Walking around with a M9 (or any other expensive camera)

[nakedcellist]

Hi all,

I would like your opinion on something. I have been saving up and am about to buy a Leica M9. I can now afford it and it is what I want, however, it would be the most expensive thing I have ever bought. My previous most expensive camera was my M8 which I bought used. The thing I am afraid of is actually walking around and using such an expensive camera. I always have my M8 with me, and use it a lot, and would like to do so with my M9 too. I will get insurance of course. M9 owners, what are your thoughts on this? Are you walking around with your M9 without getting paranoid?

Thanks for your time..

 

[rbsinto]

I don't own an M9, so I can't speak from personal experience, but unless you're just a collector, buying it and not using it seems to me to be pointless.
If you have it insured, yes, you'll still have some mental anguish if it was stolen, but in the end, it would be replaced.
If you intend to buy it, get insurance and then enjoy the camera.

 

[konicaman]

Most mugger/thieves will not know an M9 from a Ricoh 500G so the risk is probably minimal. The most expensive camera that I carry is a 5D MkII - it is insured but not against robbery; no Danish insurance company will do that, maybe that is different in Holland?

Just make sure you don't place it on a table in a cafe or unattended in a bag, and you'll be 99,8% secure.

BTW: Congrats on your new "baby" and have fun.

 

[Kiyatkin]

I budget $500/year for the best insurance I could find and do not worry and theft or loss.
If you are asking about how to feel ethically walking around with a camera/lens you spent more money on than most people make in a year - you have to come up with your own brand of BS that works for you.

 

[usayit]

Just get insured and enjoy.

I'm not sure about your area but I think at most 5 people have recognized the camera ever.... among the sea of Nikons and Canon DSLRs with their huge zooms, most think it is a point and shoot camera.

I also use a non-camera bag with inserts which bring even less attention.

 

[Steve M.]

People seem to live in fear they create themselves (me too, just not on this issue). Just go shoot it. I guarantee that 99.9% of people don't know or care what camera you're shooting, and that's a fairly solid and heavy camera if trouble comes up. You're gonna insure it? Then why worry?

 

[Renzsu]

INSURANCE and don't sweat about it too much! 🙂
I pay 220 a year for the M9 + elmarit 28 asph. + f/1 noctilux
Insured at replacement value, roughly 11k

If you're the kind of person that loses stuff everywhere, ok I'd try and be more careful, but just because it's an expensive camera, you're not suddenly going to lose it everywhere right.. why would you? So, buy it, enjoy it, and USE it most of all.

 

[rbsinto]

I budget $500/year for the best insurance I could find and do not worry and theft or loss.
If you are asking about how to feel ethically walking around with a camera/lens you spent more money on than most people make in a year - you have to come up with your own brand of BS that works for you.

I think this remark was entirely uncalled for.

 

[jsrockit]

Yes, I use my M9 everywhere in New York City. Why buy it if you are afraid to use it? AND, mine gets noticed all the time by people... nice people who just like the camera (and sometimes me), not those who want to steal it.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Most mugger/thieves will not know an M9 from a Ricoh 500G so the risk is probably minimal.

Exactly. And to the OP: how often are people mugged for their cameras anyway?

Cheers,

R.

 

[jsrockit]

If you are asking about how to feel ethically walking around with a camera/lens you spent more money on than most people make in a year - you have to come up with your own brand of BS that works for you.

Hmmm, so because we are lucky to have the opportunity to make money, we should feel guilt for those who do not have the same opportunity? When does it stop then? Some people only get to eat rice or potatoes... should I feel guilty for eating a slice of pizza?

 

[Roger Hicks]

I budget $500/year for the best insurance I could find and do not worry and theft or loss.
If you are asking about how to feel ethically walking around with a camera/lens you spent more money on than most people make in a year - you have to come up with your own brand of BS that works for you.

Well, in very poor countries, maybe. In the 'rich west', I'd seriously doubt it. In fact, on the figures, it's definitely untrue.

What's your car worth? For that matter, do you live in a carboard box on the street? If not, why not? What 'BS' do you use to 'justify' that?

Cheers,

R.

 

[leicashot]

Hmmm, so because we are lucky to have the opportunity to make money, we should feel guilt for those who do not have the same opportunity? When does it stop then? Some people only get to eat rice or potatoes... should I feel guilty for eating a slice of pizza?

In some places rice and potatoes are probably worth more than a slice of pizza....or an M9 😉

 

[Phantomas]

You're gonna go for it? 🙂

Yeah, what Renze said - insurance and don't worry about it. I remember I was once walking with a D3S and a few new f/1.4 lenses + a macbook pro in my bag and when I made a mental note of the value of that bag I held it a bit tighter.

You want that camera to shoot. Get it, use it.

 

[MCTuomey]

I don't know anyone who's been jacked for a camera, don't recall reading about it happening either. Stolen from a vehicle or home, yes. So, I try to keep my camera with me all the time. Which is the idea anyway.

Me, if I worry at all about gear loss, it's that I'll damage my gear in use by dropping or banging it. Stuff can be fixed, so not a big deal. If my gear is new or nearly so, I do feel better once it gets a bit worn. I have a bit of new-phobia.

 

[leicashot]

Its as simple as this. There are always risks in life and there are always certain insurances one can take out. If you're not going to take out insurance then be prepared for the worst, and enjoy what you have regardless. If you can't do that, then you're gonna be a future collector - no offense 😉

 

[jaapv]

Well, in very poor countries, maybe. In the 'rich west', I'd seriously doubt it. In fact, on the figures, it's definitely untrue.

What's your car worth? For that matter, do you live in a carboard box on the street? If not, why not? What 'BS' do you use to 'justify' that?

Cheers,

R.

In poor contries just about any camera will cost at least a year's income, so it does not matter a d*mn whether you carry a Ricoh or a Leica. And it will cost a fraction of the Mercedes 600 the governor of the province you are in will be driving - paid for from development funds from your taxes. Having said that it does not do to go into a third world country wearing expensive jewelry or other non-functional status symbols. But a tool like a camera? It does not bother me at all.

People that claim a moral high ground on basis of considerations like this (not you Roger, but one or two other posters, I'm agreeing with you here 😉) are trying to deprive the local population from one of the most valuable sources of income they have - tourism.

As for the fear of using an expensive camera, it is as rational as refusing to use an expensive Nissan Patrol in favor of a rickety Toyota - whatever you do you will be the rich First Worlder. And if you are unlucky you will be the target of some forceful lessening of the wealth gap, regardless of the cost of your camera (which, for a Leica, is rather unattractive in those situations, a pair of Nike shoes are far more at risk)

 

[scottwallick]

I have specific insurance for my M9 and lenses, so at home, abroad, I don't worry about it.

 

[thegman]

With pricey cameras I don't worry about being mugged (maybe I should, but I don't), but I do worry about accidental damage. I feel much better walking around with my cheaper cameras which I don't worry about getting wet, dropping, or some other incident.

I find using less expensive cameras liberating, especially on holidays, when you're meant to be relaxing, not worrying about salt spray, humidity, scratching screens on rocks etc.

If you really want the M9, I'm not trying to dissuade you, but definitely get it insured.

 

[Peter S]

Insured my M9 via Apparatuur@dsv-insurance.nl. They are even based in Amsterdam. It is really not that expensive. I take my M9 almost everywhere, except when I am going out with friends and it might get late/boozy.