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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Lens stolen at Buccaneers/Falcons game
Chip Litherland, Photographer
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Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 8:41 PM on 01.03.10 |
->> Just a heads up for anyone that covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons game today at Raymond James Stadium - I had a Canon 16-35mm stolen in the photo darkroom 2. The serial number is 553033, it has my name and phone number affixed to it as well.
I only mention it because I would check your bags to see if you had anything taken as well. The lens I had was taken during the second half while I was out shooting.
It was insured obviously, but after shooting the game all day, I had to go file a report with stadium security (who basically said there was nothing they could do). I was then directed to a police station nearby where I filed another police report. They are (in theory) checking security cameras and sending the serial number out to the pawn shop network in case someone tries to turn it around for fast cash.
Anyhoo, I pretty much know I'm not getting it back, but I thought I'd just send a note out there as a reminder to all who cover games to make sure everything is secure before you head out to shoot.
Thanks...
Chip |
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Matthew Bush, Photographer
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Hattiesburg | MS | USA | Posted: 1:13 AM on 01.04.10 |
| ->> That is horrible. Is photo darkroom 2 the main work room or is it one of the auxiliary rooms ? In New Orleans AP has a room upstairs and the main work room is under the stands. In any case the area should be restricted access so it boils down to ether event security picked up a new wide angle or a shooter or card runner which is even more disturbing....Were you able to ask any of the photo-editors that were turning photographs in the 2nd half if they saw anything ? (Assuming there were people sending out from that particular location) I know LOTS of people who drop their long glass in the 4th quarter and it is scary to think about a couple of 400MM's growing legs and taking a walk. |
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Jesse Beals, Photographer
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Tracyton | WA | USA | Posted: 3:43 AM on 01.04.10 |
| ->> I recommend keeping an eye on craigslist and ebay also. It's funny how often stolen gear ends up on these sites. Just start searching the listings around your area code. |
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Paul Roberts, Photographer, Student/Intern
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Cheltenham | UK | England | Posted: 7:58 AM on 01.04.10 |
->> That's bad news Chip, just to second Jesse's post, keep eyes on Craigs list and Ebay.
Also, invest in a ThinkTank roller case or similar or something that you can secure. Hope it either comes back to you or the insurance claim goes OK. |
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Chip Litherland, Photographer
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Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 11:37 AM on 01.04.10 |
->> Thanks -
Matthew, there are two photo workrooms which are literally right next to each other in the heaviest traffic area of the stadium. All players walk by them, the owners park their cars in front of our doors, and pretty much everyone who has a sideline or security pass can walk around in that area.
I don't want to speculate on who was responsible, so I'm just chalking it up to lesson learned. I really can't imagine another shooter doing this...especially since I know most of the folks who work the games.
The lockable ThinkTank roller case is on my to-buy list once I get through this insurance process. Maybe think TankTank will read this and use me as a spokesperson to market their wares (ha). I could pull off a pretty sad looking photog face for a "Don't let this happen to you" print ad. I had my laptop locked to the desk, but even though my lens was out of sight, but in retrospect it was probably really easy for someone to get away unseen rather than lifting a 400mm and trying to get out.
Oh well, insurance is already on it. I've never had a claim before, so I'm bummed to have to click the "yes" box from now on.
Cheers,
Chip |
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Chip Litherland, Photographer
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Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 1:35 PM on 01.05.10 |
->> Just got a call from Tampa Sports Authority PR who is working with the Buccaneers PR to see if there's anything they can do to help us out in security there. In 11 years, she said there's never been a reported theft, so it came as a shock and they're really open to hearing from us on what they can do to secure photog areas better.
Any ideas I can pass onto her? Security guard at the door wouldn't matter because he wouldn't know whose gear is whose. They've also tossed the idea of lockers to me. Or perhaps keyed entry. What do you think?
I'm giving these guys (and especially Bucs photographer Matt May who helped get this ball rolling) major thanks for contacting me on their own after hearing about the incident, which was something they all didn't have to do.
Chip |
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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Boise | ID | US | Posted: 2:04 PM on 01.05.10 |
| ->> Lockers would be great! I'll probably never shoot there, but if they had them at any of the events I'm at it'd make life a lot easier. |
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Matthew Sauk, Photographer
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Sandy | UT | United States | Posted: 2:06 PM on 01.05.10 |
| ->> I like the idea of lockers, but how about also putting a security camera in there as well. That would not be that hard to do these days. |
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Jamey Price, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Charlotte | NC | USA | Posted: 2:08 PM on 01.05.10 |
| ->> Im really glad people are on board to make changes, Chip. I think lockers is a great idea. Keyed entry might not do much since it almost sounds like a photog took your stuff. |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 2:39 PM on 01.05.10 |
| ->> Lockers are cool if they are big enough to fit a roller into otherwise some sort of locking station that everyone could cable lock their roller or pacsafe to, would be my next suggestion. Also I'd have it mounted up high enough so that some fiddling with the lock or cable would have to stand up conspicuously. Think of a towel rack on steroids. |
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Brian Blanco, Photographer
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Tampa / Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 3:30 PM on 01.05.10 |
| ->> +1 for lockers Chip (and Matt... I know you're lurking man) |
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Brian Dowling, Photographer
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Philadelphia | PA | USA | Posted: 5:18 PM on 01.05.10 |
->> Its sad, but you can't trust anyone it seems. I've been at an NFL game where a 400 2.8 was taken, the Penn Relays two years ago a couple complete bags were taken, and at NY Fashion Week someone stole a Sony HDCam off a tripod. One of the $40-50k studio camcorders.
As for the Think Tank roller, how secure is the thin built in cable? It seems it could be cut in a couple seconds. So, I use a bike lock through the handle as my backup. |
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Chip Litherland, Photographer
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Sarasota | FL | USA | Posted: 9:18 PM on 01.13.10 |
->> Howdy,
We're one step closer to lockers...if you had a size request, what would it be? Big enough to hold an entire roller bag?
The wonderful people that could make or break this want to know...and IF it shakes down in Tampa, my guess is all you other folks in other cities could make it happen.
Let me know a dimension that would work for all.
Chip |
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Joseph Toth, Photographer
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Cambridge | UK | United Kingdom | Posted: 2:25 AM on 01.14.10 |
->> Chip,
A few stadiums here have lockers and a combo entry into the room itself. Not quite keyed entry, but just combo. It seems to do the trick.
Joe |
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Kevin M. Cox, Photographer, Assistant
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Galveston & Houston | TX | US | Posted: 3:47 AM on 01.14.10 |
->> Chip, I think you'd want the lockers to be big enough for a rolling bag with space leftover. It seems like most photogs also carry a separate laptop bag.
You'd want room for someone to be able to lockup their roller and laptop plus a 400mm if they're out shooting tailgating features before the game for example.
Having a bring-your-own-lock setup would reduce the hassle on stadium staff so they're not having to worry about who checked out which key, etc. |
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G.J. McCarthy, Photographer
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Dallas | TX | US | Posted: 9:14 AM on 01.14.10 |
->> Hey Chip:
I think the lockers should be big enough to hold at least one of these:
http://tinyurl.com/yabe8se
That way, in case some ruffian makes it past security and pops the lock, they more than likely change their mind and back away slowly.
... or run.
Good luck, amigo. Sorry to hear your stuff got swiped in the first place. No bueno at all.
- gerry - |
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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Boise | ID | US | Posted: 1:31 PM on 01.14.10 |
| ->> Usual ThinkTank rollers here. |
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David G. McIntyre, Photographer
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Beijing | . | CHINA | Posted: 10:42 AM on 01.15.10 |
| ->> That is what they have at the Olympics is large lockers that you get at each of the media centers of the venues. They fit a Thinktank Roller and Shape Shifter. |
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