I’m completely devastated 
My Canon 5D MKII and the 50mm f1.4 got stolen from my camera bag this evening at the shops.
I went to my usual haunt, Honeydew Village shopping centre in the West Rand (Johannesburg), to buy dog food and then do a food shop at Woolies. I got out of the car with the kids, went to the boot to get out my wallet from my camera bag, locked it as I’m shouting at them to get across the road. I was in the pet food shop for literally 5 minutes!! When I walked back to the car with the dog food, I unlocked the car… or so I thought.
As the car guard put the heavy dog food bag in my car I saw that the kids school bags had been moved and my camera bag was open. Then I noticed that the back seat was pulled down.
Hmm strange.
I peered into my camera bag (which doesn’t look like a camera bag it looks like a handbag), I saw it was empty.
I asked the car guards if they saw anything… nothing!! Actually, I’m not that surprised. I parked at the end of the car. I reckon I was watched and they opened the car from the passenger door which the guard wouldn’t have seen cos he was closer to the building.
Thank God I only carried one lens today, and it was the small one. Also, there wasn’t even a CF card in it.
I’m convinced I locked the car, in fact I normally press that remote locking button a few times to make sure now because of the stories of the remote jamming gangs… clearly that’s not good enough!!
So now it’s a schlepp and a half!! Got to get to the police station tomorrow… then complete my claim with Outsurance.
I need a new body before next weekend, I can do my next portrait shoot with the 50D, but I have a HUGE batmitzvah next weekend that I need the big body for… and I have a BIG wedding coming up in 3 weeks time too!!
So, if you come across the following:
Canon 5DMKII serial number 2531400106
Canon EF 50mm f.14 serial number 66313148
… they’re mine!!
And yes, I took a photo of my empty bag with my phone… as one does…
You’re probably thinking… stupid woman shouldn’t have left the camera in the car. Probably, but my new Jo Totes camera bag is really really not as comfortable to wear as a handbag as my Kelly Moore one was, so I tend to leave it in the car now.
Comments
Natasha Whiteley
sorry Jenty, I know it’s a pain
kim (frog ponds rock)
Oh no Jenty. That sinking feeling is horrible. I imagine it could have been much worse ie larger lenses and memory card full of images. but that is small consolation. I hope the insurance company pay up quickly and you get a new camera before the Batmitzvah. xx
Suzanne
Ag nee Jeanette.
That is horrible!
Paul
Sorry to hear about your loss. There is a syndicate in operation in the CT area that walks through carparks with a device that acts like a car alarm deactivator. Basically they walk around, push a couple buttons and see which car doors open. They take what they want and close it up all nice and neat. Friend of mine had a laptop taken out of her boot recently. Canal Walk shopping centre arrested about 5 people in the last couple of months doing this. S, for your sanity, you probably did lock your car, you were probably watched and you are probably a victim of some sneaky activity. Hope you get sorted, better yet, I hope you find the bastards and that they get there just rewards. Car guards, don’t help and a lot of the time they do see but, their lives are threatened…sad world we live in!
Jenty
I’m sure that’s what happened to me. There’s been a lot of press about that here too.
Ruan
That’s horrible! Hopefully the insurance does it’s thing.
Worst of all is that the thieves have no style – they left behind the most awesome camera bag!
Jenty
LOL
thank goodness they didn’t take my new camera bag too!
Catherine Jordan
I am so sorry. I know we have being told around here that they are using blocking devices to block you locking your car – you think you have locked it but it does not – so we have being told to manual check the doors are locked.
Cat@jugglingact
Oh I am really so sorry for you. Hope it gets sorted with the insurance soon.
Madelein
Ag no man!! And right there by us.Blerrie agents!!
Avril (Mom)
Emptiness of the bag looks horrible
Fiona
So sorry Jeanette. I hope you don’t have any hassles with the insurance company and they pay you out asap.
Laura
Ja wanted to say what the others said about the blocking devices – happened to my aunt. She locked the car (she is OCD about it) but came back to her handbag gone :-/ Police told her when she pushes her remote they do so as well and it then blocks it.
Sorry it happened though
I agree with your mom – that bag looks sad!
Craig
Ugh, that’s horrible to hear. So frustrating that people can’t leave things that aren’t theirs alone!
Cheryl Becker
The feeling of being violated is not good!! Hope you come right soon with a replacement.
Karen at MomAgain@40
Sorry to hear!
That’s where I shop! Scary!!
Jackie
What a horrible thing to happen, sorry
Janet
Really makes me MAD!!! You don’t even have to be careless – they help themselves even if you’re careful! Grrrrr!
Louisa
That really sucks!
A Daft Scot Lass
The device either jams your remote signal so your car actually doesn’t lock, or they record your remove signal, open the car, take what they want, lock and leave.
I’m surprised no one saw anything.
sorry about your camera. Thats a HUGE loss.
Amanda D
Man just subscribed to follow you and now this terrible news!. I hope they replace everything!!! I’m getting a bit freaked out now with this alarm device thing that theivs seem to be able to get hold of all to easily.
Sunet
Ugh, I’m so sorry to hear. That’s actually so scary the way you described it…I go to that centre so often. But I know they won’t ever be able to hold you down…you’re an amazing photographer and I so enjoy seeing your pictures.
Marcia (123 blog)
I’m also super freaked! And I’m one of those who locks my car about 5 m from the car. I will have to lock and test before walking away.
Corey~livingandloving
just reading about this. ugh….and I’m sorry that your insurance isn’t going to cover it. that sucks.