professional camera equipment

What is your definition of professional camera equipment?

A DSLR and a few lenses is quite standard fare for many travelers, as well as professionals. But if we talking about multiple cameras, large tripods or even Hasselblad you may have challenges.

Plus, where in Europe are you going? There are a few museums that don't even allow you to take in a camera, but not many overall.

Pete

Unfortunately, many museums don't allow a tripod to be used to take photos. In fact, a number of museums (especially in Italy but not only there) don't allow still photos of any type to be taken of the artwork.

I was definitely hoping to use a tripod for anything indoors. . I just have a Mark II

To add to Kent, the majority of those museums still allow you to carry a camera in your bag and don't require you to check the camera at the door. (A good example is tapestries and Castle art in Germany - no photos, but you are allowed to carry your camera on the honor system).

I carry a Nikon D300 and two lenses with me. Never had an issue. But Kent is bang on when it comes to tripods.

Pete

elijah,

Could you provide a bit more information on where you're going in Europe and which Museums / Galleries you hope to visit?

As the others have said, most (all?) Churches, Museums and Art Galleries will not allow Tripods and Art Galleries especially and some Churches won't allow Flash (having said that, you'll probably see lots of the P&S crowd flashing away without regard to the rules).

I always travel with a larger "semi-professional" dSLR and a few Lenses these days, but so far haven't bothered with a Tripod as I knew I wouldn't be able to use it in a lot of places. It doesn't matter whether the Tripod is a "Mark II" or other models - the staff don't know the difference anyway and all they see is a "Tripod".

Most places will allow you to carry a dSLR and some will allow you to take non-flash photos. However, the Borghese Gallery in Rome is one that requires Cameras to be checked (they were very careful with my Camera).

Cheers!

Forgot about Galleria Borghese Ken - they are tougher then normal and require everything to be checked. Umbrellas, backpacks, cameras and even purses.

From memory, I don't think Uffizi in Florence wasn't that strict. Don't remember having to check my camera there.

Pete

Just wondering if you are a professional photographer, or if you are a "shutterbug" (like me) with really nice equipment. I'm asking, because if you are not a pro, maybe you might want to take a smaller, but still high quality camera instead of a big SLR and all that equipment. A few years ago, I switched from taking my SLR or DSLR, extra lenses, filters, tripod, etc. to a Canon Powershot G6. It was quite liberating! Not only does this camera take pictures as good as the big DSLR, but it fits in a small bag, or big jacket pocket. The only drawback is that if you really want freedom to manipulate your flash, you really can't do that with a smaller camera. But since many of the places you'd want to bounce a flash off of the ceiling won't let you use a flash, it's not an issue. The way I get around the need for a tripod is steadying the camera on the back of a pew, or against a pillar, to keep it still for low-light shots. Difficult for a big SLR, but easy for the small G6. It's been a few years, so there are newer models now, but I'm quite happy with the 7.1 megapixels, and ability to change lenses on the G6 (but I don't bother - the standard one is just fine).

thanks for the tip, i've actually wondered about the picture quality on that camera before, but I do like to try to take sellable pictures :)

If you use a tripod or plan to take lots of photos in museums, please go at less busy times. I find it very annoying trying to see art when the view is blocked by photographers. Flash photography is not only hard on the art, it is distracting to other museum-goers.

Pete,

I also found the Borghese Gallery one of the most restrictive in terms of items they allow. I wasn't carrying any other items so only had to check my dSLR. They didn't say anything at all about the P&S in my pocket, but it would have been futile to try and take photos as there were guards and CCTV Cameras in every room.

I probably should have mentioned the other restrictions, but just addressed the specific question regarding "professional camera equipment".

Cheers!

you mean a canon 5d mark11
with that you should have no problems not using a tripod indoors.
I have never been able to use a tripod in churches and stuff. I find I hate bringing a tripod on the tirip even though I would love to have it at times. I am bringing a gorillapod this time. which is no replacement for a tripod but that with a remote shutter release could help in some situations

Some museums in Europe require you to pay for a permit to use tripods, etc., and the guards ask to see it when they notice you setting up.