F1 Photographer Has $30K Worth of Camera Gear Stolen at Mexico Grand Prix
A Formula 1 photographer covering the Mexico Grand Prix had “tens of thousands” of dollars worth of equipment stolen from him this weekend.
The Australian photographer, identified as Ryan, reportedly went to the media center on Wednesday before it was fully operational and, along with several other photographers, dropped his camera bag there before stepping out.
Fellow photographer and social media star Kym Illman says that when Ryan returned to the media center just five minutes later, he grabbed his bag and noticed it felt very light.
“Well indeed it was light because there was hardly any camera gear left in there,” Illman explains. “Initially, he thought his mates were playing a joke, but it turns out he was robbed of two cameras and a range of lenses worth tens of thousands of dollars.”
Security cameras at the media center captured two men who appeared to be installing wiring under the desks, but were actually rummaging through Ryan’s camera bag and stealing expensive cameras and lenses. Exterior cameras caught them sprinting away from the media center.
Ryan had two Canon R1s taken off him along with a range of lenses including a 100-300mm, 85mm, and a 14-35mm. Illman notes that the total loss was roughly $30,000.
The F1 Media Center is made available to accredited press at every circuit. Each event has a unique setup; photographers often get their own area that’s separate from written and visual media.
Illman notes that on Wednesday, tradespeople were still setting up the media center, and flooding had affected the press conference room, meaning there was plenty of work still going on.
All this activity gave the thieves the cover they needed to not arouse suspicion. Illman notes that it is a “painful reminder about equipment security” and says it’s not the first time thefts have happened at F1 races.
“At Le Castellet [Paul Ricard Circuit in France], two lockers were completely emptied on one occasion,” Illman writes on his blog. “A long lens was taken from the Hungaroring media center, and photographers have also had camera straps cut to steal their cameras.”
Illman adds that it is devastating for a photographer to discover that the gear they rely upon for their work has been stolen.
“After the theft [in Mexico], people were taking greater care to lock away laptops before leaving the room,” Illman says.
“The immediate change in Mexico was noticeable. Laptops were being put into lockers when their owners went out, and everyone was a little more alert. The practical lesson was not to assume that a familiar working environment made unattended equipment safe.”
Image creditsHeader photo licensed via Depositphotos.
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