Camera theft is always a concern to photographers. Unlike many electronics that connect to the internet or cellular service, cameras that are stolen are inevitably gone forever. There is no deactivating, no locking, and no real recovery methods (CameraTrace & Stolen Camera Finder aren't perfect). However, Nikon is looking to change this, with password protection of your gear.
According to a recent patent filed by Nikon Japan, the future of password protected gear is not far off. As all patents are, its a bit difficult to understand, but Nikon Rumors suggests that your camera body and lenses would link together, and be nonfunctional without a password entered into your camera body.
[via Nikon Rumors]
No problem. Password for rental is 123456 and there is a risk of getting the gear stolen. That's still just a low percentage of cameras around the Eiffel tower or the Trevi fountain. Meanwhile, the owners (non renters) get a decent protection against theft. I want that - quick!
surely it's "Patent" and not "Patient" :)
I'll go sit in the shame corner now. Sorry about that...
:-(
Every Nikon Camera is a patient (to a canon user), so you where subconciously spot on! lool :) (juuuuust kidding...) *duck and run*
ps cool idea, want it, and 123456 is a good idea! do it
I wrote to them 5 years back about this! Glad its coming into place!
personally I think this idea is pointless. If someone stole your camera, they could still sell lens or body with bogus ebay, amazon or any other online store.
Agreed. And like most password devices, there will always be a way to hack it. Where there is a will, there is a way. And where there are $2,000+ equipment, there will be a will.
nice cant wait to miss that shot because Im prompted for a password.
Just as I don't use the passcode function on my iPhone (my important information apps have their own password prompts), I sure as hell wouldn't use it on my camera! Like Rob said... I put my camera to my face in a split second most of the time to grab a shot. The last thing I want to do is put in a code... Recipe for missed shot right there! If my camera is outside of my house, it is hanging from my shoulder 99.999% of the time. If you can steal it from me from my shoulder... Kudos to you
Maybe they'll do something similar to the iphone in the sense that you can use the camera and change the aperture/iso/ss/etc without unlocking it, but to download / change some of the more in-depth settings, you'll need to unlock it?
I actually wouldn't mind that, that way there wouldn't be any missed shots
If they are clever about it you would only have to turn it on and enter the password once, i'm sure there would be some kind of option to not be prompted for a password if you keep your camera on and in stand-by mode instead of switching it off when you're in-between shots or whatever. Very rarely do I ever turn my camera off when it's around my neck
Here's a simple solution: if a camera manufacturer tries to put this over on us how about we don't buy their shit. Simple enough.
Its easier said than done, sadly. Many working pros have thousands of dollars invested into the brand, and actually, many photographers will actually like this concept. Call it a false sense of security :-)
is there anyway to find or search an image using the serial number of the camera used? im still searching for my 550D...
here's the serial number, 1032300561. can someone search for it and pass the link to me. Please? :)
This is a great idea but people have brought up valid points about having to enter a password to use their camera, missing shots etc but If they are clever about it you would only have to turn it on and enter the password once, i'm sure there would be some kind of option to not be prompted for a password if you keep your camera on and in stand-by mode instead of switching it off when you're in-between shots or whatever. Very rarely do I ever turn my camera off when it's around my neck - but then, of course, what if someone steals it when it's in stand-by mode and not off? :P who knows, maybe next they'll bring out biometric palmprint scanners like they have on "smart" guns or a retinal scanner in the viewfinder so only you can use it etc etc ^_^
Dumb! What about the thousands of dollars worth of glass... The thief can just take that... Unless it blows up without the correct password! Everything's better with an explosion.
Nice, hey a little more security in an such an unsecured world is never a bad thing
Just make it like the iPhone. You can take photos, but everything else is locked. Can't access the earlier photos saved, can't access menus and so on. You're not gonna dig into the menu, when in a rush.
www.Jensmarklund.com
Last week I was thinking about feature like that. I is good idea, and protection should be implemented the way that it would make impossible to remove it.
It would be better to let to use the camera but encrypt pictures. To use the pictures you will need software with the key. This way you can use camera as normal but if you loose camera or have it stolen, the camera is useless and your privacy is protected.
Its a good idea. Many professional photographers wouldn't fear the loss of their work on the camera. I'm into photography and it has occurred to me once,that someone stole my pics and took credit herself.It is good initiative.I totally support it.