wearing my camera around my neck - good idea?

[tigerlilly]

I have a nice 2002 Nikon F55 SLR camera that I will be bringing to my 6 week europe trip. I'm trying to figure out how to transport it in my pack when I'm not using it. Also is it ok that I have it around my neck when I'm going around to all the tourist areas? Will it attract people who want to steel it?! Do some places and museums not allow cameras, if so how do I find out which ones?

thanks in advance!!

~michelle~

[Eagle]

Michelle, I'll try to answer some of your questions. Keep in mind that my suggestions might reflect the way I would do things when travelling, and there will undoubtedly be different methods.

> I don't understand the difficulty in transporting your SLR in your Pack when not using it, as I don't know what type of Pack you're using? Are you referring to your Day pack while touring around, or leaving this in your main pack back at the Hostel (or whatever)? In my case, although my Daypack is fairly small, I have room to carry my dSLR and a few accessories, in addition to water, snacks and other kit. It's not likely I will keep the Camera in the Daypack while touring, as it would be a nuisance to have to dig it out every time I want to take a photo.

> I don't know whether carrying the Camera with the strap around your neck is any worse than carrying it in your hand (it does tend to "mark" one as a tourist though)? Dustoffmom would be the best one to comment on this, as she also uses a film SLR (from what I recall) and having just returned from Europe should have a good idea on the best way to carry this. In the past (with my old Canon AE-1) I tended to carry it kind of "diagonally" when not taking photos, around my neck but tucked to one side. I don't worry too much about theft around home, so haven't given the matter much thought yet with respect to my dSLR. I'm sure you'll develop a method that feels comfortable for you when you begin your trip. As far as someone wanting to steal your Camera, that's certainly something you should be concerned about. However, I imagine thieves are more interested in the expensive digital kit these days.

> Yes, some Museums and other locations prohibit Cameras, while others allow handheld Cameras but prohibit tripods and/or flash units. It's difficult to give you an indication of which Museums have restrictions on this, without knowing which places you plan to visit? Most Guidebooks have information on Camera restrictions.

Hope this has been of some help. Hopefully you'll get a few more replies.

Cheers!!!

[dougj]

I use a slingbag that doubles as a camera bag and daypack. it allows easy access to my camera when i'm not using it. I never carry my camera around my neck.

[gamegrl1]

This idea hasn't been field tested, as I haven't gone on my trip yet, but here's what I've rigged up for when I want to put my camera in my shoulder bag:

I got those big metal "eyelets" at a sewing store and put two of them in the lining of the bag, hooked a small carabiner through it, and so whenever I put my camera in the bag, I'll hook the strap through the carabiner. That way, if a stray hand reaches in to grab the camera they won't get far because it'll be attached to the bag. Of course, if I'm stupid enough to leave my bag unattended and they take the whole thing...that's another problem!

I did the same thing with my daypack - put eyelets close together so I can clip one of those little travel padlocks on it, ie. if I am in a crowd or on a train, then I can feel easier that someone won't be able to just unzip the pockets and steal stuff amid the hustle and bustle. It's just a theory, though.