今天在网上最大的摄影论坛dpreview.com瞎逛，不小心看到一篇文章，说他今年已经被摩托党抢了三部相机，一部比一部好，刚丢的和我现在用的是一个型号，去年底才出来的sony R1，现在还要800$左右，被抢总价值3000$，看到这里，我立刻想这是在美国吗？哪个地方那么危险，赶快看他的profile，原来是在广东，咱老家，my god，再仔细看看，原来他是一个去了中国8年的外籍教师。这哥们心态还是很平和，说他没有第一次被抢那么难过，他只是上来问问对于一个热爱摄影天天随身携带相机的人如何减少这种情况。他还说中国还是安全的，虽然被抢但是没有受伤什么的。他对中国看得也很透，他说3000$是他一个月的工资但是他身边很多人需要3年才能赚到这个钱，许多人没有从改革开放中获益，因此估计一个外国人走在街上背着相机包是个明显的大肥羊。
I am speechless, I sympathize this guy, he is a great photographer, you can sense the deeply sadness when losing the beloved camera as part of photographer's body. But I felt more sympathy for our country。Again and again our 5000 years' image is distorted by all kinds of negative things here and there, little by little, Chinese are recognized as ugly sneaky low class worldwide, perhaps that's all self-respect Chinese no matter domestic or abroad don't want to face. Here are some of his pics and forward his article, I can do nothing but wish him the best in his China journey.
Help! I need your advice
I had my R1 stolen today. Motorcycle bandits came up behind me and cut my bag's strap and pulled the bag out of my hand. I lost my F707 and L1 the same way in April. I bought an H5 to replace the F707, but I loved it so much that I wanted my son to have it. I thought that it might really give him a chance to express himself. Four cameras have gone through my hands this year.
I have felt very safe in China, and I don't think that this is typical at all of what happens here, but when I was reporting the theft to the police, they said that my neighbourhood was bad for this type of crime.
Although China is going through an economic revolution, most people here don't make much money. I have lost about $3000 worth of camera equipment this year, which is about a month's salary for me. Many of my friends don't make that much in three years. So you can see that a foreigner walking around with a big fat bag would be a very tempting target for a local person.
What should I do? I don't have a camera now.
1. Should I take a rest from photography for a while? I am way too involved in STF, maybe. I post about 60 times a week, love the Challenges and spend way too much time in front of the computer. I carried my R1 everywhere with me and I think it hindered me from taking the long walks that I used to take. My health isn't as good this year. Should I just wait a while before I buy my next camera?
2. Should I buy another R1 and leave it at home? (People say that my home isn't very safe in this neighbourhood either, but I love this neighbourhood.)
3. Should I get a pocket camera or a mobile phone camera, and be satisfied with the quality of shots that will give me?
4. Should I restrict myself to what I can afford to lose? Should I assume that my camera is going to be stolen, and budget for that when I buy?
Any suggestions? What do you think I should do?
Thanks in advance for your ideas.
If you don't have any ideas, it doesn't matter.
I just kind of wanted to share the news of my misfortune with you. I don't like to say anything negative about China, because the country and the people have been great to me since I came here eight years ago. I just wonder how a photographer can enjoy his hobby safely here.
Maybe I should take up a less expensive hobby.
I'm not a very materialistic guy. I don't feel as sad or angry this time as I did last time it happened. I'm not too worried about losing my R1. I can't explain that, but it's true. I'm glad no-one was hurt, me especially, ha ha. Material things aren't the most important things in the world.
I just find myself, tonight, wondering what it all means, wondering what I should do.
--
John Dunn
