we will be going to provence (st. remy area) in a few weeks. How safe is it to carry around camera equipment? curious how much to bring? will have a car. slr 35 mm camera, zoom lens. macro lens? tripod? monopod?

thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

thanks

Hi Joanel,

Don't leave your camera equipment in an untended car.

I recall once meeting a man who had a complete Hasselblad system in a leather-bound wooden trunk that he was dragging around with him. (Not a professional photographer.)

I think that was too much stuff.

I had a 50mm, a 100-200 zoom, a flash and a set of filters along with a small tripod that I could carry in one bag.

Now I have a Canon A60 digital that does the same thing and weighs about 9 oz.

I carry an obvious camera bag (one SLR, one 28-210 zoom and one 50mm lens) with space for film etc. In all the years (30+) that I traveled in Europe and elsewhere, I have never had problems with my camera bag. If I am not taking it when exiting my car, I store it in the trunk. And when sitting down in a café or in a restaurant, I step through the loop of the strap.

Just be smart about it. When not carrying it, then the trunk should be fine - but do suggest if the area you're parking is known for break-ins.

Hate to be a spoiler, but break-ins do happen in heavily touristed areas and it also depends on time of year. On the other side, I've never personally heard this happening to anyone.

Take your equipment with you, and (as Micheal states) keep it looped to you when you stop at a restaurant or in a shop.

I envy you! We were in that area in early July and it was wonderful. I never felt unsafe or like there were thieves, although the information from the other posts is just plain, good advice. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. The market in St. Remy on Wednesday is not to be missed. A photographer's dream come true! I hope you enjoy and post when you return!!

Hi Ira. I think you met my dad. Travelling with him for years means I take one slr with 35mm lens, a minipod, and a miniflash.

I'm still using my ancient Konica FS-1 SLR. My favorite travel lens is a 35-70mm f2.8-4.0 small zoom. My 35-200 is both too heavy and too slow for the kind of shots I like to take. Once I went to Paris carrying the 35-70 plus a 28mm for wide angle and a 300mm mirror for teles, but then I also had to take a light-weight tripod and of course I then spent too much time messing with equipment and too little on seeing things. Plus I hardly used the other two lenses.

My other alternative is to take just the 50mm f1.8 and use my head more than the zoom to get good shots.

Less is more.

As to being practical: Film will cook in the car and fry if x-rayed too much -- you're going to carry it. Don't travel with new or unfamiliar equipment. Test your equipment WITH FILM before you go. Take lots of film. Film is cheap compared to travel -- reshoot everything. The light in Provence can be intense -- take some slow film and also a very slight warming filter for distance shots of landscapes. (If you want, also take a stronger warming filter to intnsify sunset shots.) Take some fast film for interiors and twilight shots. Take a polarizing filter. Take spare batteries. Take a proper lens hood so you can shoot towards the light. No one will let you use a flash -- go with available light. A monopod is fine but a tree or fence or wall will also work. Forget the tripod unless you are into very long exposures. Macro is for shooting small stuff -- you won't, so leave it home. (I have to admit it, but I DO carry a small set of screw-on close-up lenses for the odd irrestable close-up not really macro.) Outside of the biggest cities and travel terminals, equipment safety is of minimal concern. Make sure your camera bag isn't too heavy when full and hanging from your shoulder for a few hours. Just like regular travel packing, you won't use half the stuff you think you'll need. The trick is knowing which half to leave home!

We spent a week in Provence and experienced nothing but hospitality and warmth from the people. Absolutely no problems with camera equipment etc. This is not the Paris subway so no need to worry.

Hi Ici,

IIRC, he was also traveling with his wife, older son/daughter and spouse, younger daughter and young grandchild.

The poor fellow was really frazzled.

I took a digital camera (with a 28-200 zoom) and was VERY careful to protect my data cards.

The camera could have been replaced...the data cards could not.