Stolen camera equipment, including items from Nikon, reportedly taken from exhibits during a significant Chinese trade fair.
In the heart of Shanghai, from July 17 to 19, 2025, the Shanghai International Photographic Equipment and Digital Imaging Exhibition (P&I Shanghai 2025) took place. This major Asian photo and imaging expo showcased the latest cameras, lenses, lighting systems, AI video tools, printing technologies, and more [1]. However, the event was marred by a series of organized thefts that targeted exhibition booths.
Thousands of professional visitors attended the event, making it an attractive target for such incidents. Reports of thefts emerged on Chinese social media shortly after the event, with Nikon camera bodies and Meike cinema lenses (16mm and 135mm models) among the stolen items. The Federation of Independent Photographers posted about these thefts on Weibo, stating that they were targeted, organized, and premeditated [1].
An eyewitness account mentioned that a thief was caught by a bystander, described as an "uncle," implying intervention by a civic-minded individual. However, the extent of the thefts and the total value of stolen equipment have not been confirmed by any official sources at the time of writing.
Shows like P&I Shanghai, with their prestige, technology, and visibility, can be an ideal target for organized theft. In fact, similar incidents have been reported at other major industry events. For instance, the IFA Consumer Electronics Show in Berlin had an incident of a man stealing directly from an exhibitor's booth [2]. Even brands like Sony have faced challenges, with an entire truckload of gear going missing en route to the NAB show in Las Vegas in 2017 [3].
Organizers have responded to such incidents by increasing security measures, such as bag checks, surveillance, and tighter access control. Despite these efforts, organized thefts during the after-hours of the event remain a challenge that security measures may not fully address.
Kim Bunermann, a photographer, editor, and writer with a Master's degree in Photography and Media, emphasizes the importance of the photographic community remaining vigilant and proactive in such situations. Her work, which has been published internationally, explores photography's role in culture, blending technical expertise with visual insight [4].
As the photographic industry continues to evolve, so too do the challenges it faces. The recent thefts at P&I Shanghai 2025 serve as a reminder for the industry to stay vigilant and to work together to address these issues.
[1] The Shanghai International Photographic Equipment and Digital Imaging Exhibition (P&I Shanghai 2025) [2] Thief Steals Camera From Exhibitor at IFA 2018 [3] Sony Lost an Entire Truckload of Gear En Route to NAB Show in Las Vegas [4] Kim Bunermann
- At P&I Shanghai 2025, the latest cameras, lenses, lighting systems, AI video tools, printing technologies, and more were displayed, attracting thousands of professional visitors.
- Reports of thefts, including Nikon camera bodies and Meike cinema lenses (16mm and 135mm models), circulated on Chinese social media after the event, indicating organized crime.
- The Federation of Independent Photographers posted about the thefts on Weibo, describing them as targeted, organized, and premeditated.
- In a rare instance, a thief was caught by a bystander, but the extent and total value of the stolen equipment have yet to be confirmed.
- As such incidents have been reported at other major events, organizer's responses have included increased security measures, such as bag checks, surveillance, and tighter access control.
- Photographer, editor, and writer Kim Bunermann, known for her work on general-news, crime-and-justice, and gadgets, emphasizes the importance of the photographic community staying vigilant and proactive in protecting their equipment from theft.
- The recent thefts at P&I Shanghai 2025 serve as a reminder for the photographic industry to work together to address these issues and maintain vigilance in the face of evolving challenges.
