How to safeguard a point and shoot camera
 

This question came to mind while reading a question about how to stay safe in Madrid. People advocate the use of money belts for cash, credit cards, and passports but how can I keep my camera safe against pick pockets? I normally use a cross body purse and my camera is attached to my purse strap. I need to attach the camera to something because I drop things constantly.

The pickpockets can have the cash and cards but I want my memory cards and camera!

Any suggestions?

The only time in all my travels that I had a camera stolen it was snatched right out of my hand by a kid on a bicycle who sped away. Since then I always use the wrist strap when taking photos. When not in use I keep it inside a zipped compartment inside my cross body bag.

I was in Madrid a few years ago and don't recall being in any tourist areas where I felt any less safe than a large US city. Putting your camera in your purse and carrying it acros the body with the purse facing the buildings (not the street) should be fine. Also, serious photographers tend to use DSLR's and many others have switched to using their Smartphones, so I would think that point and shoot cameras are not all that valuable anymore to a thief. But, to be ultra safe, take out your memory card and store it separately. It is pretty small so use your money belt or whatever. If you are taking a laptop, download your pictures every evening so that the loss of the card would not be that huge.

You're right that many people have smart phones that take great photos so my camera doesn't have much interest for thieves. I've never been concerned about my purse strap being cut and taken and that's the only way I will lose my camera. I do use a new card each day and copy the images to my notebook.

I don't care specifically about Madrid (I'm not going to Madrid); I was reading a thread about Madrid when I thought about my camera.

wrist strap and camera body in hand...

stay away from tour groups

don't look stupid

keep hands basically free

carry a gun in your other hand

<< don't look stupid >>

That's my default look. Now what do I do???

<< keep hands basically free >>

How do I take photos? Maybe I can train my nose to press the shutter button?

<< carry a gun in your other hand >>

I can shoot with either hand. I'm from the US.

Adrienne based on your latest post it sounds like you are stuffed haha

We download our photos daily and keep the strap around our necks when in use!

A couple of these posts remind me of a t-shirt I saw in San Antonio. It had a big ole six shooter across the words "In Texas we don't call 911."

Serious suggestion: make it look a bit battered, cheap and unsellable.

I've posted this before....

For the past 25 years, I've owned a dark blue Le Sportsac.

It's great for storing everything, and hard for pick pockets to get in to. It has 5 separate compartments, each with a zipper close.

If you're feeling a tad bit paranoid, put it over your shoulders and insided one of your arms. Because the straps are adjustable, it can adapt to about anything.

I take this on both pleasure and business trips. I've never had a problem.

That said, it's always good to be aware of your surroundings. It's just like any other large city foreign or domestic. Anything can happen. Always mind the gap and look right.

My Le Sportsac is black and goes with my wardrobe, including that San Antonio tee I'm about to order!! LOL

Patrick - the camera certainly looks like last year's model (as do I, so we get along well). :)

Con't take pictures. Remember the sites in your mind.

LOL What mind???? Remember my default look (above).

We have spent more time in Spain that nay other foreign country and I carry an expensive SLR. First I protect it everywhere by slinging the strap over my head and shoulder with the camera tucked under my elbow with the lens pointing down when not in use. Second, I usually have a backpack that someone whould need a good box cutter to slit it open.

I have been working on not looking so stupid but I keep on looking like certain posters.