I hate to jump on this bandwagon, but all these recent "crime" threads are making me feel like it may not be worth the potential hassle of having to worry about an expensive camera.

I'm a woman traveling solo and I'd love to take it since I'll be in Prague for the first time, Paris for 5 days, thereafter. But it's large, bulky and very conspicuous. I could bring a tiny, older canon digital powershot that takes decent but not great photos. I'm on the fence on this one -- it belongs to my boyfriend and he took great pictures in Spain. He's a little worried about me being targetted if I'm whipping this out of my purse or have it hanging around my neck. I feel like I can sort of camaflouge it with my scarf and under my shearling coat but I don't know if it's worth the extra stress factor.

Such a shame -- that's what the camera is for -- to take pictures while traveling in gorgeous cities. Should I just ditch it since I'll be traveling by myself this time?

"But it's large, bulky and very conspicuous."

Ditch it unless you are a picture junkie! A tiny digital camera is good enough.

Petty crime does happen often in both places, and a big camera does mark you as vulnerable. Maybe you could compromise-take the giant in the day, and the smaller one at night?

Fishee,
I carry a larger Nikon as well as a smaller Cannon, both digital, whenever traveling through Spain or France and don't think twice about it. Attitude has a lot to do with what happens, but truthfully, there is little to worry about as long as you take the normal precautions when carrying anything of value.

As already noted, I would use the lager camera during the day and take the smaller one with me in the evenings. That's what I usually do when spending any time in the bigger cities.

Hi Robert! How's it going? You'll never know how much we loved our trip to Spain thanks largely to you.

If I do take it out in the day, do you think it's safer around my neck under a couple of scarves, rather than being in my purse? It seems like a bad idea to keep pulling it out of my purse, being distracted taking pictures, etc.,

I hear what you are saying. Hubby and I are off to Europe this Christmas for the first time. He is camera mad and taking a large SLR digital. Also will take a small pocket size one. We have a special back/front pack for the SLR which will be wrapped around his body. When he takes it out, don't sure what the plan is - hold on tight or perhaps he'll get another strap to secure it to him. Regardless, it won't be left at home.

That bag worked well for my BF -- it's kind of strapped to you at all times, and faces in towards the body. Whenever it was out of the bag, the camera just hung around his neck, mostly from fear of dropping it.

I think this problem has been resolved for me... SLR will have to stay home.

I'm connecting in Brussels to get to Prague and apparently, one cannot bring a camera (or even a MP3 player) on-board any planes at BRU airport. Either flying in or out of BRU, there is no way I'm going to check this camera, that's just crazy.

I just checked the BRU Airport regulations: (http://www.brusselsairport.be/tips/)

Cabin luggage - You may take one piece of luggage on board with you, which must fit in the overhead luggage locker. In addition, you may usually take a handbag, a camera, an umbrella, a coat and something to read during the flight.

Seems like you should be able to take the camera on board the flight with no problem. Like you, I would never put it in my checked luggage.

I usually carry the larger camera in a small backpack, not a camera bag, when traveling so that I can have access to it to when I want to take a picture.

thanks robert -- you're right, the strict regulations have been relaxed for now, I was reading Aug 2006 info for flights heading to the U.S.

http://tinyurl.com/ydw5r2

I guess the key is to just keep checking this link for updates to make sure. Since I'm flying within EU, it doesn't sound likely that I'll face strict reg's banning cameras.

http://www.brusselsairport.be/news/

I've heard that flying from CDG to the U.S. has less restrictions than other major EU airports but I will check before I go...

fishee,

I say bring it. I have been in Europe the last 2 1/2 weeks (in Paris right now) and have had no problem with my Nikon D50. Besides, it seems as if more than half the tourists are using them.

If you are interested, you can see my shots so far from Amsterdam, Venice, Bologna and Tuscany at:

www.pbase.com/trsw

Tom

My vote is for taking the camera - I guess you bought a good camera because you like to take photos & what better time to take photos than on your holidays. While crime certainly happens, and it is disturbing if it happen to you, it doesn't happen to most people, most of the time. We travel with a digital SLR and a video camera and have never had a problem. You do need to take basic care but that applies to whatever you carry. I wouldn't worry about whether people can see it - they will assume that tourists carry cameras, credit cards etc - but do keep it close to your body. My wife takes the photos when we travel and she has the strap around her neck, with the camera in front, and just raises it when she wants to take a photo.

Tom, gorgeous pictures! I'm just learning how to use my BF's Canon Rebel. Were those photos taken with just the D50 stock lens? beautiful color, nice composition, love the pictures of your dog too.

fishee - Most of the shots were taken with the stock 18-55mm lens. The others were taken with a 200mm telephoto lens.

I am glad you liked the pictures. It wasn't until I got to Venice that I learned how to use the manual settings by experimenting with different settings.

When I return to Seattle on Thursday I will post a trip report and a link to my Paris photos.

So, are you going to take the DSLR or not? Like I said, GO FOR IT. You won't be sorry.

Tom

Hi Fishee,
I think you have two issues here, one is the SLR vs compact debate, and the other is the crime issue.
You mentioned you're just now learning to use the SLR. Do you think you'll be far enough along on the learning curve when you leave for your trip that you'll be confident about getting decent images? Also, are you planning to take a variety of lenses, and are you happy to be lugging them around? If not, will the kit lens give you the latitude you want? The Powershot conveniently goes from wide angle to tele without the bulk and without switching lenses. And lastly, remember, the camera didn't take those great photos in Spain, your boyfriend did! Meaningful images can be made with any camera, depending on who's behind the lens
Now, about crime, (from a female point of view), I've had no problems lugging around my gear in Europe (SLR, multiple lenses) during the day, so you shouldn't overly worry about that. After all, every tourist is doing the same thing. Having said that, I'll likely miss out on late night and early morning tripod shooting when I visit Prague in late November. I'm traveling with friends but they're not photographers, and I'm hesitant to shoot alone in the dark. I tried it in Rome but felt very uncomfortable so I cut it short. It's not just the actual shooting, it's the going to and fro carrying gear around desolate streets. This isn't about Prague or Rome, I don't even do it in my own city or in the Everglades or wherever.
(So if I can hijack this thread for a second, if Fishee or anyone plans on being in Prague in late November and wants to shoot together, let me know )
In any case, have a great trip and happy shooting!

HI F,

>...it's large, bulky and very conspicuous. ....it belongs to my boyfriend.<

Excellent reasons for leaving it home, especially the large, bulky part.

If you are unhappy with your Powershot, I suggest that you look at the Canon S3 IS.

I used it to take the pix for "Leaf Peeping" at http://tinyurl.com/ybm32p.

The S2 IS model is still available at about $100 or so less.

If you're worried about safety, learn self-defense and don't be afraid to use it...

Taking a large camera is never an easy choice. People say that this compact or that compact is good enough, and are really only applying their own level of satisfaction to photography, which is what anyone does. But I look at shots taken with these compacts (including my own) and see shots that may be well observed and composed, but possibly not as many that are well focused or properly exposed.

I've drag my D70 all over - W. & E. Europe, Southeast Asia, Mexico. But there are times when I really don't feel like it, when I don't want to make photography a larger part of the trip, so I leave the SLR at home and put a compact in my pocket for capturing mementos. And I have a good time. Other times, I know I am going to want better than that at times, and I bring both. I don't think anyone can really tell you what's good enough for you, even if it's good enough for them. They may not really know the difference because photography isn't their thing. I guess it depends on what sort of photos you want when you get home, how accepting you are to the shortcomings of less expensive compact and the level of risk you are willing to take if you want the slr type control. We may be looked at differently as a potential target out on city streets, as I am a larger guy and often not solo, so I'm sure your circumstances would color anyone's view on a first trip and rightfully so. One tip I've heard is that some take their gear and just sort of dangle it inside a cloth shopping bag (like the grocery type), which is then on their shoulder. I guess it would sort of hide, from a distance, that glaring camera bag.

If you take the camera, put it in a strong carrier bag or something so that it will look like there is nothing of value in there. I always dress down on holiday. Some people might as well carry a placard with the word "tourist" written in large letters on it.


The only place in Europe I was warned about pickpockets was in Prague. We were told to stare at any likely suspects as thieves do not like that and will go after someone else.

I traveled through Europe (including Prague) last december by myself,(female 39 at the time)I carried a backpack on my back and a $1000 Nikon camera around my neck the whole time. At no time did I feel that I my camera was in danger. HoweverI did fear for my wallet.

I am doing Europe alone again this December and I will definity have my camera with me.

I use a longer strap that I wear the camera across my body for comfort and added security.

I also wear an oversized coat so when the weather was bad the camera fit under the coat.