Travelling abroad with your gear..

[senecabeach]

How do you travel abroad with your camera gear??

Looking for some safety/security tips in being a tourist in Europe (May09, specifically Rome/Lisbon), and not too obviously looking like one.

Certainly want to take my D80 + lenses in my (main) backpack, have a day pack (toploader) too... but having nightmares about it...

So...Do you take everything? Schlep the backpack, with ALL the gear, ALL day or use a day bag? Leave the backpack + some gear in the hotel? What other obstacles might I run into? Maybe I should just take the p&s fuji5000...or...am I blowing this out of proportion?

I'd appreciate your thoughts..

 

[pxlbarrel]

When I travelled for 3 weeks to Japan and Hong Kong last year, I carried m dSLR (at that time it was a Rebel XT with the 17-40 mm L lens), a 70-300 mm lens, 50 mm prime lens, flash, remote, batteries, tripod and Gorillapod. So...essentially body plus extra lenses and tripod.

For flying, it was in one bag that carried everything. When we were touring the two countries, I had them in a backpack (I brought one in my checked luggage). Each day I assessed what I would need with me and only packed what I needed. Other stuff would stay in the hotel, hidden in a drawer under dirty clothes or in a safe if there was one. No need to schlep it around if you don't need it. Unless you're going on safari, you probably don't need the telephoto zoom every day. I had it because I was going to an event where I knew I'd need it. I only took the tripod with me if I knew I'd be shooting night shots.

You're not blowing it out of proportion. Every time I travel I struggle with what I should bring and how I should bring it. LOL

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Someone here mentioned the other day they use a Kermit the Frog backpack.

Maybe they'll let you borrow it.

(Sorry, not much help but couldn't resist.)

 

[thomas998]

How do you travel abroad with your camera gear??

Looking for some safety/security tips in being a tourist in Europe (May09, specifically Rome/Lisbon), and not too obviously looking like one.

Certainly want to take my D80 + lenses in my (main) backpack, have a day pack (toploader) too... but having nightmares about it...

So...Do you take everything? Schlep the backpack, with ALL the gear, ALL day or use a day bag? Leave the backpack + some gear in the hotel? What other obstacles might I run into? Maybe I should just take the p&s fuji5000...or...am I blowing this out of proportion?

I'd appreciate your thoughts..

When traveling in Europe the key isn't just protecting the equipment, you can usually leave it in the hotel safe if its not with you... the key is not looking too much like a tourist... or at least not looking like one from the US. Try to dress more like a European than an American... the only time equipment causes a real pain traveling is in some South American countries... I know from experience in Brazil you have to fill out all sorts of paperwork for the equipment and then verify you still have it when you leave the country, I think they are trying to keep people from bringing in stuff without paying tarrif or something... but Europe the only problem will be trying not to look like an easy mark.

 

[Experiment_626]

Someone here mentioned the other day they use a Kermit the Frog backpack.

Maybe they'll let you borrow it.

No way! I use that thing every day!

SSB

 

[My2Girls66]

I've traveled to Europe 3 times with my camera- Switz, all over Italy, Germany, France, Austria. Its not a problem at all. No need for nightmares Europe is very safe.
I mostly carried my D50 with my 18-125mm lens around with me(plus extra memory and a charged battery in my purse). The rest I left on the room- I didn't find much need for anything longer than 125mm. In cities like Rome(DC or NYC included) carry your camera(or any bag) across your body not just over the shoulder. Over the shoulder makes it easy for someone to grab it. It is also said that thieves are very adept at unzipping a backpack(thats actually on your back) say, on a crowded subway- taking things out without you knowing a thing. Again, this is any city not just European ones. Be wary of people coming up to you with a slip of paper to read, usually asking for money. They may have a sidekick that will pilfer from you while you aren't paying attention. These are things I've read to be wary of- I have never experienced any problems in my travels.
I carry $1 bills(U.S.) with me because my kids like to give the beggars something- makes for interesting photos(I know that is peanuts now but...). There are lots of people looking for a handout and there are also many people(street performers. etc) looking for 'donations'. In Rome, in the piazzas, if it starts to rain you will be amazed at how fast people come out of the woodwork selling umbrellas for 5 euros! The rain stops and they will have flowers.
Above all- ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY! I love going to Europe! I've never felt afraid or threatened anywhere I've been.
On the airplane I had all my gear in a backpack and carried my camera around my neck. There were no issues at all in the airports.
A few shots from Rome.
DD giving a few $$ to a beggar woman with small child.

the 5 euro umbrellas

street performer

man using his dog to get our sympathy(it worked- thats DD in the pink jacket)

 

[Chikabowa]

When we travelled in the past to Europe, we used a back-pack camera bag with no issues. The camera actually zipped into the bottom portion of the bag; it was VERY difficult for us to get the camera/lenses in and out of the bag, but we also knew it would be impossible for a thief to unzip and pull out the camera on a subway or something like that.

Now, for walking around touring, I carry a Tracey Joy bag slung over my body like a messenger bag. It's secure on my hip, you can't get into it without undoing the top flap, it's easy and light for me to carry, and, best of all, it doesn't look like a purse or a camera bag. It just looks like some sort of bag. I think the pp'er gave great advice about trying to blend in as much as possible and not look like a tourist.

In the airport and on the plane, I have all my equipment and laptop in a Pelican roller bag that looks exactly like a regular suitcase/roller bag. It's the size allowed by the FAA for carryon, and it holds 2 camera bodies, 6 lenses (20mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4, 24-70mm f2.8, 70-200mm f2.8, 17-55 f2.8), 2 flash units, 4 pocket wizards, 17" Mac Book Pro and all the other little accouterments I need, including a tripod. I just leave that in the hotel and pack my Tracey Joy with the lenses and stuff I need for the day while touring.

 

[Quicklabs]

No matter what you are carrying in Rome, you must be very, very careful. Have been there a number of times looking as non-touristy as possible, but each and every time, there was an attempt on my purse, my backpack or camera bag. One person distracts while the others try to grab. Watch the bridges especially. I don't mean to scare you or put a damper on things--I'd go back to Rome in a minute if I could--but it was a distinctly different experience from the rest of Europe. You'll love all the photographic opportunities there!

Never had a problem in any other country (well, there was that time in Turkey when I attempted to take a picture of the Turkish flag on a government building and four guys came out of nowhere, making me empty the film due to their security concerns). I was happy to comply, since I wasn't keen on the idea of Turkish prison and I was pretty young and naive about that country's sensitivities back then.

 

[My2Girls66]

Security tips from Fodors. I took these from the Rome travel guide.
-Rome is basically a safe city and instances of serious crime against tourists are rare. The main problems for visitors are likely to be pickpockets or bag snatchers.
- Never carry money or valuables in your back pocket. use a money belt or pouch instead.
- Don't flaunt your valuables
-Never put your camera or bag down on a cafe table where it could easily be snatached.
-Groups of gypsy children have perfected a scam where they show you a piece of cardboard- while you try and read what is written on it, they use it as cover to steal from your pockets or handbag.
-Carry bags/cameras on your side away from the street to minimize the risk from bag snatchers on scooters.
-Keep a close eye on your valuables while on crowded buses or subways, particularly in touristy areas.
-Leave valuable jewelry in the hotel safe
-Women should note how Roman women carry their handbags- across their bodies rather than over just one shoulder where they could easily be snatched.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

If you are in Europe, make sure that people can easily see that you are an American. You might even want to carry a little flag. They love Americans over there.

Oh, and where something that shows your support for George Bush. I understand that he's very highly regarded in most of Europe.

If you do that, the only problem you'll have is from people stopping to thank you.

 

[pxlbarrel]

If you are in Europe, make sure that people can easily see that you are an American. You might even want to carry a little flag. They love Americans over there.

Oh, and where something that shows your support for George Bush. I understand that he's very highly regarded in most of Europe.

If you do that, the only problem you'll have is from people stopping to thank you.

LOL

 

[alan]

Hee hee... actually we don't hate Americans, we just cannot understand why any intelligent person would vote for such an unimpressive and ineloquent person to be their leader, all the more so when he is so obviously owned by big corporations. Honestly, we cannot understand it.

Have a great holiday! I live near Edinburgh, and normally in the summer time there are as many Americans as locals. Not so last year. And when I was in France last year, I don't think I heard a single American accent. I guess it's getting to be much more expensive than it used to be.

regards,
/alan

 

[senecabeach]

Thanks to ALL of you for your insights and advice. Hey...even yours Mark
I'll surely plan on putting many of your thoughts into practice.

 

[My2Girls66]

Mark, you are too funny

I think maybe a Dslr around the neck may scream tourist, tho

You'll need to have your shoulders and knees covered to enter most churches in Rome. At many of the big churches there usually are people selling shawls nearby.
As far as taking pictures in churches, I didn't run into any that didn't allow it. Obviously if there is a service going on its a no no. Inside the Sistine Chapel, NO PHOTOS, tho. They had a mean sounding guy yelling at people that tried If you have the time to do the Vatican tour, do it. The ceiling in the Sistine Chapel is beautiful! It was recently cleaned. I believe the only way to get into it is through a tour. Many cool things to see and photograph in Rome. Can't wait to see your shots!

 

[senecabeach]

Mark, you are too funny

I think maybe a Dslr around the neck may scream tourist, tho

You'll need to have your shoulders and knees covered to enter most churches in Rome. At many of the big churches there usually are people selling shawls nearby.
As far as taking pictures in churches, I didn't run into any that didn't allow it. Obviously if there is a service going on its a no no. Inside the Sistine Chapel, NO PHOTOS, tho. They had a mean sounding guy yelling at people that tried If you have the time to do the Vatican tour, do it. The ceiling in the Sistine Chapel is beautiful! It was recently cleaned. I believe the only way to get into it is through a tour. Many cool things to see and photograph in Rome. Can't wait to see your shots!

Thanks again My2Girls66 for the advice. I am looking forward to the whole (month) trip and especially the visit to Rome.
I have an audience with the Pope already scheduled and very much anticipate it.

Hopefully the NO PHOTOS are/mean NO FLASH ???
That would be OK. Now, Im wondering if my 18-135 kit lens will be wide/fast enough, know my 50 1.8 is OK, or, do I look for a wide,faster, 16-, 17-, f2.8 lens maybe..Hummm

 

[My2Girls66]

A month! How cool!! I'm jealous You will love it. So many cool things to see. We only had 3 days in Rome. Not enough to see all we wanted but we did see the main touristy sights and did a ton of walking. There is one thing that we found by accident that is cool if you are a cat lover. Its called Torre Argentina- it is like a cat rescue but the cats are free to roam Rome. They are fixed, vaccination, fed and can be adopted. The cats live in some old ruins- where Caesar was murdered in 44BC- so there are some cool photo ops.
Inside the Sistine Chapel- no photos at all. They seem to enforce it quite well. Tho, if you had a fast lens and are standing in the middle of the room well hidden inside the crowd, you may be able to sneak a few shots if you just aim the camera from maybe waist or chest level where security wouldn't see it- no flash of course or focus beam - that would give you away The few people that did try taking photos and were seen got a reprimanded. Its not like they confiscated gear or anything. Just someone yelling out NO PHOTOS in a not friendly sounding voice!! My dad did do that with his video camera- held it at waist level and shot up. Its not well lit inside so the 50mm might be better than the kit lens if you were to try taking a few shots. Some of the museums don't allow flash photos so maybe wider and faster is in order
When I was in Rome it was my 1st trip with my Dslr- I had had it for a few months and was using my older lenses on it. I went to Italy with a 35-70mm lens not realizing the crop factor on my D50. I noticed something was off but couldn't put my finger on it until we were at the Trevi Fountain and I could not get the whole fountain in the shot! I just knew I should have been able to but I couldn't. Its not a huge piazza so I could only back away from it just so much. For the heck of it I asked my DD if she could get the whole fountain in with her 35mm slr-she could. I was bummed but at least she got some full shots of it. I bought an 18-125mm lens as soon as I got home.
Get a good guide book and do some research online you'll find many cool off the beaten path things to see and do. I have Rick Steves Rome and Fodors Rome- lots of ideas. Don't forget an Italian phrase book- Rick Steves' phrase book has a list of all the gelato flavors The Villa Borghese is a nice place to walk around if time permits and you want to get out and relax away from the sights. There is a zoo, a museum or 2, lots of paths to walk, we went on a Sunday and ran into some kind of fair that was going on. Parade, horses, vendors selling wines, cheeses.....
not the best composed shot but this is in the Villa Borghese

the fair we ran into

 

[pjacobi]

There are no photos in the Sistine Chapel because someone paid for exclusive rights to photos to help fund for the recent restoration. Photos are permitted in the rest of the Vatican museum.

Photos are also not permitted of David in the Accademia in Florence, but announcements were mostly ignored. I even shot a few without flash. No photos of paintings in the Uffizi - buy a book when you get home.

That's about the only places in Italy that had restrictions on photography. I suggest being discreet and avoiding tour groups of snap-happy tourists.

I was able to take photos is various churches including the relics, such as THE manger in Santa Marie Maggiore. Some churches had whole bodies of saints on display, skulls, arm and leg bones, unidentified body parts, chains, thorns, and nails.

In Florence, I felt a little shy asking for the location of Galileo's preserved thumb, but museum guide directed me to the right case!


-Paul