Bringing a DSLR on Holiday

Last holiday i took to Prague 3yrs ago (its been that long since i had a proper holiday :( ) I took my 5D2 along with 70 - 200mm f2.8 and a 24 - 70 mm f2.8. Didn't have any qualms about leaving my camera in my room (evenings mainly when i went for a few drinks). The biggest 'fright' i got was at the airport (Edinburgh) when some cack handed fool starts opening the bag not giving a crap about whats in it until the point i asked if he wanted to be paying out over £5k for all / anything he damages if anything falls out!
 
Demon said:
However, at the back of my mind I keep wondering if a Sony RX100 is the perfect tool for the job, eminently pocketable with large enough sensor and an f/1.8 (at it's widest) lens... Around £300 with cashback.. That way I can take it to the theme parks and other attractions, keep it in my pocket and still be able to get creative and have full control..
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No, that's you desiring a new bit of tasty gear... Don't worry, roll with it :D

I've been all over the world with my 70-200f2.8ISII and 17-55f2.8IS and various bodies. The common or garden Euro safe in most hotels (Esafe, Orbita or the like) is big enough for a 70-200, GP lens and an iPad.

Anything can happen, but even in some really dodgy places hotels have been the least of my worries. Hotels really have reputation to think of in this day and age- in affluent hotels, the staff don't need your gear, in poverty-stricken hotels, the staff really need their jobs. If theft is systematic in a hotel, then you'd hopefully know by doing diligent research before you go. Out on the street, that's a different matter. (I work in the hotel industry by the way)

P.S. I won't be taking my DSLR on holiday any more- that's Fuji's job. Problem is, I don't seem to be taking my DSLR anywhere else, either :(
 
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2StepSteve said:
...if someone from the hotel has a second key for the safe.
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When was the last time you stayed in a hotel that had a key for the safe? In the last 10+ years of various hotels both through work and holiday, every place I've stayed in that had a safe used a pin code that you set yourself on getting to the room. Why don't you see if you can call the hotel and ask them what the room safes are like just to be sure?
 
Raymond Lin said:
I've taken mine everywhere, sling it overt he shoulder and off I go. I don't go out looking for photos but take it should the opportunity arises.
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This. The body goes pretty much everywhere with me, I just end up rationalising the lenses instead (nearly always fall back on the 24-70).
 
Origin said:
When was the last time you stayed in a hotel that had a key for the safe? In the last 10+ years of various hotels both through work and holiday, every place I've stayed in that had a safe used a pin code that you set yourself on getting to the room. Why don't you see if you can call the hotel and ask them what the room safes are like just to be sure?
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I've stayed in a few hotels where there has been a master key/code that opens the safe , and they have not been bad hotels either
 
JBuk said:
I've stayed in a few hotels where there has been a master key/code that opens the safe , and they have not been bad hotels either
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I am genuinely surprised at this. I cannot remember the last time I saw one like that in a hotel.
 
Origin said:
I am genuinely surprised at this. I cannot remember the last time I saw one like that in a hotel.
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One of the them was an electronic pin code safe in a 5* hotel in Singapore that locked but wouldn't open, maintenance guy came in and opened it within seconds lol

Another was an apartment in Thailand , pretty much same problem , safe went nuts and wouldn't open , maintenance guy came in , opened safe and fixed it within a few minutes

I guess they have to have a way of getting into the safes incase of problems
 
All the safes i know have a master key, they will keep them in the reception safe. We needed ours opening when something in the safe was pressing against the reset button inside so the code wouldn't work. I just left my camera in its bag in the cupboard while away if i didn't want to take it out. I have never worried about leaving things in the room.
 
2StepSteve said:
They have all of the serial numbers and value.

It's a good point you've raised about the size of a typical hotel room safe, they are pretty small. The last room I stayed in had quite a large size one though, large enough for a body and two small lens.

It's all a bit of a pain to be honest. Having laid out money for the holiday I'm pretty skint to be purchasing a beater body. Especially as I want HD video capabilities as I'd like to make an attempt in producing a short scenic video while I'm out there. A 50D could run Magic Lantern on it without audio, but yeah still talking about +£250.
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I lock most of my valuables in my suitcase which is enveloped in a wirenet mesh and adecent padlock not a cheap holiday one from a pound shop.

I do not trust hotel safes as there must be an over ride code or master key for emergencies. I have seen for myself that hotels can get in to the safes ! :(
 
The safe is also the first place a robber would check and they will also know how to open the safes easily. A lot of the electronic ones just have a master code.

You are better off trying to hide valuables. this is easy with passports and money (under fridge or TV, hidden behind/under bed, under carpet, top of a tall cupboard) but harder with a camera of course.
 
2StepSteve said:
I think I'm being paranoid, if I'm honest. :p
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You are being very paranoid..

take your dslr or sell it. why go to beutiful places like spain if you dont use your DSLR to capture it!

I've left my 5d3 in hotels, appartments and even cars.

Heck i have left my 5d3 looked after by some solo backpacker that i met in vietnam while i go to the loo etc.

guess what. i still have the 5d3 on me.

All about perception. If your paranoid, you will get robbed but if you dont care and not worry, you wont be robbed!
 
Lol your being ridiculous I've left all my gear in hotel safes all over the world and never given it a second thought. Why in earth would you buy a decent camera, fork out for insurance and then not take it with you?
 
a1ex2001 said:
Lol your being ridiculous I've left all my gear in hotel safes all over the world and never given it a second thought. Why in earth would you buy a decent camera, fork out for insurance and then not take it with you?
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LOL innit.

well said.

YOU dont have to bring every damm lens known to man that you have on a holiday but a DSLR of any kind be it a 1dx, 5d3 or a 700d, attach it to a walkaround 1-2 setup lens and your good to go for travel pics.

You be kicking yourself if you dont bring your DSLR with you.
 
D.P. said:
The safe is also the first place a robber would check and they will also know how to open the safes easily. A lot of the electronic ones just have a master code
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Was an article at the theregister.com on a security research group who'd investigated common models of hotel safe. Not only do they come with a default master code the researchers found most hotels they checked has not changed the master code.
 
You'll be fine!

Walked down the street at midnight with a 5Diii on a tripod over my shoulder and I lived to tell the tale.

Currently sitting in hall for breakfast at Keble and I took it out with me because this hall is just so cool, pics later.
 
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