Traveling-Confused about gear/Theft Issues.

[Alm3000]

Hi everyone,

I will be traveling to Russia for the very first time. I am very excited and looking forward to taking may wonderful photos. My problem is that i have heard the country has problems with theives and things to that effect. I will be walking around on the streets and using the subways many time over the course of my trip. Now i am not sure what to take as far as gear. I have a Leica M6 and a Canon 5D. I only want to take one body. I don't like the issues with film but, The Leica is small, unnoticable and easy to carry with my 2 lenses. Although, The Canon image quility and range is more to my liking, but is heavier and much bigger, more easily noticed with my L lenses. I can handle the heft, i have before, but can anyone tell me if they have had any experience in and/or around russian. In august I am traveling to Tula, Moscow, and St. Petersberg.

Thank You.

 

[dskphotography]

leicas should come with concealed weapon permits take the canon who cares if they steal cheap stuff ,, hide the leica in yor pocket for the important stuff

 

[RdEoSg]

Well I haven't been to Russia but when I was in Poland going to camera stores everyone seemed to be interested in my 5D. I lost track of how many guys wanted to buy it from me! Of course this was a month or two after they first started shipping so part of the issue was that they were hard to get. Still, I think most thieves take what they can sell easiest. A fancy big digital camera, or some funny old thing.

I will be going back to Poland in September and will be carrying my 5D and my M6. I may not carry them both around all the time, but I have the benefit of visiting people so I will leave the 5D at the home some of the time. The Leica will be around my neck every day.

Just be smart about things. Don't leave the camera hanging off a shoulder. Don't take your hand off of it when in crowds etc. Thieves want the easy job. If you have your hand around the camera all the time they will move on to the person that has it casually slung over the shoulder. I carry a courier bag with me instead of a back pack and my arm is always over the cover of it so no one can cut a strap on it. I keep both straps tightened on it so no one can flip the flap open and grab something.

And travel as light as possible!!!! I am a bit worried about taking the 5D and the Leica but they both shoot such different things I can't bring myself to leave one home. We will see!

 

[Freakscene]

I went to Russia for 5 weeks in 2005; it definitely can be dangerous, but you should be okay with reasonable care. Get good insurance before you go - that way if anything happens you can replace your gear. It's not worth having nice cameras and not using them, similarly it's not worth getting hurt to avoid losing them.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/freakscene/Russia/

Marty

 

[mhv]

Buy a Kiev or a FED, or a Zorki and some decent FSU lenses... A whole kit will cost you less than the price of any extra insurance, and I'm sure the thieves will run away screaming when they see them. Plus, you might strike some interesting conversations with people who have used these cameras.

 

[Finder]

Just put a FED label on the Leica - no one will bother you then. (Finally, an advantage to Russian copies!)

 

[peter_n]

Last time I was in Russia was St. Petersburg in 2001 and I had no issues at all. I had many more in Madrid a couple of years ago. I would say take the Leica, a modern DSLR will attract much more attention. Have a wonderful trip, Russia is a very interesting and diverse country and St. Petersburg is absolutely stunning.

 

[Berliner]

I travel through Russia for business often—Never any major problem (my company provides an escort/translator/facilitator for the business part of my trip.) Though I have spent many days & nights wandering around Kiev, Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc., unescorted with my Leica—Most I ever got was Nice Kamra!

Large Russian cities can be scary if you are from the West--but not more so (to me anyway) than American/European cities—I’m originally from Eastern Europe. The advice is the same where ever you go--be aware & blend in if you can.

Take the Leica, and as much film as you can carry, and enjoy Russia; it is amazing-- great history, culture, architecture, and really, really great people--very warm despite what you may have heard.

For business purposes, I bring ‘gifts’—cigarettes, American chocolate, tooth whitening gel (very popular) & ‘tip’ my driver, escort, translator, etc., -- very common practice--certainly speeds things up on the business end!

There are quite a few threads about the safety/theft potential of our cameras. Any city, anywhere on the globe will have the potential for theft/pick pocketing, etc., just take reasonable precautions, I would also recommend travel insurance to the any of the former Soviet Republics—whether I was bringing the Leica or not.
Have fun!

 

[Santafecino]

St. Petersburg is a wonderful place for your Leica. Be watchful on Nevsky Prospekt and in the Metro--there are pickpockets (karmanchiki). Use an inconspicuous camera bag and, when in crowds, keep it hanging in front of you where you can hold it and keep an eye on it. If you leave the flap open and the bag swinging on your tail end--well, get some insurance.

Don't leave the Leica at home. It's the best travel camera there is.