Digital SLR?

Photography is what I love to do when I travel. I used to take my small and yet brilliant Canon 880IS as well as my Canon SLR. Check the Eagle Creek website.
There's a "pack" that holds the SLR and lens and can be worn around the waist AND via an across the body strap. Worked for me. It's padded yet light weight with enough pockets for extra batteries, etc. If you don't wish to feel like a tourist because of the SLR take a lanyard with an identification card in it. Wear it around your neck and people will think you're an "official" photographer. Lastly, to be truthful I gave up taking the larger SLR after I purchased the Canon 880IS. It has 10 megapixels, a great zoom, fits in your pocket and takes fabulous pictures.

Do what ever makes you feel comfortable though. I thought I'd miss having the SLR on my last trip to Italy. Didn't miss it at all. PM me and I'll share some photos I took with the 880.

This is of course a personal preference, but my husband feels less touristy with his camera in a bag that doesn't scream "camera bag." I of course think the camera alone screams tourist, but whatever :) He has a green bag in which he can fit a DLSR and one extra lens and a flash. It looks a bit like a man-purse. Those are all the rage here :)

It is padded for the camera's safe keeping and has a clip which might help deter someone from getting a hand in the bag (but not 100% secure, I know).

I have the exact camera and lenses as you. I recently spent 2 weeks in Thailand and Cambodia and couldn't have lived without my camera. I purchased the actual Nikon bag for it because everything fit perfectly. Got it at Best Buy I think. Good luck. If I can't bring my camera on a trip, I'd rather not go! I love taking pictures.

We just returned from a 2 week trip to Europe and my husband carried his Nikon D50...it's a bit heavier than the D40 and although we had a base to work from we did fine on days it was in our backpack. There were days that we only used our small Casio and Cannon Sureshot digital cameras and we didn't miss the D50. I think it's a matter of personal preference. I wouldn't let "looking like a tourist" persuade you in not taking the D40. If photography is your thing go for it and "revel" in being a tourist. :-)

I carry a Nikon D300 with an 18-200 lens and now will be bringing along a flash and probably a macro lens. I come to love taking pictures and back it up, like the other poster, with a Canon SD 800 series - an amazing little camera.

To be honest it's quite difficult to go carry-on only with a DSLR and additional lenses and I'm still working on the right system. Right now I simply carry two bags. One Patagonia MLC as my regular bag and a Crumpler 5 million dollar home shoulder bag for the camera. The bag is just big enough to hold the camera, lens and flash. I can also take an additional lens if there is nothing attached to the camera. I have always been able to carry on both bags.

This setup means that I always have a shoulder bag with me wherever I go - I never leave the DSLR bag anywhere. The Crumpler doesn't look like a camera bag, which helps, but it's just not working too well for me (the look just isn't "me") so I will be switching to a Think Tank model this year. I would suggest looking at those bags if you are in the market, or alternatively a diaper bag from Walmart which are padded and look nothing like camera bags.

Now as for a DSLR making you look touristy, well that depends. A DSLR doesn't make you more touristy if you already look like one. There are lots of locals who like to take pictures for fun and carry cameras. So if you look like a local, the DSLR doesn't make that much of a difference in my opinion. But if you are in Rome wearing a big I love Rome T-Shirt and a Paris ball cap, you're going to stick out as more of a target if you are carrying a DSLR.

Some other little tips: Don't use the Nikon strap - change to a strap that doesn't show the brand and model - thieves "shop". On planes, take the lens off the camera body, it makes packing easier and safer. Try out bags at a store and be sure to add the other stuff you carry - like a bottle of water, etc. That camera bag is now your new daily carry bag!

Beth,

I spent 8 weeks carrying my Nikon d40 in a messenger bag I got at REI. I have a 18-115 lens so I only carry that when I travel. Since you carry the messenger bag across your body it is secure and comfortable. It holds my camera as well as a guidebook, umbrella, etc without being bulky. I don't like to wear a backpack all day because I always feel like I'm bumping into things but the messenger bag does the trick without marking you look as a touristy.

I say start by deciding if you want pictures or not. As it appears you do, try to not let the touristy aspect affect your true motive. Bring the camera and the lens, you'll appreciate it later when you see your pictures.

Now work on the how. I think there have been some really good suggestions here of specific bag possibilities, so I think you'll be able to find one that works for you. Or go to your local Camera store and "touch" and try on various bags.

A long time ago I adopted the philosophy that I didn't really care what others thought about my desire to take pictures and video so I travel with 2 over shoulder bags - 1 for each camera (Nikon D80 with the 18-200 lens & a Hi-8 video camera). Yes I look like a tourist, but heck, I am a tourist. It's heavy and can be very wearing over long hikes and up mountains to castles, but when the trips were over, I have never regretted doing it. Thankfully over the years technology has helped reduce the size of my camera needs and soon I'll (we'll all) be using 1 camera for everything.

Beth,

I've been traveling with a dSLR & kit for the last few years, as I found the smaller P&S Cameras have significant "limitations", esp. with zoom & wide angle range. Although the dSLR is definitely more hassle to travel with due to size and weight, there have been many occasions where I've been able to get some great photos that wouldn't have been possible with a P&S. I usually travel with no more than 3 Lenses (including the one on the Camera). 10-22 wide angle, 24-105 medium range (walkabout) and 70-300 zoom. I use the first two Lenses most of the time.

I also carry a small P&S to use if I'm going out in the evenings and might want a few photos (I usually carry both in the daytime). When I'm using the P&S Camera, I often feel a bit "constrained" as the smaller Camera just doesn't have the same capabilities as the dSLR.

Regarding your questions:

HOW TO CARRY - So far I've been using a LowePro Nova-series Case for the Camera, Batteries and a few accessories. It's well padded, has lots of compartments, a built-in "shower cap" & can be carried via handle, belt loops or shoulder strap. I take the Camera as carry-on during travel along with a small Daypack (which holds an extra Lens and Flash unit). I have a slightly larger Nova case on order and should be able to fit at least one Lens and Flash unit into that.

ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT - not so far, except for hauling around the extra weight. It's also a good idea to be a bit more vigilant regarding theft. Some "experts" suggest putting a piece of black electrical tape over the brand and model labels on the Camera, so it looks more "generic" and harder for thieves to establish the value (but I haven't done that yet).

DID IT MAKE ME FEEL TOURISTY - not really. I am a tourist and the locals certainly know that, whether I'm carrying a dSLR or not. I'm sure taking photos of famous sights with a P&S would also "label" me as a tourist.

Good luck & happy travels!

For years, I used to carry the bag with an SLR body or two and a selection of lenses and all the other stuff. Yes, it became cumbersome and made me feel touristy.

In this day of packing light and really good quality in cameras, I now chose to travel and hike with an ultra zoom with a large mem card and a couple of extra batteries. That's it.

It was a tough transition for me but man oh man, do I love it now. I use the Nikon Coolpix P80.

Cheers,
Maggie

I highly recommend a LowePro bag. They are specifically designed for SLRs, lenses, and flashes. They fit like a backpack, but let you sling your camera around for easy access. You can get one large enough for your camera equipment and what you would need for a day - they also make attachments for when you need to carry more stuff- picnic, windbreaker, etc.

We carry ours almost every weekend as a day pack with our camera.