JillDavis

Hey! I was wondering Fodorites opinions on how they carry their camera on vacation. We have a Cannon SLR camera that we can carry around our neck or we have one of those slingshot bags. http://products.lowepro.com/

I have read many horror stories on this site about pickpocketing and whatnot. I am worried if I am have my camera in this slingshot bag, that someone can get my camera without even knowing??? Am I being paranoid or do you think it is safer to carry around my neck??

JillDavis

Forgot to mention that this is a digital SLR. We have the new Cannon Rebel T1i

suze

However you carry it, you just need to keep track of it.

Anyone I know 1st hand who has lost or had a camera "stolen" it's because they set it down somewhere (not that a thief ripped it off their neck or out of a shoulder bag).

JillDavis

Yeah, I wasn't worried about anyone ripping it off my neck. I was more concerned about someone taking it from my slingshot bag off my back.

suze

Well then, yes I think it is safer in a strap around your neck, with the camera hanging in front of your, then in a backpack or sling that is behind you (especially in crowded places or on public transportation).

Midnightsun

I never keep anything on a bag on my back. The SLR is around my neck, sometimes in a bag that also holds a camcorder, sometimes alone. I know this brands me as a tourist, but I like photography so there's no escaping this situation.

pookymimi

I just saw a strap with inside wire that I would put in your camera in REI that I will buy for my purse, just in case someone try to steal it cutting the strap. I think $20 is worth the investment.

http://www.rei.com/product/753280

surfmom

I love Crumpler bags.... only problem is that their camera bags are too bulky for me. I found a laptop one that worked - messenger style.

I recently got one from this company:
http://www.courierwareusa.com/objects/20.itml/icOid/20

loved it! I also carried my Rebel T1i in it - with a Tamron 28-270 lens. No other accessories (other than extra battery and memory cards). It also would fit: a bottle of water, a small wallet, and other small things (hand sanitizer, etc.) I liked the fact that it had a back pocket so I could put in the metro map, etc.

I like the messengar bag style though... to me, looks less like a camera bag and more like a purse.

TPAYT

surfmom-----thanks for the website. We've been trying to replace a small camera bag that is worn and this looks perfect.

CarolA

I stick mine in my purse..... and off it goes.

I have never felt the need to "steel cable" etc. I think the makers of those purses have made quite a market of "fear mongering"

Seriously, I am probably less likely to be robbed in Europe then in the US and the criminal is a HECK of a lot less likely to have a gun! I use basic precautions and don't worry about it.

(The SLR does not make EVERY trip, probably won't make the next one, I havea smaller Canon that will proably go. It's a trade off size/quality etc...)

Nikki

Mine goes in my purse. I also have a Canon Rebel. I have to bring a purse in any event, and I don't want an extra bag to carry around if I don't have to. But if I am bringing extra lenses, I bring my camera bag.

Venezia123

I have a back pack camera bag Which holds all my amera and lens.I just carry it in the front when i am in a croud or a big city.I also have a lock on it.Its been all over Europe no problem.Just be aware of your suroundings .

Leely2

surfmom, I have a small Crumpler and it is too bulky for my taste. Did you find it easy to locate items (memory cards, flash, etc.) in the Courier when you needed them? My concern about getting rid of the camera bag is losing the organization. Also, which size did you get?

Thanks--great website.

surfmom

@TPAYT, glad I could help.

@Leely, in the Courier, I kept a ziplock bag filled with extra memory cards and an extra battery... so it was easy. I suppose if you didn't, it could easily slip to the bottom. There is a small pocket along the back that has velcro closing it - I kept my 'extra' credit card there so I didn't put anything else there so I wasn't disburbing it.(I usually keep one in my pocket and one in my bag). The other spot that I realized at the end that I didn't use at all was the half pockets on the front.

I got the extra small size. I only added one thing... the handle on the top. There are times that I like a handle to be able to grab it as a carry purse while other stuff is going on. As mentioned, I carried an SLR with attached lens all over... I got in the habit of putting the camera in face down, so I could easily reach in and put my hand around the part where you hold it to take photos, take it out and shoot quickly.

Jim_Tardio

I carry mine in a shoulder bag, with the strap running across my chest instead of just on my shoulder. It distributes the weight better and makes it next to impossible for anyone to rip you off.

Look on the same Lowepro site for the Nova 170, or something similar.

spaarne

For a DSLR carry it on the strap around your neck. Have it handy and ready to shoot. In a bag is the best way to have it stolen. I carry my P&S in my pocket.

Doh

I think the slingshot bags are designed in such a way that it would be pretty hard for someone to get your camera out without you knowing, so that's what we use (when we actually bring it).

freberta

This probably doesn't work for everybody, but I carry a backpack and inside of it, I place a camera bag that fits a camera and an extra lens. I keep the camera bag open, so every time I want my SLR I just grab it. As soon as I am done taking my photos I put the camera away (large crowds, rain, etc). But if I need it for an extended time, I carry it around my neck. However, either in a jacket pocket or an always accessible side pocket on the backpack, I also keep a point-and-shoot camera, if I need a camera in an instant and my SLR is in the backpack. I also keep my video camera in my backpack, but I don't keep it in a case. It's not as fragile as the SLR. This year we are getting a new video camera, because the one we have now is about 5-6 years old and much larger and bulkier than the new models, which can easily fit in a jacket pocket or side picket of my backpack. Because I travel with my family, the rest of the family carries maps, books, water, etc., in their backpacks. I'm just the camera mule.

palmettoprincess

I have a backpack from Lowepowe (sold through sites such as Adorama). The zipper to the mail compartment which houses the camera is agaist my back when I wear the pack. It has a side pocket for water bottle.

surfmom

@Jim, this is basically how I am using this bag... diagonally across my shoulder.

@spaarne, I respectfully disagree. There is no way that I am carrying it around my neck. It is bulky and uncomfortable. Plus, what do you do with it during those moments you don't want it around your neck? (ie. eating). You need something to put it in...

I like the m. bag b/c I leave it longer when walking and easy to pull out and when walking stairs (ie. Notre Dame, Arc de Triomphe, St. Paul's), I tighten up the strap and have it in the small of my back so isn't bumping against my hip.