flygirl

Congrats!

I always find I take better pictures when I have my camera with me.

elaine

Better pictures than without a camera?
Absolutely!


I say take the camera your're used to using, and also take or buy a disposable. Those come in handy if you are concerned about handing a camera to a stranger for a shot of yourselves. I've handed my regular camera to strangers and had no problem, I usually choose a couple, and English-speakers just so I can explain how to operate it. I offer to do the same for them, using their camera. I do the choosing, I wouldn't let a random stranger approach me in that way.

Katharine22

Just a few comments on cameras from our experience. During our trip to Europe, the digital camera just stopped working. We were able to borrow a friend's camera while in DK, since we had the same kind, and just use our memory cards. However, all of our London pictures were taken on my daughter's $7 Wal-mart camera. We're lucky we had it and it was nice to actually have some printed pictures-it took months to actually get around to printing the digital photos.

Also, on insurance, we have our digital camera "scheduled", so it is covered against theft, loss, etc. It costs a little more, but we do it for the electronics we take out of the house a lot-laptop and digital camera.

cwojo99

Take the camera. If you have a recharger, bring a power converter.

Also, make sure you have enough room on your memory card!!! they sell 1 GB cards now for reasonable prices at Best Buy.

freiamaya

cwojo makes a great point - take extra memory as memory bought overseas can be OUTRAGEOUS, even out of the tourist centres. Keep in mind, too, that TONS of people carry their cameras with them here, and from what I have seen, most are digital. There are pickpockets in all countries, and just remember that the locals don't wear money belts/around the neck thingees for their money. You will most likely blend into the crowd, anyways, in Paris. The best thing is to keep your important documents in the hotel safe that should be in your room (don't forget them when you leave!), and carry a bag with a zipper, stashed firmly under your arm.
Enjoy your trip!

urbaniteyork

I took my digital camera (nothing fancy, Kodak EasyShare) to Europe for 11 days. It held its charge, and I had no need to replace batteries (it sits on a dock at home which charges it all the time). I too kept it in a small bag slung over my shoulder under my jackets, so the camera was actually inside my jacket unless it was in my hands. I took along a couple of disposable cameras too. And wore a money belt.

sharkmom

I have taken my digital to Europe and South America. I always keep it in my purse securely over my shoulder. The biggest problem is not pick pockets, but making sure you have everything you need to keep it going, namely, spare battery, charger and sufficient memory. I forgot my charger on my last trip and ended up buying one in Italy. Actually it's a wonderful thing to have because it has the plug adapter and a converter and is designed to adjust to whatever type of battery you have. I had a lap top with me and would dump my pictures from the camera every night so that I never ran out of space and that worked very well. Here's hoping you get lots of wonderful pictures.

Heimdall

Going on honeymoon and thinking of leaving your camera at home? Do bring your digital camera, and don't forget the battery charger. Incidentally, most chargers are dual or mult-voltage, so you shouldn't need a converter - just an adapter plug which can be bought cheaply in any airport or electrical shop.

sandykins

If your trip does not deserve your best camera, what's the camera for? Take the camera, use it, and enjoy it.

I second the advice others have posted: do not hand your camera to people who offer to take a photo of you! Back when digital cameras had just come out and were very expensive, I was on the beach and poised to take a photo of my family when a group of four teenage boys walked up and offered to take a picture of our family. Of course DH and I said no. Something told us those boys weren't out to earn their Boy Scout badges!

CarrieAnn40

In the heat when we have no jackets we often thread ours in its case onto my husband's belt.

Melrose

I agree with Carie; just go to Wal Mart( I think every state has them anymore); and for around 5,6,7 dollars get a camera case that holds extra bateries, and make sure it has a shoulder strap and a belt hoop.( great for the husbands to use that feature). I was kind a questiong myself the first time I took such an expensive camera with us on a trip. Relax and have fun!

jojo106

Don't worry about taking your camera. Just have some street smarts. People have been giving some great tips.

I just got a great digital camera that's in the same price range, and I'm taking it to Tuscany in June.

It's a Panasonic lumix dmc-tz1 and it's a compact camera so that it doesn't stand out like a big digital SLR would. But it has a powerful 10x zoom that's great for travel photos. I picked it up at Ritz Camera which, as someone mentioned, is a great store. Here's the link to it: http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/IG...igital-cameras

I checked it out on dpreview.com first.

I think the big digital SLRs are the ones that thieves really keep their eye out for. That category of cameras run into the thousands of dollars.

Sounds like you have a compact camera that you can manage to keep on your person. Just use common sense and don't leave your bag wide open. Use the neck strap or the wrist strap when you have it out. Plus, always take an extra memory card, and if you have internet access, you can download the pics right away so that you don't lose them if, for some reason, your card goes bad.

Have fun!