The Traveller's Dilemma

[sepiareverb]

I'm hoping the Rollei 80 will fill that spot for longer than 50 for me...

But only time will tell.

 

[jarski]

when living and travelling in big cities, I would often feel better not by taking the best camera with me, especially at night time. but then again, I dont have so many options..

having discreet bag that hides camera for most of the time when its not needed, is a must for me. usually I dont walk around camera hanging openly from my neck or shoulder.. this feels sometimes a bit anoying, taking it in and out all the time, but least its away from the eyes of thefts..

a lot of it hitching in the Third World, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America and so on. I can honestly say the only place I ever felt unsafe was in the States.

am doing this right now. and to be honest, poorer the country is, more unsafe I generally feel, I cant help it.. nothing ever has been taken from me, but from my collegues yes. I know I look like tourist or stranger, but least that I can do is to try look like a fit and an aware tourist 😛

 

[kuvvy]

I can honestly say the only place I ever felt unsafe was in the States.

I feel the opposite alan. Just got back from the US and I felt much safer than in my home town in the UK. Even in New York which many people would think as an unsafe place. Maybe it's because when there are lots of tourists about then nobody seems to notice cameras or bother if you are taking pictures whereas at home within minutes of walking out with a camera there seems to someone eyeing up your gear and what you're doing.
Could be I'm paranoid less when on holiday.

Have to say that I love going to the US. Been to Florida, Boston, San Francisco, LA, Vegas and New York. Only been back home a couple of weeks and already thinking about next years trip, possibly New Orleans.

 

[sepiareverb]

...Even in New York which many people would think as an unsafe place...

New York does get a bad rap. I lived there in the 80's, not the finest hour for NYC, but rarely got any sort of hassle at all. I carried cameras all over, and did a lot of live performance shooting of bands- late at night and in all areas. Never any problems there at all. Whenever I get to visit I rove all over camera in hand without a thought about it.

 

[raid]

In my last trip overseas, I took my mint M6, and I could have chosen ten other cameras but I wanted to enjoy a nice new camera for a change.

Raid

 

[steamer]

I just got back from Ulaanbaatar, I have never had anything stolen there but I have talked to a few people who have been mugged and had their cameras taken.

This trip I was cautious except for my Contax T, I only brought stuff I could easily replace: Yashica gsn, Contax T2, Oly XA, Oly OM2 and a Lumix fz5 digicam.

The final outcome of the trip: I was never in danger throughout the whole visit, had way too many cameras, learning to love the XA, and I missed my G2 and Contax II a.

 

[RML]

I just got back from Ulaanbaatar, I have never had anything stolen there but I have talked to a few people who have been mugged and had their cameras taken.

This trip I was cautious except for my Contax T, I only brought stuff I could easily replace: Yashica gsn, Contax T2, Oly XA, Oly OM2 and a Lumix fz5 digicam.

The final outcome of the trip: I was never in danger throughout the whole visit, had way too many cameras, learning to love the XA, and I missed my G2 and Contax II a.

Sadly, the Western lifestyle is leaving its indelible mark on Mongolia too. Mostly in the form of people needing money, fast. And with huge unemployment figures, generally low incomes and high prices, (and a male population that's often fit, strong, used to hard work and not afraid to wrestle) this is resulting in more muggings taking place. Especially tourists, who generally are wealthier, carry lots of expensive goods, and usually aren't as fit, strong and tough as Mongolians (we're fat and weak from our luxury lifestyles, admit it. 🙂 ), are a prime target.

Years ago, when I first went to Mongolia, I could rely on the country being safe. Nowadays, all I can hope for is that I'm not an attractive target. That doesn't mean Mongolia has become an unsafe place. Only that nowadays one must be as vigilant and prepared as in any modern, western(ised) country.

BTW, only yesterday I heard first hand experiences from South Africa and Kenya. These are places where carrying cash can easily cost you your life. Though the USA, UK, the western European countries, Japan, etc may be rife with pickpockets, bag snatchers and other such opportunistic thieves, I don't feel unsafe. All it takes is a bit more vigilance, a bit more preparation. There are places in this world where that's not enough, where you'd need minders or armed body guards to "safely" go about.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

For me it depends on the purpose of the trip, length of stay and the method of travel. If it's work related then back up bodies and fast lenses are essential. Airline restrictions are a deciding factor and i have also to decide if it's to be a 120 kit or 35mm + Pano. If its only for pleasure then i can manage with a Ricoh GR1. Fully insured is a given.

 

[Talus]

I've yet to really hit the road with my M6. I was in Guatemala with my DSLR and just a 18-70 lens ( I was living out of a backpack for two weeks so I kept it as simple as possible). and it was nice, also the only camera that I owned. It was big though and attracted a lot of attention. The biggest pitfall was that there were a lot of spots that didn't have electricity so keeping the battery alive was tough & when I did have access to electricity I didn't want to pull out my camera in a room full of strangers to get the charger plugged in. I did wish throughout the trip that I had a telephoto though.

Now that I have the M6 & 50mm 'cron, I've decided to make it my travel camera. Hopefully I'll have a 90mm elmarit soon. I think the two will be enough to be my kit. I don't think I'd want to travel with much more.

I'd take with me whatever I have. I bought it with the intent to use it. If I didn't then why own it at all?

 

[goo0h]

I bought a banged-up M6 for this exact purpose, and I've painted almost everything on it black. I put an old 35 or 50 lens on it & don't worry too much.

Would that be security by obscurity? 😉

 

[jarski]

I was in Guatemala with my DSLR and just a 18-70 lens ( I was living out of a backpack for two weeks so I kept it as simple as possible). and it was nice, also the only camera that I owned. It was big though and attracted a lot of attention.

I think if you are in wrong place in a wrong time, even if you carry a Holga, they come and take it, along with everything else imaginable.

past 6 months I've done 3 work trips to Guatemala (engineering), always with 1 DSLR and 1 lens. I truly love the place, although I sometimes feel like a Gulliver in Lilliput land 😱
Downtown (Zona 1) of Guatemala City, Colonial Antigua, Pacaya Volcano, ofcourse Maya temples of Tikal. very nice places, nice memories and nice photos to remember afterwards.

 

[MelanieC]

Also, I've never really worried about having a camera stolen. I generally have insurance, and I'm fairly streetwise and aware when I'm out and about.

So am I -- I didn't live in West Philly for years for nothin' -- and I still got mugged when I went back to visit Philadelphia. Lost two cameras. Sometimes there's just nothing you can do. I am really, really glad I did not have my M3 on me that day.

There are times I'd think twice before bringing my best, mostly because they were my father's and are literally not replaceable. When I went to Morocco, I brought my OM-1 instead of my M3 for this reason. In addition, I was working on an archaeological site, and archaeology is dusty and dirty. I can always get another OM-1. In fact, I already had, because an OM-1n is one of the cameras I lost when I was mugged.

If my best cameras did not have any sentimental value to me I'd be more willing to use them in all situations. As it is, I already use them in far more situations than I think most people would, since both are in what one might consider "collector" condition. I don't mind if they get a bit of use wear, as I never intend to sell them. But I really, really don't want to lose them.

 

[MartinL]

I've followed what seems like good advice, even thought I've never had to "take advantage" of all the potential benefits.

I always have a P&S (now, a SuperShot S70--shoots RAW) primarily for the purpose of documenting. I keep the camera in one of my more protected spaces--like a zippered pocket. Photos include menus that I've wanted to remember, roadsigns and posted directions that I can't remember. Sometimes for interiors (museum, church, etc.) I've asked permission, "May I take a picture?" holding up the P&S a then, discretely, shooting with my SLR. I also snap passports and other items (including camera and lenses) just in case of significant theft (never happened).

When I traveled with my 1D, I took a single 24-105 zoom and flash. A heavy, conspicuous package, but weather-worthy and flexible. Now, I'm looking forward to the comparatively featherweight M8. My 4 CV lenses are so light that it'll be tough to leave one or more behind.

 

[JonasYip]

I voted "I take my best gear" since I generally have no fear of bringing the expensive stuff if I need to. That's what it's for after all.

That said, I'm probably going to bring my CV 40 and 28 on my trip this week rather than my 35 lux and 28 cron, but primarily because of size.

j

 

[jamin]

I plan to visit Kazan- Russia for about 2 weeks in mid-Sept and I will bring along R2A w/Heliar 50/2, y-g#11, loaded w/Neopan 400 and Z1 w/Planar 50/2 loaded w/either Neopan 1600 or HP5+ @1600. I'm fixated with y-g#11 for bright sunny outdoor shots.

 

[IGMeanwell]

This is interesting topic

I took a road trip right after a graduated college, I wasn't into photography at the time, and all I had with me was my Kodak APS camera, a bunch of rolls of 400 speed film

Now, 4 years later, it would depend where I was going... but if it were the same trip I would probably take one of my DSLRs with a couple lenses, my Fuji F30, and my Yashica T4

but if it were a place I absolutely needed to pack light, it would be my Yashica T4 and my Fuji F30 ... Both would suit most of my needs

 

[srajr]

This really is an interesting topic. I'm leaving Wednesday for Europe for a three week trip. No definite plans, except to visit Romania for about a week of the trip. I'm taking a Canon G7 for snap, but I can't decide between my Contax G1 w/ 45/2 or the R2M with either 40/1.4 Nokton or 50/2 Heliar. I plan to shoot quite a bit of B+W (Neopan 400 & TriX at 1600 ) and a few roles of Provia 400X. I have a couple of rolls of Velvia also.

I'm hoofing it & riding the train, have a small pack & am travelling lite, so two film cameras or multiple lenses is loading it on too much.

As far as type of shooting, let's say I'm all over the map, but big on available lite. Cityscapes, bars, casual crowd situations, plus nature, landscape, ruins, etc. One stop diff. between the 1.4 & 2.0 when shooting TriX/1600 hasn't really been too much of a factor so far.

So, which will it be... G1 with the 45/2 or R2M & 40 Nokton ?

Ray

 

[RML]

I'm hoofing it & riding the train, have a small pack & am travelling lite, so two film cameras or multiple lenses is loading it on too much.

In my experience, trains are both the best way to travel (most of the time, that is) and one of the worst places to keep track of your belongings, especially when you travel on the same train for extensive distances. If you have a compartment with 2-4-6 bunks, occupied with other tourists and can lock the door from the inside, you usually wouldn't have much trouble. When you have to share a train section, like you'd often do in India, you have to think of ways to secure your belongings. In India, for instance, most people will lock their luggage with a lock and attach it to the frame of the bunks with a chain and padlock. I did the same and still was worried about my stuff. Nothing happened, thankfully, but I did not sleep easy. 🙂 My wallet, tickets, passport and other valuables went inside my sleeping bag. Of course, a thief can slash that but out of sight is usually out of mind.

Also, trains in Eastern Europe are a bit notorious for the high incident of robberies.

And always be careful at (big, crowded) train stations (and airports). Pickpockets, bag slashers, luggage swappers, etc. are everywhere on those, and you'd be hard-pressed to recognise them. They usually don't look like poor, badly dressed, unshaven criminal types. 🙂

 

[Pherdinand]

I lived 25 years in Romania, traveled a lot on the train, nighttime too, alone too, i never ever got robbed or got anything stolen from me.

It's not because it does not happen there. It's just a matter of being aware of what is happening around you. If you look like a dizzy rich tourist, you are a good target.

 

[mfunnell]

I take the best gear for the intended task (within weight/bulk limits) and I take travel insurance.

...Mike