Bringing camera on holidays

harr

Hi
Hope this has not being discussed before,my problem is that I am not sure if I should bring my DSLR camera on my holidays in October,I will travelling to 3 or 4 different European country's.
I have spent close to 3 grand on it between body and a few lenses,which does not seem like a lot to the pros,but if anything happened to it at this stage I would not be able to re spend that kind of cash the way things stand.I dont do the normal tourist trails because i like to see the real side of the country I am visiting so some areas might not be the most desirable,i have a good point and shoot with 13x zoom which i paid €300 for,do you think this could do me for the 3 weeks.I will be travelling mostly by bus and train.Any tips would be a great help and also what all round lens is best for travel.
Thanks


Just to add i have the camera covered on my house insurance.

PCPhoto

to me it depends on if you want to take pics with a DSLR or P&S during your holidays.

Will you be able to take the time and do some landscapes, cityscapes (or is that not your thing)

Are you travelling alone or with friends/family ? if you have other people with you , you may have to take them into consideration.

I'm off to Marbella in a few weeks with the girlfriend, will have 2 P&S cameras, 1 DSLR and a couple of lenses, an underwater housing for one of the P&S and the DSLR, couple of underwater strobes - and we're only going for a relaxing two weeks away from it all.

Im planning a couple of dives underwater (scuba) and taking some pics....girlfriend is planning chill out time.

kfish2oo2

I've adopted a "take my camera with me everywhere" philosophy, and its paid dividends. If you're like me, you'll always have your camera to hand anyway, so it'll never leave your sight. If you're really worried that it could cause problems or be the target of a robbery, then maybe the P&S is your best bet. But if you're prepared to take the time and care to keep it on you at all times, I don't think it'll be an issue.

magicbastarder

what are the practicalities surrounding charging the battery, available storage with both cameras, etc.?

don't bring anything more than one lens if bringing the DSLR and worried about portability.

emrys

harr wrote: »

Hi
Hope this has not being discussed before,my problem is that I am not sure if I should bring my DSLR camera on my holidays in October,I will travelling to 3 or 4 different European country's.
I have spent close to 3 grand on it between body and a few lenses,which does not seem like a lot to the pros,but if anything happened to it at this stage I would not be able to re spend that kind of cash the way things stand.I dont do the normal tourist trails because i like to see the real side of the country I am visiting so some areas might not be the most desirable,i have a good point and shoot with 13x zoom which i paid €300 for,do you think this could do me for the 3 weeks.I will be travelling mostly by bus and train.Any tips would be a great help and also what all round lens is best for travel.
Thanks


Just to add i have the camera covered on my house insurance.

If you have doubts go with the P&S - especially considering your modes of transport and you will be off the normal tourist routes..

If you decide on the dslr - maybe stick to one lens?

harr

PCPhoto wrote: »

to me it depends on if you want to take pics with a DSLR or P&S during your holidays.

Will you be able to take the time and do some landscapes, cityscapes (or is that not your thing)

Are you travelling alone or with friends/family ? if you have other people with you , you may have to take them into consideration.

I'm off to Marbella in a few weeks with the girlfriend, will have 2 P&S cameras, 1 DSLR and a couple of lenses, an underwater housing for one of the P&S and the DSLR, couple of underwater strobes - and we're only going for a relaxing two weeks away from it all.

Im planning a couple of dives underwater (scuba) and taking some pics....girlfriend is planning chill out time.

Wow your certainly not going to miss ant shots on your hols:)I would love to bring the dslr if I knew i would get the use out it,we are going with another couple so there would 4 of us in total,it will probable be mostly city or town photos but we will be travelling through plenty of country side as well.
If i was travelling on my own i would bring it for sure because i know i would get the use out of it,i will still need to bring a p&p for nights out and the likes,we wont be staying in large hotels only b&b and guest houses so if i do bring it i will have to keep it with me most of the time.

harr

magicbastarder wrote: »

what are the practicalities surrounding charging the battery, available storage with both cameras, etc.?

don't bring anything more than one lens if bringing the DSLR and worried about portability.

storage is my main concern,i have 4 spare battery's so I will be charging as often as I get the chance,the camera its self is not very expensive put with a lens and hood it might draw attention to use in the less larger towns and villages.

PCPhoto

you should have seen what I brought on a trip around USA last year ....lol
we were overweight on every flight (Toronto, San Fran, Hawaii, Maui, Vegas and New York)



I work full-time as a photographer (for over 12years) so never really turn off - always have some bit of gear near or with me, only planning on using the DSLR for underwater - might try do a sunrise or two (while herself is asleep)

gonna get a few bits and pieces serviced first - planning on sending loads of stuff over to fixation in UK next week.

look at it this way - if you flaunt it you make yourself a target, but they can only take it a limited number of ways -
1. directly threatening or grabbing it from you
2. indirectly - by watching you and monitoring you until they get an opportunity (ie left in the car or hotel/hostel room)

as long as you keep an eye on it and keep it safely locked away when not in your possession you should be ok - check with your insurance cover that you have travel cover for everything.

magicbastarder

i never go abroad now with more than my DSLR with two lenses - 35mm f1.8 and 12-24.

Gregor Samsa

I'd always bring my SLR. I might not bring all my lenses, depending on the trip. If I'm stuck for space, I'll just bring my Tamron 18-270 and a small flash.

Have you got house insurance? I had €4,300 worth of camera & laptop equipment stolen from a locked holiday apartment in Berlin a 3 years ago. House insurance covered the full replacement value of the lot. My wife had a P&S stolen from her hand in Cuba before (some guy cut the strap with a knife), and her travel insurance barely covered half the cost of it.

House insurance might not cover you out and about or in a hotel, so check with your insurer.

pete4130

Get good specific camera insurance. Then you dont need to worry. I had my stuff covered on an extra all risks policy with my home insurance through AIB (who goes through AXA). I had about E14000+ worth of stuff covered in the home, in the car, stolen from the car, accidental damage, dropped, broken, lost and up to 60 days abroad anywhere. It bring lots of peace of mind.

harr

pete4130 wrote: »

Get good specific camera insurance. Then you dont need to worry. I had my stuff covered on an extra all risks policy with my home insurance through AIB (who goes through AXA). I had about E14000+ worth of stuff covered in the home, in the car, stolen from the car, accidental damage, dropped, broken, lost and up to 60 days abroad anywhere. It bring lots of peace of mind.

I have it on my house insurance as a extra ad on and i am paying that bit extra on top on my premium but i will ring them tomorrow to check if its covered abroad i know i am covered in the home, stolen from the car, accidental damage, dropped, broken or lost.

Scamp-

I always bring it, and it's so worth it looking back.

I keep it on me at all times, even when I'm drunk there's a little part of my brain that stays protectively careful.

NakedDex

A D60 and a couple of primes. I brought my D300s and a bunch of lenses last few times I've been away, but I found carrying the bag so bothersome that it spent more time in the room than on my back. The only time it came into it's own was going through Eastern State Penitentiary in Philly.
Last time, I grabbed my virtually unused D60, a 30/1.4, 50/1.4 and 85/1.8 and shoved the lot into a Slingshot 100 I picked up for €40. D60 was certainly not designed to be user friendly on manual, but it was such a light and small kit that I could take it anywhere.

CabanSail

What you take away with you all depends on your own photography and what you plan on doing when away. Sometimes I will go away with just the G9, other times it may be a the DSLR and various lenses and accessories and then sometimes it's a back pack full of gear. A good trip is one where I use all the kit I took and did not miss something I've left at home.

If the decision to take the DSLR comes down to a fear of losing it, then you have to ask why you bought it in the first place. Fair enough if it was just to use in the Studio etc. but if the idea is to be able to capture images and experiences then it's not much good sitting at home.

kfish2oo2

Now that I think about it, I did have a bridge with me in Cape Town last Easter. It did attract a bit of attention - but only from beggars and drug dealers ("Brother, you can take a picture of me for 10 rand! Only 10 rand!" and "Hey man nice camera, I get you super skunk - you smoke super skunk, you take great pictures!"). The actual thieves tend to care more about things that have a higher value - rental cars, jewelery etc. Its not worth potentially getting caught for a piece of electronics, especially as they mostly have such low resale value nowadays. I wouldn't be all that worried about it, to be honest.

Paulw

I always bring a camera (SLR) when on holidays, and usually 3 lenses (16-35mm, 24-70mm, 70-200mm). Extra battery or a battery charger.

I've never had any problems. But, don't be too obvious that you're carrying expensive gear. I tend to just use a bag to carry my gear during the day, rather than a camera bag, especially if I'm going to an area I don't know.

It's a lot about common sense really, and not making yourself a target.

harr

Well i have made up my mind to bring the camera:) I checked with insurance and i have up to 20 days cover when travelling abroad.Thanks for all your help.Now one more question i will be only bring the one lens and the few i have might not do as a all round lens, i have a 35mm,18-55.and a 70-300.I will buy a second had lens before i go,so what do i get?
Its will be mostly city and towns with a few landscapes.

kfish2oo2

Depends on what you're willing to spend, but as someone suggested to me, the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM (or Nikon equivalent) has really great reviews and tends to be the favorite all rounder on the photography boards I usually visit. I also hear great things about the Tamron 18-270 3.5-6.3 DiII VC PZD (its 28-419 on a crop sensor). It may not be the most versatile in terms of apertures but has great image quality across its entire zoom and a very good vibration stabilization system.

DaireQuinlan

harr wrote: »

Well i have made up my mind to bring the camera:) I checked with insurance and i have up to 20 days cover when travelling abroad.Thanks for all your help.Now one more question i will be only bring the one lens and the few i have might not do as a all round lens, i have a 35mm,18-55.and a 70-300.I will buy a second had lens before i go,so what do i get?
Its will be mostly city and towns with a few landscapes.

Just bring the 35 and the 18-55 and you're all set. Travel light. Don't fooster around with lenses and bags, just decide which lens to bring with you when you're leaving your acommodation and carry the camera slung on your shoulder. No need for extra weight and hassle and expense clogging up your baggage. And I'd steer well clear of ridiculous 3rd party super zooms, at least if you're concerned about the quality of your shots.

I normally travel with a 20-35 and and a 50mm 1.4. Any more crap and you start introducing option paralysis.