Naples & Amalfi Coast: What would you bring?

[pixelatedscraps]

D700
70-200mm VRII
20/2.8 D
35/2 AI
Tamron 90/2.8 Macro

or

OM-1n + OM-2sp
24/2.8
35/2.8
50/1.2
85/2

Also bringing either an XA2 or a Konica Pop

Which would you choose? I've heard bad things about tourists and expensive cameras in Naples, but at the same time, the Amalfi coast is supposed to be stunningly beautiful.

The D700 is going to shout "I have an expensive camera" but be a lot more versatile, not to mention it being the first holiday I've had the chance to go away with it on.

The OM kit is a lot smaller, less visible, loses the telephoto end but won't be so "look at me".

Your thoughts?

I will have travel insurance but I'm more worried about attracting danger to me and my girlfriend. Or am I just being completely ridiculous and I should take the D700 and stop worrying. I will also be in London for about five days beforehand.

 

[surfer dude]

I would take the Mamiya 6 and lots of film. Keep it light, simple and close to you.

 

[shyoon]

As long as you keep your wits about you and take some sensible precautions, you shouldn't have any problems with pickpockets and thieves. So with that out of the way, take whichever camera you want.

 

[Sparrow]

Many years since I was there but the coast was fine, Naples a much less pleasant spot iirc

 

[russelljtdyer]

Down Play

Down Play

Italians who aren't from Naples always seem ready to tell horror stories about thieves, as well as businesses that try to cheat them in Naples. I'm not sure if it's as bad as they claim. However, pick-pocket thieves were pretty noticeable the few times I went to Naples. As shyoon says above, if you're aware that they're there and are careful, your camera should be fine. I'd take the Nikon since that seems to be what you want to take with you.

For precautions, there are a few. Don't walk with your camera hanging freely from your neck. Hold it by the body at all times. Keep your bag closed and clasped or zipped when you're not taking a lens out. When you're at a restaurant, don't leave your camera bag on a chair next to you, especially when you're eating along a sidewalk. Keep your bag by your feet, maybe with the strap wrapped around your leg so you can feel anyone tugging on it. If you use a backpack, keep the bag zipped and the zippers as secure as possible. Tell your girlfriend to keep an eye out for anyone walking up behind you trying to discretely unzip your bag. Oh, and don't keep your wallet in your back pocket.

If you're worried about attracting too much attention with your Nikon, you could get a new strap for it that doesn't have Nikon written across it in bright yellow. I have a Tamrac N-5059 leather padded strap. I find it to be nicer looking and more comfortable than the strap that came with my digital SLR camera. Karen Nakamura (photoethnography.com) likes to make her own label for her cameras that says Paxon. She tapes it over the name of the maker. Her theory is that a thief wouldn't waste his time stealing a bizarre branded camera because he wouldn't be able to sell it.

 

[surfer dude]

Yes, Russell - I dymo taped a label CRAPOLA and fixed it over the LEICA label on my R8 when I had that (and no, it wasn't stolen!).

 

[pixelatedscraps]

I do have a separate no-name strap I got for my D700 - I don't think I ever actually took the original Nikon one out of its plastic baggy. I prefer a wider, padded one for a heavy camera like that.

From a few other photographer-friends, the general consensus seems to be split. I'm leaning towards taking the Nikon gear for the Amalfi coast (Ravello to be exact) and possibly Pompeii, but leaving it in the hotel when walking around Naples itself.

That said, I would probably have just as much fun with a Mamiya 6 and a single lens and just tons and tons of Delta 100 and Portra.

Hmm. Decisions, decisions...thanks for the input guys. I consider myself a pretty streetwise traveller, and have backpacked across SE Asia for months at a time, but never toting such an expensive setup. I don't even think the Premium travel insurance policy covers the D700 + 70-200mm; I think it's just one or the other in terms of personal item coverage in value.

 

[xxloverxx]

OM stuff — it's probably going to be lighter.

 

[russelljtdyer]

I can imagine Italians making disapproving sounds and faces at your combination solution. Again, there seems to be a prejudice in Italy against the people of Naples. Actually, each region seems to be disliked by the other regions, and rural people distrust the cities. It's quite silly and comical at times. They're all Italian to me and all wonderful. Still, you asked for perspectives.

They would tell you that a camera left unattended in a hotel room is more likely to get stolen than one in a bag at your side. Unless you get a hotel with a safe in the room that your camera can fit in, they would tell you not to leave it in the room. Actually, some would tell you not to trust the hotel staff not to use some sort of override code to get into the room safe while you're out. Instead, they would tell you to bring only with you on the trip what you can keep with you at all times.

What a way to live. I'm sorry. I find it to be so irritating to be bombarded by these kinds of comments when I'm traveling around the country, away from home. Whenever I go to Palermo, my cousins who live in a neighboring village give me even more severe warnings and tell me to always walk with my shoulder camera bag in front of me and both arms around it, and not to take the camera out until I am ready to take a picture and then to quickly put it back in my bag before someone sees it. They wear me out with this foolishness to the point in which I tell them, "When I get to the center of Palermo, I'm going to throw my camera bag down on the ground in a public park and yell, 'Take it!! I'm sick of living like this! Take it you, you buggers!!'"

 

[porktaco]

i'd bring a 25 year old fitness model

 

[Gumby]

i'd bring a 25 year old fitness model

... and a swimsuit. I'd leave the cameras at home!

 

[thawkins]

I am going there the day after tomorrow (9/24) with an M3, a Minolta XD11and an evil D90. The XD11 is equipped with an F1.8 35mm lens and loaded with color Fuji film. The M3 has a 50mm F2 Summicron DR, loaded with TRI-X and the DSLR is loaded with megapixels from the mine in southern Australia.

 

[pixelatedscraps]

Not a bad selection, I like it: 35mm rangefinder, 35mm SLR, DSLR...all you need is a 6x6!

 

[scorpius73]

I would go for the versatility of the D700. Why? Because that's what I'm doing myself. I will be in Bologna next month for a week. I bought a D700 to take with me. I will also take my M6 with 35mm f2 Biogon for B&W shots and for when I just don't want the extra weight. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Mablo]

I've had countless things pickpocketed from me in Italy. North and south. And I'm not a newcomer when it comes to Italy and pickpocketing. It's just unbelievable. Those young guys and girls know all the tricks and then some more. I remember vividly one occasion in Milan when on an open market place a young mother and a child came towards me. Suddenly the mother threw the child through the air towards me. Naturally I had no other chance than try to catch the baby and hold it. At the same time the mother took my wallet, grabbed the baby from me and disappeared. Wow!