Stolen lens returned (image sourced from Peta Pixel)
PetaPixel have an exclusive photography story that will help lift the mid week blues and restore faith in humanity. Gear tracking website Lenstag managed to reunite a user with his stolen lens for the first time this week all thanks to a conscientious stranger who had the ethics to do the right thing.
Lenstag works by offering a free registration service that photographers can use to register their gear. PetaPixel reports how this story is a feather in the cap for Lenstag:
It’s essentially proof of concept that registering your gear with the system and building up a database isn’t just a fool’s errand: it can actually help you recover gear you’ve had stolen from you.
Lenstag can now boast of its first recovery after aspiring photographer Philip Martin bought a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 lens from someone on craigslist. A month or so later Martin decided to run the lens through Lenstag’s database to see what turned up. As it happened the lens actually belonged to a Mr. Siyad Ma who had had his lens stolen while visiting USC in California. Having forked out a $1000 for the stolen lens its fair to say it offers something of a moral dilemma, return the lens and loose out on the cash, or keep the lens and pretend you didn’t see the search result? In an amazing display of altruism Martin reached out to Lenstag and offered to return the lens free of charge. Lenstag were then able to return the lens to Mr. Ma. Although $1000 out of pocket Martin’s actions have been able to inspire a little faith in humanity and its good to know that the photography community is able to be supportive of one another.
What do you think would you return the lens?
Can we get a fund setup to get his $1000 back? I will throw in $10.
Shannon