien8]

Last year my dear 81 year father, as a tourist, was robbed of 3000 euros at knife point in Barcelona by a gang of filthy Morroccan scum .

How about some brutal racism to brighten your day?

 

[Kozhe]

****, sorry to hear that.

As noted, Spain can be a bitch...

 

[maddoc]

Sorry to hear that ! That really s**** 😡