Travel Suggestions

April 11th, 2014
Hello!
My sister and I are in the very early stages of planning our first trip to the European continent. Right now, the plans are to go to Italy in the fall. Of course, there's no way I'd leave my DSLR home, but I am quite nervous about carrying it around. (My usual vacations are spent in the mountains of Yellowstone. Bear/elk/moose aren't really a threat with walking off with your camera.)
Does anyone have a recommendation for a camera case/carrying bag?
Also, I don't think I'll have room for a large variety of lenses. Any recommendations for the best all-purpose lens? Keeping in mind the trip is going to cost plenty and I won't have a lot of extra money to buy new equipment, so cost is important.
I shoot with a Nikon D3200.

Thank you in advance for your help and suggestions!
April 11th, 2014
I've been searching on line for answers to pretty much the same questions. I'm going with a group to Ireland in late September, and will definitely take my D7100, but would like to lighten up what I carry. I was thinking of a roomy travel purse (which I have, it's by Travelon, cut-proof, rfid protection to keep credit cards, etc., safe). I carry my camera a lot sling style (cross-body) so it's quite comfortable to carry. @smellychelli I think we would be doing similar photography...churches, scenic, street scenes. Looking forward to seeing suggestions. Thanks for starting the discussion, Michelle.

April 11th, 2014
Hi - i've been to Italy quite a few times both on holiday and with work - i would say it depends where you are going ? most of the famous 'tourist' areas Florence, Rome, Venice etc you will see lots of people wandering round with camera's around their necks these places will be very crowded - the main things to watch for like all main cities would be pickpockets and bag dippers - when seated at outside cafe's i always put my chair leg through my bag strap - a famous scam is to approach with a map asking for directions and while your 'helping' ie distracted their partner will try to take your bag off the floor - but things like this are very rare i wold say keep to main streets i.e don't wander down dark alleyways etc on your own that sort of thing (applies everywhere really ) i would say if your buying a camera bag go for one that goes across body rather than back pack - that could be easily pilfered - but if you don't want to draw attention to your belongings I've often just used an ordinary bag thats large enough to hold my camera and usually wrap it or pad it with a scarf or something similar to protect it - dont worry too much about it i'm sure you will have a lovely time
If i have to travel light i usually take my 17-200mm lens its usually given me a good enough range for a wide variety of shots
April 11th, 2014
While this may sound silly, LeSportsac makes a bag called "jessie baby bag" that is designed as a diaper bag, but actually works as a camera case as it has decent compartments and padding. Can be carried cross-body or as a shoulder bag, has a zipper covering the main compartment as well as the interior zipper compartments. @jyokota has used hers in several major European cities, as well as in the U.S. and that's where I learned about it. I've only had mine a few weeks, but it works pretty well. The only thing I'd recommend is attaching a strap that has some padding as camera equipment, no matter how light, is heavy after an hour or two. And the strap that is attached is not really designed for lugging equipment. ebags.com carries it and often has specials (right now they have one, if you can bear the pattern that is on sale). The other thing I'd recommend is a strap that does not have the camera name on it. I use a Big Rapids cross-body women's strap and it's very comfortable for all day carrying.
April 11th, 2014
@smellychelli @featherstone @scolgs @taffy
I travel often and to many destinations, and have found one bag that covers my photographic needs and I feel safe carrying it around, since it's sling type. Now I looked to add the link, and must say I was surprised it has been reduced to almost half price. It has side pockets where I carry my cell phone or other stuff, and it has a zipper to make it larger. Hope you like it. http://www.amazon.com/Lowepro-Passport-Sling-Camera-Bag/dp/B0039NLS4C/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1397245942&sr=8-10&keywords=lowepro+camera+bag
April 11th, 2014
@smellychelli
I'm no - pro and i don't really know anything about Nikon D3200, but I always take my small camera bag and on days out just put in my small rucksack - perhaps with a plastic bag..
In terms of lens... i also don't have a whole swag of them - even at home!! But nothing screams TOURIST than a whole lot of equipment. Depends what you want to photograph... but if you need a super long lens to get a shot... perhaps its not worth it. I'd down size to a prime lens - and save on space. That is of course unless you are staying in swanky hotels where security will be max! I use a 50mm lens and my feet!
But hey - as i said - I'm just a hobbiest
April 11th, 2014
Like Taffy I also use a Bid Rapid cross body strap and when I don't want to use that I have the Black Rapid wrist strap which is great. I've read that it is best to not to have a bag or camera strap that is easy to track in a crowd, so ditch the manufacturers straps .... they are just so obvious!

I've walked around many cities in many countries with no worries, I take the usual crowded area precautions around pickpockets, care when putting your bag down and people with clipboards (google it, it's a distraction lens rob trick)


if you download your photos every day to a 'cloud' or a laptop, you will never loose much if the worst was to happen......and have your camera insured!

As for a lens, I am trying to decide on that at the mo, as we are coming over to New York/Toronto/Chicago in May. I think it is going to be the 17-55 f2.8 Canon and my 70 -300 for any distance stuff

And best of all have fun and photograph LOADS!! and if you fancy popping to Milton Keynes for a cup of tea, you would be very welcome at ours :)

April 11th, 2014
I hope i can describe this right because it saved me once! I had a photography professor tell me once to take the strap and wrap it several times around the palm area of your hand - so around your hand where your thumb meets your palm. Wrap it so that it ends up that you are holding the camera with your hand.

I had a thief in Caracas try to grab my camera and run. What happened is he grabbed camera, and spun me around trying to get away. That strap never came off! I won that battle and headed, with my camera, to the nearest bar so I could stop shaking!

It also helps if you absentmindedly let go of the camera for a second -- it won't drop out of your hand that way.

This has become a habit in the way I always carry my camera (if I'm not using the black rapid cross body strap.
April 11th, 2014
I always carry a back pack with me. I have one that has a compartment for a laptop and I find it good to keep my camera as it gives protection - no compartments though. Alternatively I carry it across my shoulder sling-like which I think is pretty safe as I agree with @scolgs that it's more things like purses and pockets you need to watch out for.

I carry only one lense when travelling (I use Canon) - 18 - 200 as I find it covers just about everything. The only thing I miss is the wide aperture. But that comes with weight and carrying weighty equipment kind of takes away the fun when you are walking around a lot. Also, there is more to keep your mind on while you are focusing on your shot. Mine is SIgma and I got it for EUR 200 on EBAY - (and I am very happy with it).I also do quite a bit of hiking and trekking and find this serves really well.

Nikon (or Sigma for Nikon) also do an 18 - 300, but unless you are going for something like wildlife or sports, I do not find it necessary.
April 11th, 2014
A single all-purpose lens for your D3200 might be the Sigma 18-250, perhaps the Tamron 18-270, both for less than US$500. They are not professional lenses by any means, but they do get the job done, and both weigh about 20 ounces and take a 67mm filter. Both do have good image stabilization which I think is important for an enthusiast/hobbyist, and the Auto Focus is quite adequate especially in good light. I found the Sigma somewhat better/sharper/less distortion than the Tamron, but others disagree. Make sure you look for the latest edition of either. Earlier ones were bigger and heavier and no increase in quality. Nikon is just out (late!) with their 18-300 DX that is not yet for sale in the US, perhaps it is in Europe. List price in the US seems to be about US$900, about twice as much as the Tamron or the Sigma. I have no information on the performance of the Nikon lens.
April 12th, 2014
I normally travel a lt throughout Asia and have the dedicated Lowpro backpack. It holds camera and three lenses (but I usually only take two...a 50mm and a 300mm). It has space for a laptop and my tripod will go on the side. It also has a seperate space for lunch and a water bottle or for passports etc. Having said all that...That's what I carry on the plane. When I get there I transfer what I want for the day to a battered and slightly grubby old backpac (weighs nothing so I take it in my main luggage. There's nothing worse than trying to sight-see or walk around a strange place with a 7kg pack on your back. My grubby old pack slings comfortably on one shoulder and never looks interesting enough to pinch.
April 12th, 2014
@featherstone @scolgs @taffy @brigette @pixiemac @ridley @angiec @frankhymus @anazad511

You're wonderful! Thank you, everyone, so much for your helpful ideas! I'm sitting at the pc with several tabs open and have started researching lenses and straps.
STRAPS!! I had no idea I should use a different strap. Thank you for that suggestion! I will be buying one!

@anazad511 I went ahead and bought that camera bag! Wow! That's a great price for a bag! I didn't even want to "think about it" as I knew that as long as it takes me to think things through, the bag would be back at full price! :)

@pixiemac Thanks for the invite. UK was #2 on our list... but my sister has been there twice and is ready for different scenery. Deep down (don't tell her this) I'd rather go to Britain. I'll get there some day and take you up on the offer!

You're all so very knowledgeable about this. Thank you for giving me your time!
April 12th, 2014
haha....here I thought you were looking for travel suggestions and I was going to add that if you're going to Italy, you have to go to Matera (near Bari), but that's not what you were fishing for, but I'm saying it anyway!!
April 12th, 2014
@smellychelli I'm glad you ordered it, and I'm sure you will enjoy it. I also bought a cushioned cover for the strap, and it makes a huge difference. Your shoulder will appreciate it. It's also inexpensive http://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Comfort-Shoulder-Messenger-Fastening/dp/B008YB79Q0

April 12th, 2014
@anazad511 Just saw it on sale as recommended, and decided I "needed" the beige one! I may have to open up a shop for camera bags to clean out the ones I've impulsively bought. This one does look like a winner, though.
April 12th, 2014
@taffy Hope you enjoy it, I love mine. I want to make a garage sale to get rid of the prior ones, so I know what you mean...
April 12th, 2014
@anazad511 Ive ordered it too, thanks for the advice and the link. Much appreciated.
April 16th, 2014
I would caution you to keep your eyes open and a tight grip on your stuff in Italy. I caught a guy with his hand in a woman's purse on the bus in Rome. He had a fake camera around his neck, which is what got my attention. He camouflaged his arm and hand by wearing a long scarf around his neck. I tried to tell the woman, but she didn't speak English. He got off the bus and got on the front, where he was caught by someone else and kicked off the bus. And, my husband was pick-pocketed by a Gypsy child in the subway outside the Colosseum in Rome. She had her hands in every pocked on his body, up inside his coat and he never knew it. I hope this doesn't sound too negative. We traveled all over Europe in the 4 years we were stationed there. The only places we had issues were in Rome (pick pockets on numerous occasions), Venice (Communist rally in the plaza that we walked into), and Warsaw (someone tried to break into our car, but couldn't pop the lock on our American car). So, in general, it's fairly safe as long as you keep track of your stuff and keep alert.

Also, have a good comfortably padded neck strap on your camera that is secured to you camera. This will help ease neck pain on long days of sightseeing and help you keep you camera if someone grabs it.
April 21st, 2014
@featherstone
This is nothing to do with your question, but I see you have a nikonD7100' are you pleased with it, is it light/heavy, what lenses do you have, gratefully receive any comments , thanks. France
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