What do you do with your camera?

Depends where I am, but I never have a camera around my neck. I bought a very small one that I can easily put in pocket or purse. Works just fine.

I found that I have no luck with smaller cameras. It seemed small enough when I bought it, but seemed HUGH when I put on my neck.

What you do with your camera depends on your perspective on photography. Part of my vacation is taking the photos. I love it. I am trying to learn how to take better pictures all the time and vacation gives me time to think about this and new vistas and subjects to photograph. So, I don't mind having it around my neck. I have used a single shoulder bag that I sometimes use when I know I won't need my camera for an extended period of time. But since I want it handy, I hang it. When I hike I have a shot gun bag that slides onto the waist belt of my pack. At night I tend to leave the SLR back in the hotel room and take my point and shoot.

The thing to remember is that you probably look like a tourist anyway, so maybe don't worry about it. ; ) Pam

Mine is a smallish camera that fits into my Pacsafe bag. I have a bigger SLR but cannot imagine lugging that around. However, I do love photography and always kind of regret not having a better camera with me. I don't care about looking like a tourist because there are so many tourists around anyway, but I absolutely hate having a heavy camera when I'm on holiday in Europe.

I would agree with Pamela, it depends on ones perspective of photography and how it relates to your traveling. I suspect you'll get alot of feedback on both sides.

But I also would agree with the statement that you'll probably look like a tourist anyway, so I wouldn't worry about it and if you want to see pictures after the trip, forget about how it looks.

I'm on the far side of excess on this, but I'm serious about my pictures. It's my passion. 2 camera bags - 1 for still pictures with a digital SLR (Nikon D-80 with an 18-200 lens), and a seperate bag for a video camera. It often can seem heavy and bulky and as you can imagine, trying to switch between the cameras is very tricky, especially when I'm trying to take pictures with both of the same sight. It might seem like I'm missing alot, but I think I see more because I'm always looking for shots, and then if I've done well, I have alot to see for the rest of my life.

So I'm thinking that if you're deciding about a cybershot, heck, leave it out and/or accessible and enjoy your trip while you're on it and for many years afterwards!

In the winter, the camera usually hides well under my coat.

But I haven't found a good way to hide my rather bulky camera and portable tripod in warmer weather. I love looking at my old travel photos, so if I have to look like a tourist (which I am anyway!), so be it.

Kristen,

I always travel with a dSLR and associated kit these days, and the method I use for carrying while I'm out touring is to sling the Camera diagonally and leave it tucked under my arm. This has the advantages of reasonably good attachment with the strap as well as minimizing the visibility somewhat (although the labelling on the strap is quite visible). Extra Lenses and other gear are either in a Daypack (with zippers locked if necessary) or in a Photo Vest in a front pocket where I can watch them.

I'd find it extremely annoying and cumbersome to have to take the Camera out of a Pack every time I want to take a picture, so that wouldn't be an option for me. I'd probably miss a lot of great photos also.

I wouldn't worry too much about being labelled as a "tourist", as the locals will know anyway, regardless of whether you're carrying / using a Camera or not.

Happy travels!

I am a tourist. I carry my camera in my hand, not around my neck. I own a Sony H50, not a compact, but not a DSLR either.

I know I look a bit dorky taking photos and carrying my camera around, but I'm only in that place one time, and I want the memories...so I've made myself get over it.

Sure I feel silly snapping photos, but there are others around me doing the same.

Can't tell you how happy I am when I get home and I look at my photos for the first time and I see the wonderful faces of locals, the scenery, or even that capture of me and my husband at a historical site. It's worth it to me for sure!

When I'm not using the camera, I usually keep it in my shoulder bag, I use a PacSafe Metro 200.

I found that it's not a hassle to take the camera out to get a shot.

As an aside, I also purchased a Jobi Gorillapod tripod, the best invention yet. Last trip I took with my daughter, finally, we could BOTH get into the picture at the same time. Now I have pictures of us in Rome and Orvieto - together!!

Don't you just love the Sony Cybershot!

I like to think it says "photographer" rather than tourist. The only time I tuck it in my backpack is when I am SURE I won't be taking photos - and sadly, I have been wrong on that count and missed some lovely opportunities.

You guys are right. I will leave my camera out, except when on undergrounds, metros and trains etc.. I am a tourist, so who cares. I will take precautions, keep my hand on it and keep day bag secure. Memories fade, but pictures will keep. I told my son, I will take him on this trip, but I wanted him to make me a DVD with pictures, music and video etc... of our trip in return. More pictures the better. So what if I look like a dork, who cares what others think. I was in London in 88' and only remember sitting on a bus at the bus station, walking around a garden, being yelled at by a tour guide in what I think was Hampton Court and walking around the front of Windsor Castle, not much else. I really regret not taking pictures. Happy Travels!

Chani, I do love the Cybershot. It has so many features, I am still trying to figure them all out in time for my trip.

We have a Canon PowerShot that goes everywhere we do. I wear a cross body Fossil bag/purse that has a perfect size pocket that I drop the camera down into when not using. My bag is small enough that things don't get lost in it. Very handy and easy to get to my camera quickly.

I don't care at all if I look like a tourist, so I am usually carrying my camera in my hand. I've never understood the paranoia about looking like a tourist. I am happy to be one!

Like the previous poster, my camera is usually in my hand. I know I look like a tourist,it sure doesn't help to hide my camera ;)

Kristin,

I do something similar to what Ellen posted. I have a 10x zoom digital, so too small for my pocket, but not as big as a DSLR camera. When we're out and about I usually have it in my hand with the strap wrapped a few times around my hand/wrist (just in case it slips or anything like that). When we're not using it, I just keep it in our day pack. I ALWAYS wrap the strap around my hand/wrist once or twice for the added security of it slipping. I'd hate to have if fall while taking pictures from the top of the Eiffel Tower!

Kristen, I think you're making a great choice and I hope all the posts helped (and not made you feel guilty). You won't regret it!

Thanks Gary.

It's hard for me to know how big your camera is. Cybershot is used on a range of Sony cameras.

I have a very small camera. I replaced the wrist band with a neck strap from a thumb-drive. It's enough to hold my camera inconspicuosly under my shirt or jacket when I'm not taking pictures and doesn't tie up one of my hands. That may work for you or may not be quite enough depending on the size of your camera.

I just carry my camera and keep the strap around my wrist. I don't really think about whether it screams out "tourist" to do that as so many people take pictures these days. I see so many people just walking around with cameras as part of their everyday lives (I think it's all because of flickr and blogs) that I don't really think about it.

I don't have a special camera bag as I think they do sometimes scream money! Plus the professional camera bags never seem to fit my frame. I keep my camera in a nicely padded, but knackered-looking make-up bag.

You are a tourist. It's certainly nothing to be ashamed of. I have a tiny camera that fits in my pocket. My husband carries our Canon Rebel hanging around his neck, although there are times when we leave it in the safe and just take the small one.

My travel camera is small but too big for a pocket. I liked having it readily available and the last two trips have traveled with it in one mesh water bottle pocket (on my Civita day pack) with a water bottle in the other. I often clip the camera strap to the back pack strap to keep me from dropping the camera accidently. I use about a 1" loose leaf ring, which slides up and down the back pack strap, allowing me to use the camera without unhooking it.

Kristen,

I have a dslr and I carry it in a messenger bag which also holds my guidebook, umbrella, etc. It's non-touristy looking but the camera is really easily accessible. With the strap across my body it is comfortable and secure all day.

Dorky, I love that word, it's just how I feel. I have taken the travel photography class at ETBD a couple of times. One thing I learned was that to be able to take better pictures is to take more pictures. To do that you need to take your camera with you most of where you go. That way you get used to having it hanging round your neck, or in your pocket and hopefully less dorky.

Kristen,
You are a tourist...we are tourists...who cares. Take the camera you have, no need to purchase a smaller one. If you don't want it dangling around your neck, just use a short strap around your wrist. The main thing is to keep it handy so that you will be ready for the next great shot....and take lots of them. There are lots of good suggestions on this site.