carrying an SLR safely

The key is to not set it down or let it out of your sight. You should be fine with the harness. I carry mine with a neck strap and keep the camera slung under one arm while I'm walking (kind of like women are suggested to carry their purses). Its easy to shift it into place to take shots. Also, don't leave things out in your room when you're gone. I always take the camera with me.

Pacsafe looks like this have neat anti-theft camera devices:

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php?_room=3&activity_id=10

I carried my Nikon D40 to Paris in February without a problem. I just hung it diagonally across my body or put it in my purse. It looked bulky, but it fit. The main problem was what to do with it in restaurants. I don't think the restaurants where we ate were frequented by thieves, but I kept the strap looped around my arm or leg just in case. It also helped ensure that I didn't leave it behind!

My friend who went with me took her lap top and every night we would download our pictures to her computer. When we got back she uploaded them all to Snapfish. It was great. I made a photo book and a collage poster. Much easier than putting actual photographs into an album.

I got a pack-safe camera strap for my D40 - and a crumpler bag that fits with the larger lense. None of it says NIKON on it - which is a start, I also put it diagonal. If you can wear a very light jacket to cover up a bit that helps too (or just use a good day pack for when it needs to be put away. When at a cafe - keep it wraped arround your foot in the pack (or under the chair leg). This way it can leave without you and if you try to bcause you forget - you will trip and therefore remeber its there! :)!

Don't forget: it will count as your carry-on. :-) We'll be bringing our DSLR and a lens or two as well, but will need to leave room for the usual carry-on stuff (travel papers, etc.).

Janice,

Nothing is ever completely safe, especially in Europe as petty crime is so prevalent in some places. As mentioned previously, don't ever put it down in crowded places. Also, it's a good idea for the one carrying the Camera to walk "inside" on sidewalks, so that you won't be as vulnerable to "Vespa thieves".

When in "high hazard" locations (ie: Subway), I often put the dSLR inside a Vest and zip it up partially (perhaps "out of sight, out of mind"?), and keep one hand on it at all times. Your Camera Case worn on the front sounds like a good plan.

Also, try to practice "situational awareness" so that you'll hopefully notice anyone taking a keen interest in you.

Happy travels!

Thanks for the safety tips. Hadn't yet thought about what I would do with it in a restaurant. I appreciate idea of keeping it out of sight (inside coat, etc.) as I won't always be lugging around the camera bag with the chest harness.

One more thing, what about in museums...will they let you carry it around (we are going to Munich and Vienna...)

Janice, I carry my larger (Panasonic)camera in my daily bag - either a courier style or a soft bag (currently I am using a deisel.it men's bag). The camera is always out of sight, and I carry the bag always with a shoulder strap and tucked under my arm. I still have room for a water bottle, wallet, piece of fruit. I rarely use the padded camera bag at all.

For meal times, just put the camera in your bag and put the bag between your feet with the bag strap around one of your ankles or the leg of the chair.