I'm planning a vacation to Europe to visit places like Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Venice, and others and having read some of those travel books on European destinations, I became somewhat concerned about this whole pickpocketing issue that seems to be running rampant around major cities.
I have a Lowepro SlingShot 200 AW Camera Pack and was wondering what I could do to ensure that my camera and lenses don't become the property of someone else while I'm walking around town. Any ideas or thoughts?
Wear the slingshot over your front and keep your wallet etc in hard to reach places
Pick pocketing can be bad but so long as you're aware and take precautions you'll be fine. Pickpocketing in the streets isn't so bad but subways can be horrific. Also beware of gypsies trying to sell you things or sign petitions. In Rome a few years ago this guy came up and made my girlfriend (now wife) and I a love bracelet for both of us, spinning some story about how because its from the same piece of string we'll always be together or something. Afterwards he hit us up for €5! I paid the money naively and learn a valuable lesson.
It is less the pickpocketing than the bag snatching you should worry about. Keep the camera round to the front - not hanging over your shoulder. And watch out for distraction thieves. Not in the UK of course
Thankfully the Lowepro Slingshot 200 AW Camera Pack has multiple straps that clip together so that "should" help a bit...I'm just worried about my camera being taken from me. I guess I could leave my camera at home, but I don't want to miss out on this once in a lifetime chance to take great pictures of Europe.
Was in Europe last fall but the only big city I visited was London. Never had any problems/fears carrying around a big shoulder bag.
If it's valuable, everywhere you go you take the valuable with you.
Read a blog post (forget where, but it was someone who should've known better) about going to breakfast in the motel restaurant. When he got back, his room had been broken into. They didn't take his camera gear and passport so he was one very stupid & lucky guy.
Geezus. I just read that forum post, Arlen and you've got me more paranoid than ever!
I'm sure that I'll need to make sure that I pack my stuff securely and check out to find some traveler's insurance. I've heard from folks that they never had any problems and they've lugged around huge camera bags and of course there are those unfortunate ones who have been victims that I've been reading about. Hopefully it won't happen to me.
One tip I got from a police officer on helping you wallet stay in your pocket is to wind one or two rubberbands around it before you place it in your pocket. They snag on the sides of your pockets making it hard to lift out even for you sometimes. It is very inconvienent but you have a trade-off fighting the rubberbnds or the possibility of losing your wallet. This will also work on other wallet shapped items that you might carry. I keep my press credentials in a case that strongly resembles a wallet so I rubberband it also.
Take 2-3 credit cards, and make a few photocopies of both sides, along with your passport. If anything gets stolen, you'll have the numbers to call.
Definitely get an american express card! They have offices in every major city around the world and will help you out!
At your hotel rooms, split your credit cards photocopies of ID, and cash amongst your baggage, so if theives do strike, they'll be less likely to get all of it.
And only carry enough cash on you for one day, so if you are robbed, you don't lose everything.
As for camera gear, keep the bag infront of you when walking, and on your lap when on trains.
Be smart, and don't get carried away with bringing a bunch of glass. I shot Italy with a 20D, a 17-40L, a 50f1.4, and a point and shoot.
Thieves follow a universal rule: they'll pick on the easiest prey. Make yourself more a harder target, and you're less likely to be a victim.
The ONLY place I was a little concerned was in Rome. There are some very creative street scams that try to distract you and get you to focus on something else (in my case, it was a fake fight). While you're watching the "action" someone may try to pick your pocket or snatch your bag.
I don't think you need to do anything different than you would to visit any other large city. Don't let this distract you from enjoying yourself and just as important, your photography. 99% of the people I met and/or interacted with were all very friendly! Obviously (for me anyway), the further into the countryside you get, the people get more friendly.
I met a farmer that after we stopped to talk with him, invited us into his house for a drink! That happened more than once.
I spent a lot of time in Italy a couple years ago, and while I never saw it myself, I was told that one of the bigger problems was people riding by on mopeds with one guy driving and another to grab your bag as they passed. One of my workmates got her purse stolen that way. I did a lot of walking around in London, various cities in Germany, and Ireland, always with my camera around my neck, and never felt worried. I was carrying a rebel XT and usually a 17-40L. The nice thing about an XT now is that it doesn't cost that much to get another one anyway.
I'm in Spain right now and I can say that the people who have the biggest problems with theft are the ones who don't really pay attention. It's rather common to get a bag snatched when you leave it behind your chair in a restaurant. Always have a leg, arm, whatever through a strap. If you're taking public transportation--which at times here can get very crowded--make sure you have your bag in front of you or pressed up against the window or side of the bus. Just the other day I had a friend who had her keys stolen from her bag when everyone was smashed together on a crowded bus; you really won't feel somebody opening a zipper and most people aren't watching out for you.
Jacob Vink wrote:
I'm in Spain right now and I can say that the people who have the biggest problems with theft are the ones who don't really pay attention. It's rather common to get a bag snatched when you leave it behind your chair in a restaurant. Always have a leg, arm, whatever through a strap. If you're taking public transportation--which at times here can get very crowded--make sure you have your bag in front of you or pressed up against the window or side of the bus. Just the other day I had a friend who had her keys stolen from her bag when everyone was smashed together on a crowded bus; you really won't feel somebody opening a zipper and most people aren't watching out for you.
Following Quote From Bert Stephani's Blog I am rather careful with my equipment but I bought it to make pictures so I don’t want to be too careful. My bag was stolen during lunch in the congress center. We were in the restaurant that was only for the organization and the speakers and the bag was under my chair (didn’t get up during lunch). After lunch the bag was gone. I couldn’t believe it but after a couple of hours the sad reality sunk in.
I went to Europe in 2006 with Rebel XT. Took around 6,000 shots and nothing happened to me. Just stay with the crowd, and always be alert. Try to be with a partner to look after you, and around you.
