venchka
Veteran
I disagree. I have wandered streets in big cities and small towns in Europe at all hours. Never a problem. I don't do that Houston.
Wayne
leicapixie
Well-known
Going to Italy is not same a shooting at home.USA/Canada. If one rents a car/auto in Austria, you are sometimes barred from going to Italy and a number of Southern European countries.. So there is risk. Insurance for those few items for the trip within your "House" policy will usually suffice.
In a few weeks I am going to visit family in South Africa. It is very dangerous as is most of Africa. Even in small towns and on the coast there are risks.
I will use small easily replaceable P/S digitals..I will download the memory cards each night.Dress down..sometimes I've overdone that! Like the Jehovah's Witness guy, saw me approaching and backed into the nearest store.The one i was going to. I said to him "Ye of such little faith!". Dress as much as possible as the place you are, and, like a worker!
The Hasselblad SWC is a stunning camera. The only thing will be carrying 120 film. The M9. Cover the Red Dot with a piece of paper then black tape.. If dot unprotected can be damaged by tape. i have used masking tape that was made to look dirty over most of the camera. The good thing about the SWC and that the Leica LOOKS like a film camera, most thieves will not care for it! Your day bag should be dirty, stained and possibly smelly! I use occasionally a vivid pink bag or a kid's bag with Barbie, Mickey or Simpsons on it.
Enjoy your trip.
In a few weeks I am going to visit family in South Africa. It is very dangerous as is most of Africa. Even in small towns and on the coast there are risks.
I will use small easily replaceable P/S digitals..I will download the memory cards each night.Dress down..sometimes I've overdone that! Like the Jehovah's Witness guy, saw me approaching and backed into the nearest store.The one i was going to. I said to him "Ye of such little faith!". Dress as much as possible as the place you are, and, like a worker!
The Hasselblad SWC is a stunning camera. The only thing will be carrying 120 film. The M9. Cover the Red Dot with a piece of paper then black tape.. If dot unprotected can be damaged by tape. i have used masking tape that was made to look dirty over most of the camera. The good thing about the SWC and that the Leica LOOKS like a film camera, most thieves will not care for it! Your day bag should be dirty, stained and possibly smelly! I use occasionally a vivid pink bag or a kid's bag with Barbie, Mickey or Simpsons on it.
Enjoy your trip.
bobkonos
Well-known
Raid,
My only consideration when travelling is size/weight of the camera system. I've taken my chrome MP and collectible M3 as a kit to Japan, as well as two perfect M6 cameras on a subsequent trip there. On a recent trip to Paris, Nikon was aa mandatory choice so I took a perfect chrome dial S2...and no regrets. Size of the kit was the determining factor. I also have an SWC/M but would not take it overseas simply because it is a bulky (volume-wise) piece; instead I'd take my R4M with 21mm f4.5 Biogon for wide angle photography.
louisbrown08
Member
I would absolutely take it, also film really does it for me while travelling, it removes the burden of digital files and the annoyance of Editing when you should be enjoying shooting.
Im off round the world in a few weeks, my m2 will be primary with a point and shoot in both digital and film for snapshots.
Im off round the world in a few weeks, my m2 will be primary with a point and shoot in both digital and film for snapshots.
Peter^
Well-known
There are a lot of good tips here. I don't think you'll have any problems.
There is very little violent crime like muggings in Italy. You're a lot safer in Rome at night than in most US cities. There is a problem with car break-ins and pickpockets - especially in touristy areas. Beware of - for example - a woman showing you something on a piece of paper (covering your view of your bag) or handing you a flower. They often work in groups, even with children, and are very skilled.
I've been to Italy 15 or 20 times, and have never had a problem (unlike in France, where I have had two car break-ins). Enjoy, and we will be waiting to see some of your pictures.
There is very little violent crime like muggings in Italy. You're a lot safer in Rome at night than in most US cities. There is a problem with car break-ins and pickpockets - especially in touristy areas. Beware of - for example - a woman showing you something on a piece of paper (covering your view of your bag) or handing you a flower. They often work in groups, even with children, and are very skilled.
I've been to Italy 15 or 20 times, and have never had a problem (unlike in France, where I have had two car break-ins). Enjoy, and we will be waiting to see some of your pictures.
Addy101
Well-known
What? Not be allowed to drive a rented car from Austria into Italy is a violation of european law..... And totally unjustified!
There are areas in most major cities were you don't want to Go. It is the same back home, where ever that may be..... Just be sensible and don't be afraid. And in Italy always dress well, like the locals do
@venchka: jsrockit wrote "most people", not "all people". There is some truth in the fact that a lot of people feel safer near home, however, that is purely subjective. Objectively it is as safe or even safer on the road as it is at home.
There are areas in most major cities were you don't want to Go. It is the same back home, where ever that may be..... Just be sensible and don't be afraid. And in Italy always dress well, like the locals do
@venchka: jsrockit wrote "most people", not "all people". There is some truth in the fact that a lot of people feel safer near home, however, that is purely subjective. Objectively it is as safe or even safer on the road as it is at home.
Pete B
Well-known
I''ve wandered the streets of Rome, Venice, New York, London and Paris with 2 m2s and 24/35/50mm and Domke F5XB. No problems.
Holiday memories are worth spending money on. If I shooting at home with colour neg I'll get the negs developed but scan them myself. For holidays I'll let the lab dev and scan so I can just sit back and enjoy the results. This is where film wins big time over digital for me. Beautiful rich results with little or no effort. Results that can be matched by few, very talented software wizards with digital cameras. Take your film camera a 28 and 50, 10 rolls of Portra and enjoy the views rather than staring at the histogram all day.
Pete
Pete B
Well-known
raid
Dad Photographer
I recall that renting a BMW or Mercedes from a German car rental company was not allowed some years ago if your trip was to Italy or to some parts of Eastern Europe where car thefts happened very frequently.
I like to use a MF camera for the details when traveling to Italy. The SWC is new to me, but I have several months time to practice.
I like to use a MF camera for the details when traveling to Italy. The SWC is new to me, but I have several months time to practice.
raid
Dad Photographer
Reid, I'm living in Rome since 2005 and I never had problems neither with RF nor with reflex. I only got concerned when I went to Naples, going into the alleys it's a bit risky.
Keep a low profile. Do not show too much. But this is all about good sense.
If you come to Rome let me know, if you like. We could have a beer.
Thanks for the offer. Once I finalize the travel dates, I will pm you.
I will be moving by car mostly, with day walks.
leicapixie
Well-known
a friend recently returned and he either reqd. a much more expensive insurance for vehicle, yes, high end German Audi made ? Or not go! Was cheaper to fly/train. Sure there's the law and day to day transactions..
raid
Dad Photographer
It is not expensive to fly into Italy and rent a car there.
leicapixie
Well-known
No camera that i know compares to the SWC. It is unique with the lens and size. i don't have one, nor ever did. I think it more appealing than any 35mm type camera, digital or film. A Rollei doesn't come close! I have one.
I would definitely take it, with all the extra bulk of film. Film is bulky, unlike chargers,cables, plugs, adapters and extra memory cards and drives, possibly a laptop..
Reasonable precautions anywhere, home or in Kandahar,Milan or Akron.
Suggest you do some shoots before leaving see how much you can carry without becoming a hardship.It's a vacation not a Marine Training moment.
I would definitely take it, with all the extra bulk of film. Film is bulky, unlike chargers,cables, plugs, adapters and extra memory cards and drives, possibly a laptop..
Reasonable precautions anywhere, home or in Kandahar,Milan or Akron.
Suggest you do some shoots before leaving see how much you can carry without becoming a hardship.It's a vacation not a Marine Training moment.
raid
Dad Photographer
I bought the SWC recently, and I really want to experience this camera to see what it can do for me.
Tom Diaz
Well-known
If I'm going someplace where I think the shooting is special, I take the best stuff I have and just try to be careful with it. You only go around once.
Tom
raid
Dad Photographer
This is also what I am thinking.
Cagliostro73
Established
ShinX414
camera geek
maybe i'm a bit late to reply now but i want to clear one misunderstanding regarding the car renting issue. as a native german speaker i can assure you there are different types of contracts. so basically you can ride a car to foreign eu-countries depending on the contract which also covers the insurance. if you just rent a car with the basic contract the insureance will not cover anything once you leave the german borders. so technically you can ride a car to a foreign eu country without any insurance but you have to bear that risk though. hope i could help.
raid
Dad Photographer
I bought the extra insurance last year for Italy, as we drove from Germany over there.
Damaso
Photojournalist
I would take the camera I wanted to most shoot on. Being aware of your surroundings and taking normal precautions should allow you to travel with your expensive camera. But if you are going to be overly worried then leave the camera at home...