I actually take two cameras. One is the DSLR that gets carried most places. The other is a tiny point and shoot that I take as a back up. If I am going to someplace where i don't want to take the big camera or don't feel like taking it to dinner I take the little one. That way I always have one with me.

trvlgirlmq. get the book I mentioned above. It will help immensely.

In addition to the too-clever-by-half responses, there is an incorrect assumption here that losing a camera [or phone or iPad] is likely to be the result of a mugging or physical threat.

I think you will find that most losses of valuable items come from setting them on the table in the cafe or leaving them on the seat in a cab or bus.

If you can be attentive all the time, go ahead. But you have to be attentive all the time.

I agree that the greatest threat to your camera is forgetfulness, not theft. Just look at all the posts on travel forums titled "lost my camera in Venice", or words to that effect. I've never had a camera stolen on a trip, but I once left it in a horse-drawn vehicle on one of the Aran islands, and once on the table of a restaurant in Rome. Both times I got it back due to the kindness of strangers.

I have always relied on the kindness of strangers.

Tourists who strap large cameras around their neck while walking through popular, congested tourist sights look silly (and stupid, not to mention, extremely unprofessional). Whenever I see one (and it's usually some guy walking with his woman), I always think the guy has a secret jewelry fetish or he's lacking in some other department.

If photojournalism is your thing, and you're on the job, then maybe you could justify it. But the truth is, there are too many reasons not to turn your large camera in public into neck bling.

But a great bag that fully protects your investment and allows easy access while scouting. You won't regret it, and you won't look like a fool.

I meant to type "Buy" a great bag. I HATE that Fodor's does not have an edit feature, which is ridiculous in this day and age.

Well I love photographing our trips and proudly wear my neck bling haha

I really could not give a toss what others think. It's my hobby and it is part of what I travel for.

I always have my bag (not one that looks like a camera bag) around my leg or arm and never out of my site.

Enjoy travel however you feel fit!

Bring your camera just don't try to recharge the battery 3 hours before departure and then find you left it at home!

I have just bought a 2x converter for my Nikon DLSR which makes my 300mm to 600mm, there is a small loss in quality and light but it was a hell of a lot cheaper than a standard 600mm and a lot smaller.

After years of carrying two cameras and lenses and then just one camera and being in being in over two dozen photographic exhibits, I have chucked it all in and purchased a small Lumiz with a 60X zoom.

Sorry,

We went on our first trip with the camera and yes I missed some pictures, but you always lose a certain amount of pictures for scores of reasons.

<i><font color=#555555>"I love photographing our trips and proudly wear my neck bling"</font></i>

Some people do love wearing a 12-pound tool around their neck, and preen with pride. As if the tool gives you some king of special talent, when in reality, the magic happens in reverse.

Showing off your (very expensive) tool in public just makes you look like a show off. People who care about their expensive tools do everything they can to protect them from the elements and protect them from other people who don't care about sticking an elbow into a stranger's $3,000 lens.

<i><font color=#555555>"It's my hobby and it is part of what I travel for."</font></i>

I would never recommend leaving the house without a camera. Ever. But there is a professional way to travel with a DSLR, and you can spot the silly amateurs a mile away.

<i>But there is a professional way to travel with a DSLR, and you can spot the silly amateurs a mile away.</i>

Only amateurs carry stock straps.

To be perfectly rude, the dslrs have lowered the standard for photography. People think just because their work appears on the Net, it must be good. It is akin to when you were trapped in someone's living room and they showed three hours of their travel slides. If you look at what people post, there is very little originality or creativity. 99% take the same shots from the same angles.

NYCfoodsnob - you crack me up! I really don't care a toss what you think

Happily carrying my dlsr however is the most comfy for me....silly amateur- absolutely, only for my pleasure!

Life is to short - do what you love - preen with pride, give me a break haha

If you want to go that far and stray off topic then you could argue digital photography as a whole cheapens it. I could take a terrible shot and basically build a better shot in Photoshop using content aware etc..

As for carrying a bag around, I have a small shoulder bag that fits my DSLR but to me it would seem more of a burden to constantly be taking it out and puting it back in than using any of the quick straps..also IMO you look like a far larger target carrying a bag around and constantly grabbing a camera out of it (along with who knows what else in the bag) than you do just carrying it by the strap.

I have a few lenses, 50mm, 75-300mm, etc but for this trip I'll probably only be bringing my kit lense, as losing the body +kit lense would be far less disappointing than having a bag stolen with all the grear I own.

<i><font color=#555555>"I really don't care a toss what you think"</font></i>

The world is full of evidence that you are not alone.

<i><font color=#555555>"but to me it would seem more of a burden to constantly be taking it out and puting it back (into a bag)"</font></i>

Well, you clearly have not experienced the right bag. I love my travel bag. I never tire of pulling my camera out when the moment strikes because the design is ingenious. The vast majority of people who see me have no idea that I'm carrying a very expensive camera kit. And the best part of all, my body doesn't feel like I'm carting an extra 20 pounds around, and there's no strain or stress on my neck muscles.

I love this place!

NYCFoodSnob, I wonder what kind of bag do you have? I carry mine in a Tamrac messenger bag, which is reasonably sized, but definitely looks like a camera bag. And while its not too hard to get the camera in and out, I do walk around with my sling strap and the camera out, on my hip. Its just faster to take a picture, and I get more shots that way. Of course I put it away again when sitting on the bus/train/taxi, in a restaurant, or whatever. But walking around the city, I have the camera out.

sniperslayer, in answer to your original question...no, its no issue to walk around with your camera in Europe. Take your DSLR and enjoy it. I don't know what size your kit lens is, but make sure its wide enough. I used to carry a 28-135 kit lens, and this is really not wide enough on a crop sensor camera. Since I got the 15-85, I'm much, much happier. For a mostly city trip, I will take this and my fast 50mm (for indoors and museums) and that is a good, lightweight kit. I think your walkaround lens should be at most 18mm at the wide end, so if its the 18-55, that's probably okay (although I would be sore tempted to take a telephoto as well if that's the only lens...but you would do fine without it)

Yea my telephoto is the one id bring if any

With the crop body the 50mm is wayyy too tight for my liking so it will probably be staying at home

And yea, kit lense is just the standard 18-55