Holidays and DSLRs

dipper17

dipper17

dipper17

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Joined
20 Oct 2002
Posts
329
Location
Orkney
Hi All

I have a problem to try and solve.

Going on a major holiday in May to Europe, a bit of an historical theme and cannot decide what to do about my camera.

The problem is I have a 5D (which I only got last year) so am keen to use it at all opportunities, but I am a bit concerned about the security aspect.

My itinerary with take in many of the WW1 and 2 sites as well several of the major European capitals so I want not only a record of my holiday, but also will have lots of opportunities to do creative photography.

I am not one of those people who assume that if I'm not in Britain then I'm not safe - on the contrary, I have worked and visited many parts of the world.

The system I have always used when on holiday or business is not to walk round any town (Birmingham or Berlin) with a sign saying "I'm loaded - please mug-me" and this has worked well for me. In my opinion a bulky pricey DSLR is such a sign!

So I have a choice of getting a compact with RAW (something like a Canon G10) and taking the hit on the quality, but having a camera that will pretty much always be ready to use.

My choices are:

5D, 24-70, 2 batteries, battery charger (single) - no flash. All in a backpack Lowepro

or

G10 (or similar) in the wife's handbag :)


Assuming, most of you reading this message go on trips and have not spent all your money on lens etc.:D what do you do? What would you do?

Any help or comments will be greatly appreciated!

Cheers

Dipper
 
I take my DSLR always unless it's a long weekend and I don't expect to take any photos at all. If I expect to take photos the DSLR comes, what the hell is the point in having it otherwise!

It's been to places a lot more dangerous than anywhere in Europe with no trouble. My only reservation is if I'm going to be staying in hostels or whatever, as that means you need to carry it around all the time pretty much.

EDIT: I of course assume you're sane and have it insured...
 
To be honest, when travelling I generally wander around with my K7 actually in my hand (as well as my backpack for other lenses etc) and have never had an issue. As Bigredshark stated, as long as you have it insured what's the problem?
 
Firstly, insurance, insurance, insurance. Secondly, I would recommend using many small memory cards rather than a couple of large ones. In the unlikely event of loss/damage/theft, you have only lost a days shooting not the whole trip. If I was going away for a week and were doing a lot of photography, I would probably take a card for every day at the very least (I would cry if I lost data on a days shoot!). I have also considered getting one of those memory card backup devices, so I can offload to a hard drive.

Something else worth thinking about, is how you advertise what kit you have on the neck strap that comes with your camera. I only have a D90 so its subtle(ish), but a Canon 5D has it written in huge letters. I would be tempted to buy an unbranded replacement and go with the advice of ScarySquirrel in terms of keeping it low key in the bag.
 
I just came back from a long weekend in Nice.

Carried the 5DII along with a 24-70 and several memory cards in hand luggage, along with adequate insurance of course.

Didn't need a spare battery for just 4 days.
 
i took my 20D to portugal last year.. upped my insurance with photoguard to cover EU travel. sorted.

i was warey about taking it and only ended up taking the 18-50 although i wished i took the 70-200 with me too by the end of the week. plan what youre taking wisely.
 
bigredshark said:
Where did you get the strap from? I've struggled to find a UK reseller (found a European one but I'm not too keen on their very amateur looking online checkout)
Click to expand...

Have you tried a well known auction site, search 'Quick Strap RS4' £29.99 delivered. (from HK mind)
 
Wedge said:
Have you tried a well known auction site, search 'Quick Strap RS4' £29.99 delivered. (from HK mind)
Click to expand...

They looked like rip offs to me - description says 'similar to...' - I'd rather get a real one as £30 is a lot for a rip off of unknown quality. May just grab one from the manufacturer and get stung by customs etc as I'm not going to be in the states in the next few weeks...
 
bigredshark said:
They looked like rip offs to me - description says 'similar to...' - I'd rather get a real one as £30 is a lot for a rip off of unknown quality. May just grab one from the manufacturer and get stung by customs etc as I'm not going to be in the states in the next few weeks...
Click to expand...

Yeah did see that, but ive had a punt on one, so will let you know if its a rip off or not ;)
 
I've just spent a week in Boston/NYC (pics to follow) and just had my camera over my shoulder/in hand the whole time.

My Dad even mentioned that he remembers a time when a camera in NYC was like a red sheet to a bull but now it seems it's not quite as dangerous.

I even walked around Queens with it, which is supposed to be rougher than Manhattan.

As everyone has said, get it insured and take the DLSR.
 
I'm sure as hell taking my DSLR with my to Canada this year. Id rather not bring any spare clothes if I had to leave something behind. :D

Im taking my D300+Grip, 10-20mm, 30mm(or 24-70mm if I get one before I go), 300mm f4, 1.4x TC tripod, BH-55 head, filters & Loewpro Vertex 200 bag. Should keep me weighed down, but I can't bare to leave any more behind just incase I miss a perfect shot.
 
Take the 5D.
Last year I spent a couple of weeks in the US. Each day I made a choice and went out with single lens, depending upon where I was going (options being an 85 F1.8, 24-105 and 70-200, all of which have their strengths and weaknesses). As it was only ever a single lens and body, that kept the weight down and I used a standard rucksack to carry it around (and thus conceal it more easily).
 
i have been in colombia for the past 3 months now with a variety of lenses and have not yet had a problem. that said it sits in something called a "mochilla", or man bag to you and i, so is very discreet. it comes out when i need to shoot and then back in the bag. like everyone else says, insurance and everything is ok. just be vigilant and most likely you will not have a problem.

and as a side note, when i was in central park, NYC i could not believe the number of people with seriously good dslr´s and equipment. i felt slightly shy with just a D90 hehe
 
Hi all.

Thanks very much for all of the replies. It looks as though it's going to be DSLR.

I have a Lowpro backpack camera bag which I normally use as when I only take the essentials I have room in the bag for essentials that I take on the plane as hand luggage. However, if you know anything about camera's then the Lowpro might be a give away.

Noticed that some of you use an ordinary back pack (which I could) or I could push the boat out and get a "man-bag". Just one point are the deep enough for a DSLR - not very experienced so I'm not sure. That sounds like another good idea as they are now very popular.

Also, thanks for the idea about the CF cards - never would have thought of that. As I'm going for 18 days it won't be a-card-a-day, but I shall work out something.

Thanks for the replies and the ideas. Keep 'em coming.

Cheers

Dipper
 
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