worst nightmare... brand new DVX100B

Rubix³

Rubix³

Well-known member
I'm a really paranoid guy. Thing is, my paranoia pays off at times. This is probably due to the fact that whenever I get something I really really like, something happens to either threaten or ruin it. I'm not crying about it or anything, it's just black Irish luck. My father had the same problem.

I just got my DVX100B this week along with some other equipment. I've been studying the manual like mad (until my Barry Green book/dvd comes) and testing a few of the settings in my apartment. Today I decided to do some outdoor shoots for the first time. I screwed on my new Tiffen UV filter (arrived 15 minutes before) got ready to head out.

Now, I don't have a case yet (it's in the mail). I immediately thought, "I'm going to get f'ing mugged. I'm going to get mugged by either a group of 5 or a Goliath." I even (dramatically) paused and reconsidered. Screw it, I was itching to test the 24P on the fountain/lake/weeping willows in the back of my place.

So I head out the side of the building and around the back towards the lake. Everyone's staring at me, what the hell else is new (.... :D ).

As I'm walking, I just hear a raspy voice say "Nice camera." This line isn't a joke, I'm not lying to build suspense. F'ing "Nice camera."

I look over, and I see this guy by the trash bins, about 10 feet away from me. He's around 6ft, fat, beard, poorly dressed, very mountainous (I live about 15 miles NW of Chicago).

I say "thanks" and he starts talking. "You wouldn't believe what these idiots throw away." I notice he's PICKING THROUGH THE TRASH and loading his truck up. I was briefly (& naively) relieved when I noticed his truck was brand new - a big F150 or something.

Well, I can't say that RUN didn't pop in my head - not because I'm a complete pansy, but because I just didn't want to deal with whatever was about to befall my cursed existence. I remind myself of the quotes I hear from my girlfriend "you're f'ing paranoid" or my brother's coined "I think you're imagining things."

So I go "ahhh" and he's like (verbatim & foul) "today I found a (blah blah model number) gateway and you wouldn't f'ing believe what sh!t I found yesterday." He pulls out a sheet of paper and starts approaching me. He's got no teeth.

I nervously switch the camera to my right hands, holding it from the top. He gets right up next to me and shows me a picture of a laptop he printed off the internet.

Then he jacked me. He jacked me right in the face - a total right hand potshot that almost put me down. Then I feel his hand sharing the camera handle with mine. Oh man, we're playing tug of war with it. With my brand new DVX100B.

Pure rage, I got my gravity back and just kicked out at him. I literally tow-bashed him right in the groin. He let go! I couldn't believe it, he let go of the camera! He collapses and I started screaming "thief, c-sucking thief!" and I started whaling on the guy - kicking him on the ground, hollering other things like "wahhh" and "f'ing thieving c***."

There was a cop there within seconds - he was watching him picking out the trash before the guy even started with me. There's always cops in my lot. I ran at him and told him that the slug was trying to steal my camera. He said he saw it and arrested the guy.

This all happened about two hours ago. My 100B is fine and I was still able to get the test footage I wanted. Now I've been through war with the wonderful bastard... I'll never get rid of him. I think I'll name him Simon. Too bad he wasn't taping at the time.

From one newbie to the others: get a case, stay away from my building, stay away from the trash when weilding your camera.
 
You should make a short movie about your experience. I'm really curious about that dumpster diving character... Why was he going though the dumpster? Was he homeless?
Why was he driving a new truck? Did he steal it? Maybe he found it? Surely he did not get financing from the dealer if he had no teeth? Maybe he was looking in the dumpster for his dentures that he accidentally threw away. He also could be someone famous and he thinks you're the Papparazi. He does not want this to be aired on ET as his fans will be disappointed. Or he could be an undercover cop, and he thinks your camera will blow his cover... who knows?
 
Dude!,
You mean you didnt have the record button on???
Please say it isnt so!.
Man I wish you were rolling the whole time. Even if the lense cap was on you could of posted some great audio here!!!!.

anyway glad you fought back, for the sake of your community you did the right thing.
 
Seriously, there should be at least a screen grab or something.

That sucks...big time. I'm glad to here that you and your camera made it through.

That's why a crew is crucial. Or get a gun, a third arm(you'll need it), and a third eye.

Pardon the bad pun, but thieves are something that the potential camera owner rarely takes into consideration until they actually have the camera in hand.
 
this story pretty much made my day. Not that you almost got jacked, but because you rule.

That is amazing.

Yay for you, yay for the dvx, yay for all dvxusers (no one touches a mans camera without consent)...and BOO for that teeth-less bastard.
 
When he started his approach with no teeth...I would've been running in the other direction!
Glad you are still in possession of your DVX!
 
robot909 said:
You should make a short movie about your experience. I'm really curious about that dumpster diving character... Why was he going though the dumpster? Was he homeless?
Why was he driving a new truck? Did he steal it? Maybe he found it? Surely he did not get financing from the dealer if he had no teeth? Maybe he was looking in the dumpster for his dentures that he accidentally threw away. He also could be someone famous and he thinks you're the Papparazi. He does not want this to be aired on ET as his fans will be disappointed. Or he could be an undercover cop, and he thinks your camera will blow his cover... who knows?
Click to expand...
This has got to be one of the greatest posts I've ever read on a forum. Ever.

robot909 said:
Surely he did not get financing from the dealer if he had no teeth?
Click to expand...
This, alone, is sig worthy.

Thanks for the replies fellas, hell yeah. Now that I've settled down, I'm starting to really kick myself for not having the camera on.
 
You need to learn the special art of agreeing with people as you walk away talking over your shoulder to them.:love4:

"Sounds good. Gotta run. Rock on!"
 
Sir, I salute you. I had a Powerbook stolen out of my backpack. Tragically I wasn't there to kick the thief in the nuts.
 
dieselfoot said:
That's why a crew is crucial. Or get a gun, a third arm(you'll need it), and a third eye.
Click to expand...

Is that why they call it run and gun??? :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)

Sorry, couldn't resist!
 
Man, what a story. Way to fight back!

Seriously, I know it's been said too many times and will be many more but I wish I had seen you kicking the crap out of him on video. Can you just walk down some random alley and try to get the same situation to happen? Haha- we'll forgive you if you don't.

At least turn it on when the cop was going to arrest the guy..... :-P
 
You might want to move. But until then get some kind of case or bag to walk outside with the DVX100.

Jan,,,anyone from Panasonic reading this thread. You can take down that stupid DVX love story off your website now,,,you can put up "just try and take my DVX100b you toothless scumbag",,,
 
Congrats Rubix! I find myself shooting with my DVX in dodgy neighborhoods a lot and luckily (knock knock) I haven't had mine jacked yet. I can only wish I'll react as brave as you did once someone tries to ...
 
From my cold dead hands!
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Dude, that is some story! I really thought that you were priming us for your entry into Horrorfest! That would be a hard one to beat!

I am seriously glad that you fought back and won. Good for you! I don't know how your size compares to that thug, but I had this pretty funny picture of you kicking the crap out of some giant!

I, too, wish you had your camera rolling!

Hope that your paranoia curse has taken a turn for the best!
 
Thanks man. The guy wasn't "huge," but I definitely wouldn't want to brawl with him hand to hand. There was actually luck on my side with this. He seemed one of those naturally drunk, loopy, unpredictable fellows.

Paul Coleman said:
You need to learn the special art of agreeing with people as you walk away talking over your shoulder to them.:love4:

"Sounds good. Gotta run. Rock on!"
Click to expand...
You've got that right. I used to have the skill, but somewhere down the road I lost it. The "empathetic listener" crap never pays off.

Just like all of you I'm sure, I get really attached to my machines. This isn't meant to sound sick or shallow, but this guy grabbing onto the camera is like having him grab onto your sibling, girlfriend, or best friend. Not property in a demeaning way, but property nonetheless. It's the instant wtf?! rage that worked well for me on this one.

I appreciate all of your comments and I'm glad we're in agreement that a beat down was necessary.
 
Truth really is stranger than fiction. You should get it re-enacted for us at least as a short. Maybe for 'CrimeFest', or has that been done?

Glad you got out relatively unscathed, and with your DVX.
 
Ummm... why has no one suggested getting insurance on ALL your gear?? You can insure 20 grand worth of gear for some measily $50-$200 a YEAR, depending on who you go through, and if you have any other insurance already. (if you have home owners insurance, most companies will let you add on top of that to cover your gear at next to nothing).

Good story, though.
 
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