success stories

We've helped reunite people all over the world with their cameras. Here is a selection of our favourite stories. If this site helped you, let us know.

stolen camera recovered using exif

Melbourne, Australia

Kevin Hayes had his camera was stolen in 2009, and not just any camera, this was $5000 worth of kit. Two years later, long after Kevin had given up hope that he would ever see his camera again, he hears about stolencamerafinder and gives it a try.

“ Without any expectations whatsoever I entered my missing 5D's serial number. First hit. Bang. ”

-Kevin Hayes

The camera was now being used in Sydney. With a basic bit of detective work, Mr Hayes was able to identify the new owner's name and facebook account. Mr Hayes then contacted the Police with this new information. A short while later and he is reunited with his camera.

“ It was just the most incredible feeling – I just couldn't believe it to be honest, that it was as simple as just typing in a serial number. ”

-Kevin Hayes

The full story can be read in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Guardian. You can also see the exact series of events as it originally unfolded in the Whirlpool forum.

lost camera reported and found

San Francisco, USA

Phong Truong lost his camera (an expensive Canon 7D) in San Francisco whilst on holiday. He searched on this site to see if any photos were being used but got no results. It wasn't surprising since he had only just parted company with the camera. What later proved to be a fantastic idea, was creating a lost camera report on this site so that it would appear on the map.

About a month later we received an email from someone claiming to have found his camera:

“ I just came across your website today as my family had found a camera. After I searched the serial number, I saw a lost report. From reading the notes, it sounds like the possible owners of the camera we've found... ”

-D

After confirming both reports were genuine we were able to arrange for the return of the camera.

“ My wife and I didn't speak for days... This will be a wonderful late-Christmas surprise for her :-) I really can't believe this is happening, thank you so much! ”

-Phong Truong

To which the Good Samaritan replied:

“ You're making me tear up, I'm so happy to be able to return the camera to you! ”

-D

What a brilliant story. Not only was Phong Truong able to get his camera back, but he was also able to get the photos that were still on the memory card. Irreplacable family photos from their holiday.

stolen camera returned by accidental buyer

Cape Town, South Africa

This story is interesting because it lead to Nik getting his camera back in a way we never imagined...

“My camera was stolen out the shop that I work at, so the first thing I did was log a stolen report on your site. After that I figured I'd sell the charger on an online classifieds site. This guy met up to buy the charger and I managed to mention that my camera was stolen and referred him to your site, because he buys cameras and resells for profit.

The very next morning he called me asking about my serial no. because one of his cameras had a report logged on it. When I told him my serial no. he confirmed that he had it. In return of the camera, he asked for the money he had given me the day before, which I gladly accepted. He didn't get the guy's details that sold him the camera and he lost out on R5000 just by giving it back, but he was nice enough to be honest about it and I gave him a bottle of wine as some compensation... ”

-Nik, Cape Town

Thanks for sending it in Nik, and in case you read this, MASSIVE thanks to the camera trader for being so honest.

summary

If you have lost your camera or it has been stolen, it is vital that you report it to the police. As some of these stories show, it is also a great idea to create a missing camera report on this site. It's free and you don't even have to log in if you don't want to. Here are some of the advantages:

• If someone finds your lost camera, they can find you and give it back.
• People buying used cameras can check to see if has been reported stolen.
• Used camera traders can check if they are accidentally handling stolen property.
• We can email you the moment we find photos from your camera on the internet if you go Pro.

Thanks to everyone that has contacted us with their good news stories. It's fantastic to hear the different ways people around the world are showing us all how good people can be.

You're awesome.