Expensive Camera
Jul 9, 2009 | 8:25 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
Expensive Camera
I'll be traveling Paris and Berlin (Dublin and London too but I'll leave those out for sake of this forum) and am considering buying about a $500 DSLR camera but am worried about theft and carrying around a very obviously expensive camera - I'm positive I'm not the only one with this problem and am curious if its worth the risk and suggestions on eliminating risk of theft.
Jul 9, 2009 | 9:38 am
#3
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Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
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A $500 DSLR isn't an expensive camera and won't attract undue attention. I routinely carry around my $2,000 DSLR with an additional $1,000 or so in lenses, and used to carry a $2,000 video camera (though I've switched to an HD camera that was only around $800 or so). I never had the slightest problem. Obviously, don't put your camera down and walk away. Otherwise, you won't have any problems.
Jul 9, 2009 | 8:38 pm
#4
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: The District
Posts: 4,785
I carry a $1,000 SLR with a very substantial $1,200 lens on it and and smaller lens in my bag and I'm rarely worried. My camera and I have been to about 6 or 7 countries together just this year. I carry a Lowepro Slingbag and it's very secure. I can loop the zipper pull through one of the clips and it can't be undone without me easily noticing.
You'll see countless people carrying cameras. Just be aware of the camera, don't be careless and you'll have no problems.
You'll see countless people carrying cameras. Just be aware of the camera, don't be careless and you'll have no problems.
Jul 9, 2009 | 9:56 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2007
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I suppose it depends on where you're going within Paris & Berlin (& Dublin & London). On the assumption you're going to the normal tourist places there will be zero issues. As others have pointed out, a $500 camera is not expensive. If anything, people in the know will notice that you carry a cheap DSLR as opposed to a real, more professional camera.
Don't do anything stupid and you'll be fine.
Don't do anything stupid and you'll be fine.
Jul 9, 2009 | 10:12 pm
#6
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I'd be more worried about leaving it behind at security checkpoints. I did that in Beijing at the Olympics last year, and almost lost a netbook this year in the U.S. If you're carrying a bunch of stuff around, particularly if you're doing carry-on, you can easily lose track of things when you're going though any type of security screening (airport or non-airport).
Jul 10, 2009 | 4:26 am
#8
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I'll be traveling Paris and Berlin (Dublin and London too but I'll leave those out for sake of this forum) and am considering buying about a $500 DSLR camera but am worried about theft and carrying around a very obviously expensive camera - I'm positive I'm not the only one with this problem and am curious if its worth the risk and suggestions on eliminating risk of theft.
(The pix are SOOOOO much better than with a pocket digital!)
Jul 10, 2009 | 7:14 am
#9
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Location: south of WAS DC
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in this world of truly expensive cameras, a $500 dslr is close to a disposable.
would consider a "point and shoot" for $4-500 instead of a dslr. the lens are pretty good, and they are a lot more compact and lighter.
do not carry the thing in your backpack. people do fish in backpacks.
would consider a "point and shoot" for $4-500 instead of a dslr. the lens are pretty good, and they are a lot more compact and lighter.
do not carry the thing in your backpack. people do fish in backpacks.
Jul 10, 2009 | 7:52 am
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
Thanks for the replies, I realize a $500 camera isn't expensive to a professional photographer, but to a college student, thats a lot of money to put down on a camera. Basically, I'm doing this because I went to Italy for Spring Break and had just a hell of a time with my $200 point and shoot in the cathedrals and just in general due to the lack of settings and control along with a general lack in quality. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't something that was a quick que to pickpockets and such that would put people on my trail after the camera.
And its not just for these two weeks of travel - I'm spending the semester in Athens.
BTW - I'm looking at the Canon Rebel series.
And its not just for these two weeks of travel - I'm spending the semester in Athens.
BTW - I'm looking at the Canon Rebel series.
Jul 10, 2009 | 8:56 am
#12
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
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Thanks for the replies, I realize a $500 camera isn't expensive to a professional photographer, but to a college student, thats a lot of money to put down on a camera. Basically, I'm doing this because I went to Italy for Spring Break and had just a hell of a time with my $200 point and shoot in the cathedrals and just in general due to the lack of settings and control along with a general lack in quality. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't something that was a quick que to pickpockets and such that would put people on my trail after the camera.
And its not just for these two weeks of travel - I'm spending the semester in Athens.
BTW - I'm looking at the Canon Rebel series.
And its not just for these two weeks of travel - I'm spending the semester in Athens.
BTW - I'm looking at the Canon Rebel series.
OT, but I'm curious: Your screen name happens to be a character from Aristophanes' The Clouds. Was that a deliberate choice? I love arcane literary references.
Jul 10, 2009 | 9:33 am
#14
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