Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/08/29
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]John wrote, i.a. : >Alfie-- >Common sense is the best line of defense. >Get rid of the Billingham bag. They look expensive and look like >something expensive is in them. Get the small black Domke satchel >bag. >don't WEAR expensive stuff. Leave the >Rolex at home and wear a cheap watch. Do NOT call attention to >yourself. >Oh, and some places you should just punt as they say. If you're going >to Brazil it's probably best just to get a guide/driver/bodyguard. IF >you don't want to do that at least replace the neckstrap with a chain >(no kidding) so it can't be cut off of you. Very true! I do agree with the use of the Domke 803. Black is the best. But the Domke inserts suck IMHO. A Billingham Hadley insert fits in the 803 like a hand in a glove! Much better. Very inconspicuous bag. So much that I carried it around in Brazil for a month, with M6 and 3 lenses, without a bodyguard trailing me, and I did not one time feel threatened, or even watched. I would say a bodyguard would catch attention, much more than a reasonably tanned tourist with inconspicuous clothes( why not buy some local shirts or polo's?), a cheap Swatch watch and dusty shoes. And do look confident. Fear shows itself. So don't miss Brazil when you can go there. Great place! Cuba was great too. Carried my Leica in an old army satchel, the years 50 kind, blencoed and all! No one even looked at it. Except in old Havana, when I made a picture, a guy looked out of the window and shouted: Leica M 6 senor! Must have been a friend of Alex Korda! It,s the places where you don't expect it: that's where you get pickpocketed. Lost a wallet with 30 U$ worth in Ulan Bator in Mongolia this summer (Pictures forthcoming!) My own fault: should have been more careful, just like I always am in Amsterdam, where I live! Sander van Hulsenbeek, Amsterdam, Holland