Carrying a camera and looking like a target

You'll look like a tourist anyway. <LOL> Just have a good secure camera strap and do what is easiet for you. When you need to stow the camera, a backpack, carefully watched and possibly locked, is a good choice.

David, I routinely carry my dSLR out in the open when touring around cities, and so far haven't had a problem with that approach. I use the strap as well as a firm grip, even on the Metro. I also try to be "aware" of those around me. I never keep the Camera in a bag, for the reasons you noted (ie: "capturing the moment"). It would be a darn nuisance to have to dig into a bag numerous times during the day to retrieve it, and I'm sure I'd miss a lot of great shots. The bag would only serve to keep it out of sight part of the time, and IMO wouldn't really help that much with the theft issue. I do store the Camera in a LowePro bag when I'm travelling to another city. That's the approach that works for me. As Laurel mentioned, there's no point in trying to hide the fact that you're a tourist, as the locals can spot tourists easily. Happy travels!

I'm heading to Italy late this month for a photography workshop in Venice after that I will end up in Rome a few weeks later. I know Venice is much safer than Rome but I don't think in general people are looking to steal big DSLR cameras. Only thing I would be certain to do is not carry it on an outside shoulder(street side) in busy areas as I have heard of people riding by on Vespas and snatching them and to watch out for gypsies or swarms of kids. Other than that a small bag that doesn't look like a camera bag to keep it in when not in use also ditch the Yellow Nikon strap or red and blue Canon strap and get one without a logo, a thick strap is a good idea, pacsafe even sells one that can't be cut.

This may seem stupid to mention, unless you're carrying a laptop to download images, which we were not on our first trip to Rome.... ...carry two memory cards, and nate them. If your camera is stolen, you only lose half the pictures of your trip, since the other half is on the other memory card. We did this because we had a friend whose camera was stolen. In any event, makes you feel more comfortable.

Hi David, you'll probably end up just carrying your camera as it's too much hassle to be packing it away after each use if you're out and about during the day. My friend bought the pacsafe camera strap that's nonslashable just for extra protection and she wore it cross body instead of around her neck.

Carrying your camera in a back-pack is about the last place I would recommend. Every single time you want to take a photo, you have to take the back-pack off, open it, take the camera out, figure out what to do with the pack to keep it safe while you take the photo, take the photo, put the camera back in and then put the back-pack on again. What a lot of work! If you are keeping the pack locked up somehow, add in some more work. If you aren't keeping it locked up, expect items to be stolen from it. Either wear it around your neck, or cross body, like a previous poster suggested. This is the best way to carry any bag at all.

Jo is right. Last time we were in Rome, my friend had his nice Canon SLR stolen - from his backpack - as we were exiting a bus near the Spanish Steps.

Keep your gear in front of you or at your side within your peripheral vision. People are less likely to confront you head on they want to not be noticed. Be vigilant in crowded areas, they will know you are a tourist anyway

If you do want to carry it in a bag sometimes (especially for some museums that don't want you to have a camera) it may be wise to look at a side bag or messenger bag instead of a backpack. I also wouldn't bring a backpack because while you are distracted while taking a photograph, thieves will seize that opportunity to sift through your bag. Being a tourist is not the main thing that will make you a target, it is looking like an unaware, easy opportunity tourist. So look confident, etc, and the camera won't likely make a difference. I carried my DSLR all over last year and didn't feel any worries about someone trying to take it. They're more interested in your money and credit cards and small valuables. I know another thread about DSLRs came up and someone tried to say the opposite because their friend's DSLR was stolen --when she set it down and didn't keep an eye on it--. Well of course that is a possibility, anything you set down and don't pay attention to is likely to be stolen. Also, it simply depends on which cities you will be in. Rome, and somewhat Florence, you definitely need to be aware of who is around you. Venice, not as much, and then other smaller cities even less.

I agree with Laurel that no matter what, you'll stand out as a tourist just by virture of the fact that you're taking pictures! I usually always keep my camera around my neck & ready to use unless we're on a bus or train or at a restaurant eating. In those cases, I keep my camera in my photo backpack. If at a restaurant, I keep my backpack under the table at my feet with one foot through the shoulder strap. If on a train, I do the same thing or keep it on my lap with my hands through the straps. For the most part, I wasn't overly concerned except when in really crowded places in Rome (like the Spanish Steps, on buses, the Trevi Fountain, etc.). I wasn't concerned about having my camera or bag cut off me but if that's a concern for you, then look into the PacSafe products as others have mentioned.

Thank you, everyone, for all the great advise and feedback. I really appreciate it. I just have a follow-up question. Would it be advisable to carry a small bag with you that slings around your shoulder and under your arm so you can move the bag either to the front of back of you depending on the location? PacSafe seems to be the best way to go from what I've been reading. Can anyone recommend a good size bag and/ or style from PacSafe? Again, thanks for all the helpful advice! :)

PacSafe MetroSafe or VentureSafe 200 would fit a small to medium size DSLR. I don't think you need a slash proof bag though. Have a look at LowePro Passport Sling. It doesn't look like a camera bag, is light and comes in 3 colors. http://www.lowepro.com/passportsling

I just returned from a few weeks in Italy. I put my camera in a velcro pouch which attached to my belt. It was easy to grab it, take a picture or two, and slip it back in the pouch. It was very safe -- anyone grabbing it would have to take my belt off too!

In seven trips to Italy, I never keep the slr in a bag while out and about. It's always around my neck/shoulder. I travel with a fairly small kit: camera and 2 lenses. One lens is on the camera. The other, along with a flash, filters, and some other accessories are kept in a fanny pack. I know fanny packs are not recommended, but I'm comfortable with it because we generally travel when it's cool enough to wear a jacket. The jacket I travel with is long enough to cover the fanny pack. I feel more comfortable than if I had a bag labeled "camera gear: please steal me" When it's too warm for the jacket, I put the fanny pack in front. The only downside is not having a bag in which to put the camera during meals. I can live with that.

i have a small dslr bag that i can fit my dslr with a large lense on (hood in a seperate pocket on the front). it's ok to have the bag in the open and i usually shorten the straps of the bag so it stays in front of me and i can have my hand on it comfortably. it's ok to look like a target - all tourists are targets and we can't hide the fact we're tourists (your clothing, shoes, and behavior will give you away), but if you're a hard target they'll just skip you and look for somebody else.

If you intend to use a fanny pack, I suggest one that clips next to the pack, rather than in the middle of equal sections of belt/webbing. Then, turn it around, so that the pack and closure are on your front waistline, not out of site behind you.