Question for the Camera GEEKS out there

I take my DSLR with me all the time and have never had a problem. I carry one or two other lenses in a small pacsafe bag and don't worry about it. I don't use a regular camera bag, instead I use a bag that looks like a shoulder bag. I wouldn't carry my camera or lenses in a backpack type of bag while in Italy. It's too easy to be slashed or picked. I would suggest something along the lines of a messenger bag and getting padded cases for the camera and lenses. These are the ones I use: http://optechusa.com/soft-pouch-body-cover.html http://optechusa.com/lens-filter-pouch.html They fit in my bag and pad my camera and lenses so I don't have to worry about them. Donna

Ted, As you're comfortable with your SlingShot 200 AW, I'd probably consider using that. I'm not sure that purchasing another bag will really improve the "security issues" all that much, especially a Crumpler as they use a somewhat "soft" material which could also be slashed. The PacSafe Bags will of course be more secure, but as you noted they may not be as convenient to carry. I travel with a Backpack and use a LowePro Nova AW Shoulder Bag to carry my dSLR, Lens and accessories. The bag is constructed of a heavy Cordura Nylon, so thieves would have to expend considerable effort to slash enough to gain access to the interior compartments where the Lenses are. The Camera is only stored in the Nova bag during travel from one city to another. When I'm out day-touring, the Camera is always carried in the open (with a firm grip and a good strap of course). I usually only carry one extra Lens (wide angle) when out day touring, and that's usually stored in a pocket in my travel Vest. There are a lot of pockets to choose from, so anyone slashing the Vest may end up with a water bottle, part of my lunch or a RS Guidebook! Happy travels!

Honestly last year I stored my DSLR in large purse that I brought around with me. Being a woman, it's a different story than a man of course. (I also wanted to blend in more, and it was better for me to have just my purse instead of a camera backpack as well). I feel safer with a cross-body purse or a messenger bag than with a backpack, because for me it's harder to keep an eye on the bag/if anyone is getting into it. But if you feel like you will be safe keeping your equipment in the backpack, go ahead with it. However, if you're worried about the safety of the bag as well as if it would get in the way while you are traveling, I would start looking at other bags. The money you spend on a new bag would be worth it.

I like Think Tank Bags. I am bringing my Urban Disguise 35V2 on my upcoming trip to Italy. I doesn't scream camera bag, it has a slot in the back that you use to slide over the handle of a rolling bag. Another Think Tank Bag that is popular and doesn't look like a camera bag is the Retrospective that comes in 3 sizes, 10, 20 and 30. In addition to black it comes in a grayish green color that is very different.
http://thinktankphoto.com

Ted, like yourself, I normally use the Slingshot 200 AW when I am shooting around the area and choose to carry around a little bit of gear. However, when I travel (including trips to Italy), I have lightened my load and, like Ken, chosen to use the Lowepro Nova AW shoulder bag (for me, the Nova 2 AW in particular). In it I can fit my 40D with an attached lens, a telephoto lens, and a wide angle lens, plus any filters or small accessories I may need. So with this bag, I can carry all I need, plus it is quite compact; in many places where museums, etc. have made guests check backpacks and bags, the Nova 2 AW is small enough as to where I didn't have to check it. It also has a weather protection cover. In all, just like the Slingshot, you can put it over your shoulder/across your chest and have quick access for shots you want to get. Since it is handy at my side, or even in front of me in really crowded situations, I haven't had any security issues. But, having said all this, if you are comfortable with the Slingshot and still need its storage capacity for everything you want to bring, then I'm sure you can just go with that and be fine.

@ Stuart, I believe my Camera bag is a Nova 4 AW (now replaced by a slightly different model AFAIK). I've found it to be a great bag for travel, as it's got so many pockets as well as the weatherproof cover. When it's fully packed with my travel kit, there is NO extra space! It's not really too difficult to carry that when I'm wearing the Backpack. @ Lisa, My main Camera bag at home is a Think Tank Airport Acceleration. Although they state that it's suitable for carry-on, I seem to use DH-3's a lot and it doesn't fit those well. The next smaller size would have been nice, but it was a compromise to get the room to fit my Camera gear as well as a 15" MacBook Pro. I haven't checked the Think Tank website for awhile, so I'll have a look at the other models you mentioned. Cheers!

Just a heads up: one of my patients and her husband were in Italy a few years ago, wearing backpacks. They were on a bus at one point, standing because there was no room to sit. Her husband was in front of her, and she was facing his back, but they were pretty crammed in. She saw a well-dressed arm come from behind/next to her and reach up to unzip one of the compartments on her husband's backpack! She grabbed the arm, but the person didn't even resist (probably so as not to draw more attention). Instead, the bus stopped right then, and with the movement of all the people getting on and off, he easily broke free and walked out, blending into the crowd.
While I personally did not have any pickpocket trouble and didn't see any, and it sounds like (so far) nobody here has had issues, I would be very careful with expensive equipment and not keep it in a backpack (unless it's something like a PacSafe).

The Slingshot is a cross chest bag, the TT Urban Disguise is a shoulder bag. I like to carry my camera in front of me or at my side and sort of clutch them if on busy transport. I won't use a backpack in crowded situations but I also don't want to have to go through unlocking to get to a lens or accessory. I almost got pick pocketed on a bus in Amsterdam on my first trip to Europe almost 20 years ago, someone was going for my fanny pack which was in front of me but the Velcro made so much noise it alerted me. I actually bring several bags so I have options of carrying more or less depending on the situation and use them as packing cubes or dividers. I did a trial run last week to the Caribbean with this set up: 1 Think Tank Airport Take Off (roller) 2 Think Tank Urban Disguise 35V2 (shoulder) 3 Lowe Pro Passport Sling (small sling)
4 Domke F-5XB (very small shoulder or waist bag)