Stolen camera

Stagirit · 2005-11-07T21:35:20+00:00

Dieses Wochenende war ich in Berlin, da das Wetter so prächtig war, konnte ich nur drei Aufnahmen machen und hab meine Kamera im Hotel gelassen. Jetzt sollt...

Stagirit

I was in Berlin this weekend; as the weather was so lovely, I only managed to take three photos and left my camera in the hotel. You’d think you could just leave your camera in your room at the Park Inn on Alexanderplatz, but apparently not. My camera and Beli are gone. I’d appreciate any help, and if anyone fancies having a look, please read on; to everyone else, I’d like to apologise for the inconvenience. Camera: Gossen Lunasix 3S (that hurt), in its original case. The camera has a lanyard that goes through the eyelet at the bottom of the case and has a cap at the end, similar to the loops on Deuter hiking rucksacks. I removed the aluminium plate on the back for repairs; the old adhesive was scraped off and the plate is now attached with superglue. The adapter for the battery compartment is also included. The paint is missing from the button in the centre of the scale dial; it is bare and shiny. Camera: Carl Zeiss Nettar; it wasn’t expensive, but I’m quite attached to it and it’s in very good condition. It’s in the old Zeiss camera bag; the strap is tied in a knot on one side and the fastener on the lid is missing. There’s also a small pouch attached to the strap, containing a rangefinder. The camera was loaded with a roll of Neopan 400. As my deodorant and my woollen hat were also stolen for €5, I don’t think this was a thief with specialist knowledge (though they managed to get into the room without any trouble). So if anyone happens to see my things in Berlin, please do get in touch. It would make a poor student very happy.

MirkoBoeddecker

Stagirit, Have you reported this to the police? If not, we wouldn’t even be able to do anything even if the items were right here on our counter... I’m writing this because we get this sort of thing quite often, but usually there’s no police report of the theft, which unfortunately makes it impossible to seize the goods, even in obvious cases. Without serial numbers, the situation looks a bit bleak, unfortunately :-( So: please write down all your serial numbers – as you can see, this sort of thing happens quicker than you’d think – and if it does happen, give Mum a call; she’ll give you the serial numbers and then the whole thing will be reported to the police. Regardless of the clearance rate, any action you take on your own without reporting it to the police usually comes to nothing. Mirko PS Oh, and if anyone wants a few good hotel tips away from the Park Inn, feel free to get in touch :-)

Stagirit

Of course, I’ve notified the police. The Nettar doesn’t have a serial number as such, just a model number (515/2), but they all have one from that series. I used to have the one from Gossen, back when I bought it ages ago. The whole lot was in my rucksack in the cupboard, hidden under worn-out underpants and old socks. Luckily I didn’t have my Mamiya with me; that would have really annoyed me.

Wolf_XL

...even if the financial loss isn’t too bad – it’s still a pain... If I were you, I’d have a look on eBay more often – that’s where I reckon you’ve got the best chance of finding your belongings again...

Stagirit

I’ll do that too. I bought those bits and pieces back then with my pocket money; I knew next to nothing about photography at the time, so naturally I’m quite attached to them.

Stagirit

It’s actually quite cheeky, but I bought my stolen camera on eBay this evening. Maybe I’ll be lucky and the film’s still in it.

Sandmann1978

Can't you sort it out via eBay now? After all, eBay should have your address and so on on file, shouldn't they?

Stagirit

That’s not a matter for eBay, but for the criminal investigation department.

Stagirit

Unfortunately, there was no film left in it, and as both film reels are still there, it must have just been pulled out like that. *Sob* Those lovely pictures! There was also an old Balda Stelo at the auction. What should I do with it? Put it on the shelf? Throw it up in the air and maybe not catch it again? Turn it into a pinhole camera? Just turning the film advance knob sends a shiver down my spine. Squeak... squeak... squeak

Stagirit

I’ve just got my light meter back from the Berlin Criminal Investigation Department today, and they’ve nabbed the thief as well. All I can think to say is: “You got served, bitch!” :)

uworischki

So there is still justice after all... or is the Berlin police just slow – but thorough?

Petzi

I once had a whole set of Arca-Swiss gear stolen from my Lowe photo rucksack, including Schneider lenses, a Gossen Spotmaster and all the trimmings. Not that I ever got any of it back. It happened in Amsterdam. I reckon the lot ended up in a canal because the thieves didn’t know what it was. So count yourself lucky that you got off so lightly.

cfb_de

Hi Stagirit, Nice. So it all went well, and you even got a Balda as a trophy. I’d put that in a display cabinet with a little label in front of it :-) They once tried to steal my AE1p in Rome. A similar Vespa theft: one rides off, the other grabs it. Unfortunately, they didn’t realise in time that I was carrying the batteries in my pocket (the PX28 was too expensive for me as a schoolboy: four AA batteries in my pocket, an adapter cobbled together from a bird perch, and a cable from the camera into my pocket. It was also absolutely winter-proof – no frozen batteries). The Vespa crashed to the ground, two people rolled off, jumped up and swore loudly. The carabiniere who rushed over gave both of them a few slaps and that was that. He then said something like, “They’ve been punished enough with the broken scooter; they can’t afford to buy a new one and won’t be stealing anymore.” I still have the Knips; I soldered the torn cable back on with a lighter back then. But I don’t have a prize. Which brings us back to the Balda. Congratulations, Franz

Stagirit

Come to think of it, I really should put the Balda away in the cupboard. As for the Arca Swiss: I’m sure they didn’t just chuck it away, but sold it to some dealer for €100. The bloke who sold my camera and the Beli to the camera shop didn’t have a clue what he was carrying about either. So, I really should have a look on eBay more often.