Keeping gear safe when travelling..

[senecabeach]

Wondering how all of you keep your gear safe when traveling??
I'll be out of the country twice this year for a few months and am having a major concern.
I have a KATA Access 18 PL toploader for my day trips but, yes, it looks like a camera case.

Particulary on a day trip with your camera around your neck waiting for that next shot.
Is there a special strap or harness you use? What about any extra lenses you might take with you, like a WA or fisheye??

Your thoughts?

 

[photo_chick]

I don't do anything different when I'm traveling than I would at home. Camera around my neck with a comfy strap, bag on shoulder if I need it. I also don't stress about something happening to my gear. I don't want anything bad to happen to it but I've got insurance if it does. I'm also in a position to have enough cash in the bank to replace the basics until insurance would pay for it, so I'm not totally up a creek if something happens.

 

[zackiedawg]

Depends on where you're traveling. Most places you'd go as a 'tourist' are generally safe enough - not to say crime doesn't happen and cameras might get stolen every once in a while, but play the odds - how many thousands of people go through a place like Barcelona or Milan and don't have anything stolen, versus the handful that do? Most places in Europe & Asia, as well as the Caribbean, that have anything to worry about as far as theft, are usually pickpockets - so you have to be a little more aware of backpacks/bags, and wallets in pockets, than you do about a camera around your neck. Sling bags can be good because you can keep them under an arm...make sure openings into the bag are in front of you rather than behind...and always keep flaps/zippers closed. One extra safety touch can be to use bags/packs with velcro, or even adding velcro to a bag's lid - it's noisy and sticky when it opens and can alert you to someone attempting to sneak in. Usually these are not violent offenders, and will run off if they think they're being caught.

Now if you're going to a seedier location, some third world countries, there is a higher risk of some grab-and-go, knock down, or even hold-up type thefts. They typically won't target someone who looks very aware, takes precautions, and doesn't have too much 'temptation'. In these cases, I'll often leave the camera bag in the room, and just pick one good walkaround lens to mount on the camera. I generally avoid putting it around my neck - opting instead to hold it always in my hand, with the neck strap wrapped firmly around my wrist...I keep the camera in front of me most of the time. There are tricks to make your camera look less desirable - cover up the brand name on front, add some gaffer tape around the grip, focus ring, or battery door to make it look 'broken' and used...just little things to make it look like your camera isn't a top of the line DSLR and not worth taking. Avoid jewelry, nice watches, etc. Keep credit card or money in a front pocket rather than back, leave the purse/bags if you don't need them. I've walked around some seriously gritty places with my DSLR, taking plenty of photos, with no problems just by using these logical precautions. Some Caribbean islands, some towns in Brazil, some eastern-European countries, and some spots in Africa might be places you should consider these types of precautions.

 

[PrincessInOz]

It depends on the location and where you're going.

1. Insurance. Make sure you check out how much travel insurance covers camera equipment for. If your gear is over the limit that regular travel insurance covers you for, pay the extra to get sufficient coverage.

2. In seedier locations, I have left the camera bag (safely) behind on the first outing so that I can get my bearings. For me, I find that this will get me more relaxed about being in a strange place. I also avoid taking the bag out in seedy spots and, like Zackie, will carry the camera in my hand rather than around my neck.


Have fun on your trips! Hope you're going to exciting locations.

 

[pjacobi]

It's O.K. to have a camera around your neck a major tourist area. Be aware of the people around you.

If you move out of tourist area, put the camera away in a backpack with locked zippers. Otherwise, the camera will mark you as a tourist and easy prey for theft.


-Paul

 

[photo_chick]

You don't have to go to a seedier location to get knocked down and have your gear stolen. It happens on some college campuses often and they'll take everything from laptops to smartphones to cameras. They come in groups of 2 or 3, jump out of the car and get people walking alone. A good friend of mine had her backpack taken this way that had her laptop, 7D and a couple of lenses in it.

I'm not saying don't be more vigilant in seedier areas... just that theft like this can happen in places you'd figure were fairly safe as well.

 

[PrincessInOz]

The accessory of choice in South East Asia is a motorbike right now. They come along the road on the motorbike and grab what they can....necklace, bags, cameras. Anything hanging loose and easy for them to get a hand around. It causes a bit of injury to the person that the item is being snatched from but with the motorbike and a good strong grip, the thieves are getting away scot free.

And when you go to the police, all they do is shrug their shoulders and take a statement.

Just be vigilant and you'll be fine. They thieves on the motorbike don't necessarily target tourists. They target locals.

 

[senecabeach]

I appreciate "ALL" your thoughts and suggestions....Many THANKS.

Im upgrading from a nikon D80...waiting for my 7100 to arrive in a few days and suddenly felt the need for "ALL" your input on this safety issue.
Never thought of cataloging my gear keeping a list in my suitcase/home and checking out insurance. Will do. Going to age my bag some and get that velcro too!!

 

[Marlea98]

And photograph yourself with your gear too, preferably with something that has the date in it like a newspaper to prove to insurance that it's yours. Take a photo of the serial numbers of everything you have and keep copies of all of these things in hard format like paper copies plus email them to yourself. We could have claimed on our stolen camera while we were away but because everything was at home we had to wait until we got home a month later. Keep copies of your receipts of purchase, including spare batteries and memory cards. We've bought heaps of memory cards over the years but it's unlikely we will be able to claim those on our insurance claim because we can't provide receipts for them. Engrave your ID on your camera if you can or use a special marker or data dots too. I didn't do any of that but wish I had.

 

[photo_chick]

I second the idea of photographing your gear and it's good advice for everyone, not just if you're going on vacation. Do it with everything in your house. My insurance said it was not necessary to photograph yourself with it, they said to get the serial numbers on record and take some general shots of the room in your home with the items in it. Post it all in a private gallery on Flickr, put it on a disc and stash it or something similar for safe keeping. Our house was robbed in 2011 and I wish I had done this before then. It would have made things easier. I also did not need receipts to claim things but the ones I had made it easier.

 

[Animagic!]

It kind of depends on what cities, countries, and parts of town you go to. As a general rule of thumb touristy places are prime pickpocket locations. Theft will be high in high traffic tourist traps. Big cities are generally have generally more crime, especially theft. Keep in mind that anyone anywhere can be a thief.

There are thieves everywhere. Literally every country in the world has them. However, the place you go to will effect how likely you are to be targeted. For example, Japan is known for its insanely (when compared to other countries like the USA) low crime rate. While Japan has a high rate of white collar crime, violent crime and theft are extremely low. I've heard stories about Japanese people who will go to great lengths to return lost items to their owners simply because it's the polite thing to do. Are there thieves in Japan? Of course. Are you far less like to have things stolen in Japan? Yes.

I've personally traveled to countries that most Americans would not go to. I can tell you that when I went to Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Israel, or Turkey I never had any issues with theft. In fact I didn't even see issues with theft. I'm sure it happens but I was far less worried about being robbed in the Middle East then I was in Europe.

Italy is by far the worst for pickpocketing. It's literally everywhere, especially tourist attractions and public transportation. Paris can be bad as well. however, keep in mind that big cities in the USA are considered a lot more dangerous than most European cities. New York is often considered to be significantly more dangerous than most of Europe.

When I travel I simply take a backpack (not a camera pack) with me when I'm out and about. I keep my camera in my boring looking pack and use it freely whenever I feel like. I usually won't bring extra lenses with me. I pick a lens for the day and travel light. Back at the hotel I have the rest of my belongings in my suitcase, locked up. I use a Black Rapid strap, which is easy to wear a backpack over.

Travel smart and you'll be ok.

 

[My2Girls66]

I guess I don't really do anything special to protect my camera. I've travelled quite a bit with my camera. All over the US, BC Canada, and many European countries/cities. My camera is rarely if ever in a bag at home or on the road. I wear it across my body along with my pocketbook. Out and ready for use but not easily grabbed. The metros are where I'd be a little extra cautious. That's where I tend to notice people looking like they are up to no good. I've never had a problem, though.
The one time I almost lost all my stuff, except my camera body, my DH was being nice and carrying my camera bag with my flash, lenses, cards etc...he put it under the seat on an airport bus. When we went to get off the bus he forgot about it, I just happened to look back and saw it. Now I make sure to keep everything in view.
I have a neoprene neck strap for comfort.

 

[Bstanley]

The one time I almost lost all my stuff, except my camera body, my DH was being nice and carrying my camera bag with my flash, lenses, cards etc...he put it under the seat on an airport bus. When we went to get off the bus he forgot about it, I just happened to look back and saw it. Now I make sure to keep everything in view.

+1 on me <almost> forgetting things being the highest probability of loss. I tote a bright red backpack with everything in it and I believe that the color alone helps me remember it...

If you are concerned about the 'snatch and run' street criminal - and they do exist in even the 'safest' countries - there are lightweight cables that you can buy to insert in your bag (or camera) straps that will even resist someone trying to cut them.

At that point though it turns into a tug of war - maybe without a 'good' result - a sprained neck or ankle while on a trip for example.

The best way to avoid issues is to be constantly watchful, carry your stuff away from the street, or don't even walk next the street for example. When you have to be near a street, keep your head on a swivel. The characters that might grab something are going to pick the least watchful person - don't be that person.