Would you travel to Italy with the M9?

[Lund]

A camera is only worth the pictures it takes. Bring it and don't worry.

 

[raid]

I need to use a bag that can house the SWC and the M9 without looking like a camera bag. Then I hold that bag and don't let go of it.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I've got to say that, if I had the M9 I'd worry about it. Usually I take something small and good like the XA(2 or3) or the Contax Tix or mju-II. They can be taken into cafes and so on at night and used. Big cameras frighten people, imo.

Regards, David

 

[jarski]

I'd take it. been in Italy this spring and felt safe. as long as one does not do cardinal mistakes like drinking too much or drive into poor neighborhood at 2am, and run out of gas there. as mentioned above, pickpockets are more real problem. looking fit and aware (but not overly paranoid tourist either) helps.

recommendations about travel insurance, I doubt standard ones do cover such an expensive camera like M9. better to ask in advance would it be so.

 

[robert blu]

Raid, I suggest you to bring both cameras, m9 and SWC. In case we meet anywhere I want to see them both !
robert

 

[raid]

It would be great to meet up with you and your wife again.
Lina and Dana still swarm about ice cream and pizza in Italy!

I will let you know where we will be staying once things get firm. I know only that I am attending a conference in Rimini in late May. Then, we will drive around.

 

[Godfrey]

Hi,

I've got to say that, if I had the M9 I'd worry about it. Usually I take something small and good like the XA(2 or3) or the Contax Tix or mju-II. They can be taken into cafes and so on at night and used. Big cameras frighten people, imo.

Regards, David

The Leica M9 is not a "big" camera. It's a little larger than my alternate, the Ricoh GXR, but not by much.

What seems to attract attention more than the body, however, is a large lens. I have carried my Olympus E-1 DSLR on evening street shoots into cafe's and such. If I leave the small ZD 25/2.8 lens on it, no one notices. If I put the ZD 11-22/2.8-3.5 zoom on it, everyone notices.

None of the Leica lenses I've got are big enough to attract attention, it seems. Maybe I need a bigger lens... ;-)

 

[marcr1230]

The insurance is fairly cheap, then you have piece of mind, and you bought it to use it after all.

I've found Italy safe as long as you pay attention, pickpockets in busy locales, but not much different than in NY or Chicago.

key words for incidents "LADRO" (Lah-dro - Thief) and "AIUTO" ( Eye-you-toe - Help!)

This is what I also was thinking. I do not have a separate personal articles insurance though.

 

[Richard G]

I think thieves will merely pity you with a Hasselblad SWC. I would take the M9, except for the weight. And with such precious trips I like to have film with negatives that last. I am going to Sydney next week and I think I will take just the M6 and a 25 and a 50, partly motivated by size, weight and willingness to be totally relaxed with them.

A friend of mine with his Canon around his neck was helped through a door of a gallery in St Petersburg. Inside he had a camera but no lens attached. The give away was the smile of his generous helper.

I read here of a trick in Barcelona where the target is flour bombed. Samaritans step forward to help you take off your backpack and shake out your jacket and dust you down and shake out your gear, and some of it is still there to put back on but the gold is gone in seconds.

I still have the little backpack I used in Italy nearly 30 years ago. All the family use it for anything and everything. I take that on trips too. With an old Leica like the M9 with its strap around the wrist most self-respecting thieves will not look at you and move on to tastier prey.

As already mentioned the two problems are the family accompanying. They don't want you distracted by photography and you don't want their distraction leading to you dropping your guard. Solution: cheaper, lighter, less obtrusive point and shoot. On your own the street photographer's sense of the street and its inhabitants and movements will sharpen your eye for other things, and I reckon the thieves will sense that alertness too.

 

[raid]

Smaller cameras may have only one good lens attached to them. I once used in Italy only a Rollefilex TLR around my neck, plus a tiny Minox GT in my pocket. The results were great.

 

[Nescio]

Many of us keep older cameras for photos in the rain (Nikonos) or for photos in places where it's easy to drop a camera. It's usually not worth the trouble to insure cameras that have a value of under a couple of hundred dollars.

The big problem with insuring digital cameras and laptop computers is the value (depreciates) changes so quickly. The biggest change is in the first year or two. Buying a used digital camera and insuring for a new replacement (be sure to advise your agent when doing this) is good protection. Most agents don't have a problem with this if claims aren't made on your policy over a long period of time. I've only had one claim in 30+ years (theft from my car).

It's often difficult to find a "good" replacement for a 4-5 year old pro digital camera. Many times the shutter actuation number is so high that most used cameras will need a new shutter. The other problem is sensor spots or cleaning scuffs. Digital cameras have a special set of problems.

Perhaps I should have expressed myself more clearly, but I was referring to the political situation around the Mediterranean here in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece (and not wanting to compare it to North Africa).

Nescio

 

[_goodtimez]

I think that if you are afraid to bring your prefered camera on travel then just forget about photography. Cameras are made to travel and discover new places, not to stay home.

 

[Addy101]

Would I carry an m9 with me to italy (touristic spots) No. As a college student whos on budget a 4,000 grand camera is too much the risk. An M8 or a Xpro1? Yes

I don't understand this. Why would it be a bigger risk in another country then it is back home? Also, why is four grand too much of a risk and a two grand camera isn't? Feels a bit arbitrary to me.

Anyway, like home, it is good to be sensible. But don't overdo it just because your in another country. Just like almost all of Europe, Italy isn't more (or less) unsafe then any other place were tourists gather. Just enjoy yourself and don't worry too much. Have a nice trip 😀

 

[raid]

It may be sufficient to carry a 28mm and a 50mm lens with the M9, which will make the digital set quite small.

 

[jky]

Yes.

The only reason I didn't bring mine was that I needed something I can work with one-handed.

I saw a couple M9s there a couple of weeks ago. Unless you know what an M9 is, the DSLRs are a lot more noticeable.

 

[jsrockit]

I don't understand this. Why would it be a bigger risk in another country then it is back home? Also, why is four grand too much of a risk and a two grand camera isn't? Feels a bit arbitrary to me.

Anyway, like home, it is good to be sensible. But don't overdo it just because your in another country. Just like almost all of Europe, Italy isn't more (or less) unsafe then any other place were tourists gather. Just enjoy yourself and don't worry too much. Have a nice trip 😀

While I get what you are saying, most people feel more comfortable at home than in another country. Familiarity I guess.

 

[wosim]

I travel over 30 years three times a year to Italy - Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, Genova, Venice, Sicily ... - and had never had any problem. I don't carry photobags, that shout CANON, NIKON, LEICA or tourist. Don't carry your bag on the side of the street, don't let it unwatched and unsecured! But these are precautions you have to do all over the world - from Switzerland to Rio. I never used - home or abroad - a neck-strap. I only use a handstrap, that I made myself and that lets me carry the M9 with handgrip in a very relaxed but secure way.

So visit Italy and enjoy its beauty - and friendly people!

Leica M9 / Tri-Elmar 4.0 21mm

Leica M9 / Tri-Elmar 4.0 21mm

Leica M9 / Voigtländer Super-wide Heliar 4.5 15mm

Leica M9 / Tri-Elmar 4.0 50mm

Leica M9 / Tri-Elmar 4.0 35mm


Got some appetite ? 😉

Best regards

 

[daveleo]

It may be sufficient to carry a 28mm and a 50mm lens with the M9, which will make the digital set quite small.

In my mind, that set will be perfect.

Have a wonderful trip.

 

[lynnb]

Not wanting to give you GAS, Raid, but a Tri-Elmar (I was thinking the 28-35-50) might make life easier provided you don't mind f4..

 

[sepiareverb]

Fear is a reason countless magnificent photographs have never been made. Insure and enjoy the tools you prefer.