No matter where I am I’m always more concerned about negative human reactions by people who don’t like a stranger pointing a camera at them and taking unwanted pictures than robbers.
In the general population, probably less than 1% would see the difference between a Leica M2 and an Olympus OM-1. In the areas your looking to explore, it's probably 1% of that 1%. They both look like old cameras.
On the other hand, 99% of the population would see the difference between an iPhone 14 and a Leica, and just about all these people would probably think the iPhone is the most expensive of the two.
We camera geeks might think that Leica vs OM-1 is like Lamborghini vs Toyota Corolla, but while there are many parts of big cities in which in would not park my Lamborghini—should I ever be able to afford one—, I wouldn't hesitate to take the Leica just about anywhere. The iPhone I hide more carefully, with the wallet.
I remember nearly getting mugged—never ran that fast in my life—at dawn in the old part of Genoa, Italy. They were not after the M2, couldn't care less. Just the wallet. Muggers don't have time to go around trying to pawn cameras—those that are usually come from home or store robberies. Muggers are after cash, bank and credit cards.
One advantage I do have that most don’t is size: 6’5” 250 lbs.
One advantage I do have that most don’t is size: 6’5” 250 lbs.
I don't think anybody will bother you.
Scary stuff. Recent stories out of Frisco recently give me the chills, and I lived in the South Bronx for seven years!
Calling it "Frisco" is the fastest way to announce to the world that "I am a tourist," thereby potentially drawing attention to yourself needlessly.
The next-fastest approach would be to spend all your time at Fisherman's Wharf and/or the Embarcadero.
Calling it "Frisco" is the fastest way to announce to the world that "I am a tourist," thereby potentially drawing attention to yourself needlessly.
The next-fastest approach would be to spend all your time at Fisherman's Wharf and/or the Embarcadero.
Actually, I know the city fairly well and wouldn’t bother to spend time at the Fisherman’s Wharf or the Embarcadero tourist traps.
I haven’t been over there since the pandemic started and was curious as to whether all the stuff I’ve been hearing on the news is accurate. Guess I’ll just have to go there myself and check it out.
A longtime friend, a native of SF, calls it Frisco, and I suppose I’ve picked up the habit.
On that topic, this is a fun read!
Don't Call It Frisco: The History of San Francisco Nicknames
From Frisco to San Fran, the many nicknames given to the city of San Francisco display the diversity and history of this great city.www.sftravel.com
For street photography in big cities, particularly out of the tourist areas, is it okay to bring bling cameras like Leicas, or is it better to bring beaters, like an old OM-1? I don’t want to lose something expensive to a junkie looking for his next score.
I used to (legally) carry a concealed weapon for worst case scenario insurance. For many years, I had no problems and people would walk up curious to see through the back of a view camera or ask about the Hasselblad.
No more. It's no longer safe even if armed.
Now I just avoid the big cities - LA, San Fran, Chicago, New York and their ilk are in chaos and freefall. The "reporting" on what's going on in these hellholes is dishonest and gives one the impression that crime isn't a serious problem. That is a lie.
Chicago is a good example. The crime rate was actually higher in the 1990s. What they are not telling anyone is that - while the rate is lower today - it has spread across the entire city like a cancer. Quiet, well mannered neighborhoods are experiencing violent thuggery in the form of carjacking, violent assault, and theft of all kinds. What used to be a problem localized to poor, drug trafficking areas, is now an epidemic across the city.
I have worked in- and near most of the big cities in the US. Unless there is a serious change in social and political policy, they are all going to become Detroit or worse.
I treasure the pictures I took in these places, because I will never again go there to take a picture or enjoy a fine restaurant.
I do not have your fears. Instead I just use common sense to guide me.
I do not have your fears. Instead I just use common sense to guide me.
Same.
Opinions, especially nourished by prejudice and fear, are irrelevant. Stats don't lie.
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I feel much safer in New York City today than I did in the mid-80s.
And, at the risk of repeating myself: poverty and homelessness is not synonyme of criminality.
A Chicago TV crew was on scene covering armed robberies. Then they got robbed, police say.
A Chicago TV crew covering robberies in the Wicker Park neighborhood was robbed on Monday while out on the story, police said.currently.att.yahoo.com
A few times in the late 70s I would drive into the City -- Frisco, San Fran, The Bay (or Gray, or Gay) Area, and so forth -- in the early morning hours (3-ish), park and walk around the city and watch it wake up. I was a little smaller -- 6'4", 220 lb...and could run long and hard if needed. However, as light hit the city and people emerged, it seemed to be that I was who the people would be avoiding! So it goes. I'd hit City Lights and wander about...just another longhair hippy in the City of Love.One advantage I do have that most don’t is size: 6’5” 250 lbs.
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