Going to Mexico (Puerto Vallarta)! Advice

msbarnes

msbarnes

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I'm going to be in Puerto Vallarta and from what i've read it is a tourist destination. My cousins are planning the trip.

So ofcourse I have to think about cameras. At the very most I am bringing 3 cameras:

1. Rolleiflex TLR (2.8E or 2.8C)
2. Olympus E-PM1 + 20mm f1.7
3. Kodak Retina IIIc / Olympus Stylus Epic

1. I have read that Mexico only permits tourists to bring one camera??? Anyone go into mexico bringing multiple cameras? If this is true then I will just bring the Rolleiflex and maybe send off the M43 to one of my cousin's (flying from different states).

2. Is slinging a Rolleiflex around my neck a bad idea? I usually joke with my friends that most people think that it is a hipster camera and so they wouldn't think about stealing it. Else, I will keep it in my messenger bag.
 
I don't know if you can bring only one camera, but I had three on my last trip to Mexico. About the Rolleiflex around your neck, it will probably attract some attention, but from robbers? That would honestly surprise me.

I went to Playa del Carmen and tourist areas were under constant police watch. Don't know about Puerto Vallarta tho.

Enjoy your trip!
 
Laviolette said:
I don't know if you can bring only one camera, but I had three on my last trip to Mexico. About the Rolleiflex around your neck, it will probably attract some attention, but from robbers? That would honestly surprise me.

I went to Playa del Carmen and tourist areas were under constant police watch. Don't know about Puerto Vallarta tho.

Enjoy your trip!
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It's the police you need to be aware of when visiting Mexico...last time I was there it was the police that robbed me of my hard earned cash...haven't been back since...Plan on never returning there...
 
Quickly, I will give some of my photos from PV. I go most years. And I will add tomorrow some places (by writing to go):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157629016504809/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157626613603953/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157626041555964/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157623339207294/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157613861166950/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157605618748153/

That should hold you for a while. Mostly family snaps, but if you are interested in anything on these I will add. I like your camera choice. I mostly just take 35mm, but have always wanted to have 120 with me. As I'm with people, that slows photography down.
 
nikon_sam said:
It's the police you need to be aware of when visiting Mexico...last time I was there it was the police that robbed me of my hard earned cash...haven't been back since...Plan on never returning there...
Click to expand...
Is this caution regarding the police regardless of location?
 
It might be better in other areas...I've gone there for many reasons...business, weekend cycling stuff and visiting parent's family (years ago)...
Talk to the locals (cab drivers, small business owners) and ask them what they think of the police in that area...most that I have talked to don't trust them...
 
I have been living for a short while in Mexico, entered the country with a 35mm body plus a view camera exit with three 35mm and the view camera, went several times after that alway with at least two bodies and multiple lenses, what I would really check is the hand baggage weight limitations because a few times I had bad surprises in Latin America, especially during internal flights. As for Puerto Vallarta I have been there only once some ten years ago and it was a relatively safe place, still I would rather bring whatever camera you use in a random bag and take it out only for the shots, the camera hanging from the neck make you seem very tourist-like, which usually means you are en easier target. During that trip I dropped my R3 Mot in the sea, after drying the camera worked again but eventually the prism developed severe separation and eventually I had to find a new camera because repairing was too expensive, don't drop cameras into sea! Ah, I almost forgot, Police is sometimes a problem in Mexico (and other Latin American countries) independently of where you are. I don't like generalizations and I know nice guys in law enforcement here but just be prepared that there are both types of policemen: the nice ones who protect you and the corrupted ones who want your money...oh well, I guess that's the same like everywhere.

GLF
 
charjohncarter said:
Quickly, I will give some of my photos from PV. I go most years. And I will add tomorrow some places (by writing to go):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157629016504809/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157626613603953/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157626041555964/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157623339207294/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157613861166950/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carter3john/sets/72157605618748153/

That should hold you for a while. Mostly family snaps, but if you are interested in anything on these I will add. I like your camera choice. I mostly just take 35mm, but have always wanted to have 120 with me. As I'm with people, that slows photography down.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Beautiful! Any recommendations in places to see is welcome! This isn't really a photo trip but a family vacation and so I'm starting to reconsider the cameras because I don't want them to slow me down. I still want my Rollei and so I'm thinking of skipping the digital and just bringing 1 or 2 35mm cameras.

1. Rolleiflex
2. Rollei 35
3. Olympus Epic or Retina IIIc
 
A year and a half ago, I took my family to Cabo San Lucas for vacation (a tourist destination). After torturing myself about what photo equipment to take, I settled on a single Fuji X100. It was the best decision I made that trip! One focal length, smallish for a small backpack (which also carried water, sunscreen, sandwiches, whatever). Upon return I didn't suffer over scanning, and was able to quickly get an on-demand book produced from the vacation.

To do it perfectly, your rolleiflex, and a compact digital with a zoom and flash. The compact for everyday and beach/tourist shots, the Rollei for portraits.
 
I'd just bring the Rollei and the Oly EP-M. Dragging around too many systems only leads to fatigue, both mental and physical, and you end up with total crap from all of them because you're always switching between styles of shooting and composing. Especially because the Rollei shoots square, and the others don't, I'd even be inclined to just bring the Rollei, or just the Oly EP-M. I know on my next trip I'll just bring the Rollei. I once traveled with a Contax G1 and a 5x7, but that worked as a combination because they were so totally different that they complimented each other. There were times when I wanted the G1 for street photos, and times when I wanted the 5x7. It also worked because I was by myself and photography was a primary reason for the trip. You're much better off sticking with just one system so you don't have to frustrate your family while juggle cameras and figure out where the shutter speed control is on the camera you have in your hand at the moment.
 
msbarnes said:
Thanks! Beautiful! Any recommendations in places to see is welcome! This isn't really a photo trip but a family vacation and so I'm starting to reconsider the cameras because I don't want them to slow me down. I still want my Rollei and so I'm thinking of skipping the digital and just bringing 1 or 2 35mm cameras.

1. Rolleiflex
2. Rollei 35
3. Olympus Epic or Retina IIIc
Click to expand...

Good photos in the Centro area, and the Romantic zone. Mismaloya is a little more rustic and you will get some photos there. Pittial is also a photo spot that is close to PV.

For family have dinner with kids at Pipi's in the Centro area, it is lots of fun with bands that come through. The river through town has markets along it which your wife will like. Playa Los Muertos is fun at night, and Archie's is a good spot to eat. There is a large gay population in the Romantic Zone therefore many of the restaurants and shops are top quality. Another must do is the Malecon, best at night. If you have any other questions let me know.
 
The last time I was in PV, I had a Contax 137 with 50/1.7 lens. I hope I can find those photos. It should be fine in PV or any major resort area, just stick to the tourist areas, and don't go too far off on your own without local friends you trust.

Some of the best clear water skin diving areas are down the baja peninsula between la paz and cabo.

PV is a whole different scene though, the beaches are not as nice, so it's centered on the entertainment and all night clubs. Drink bottled or filtered water. Don't be a gringo.

ABC's "The Lookout" reviewed some PV resorts last week, and referenced some mis-leading web sites, and some dirtier than average places. Perhaps that show is available online.
 
Thanks for the advice! About the cameras, I'll try to keep it as minimal as possible because whenever I travel, I ALWAYS bring too many cameras and most end up being unused.
 
nikon_sam said:
It's the police you need to be aware of when visiting Mexico...last time I was there it was the police that robbed me of my hard earned cash...haven't been back since...Plan on never returning there...
Click to expand...

I heard some people got shot in the U.S. and usually profiled by the police; I was even robbed there, but still plan on returning at some point ;)
 
ampguy said:
The last time I was in PV, I had a Contax 137 with 50/1.7 lens. I hope I can find those photos. It should be fine in PV or any major resort area, just stick to the tourist areas, and don't go too far off on your own without local friends you trust.

Some of the best clear water skin diving areas are down the baja peninsula between la paz and cabo.

PV is a whole different scene though, the beaches are not as nice, so it's centered on the entertainment and all night clubs. Drink bottled or filtered water. Don't be a gringo.

ABC's "The Lookout" reviewed some PV resorts last week, and referenced some mis-leading web sites, and some dirtier than average places. Perhaps that show is available online.
Click to expand...


Puerto Vallarta is not, generally, the best beach in Mexico: usually the expensive/luxury hotels keep their beaches reasonably clean. First Acapulco, then Mazatlan, then Puerto Vallarta, (Cancun is next) was run over and dilapidated by Spring Breakers coming over to do what they can't at home.


*BUT* going back to the OP: like anywhere abroad where lots of tourists from different nationalities merge, I would keep any expensive equipment, including your camera, as safely guarded with you as if you were going to your crowded mall during "holiday season" shopping.
 
Bear in mind there's a restriction on the number of cameras and rolls of film you can take in Mexico: one (two for foreigners) camera(s) and twelve rolls respectively. Not sure if this custom rule is observed strictly however. Last time I was in Mexico I didn't know about it so I had three cameras with me and 30+ rolls of film (some of them used already). I can't say it was a problem because nobody checked. But see here for more: http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/MX-Mexico-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm

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Thank you for the suggestions and advice. From what I've read bringing multiple cameras isn't THAT big of a deal. I figured that it would probably be OK as long as I'm not bringing 12 Nikon's or something absurd. I'm going to bring 2/3 cameras and 10-20 rolls of film.

I just got a Nikonos for some underwater photogrpahy and so i will bring that and my Rolleiflex. I might bring a small/fast 35mm as a backup, like my Retina IIIc.
 
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