Cameras and travel

Most hostels tend to have lockers where you can lock up anything that you don't want to carry around with you. some older ones may require you to have your own lock, but most won't.

Depending on the value of your camera you could also think about insurance...

If you stay in hostels, bring a lock. In my experience, they all have lockers and you need your own lock. Hostels are notorious for petty theft. I can't remember a locker getting broken into, rather something disappears while you are out,in the shower, or asleep.

I carried a full body, lenses, filters, etc. in a camera bag once. Now I travel with only a pocket size digital that I carry everywhere. I don't like carrying the extra weight for marginally improved pictures. I also find a full size camera keeps you from getting quick candid snapshots that are my most prized pictures.

Do take a good locker lock and a backpack lock and you should be ok. Dont flash it around in the hostel but also consider taking an extra small pocket cam like a powershot or somthing for the social part out. I take both my big and small cam! But lock it up in your bag or locker in the eve!

I've stayed in Hostels with "expensive equipment" and so far no problems. As the others mentioned, most Hostels have Lockers but in some cases guests are required to use their own Padlock. Those Hostels that require personal Locks often sell these at the front desk.

Some Hostels will allow guests to leave valuables at the front desk, rather than in the room. I've used that method in Rome on a couple of occasions, and so far it's been fine.

I travel with a dSLR as well as a small P&S Camera these days. I use the larger Camera during the day when out sightseeing and occasionally to get specific night photos. Most often I just take the P&S Camera out at night, as it's compact, fits into a pocket easily and is more "discreet". However, I invariably I miss having the features and capabilities of the dSLR, but it's somewhat of a compromise.

Happy travels!