So lucky:thieves didn't take my RD-1 away

[Expatinprogress]

One of the reasons I bought my RD-1s was because of its old-fashioned looking in comparison with my Canon 400D which was always the center of the attention of the people at the street (specially here in Africa).

When I bought my rd-1s I thought: well, now nobody is going to want to steal this old camera.

Then, last week I could check I was right. Two thieves broke into my apartment in Maputo at 10 a.m. with me and my wife inside and stole every single electronic device.

When one of the thieves asked to me about the cameras, I thought I was done because a rd-1 is irrepleceable here in Africa so I said to them: please, just take my Canon 400D away and live this old camera alone. It has no value on the market and I need it for work. Then, leave me, at least, one of the two cameras.

I was so lucky because the screen was hidden and he thought it was an old roll camera so he leave it along with my three CV lens.

What they didn't know was that this small camera with those three lenses were more valued than that old Digital Canon.

So guys, I give you one advise: always turn your rd-1's screen and hide its digital feature and you'll be safe 😱

 

[robert blu]

Sorry to know this bad adventure you had, but at least you and your wife are safe and you have your more valuable camera with you.
ciao, robert

 

[tyrone.s]

Hey, sounds like you and your wife were lucky there. It's one thing to be robbed, but robbed in person in a hotel room ... Glad you can see the positive side of that experience. Did you ask him if you could take a quick snapshot? You know, as a keepsake 😀

 

[Expatinprogress]

Hey, sounds like you and your wife were lucky there. It's one thing to be robbed, but robbed in person in a hotel room ... Glad you can see the positive side of that experience. Did you ask him if you could take a quick snapshot? You know, as a keepsake 😀

Definitely, all the family members were lucky: me, my wife and my litle rd-1s.

Stuff can be bought again but... rd-1 not so easily 😀

In fact, after one week we only see the positive part because it could have been worst...

 

[Ezzie]

Sorry to hear of your rather nasty experience. Glad the R-D1 came through unscathed. I´d rather not be present when thieves are about.

 

[gb hill]

What kind of weapon did the theives have? This is why we need conceiled carry laws. I know this is Africa your in. I remember when I was in the Navy we pulled into Mombassa for liberty we were told to watch out because the locals would hide along a dark area not far from the ship & rob people. Luckly for them I never got attacked! I did get jumped one time in Philly & I wore a heavy Harley Davidson belt buckle. It & a leather belt makes for a good weapon! Proud to say I won that fight! Glad your RD1 didn't get taken. I hate theives!

 

[xxloverxx]

Sorry to hear that. You seem to be taking that loss very well (okay, you only lost a 400D). Now get an old SLR (REAL film camera) and a cheap tele. Next time someone tries to rob you (hopefully there won't be a next time!), you have something to bash them over the head with…

 

[c.poulton]

There is something to be said for 'old' cameras. My apartment got broken into a few months ago and the thieves stole anything electronic they could easily carry - laptops, phones, etc, however they left my two Leica IIIf's, Bessa R3A and all my glass! The laptops I was not too worried about as I had my data backed up and my entire photo library is on either slides or negs, but my cameras & glass - strange to say I was laughing to myself thinking the the theives had no idea what the 'real' items of value were.....

 

[btgc]

Even if thieves would know about nature of film cameras, they could be smart enough leaving them alone. Digital camera is a breeze to sell, not so with film camera, especially if thieve knows what it's worth about and doesn't want to go it for peanuts. Smart thieves not having good channel for selling film gear, would be better off taking only electronics.

I'm theoritizing only, of course.

 

[Expatinprogress]

There is something to be said for 'old' cameras. My apartment got broken into a few months ago and the thieves stole anything electronic they could easily carry - laptops, phones, etc, however they left my two Leica IIIf's, Bessa R3A and all my glass! The laptops I was not too worried about as I had my data backed up and my entire photo library is on either slides or negs, but my cameras & glass - strange to say I was laughing to myself thinking the the theives had no idea what the 'real' items of value were.....

That was exactly my point Poulton and that's exactly what happened to me too.

It may happen that somebody could know what a Leica camera is worth, but not so easily a lens.

 

[charjohncarter]

Bad luck, but you, your wife and your rd-1 were fortunate.

 

[semilog]

@Expat, glad you're okay, and the RD is still in hand. Clear thinking is the best way to stay safe.

What kind of weapon did the theives have? This is why we need conceiled carry laws.

<snark>Yeah, that's why Khandahar is a safer walkabout than, say, Melbourne.</snark>

More seriously:

1. Concealed carry is irrelevant. Expat was at home.

2. Anyone who pulls a gun on the street (where concealed carry is relevant) before he hands over replaceable property does not understand his responsibilities and should not be carrying. The law is generally quite clear. If you use a firearm to prevent a relatively minor property crime you are in the wrong, and will be civilly and criminally liable.

3. The best available data for the United States (U.S. National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences) show that concealed carry laws have essentially zero demonstrable impact, positive or negative, on crime rates. The existing data might insufficient to detect small effects, but it's clear: concealed carry laws just don't have a major effect. (I therefore support shall-issue carry laws, since they increase personal freedom at no perceptible societal cost).

4. For what it's worth I have a concealed carry permit, and have for years. But I do not engage in magical thinking about what firearms can or cannot do.

 

[filmfan]

@Expat, glad you're okay, and the RD is still in hand. Clear thinking is the best way to stay safe.



<snark>Yeah, that's why Khandahar is a safer walkabout than, say, Melbourne.</snark>

More seriously:

1. Concealed carry is irrelevant. Expat was at home.

2. Anyone who pulls a gun on the street (where concealed carry is relevant) before he hands over replaceable property does not understand his responsibilities and should not be carrying. The law is generally quite clear. If you use a firearm to prevent a relatively minor property crime you are in the wrong, and will be civilly and criminally liable.

3. The best available data for the United States (U.S. National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences) show that concealed carry laws have essentially zero demonstrable impact, positive or negative, on crime rates. The existing data might insufficient to detect small effects, but it's clear: concealed carry laws just don't have a major effect. (I therefore support shall-issue carry laws, since they increase personal freedom at no perceptible societal cost).

4. For what it's worth I have a concealed carry permit, and have for years. But I do not engage in magical thinking about what firearms can or cannot do.

Well said.

 

[oftheherd]

@Expat, glad you're okay, and the RD is still in hand. Clear thinking is the best way to stay safe.

No question about it, the above is always the case!

1. Concealed carry is irrelevant. Expat was at home.

It really depends on the laws of the country where he was located at the time. Most countries don't take well to foreigners carrying weapons, especially firearms. Many countries don't get excited about foriegners as victims either. Especially the nearer the country is to a third world country.

2. Anyone who pulls a gun on the street (where concealed carry is relevant) before he hands over replaceable property does not understand his responsibilities and should not be carrying. The law is generally quite clear. If you use a firearm to prevent a relatively minor property crime you are in the wrong, and will be civilly and criminally liable.

Again, it depends on the law where you are. Most States in the USA would allow deadly force to counter deadly force. Attacked with a gun or knife, you would probably have no problem justifying deadly force, such as a gun. Attacked with a bludgeon and you could probably make a case then too. Simply strong-armed, you would have a difficult time proving your own life was in danger. Robbery is a felony and therefore a serious crime. Proofs for robbery generally include use or implied use of a weapon, or some type of force.

3. The best available data for the United States (U.S. National Research Council/National Academy of Sciences) show that concealed carry laws have essentially zero demonstrable impact, positive or negative, on crime rates. The existing data might insufficient to detect small effects, but it's clear: concealed carry laws just don't have a major effect. (I therefore support shall-issue carry laws, since they increase personal freedom at no perceptible societal cost).

I have heard news reports that contradict that, but I have never researched that so you may be right. Regardless, carrying a firearm is serious business. One must ensure they know when and how to use it, and that they will do so, in order to ensure the firearm can't be taken away and used against them. The best thing is what you said to begin with; clear thinking and getting out of the situation safe.

4. For what it's worth I have a concealed carry permit, and have for years. But I do not engage in magical thinking about what firearms can or cannot do.

This sentance is to fulfill the 10 letter requirement which the software apparently can't see inside the quote marks. 😛

 

[Out to Lunch]

Bad news. I lived in Africa for a number of years and had guards but also paid a nearby military post in beer and USD. Didn't get robbed. This said, when I shipped out...a lot of my stuff disappeared... Cheers, p