eardoc

Check out the following pick-pocket proof clothing. I wore their pants while in Rome without any incidents. The clothes permit you to zipper close front and rear pockets for wallets, passport, mobile phone, etc. You might be able to slide in a small point & shoot.

https://www.clothingarts.com/

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

When traveling I use a PacSafe backpack and an OpTech sling with a security cable woven in. The backpack has a woven steel netting to prevent slashing access, cables through the straps, zipper locks and one of the straps can be disengaged for wrapping through a stationary item and reattached with a locking mechanism. It even has an RF blocking pocket.

The pack performance is great, I can take off one strap and sling it around like a sling bag for quick access. I always plan to bring my DSLR and appropriate lenses when traveling because I view trips as a photographic opportunity and want the best captures possible. Why spend all that money on good gear if I'm afraid to expose it. It's some of the same gear I use for client work and I have sufficient backups to not put paying jobs at risk.

My trip to Europe last year, I packed a 5DIII, 7DII, G15, 580EXII flash, 16-35, 24-105, 50 1.4, portable HDDs, a tablet, cables, remotes and a travel tripod. I didn't carry everything each day, but packed according to what I planned to do that day. The only item I never used during the 4 weeks was the 50mm 1.4. It's probably staying home next trip.

Bullfrog Bill Loc: CT

Buy insurance!!!

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Peru is not as bad as Rome. Rome is the worst place to take anything. The theft rate there is astounding. I never travel with my bigs anymore. I take two pocket Sony's and put them in belt pouches. Never had a problem and I am hands free to hold my wife's hand and enjoy myself.

Bipod

I have a friend from Peru, and she agrees with your wife.

Peru has one of the fastest growing economies in South America and the days of potlical
turmoil are long past, but still it's not Switzerland. According to the World Bank, the Gross
National Income per captial in 2017 was $5,960.

The crime rate in Lima is probably less than Newark or Detroit, and the violent crime rate
is almost certainly far less. Unfortunately, what's relevant to this discussion is the property
crime rate against American tourists....

As an American tourist in Peru, you might as well be wearing white tie, tails and a topper.
Disgusing the bag or camera won't do much good. You probably just drove up in a rented
car worth more than the average Peruvians makes in five years. Anything bag you carry will
be assumed to packed full of $100 bills.

Insurance would (patially) compensates for your loss of a camera, but you're still out the photos
that were in it, and you're still without a camera.

Sneak theives that could chose an alternate target can be deterred. But if your the only
American tourist walking down some street: deterrence won't be very effective. And any
resistance to a robbery might get you killed.

I'd take a bunch of disposable cameras. Even those might get stolen, but at least you'll
have a replacement. As soon as you finish one camera, lock it in the hotel safe.
If both you and your wife take pictures, then you'll have some duplicates in case one
camera does get stolen or lost, or doesn't work right (a distinct possibility). And
additional benefit is you don't have to worry about buying batteries.

Or you can break open the finished camera, remove the film, and send it home via
Federal Express--like a lot of journalists used to do. Fed Ex has an office in
Lima and even offers courier service. I've found that the hotel concerierge is
often very helpful with Fed Ex shipments. But be warned: shipping to the US from
South America is much more expensive than from Europe or Japan.

Everything about disposable cameras is bad except the film--which is excellent.
And they are all "full frame" and have a built-in flash. All use print (negative)
film.

*--chromogenic B&W -- process like standard color print film

Alternatively, you could buy two or three inexspensive digital camears. Unfortunately,
that means no viewfinder--just an LCD/LED screen on the back, which isn't useable
in bright sun. To get a viewfinder, you have to buy a disposable camera.
Whatever you decide, I'd suggest you try one out before you leave.

The main thing is not to be worrying about your camera during your trip.
I long ago accepted that there are trips and there are photography trips--
on the former you just takes snap shots with the rest of the toursits or don't even
bring a camera; the latter is Ansel in his station wagon.

More info:

"Safety and Security in Lima Peru"
http://limaeasy.com/lima-info/safety-security-situation-lima-peru

"Peru Economic Data" (cursor over graph lines for numbers)
https://data.worldbank.org/country/peru

"Kodak fun saver single use disposable camera review"
https://thedarkroom.com/disposable-cameras-top-cameras-reviewed-compared/kodak-fun-saver-single-use-disposable-camera-8627/

"Disposable camera reviews and comparison"
https://thedarkroom.com/disposable-cameras-top-cameras-reviewed-compared/

"How to remove the film from a disposable camera"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhCdPCyG7x4

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

It looks like those who have traveled to Peru uniformly advise you to take your DSLR, including myself. Many of those who have never been conjure up fears that are not justified. Peru is not a country full of thieves and pickpockets, although they do exist, as they do anywhere else. The Peruvians I met are honest, helpful and decent people. Yes, the usual precautions apply--as I stated in my first post. Peru is a stunningly beautiful country. You will regret not taking your DSLR every day on your trip.

johnblenko Loc: Pittsburgh

Pacsafe and several other companies make camera straps and also generic looking bags that have wires embedded in them and special closures to keep them from being opened easily. I always use them overseas. Travel wallet too. Watch your lens. Apparently some thieves are so skilled they can pop your lens off your camera. Have a safe trip but have fun.

Lieb Loc: Idaho

I agree with Zug55. I have lived in Lima for the past 16 mos and have not experienced a robbery or theft of any kind. I take my camera gear in a Lowe backpack or sometimes in my hands. I've traveled in taxis, trains and buses as well as on the airlines. I've been to Cusco, Machu Picchu, Iquitos, Puerto Maldanado, Cartagana
Colombia, and Quito Ecuador as well as to many other destinations.

Don't travel alone (your wife should be sufficient) and have a great time.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is bad too for thefts.. They rob you in broad daylight, at their most popular beach.

Bipod

People's perception of crime risk is often skewed -- in both directions.

Half of New Yorkers will tell you how safe NYC is, the other half will tell you how unsafe it is.
That's why it's better to rely on statistics and official reports, not opinions and anecdotes.

Here a link to the "2017 Crime & Safety Report" from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security of
the US State Department:
https://www.osac.gov/pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=21169

Once the OP knows the facts, it comes down to what he feels comfortable doing.

BTW, he probably already knows this, but starting last month Peru stops anyone
at the border whose passport expiration date is less than six months away:

https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=25321

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I carried a 5D with a BIG lens all over Lima and Cuzco and environs with no problem. Of course, 90% of the time it was on my face being used!

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

I'm glad I have no need to travel to foreign countries. Any countries my ancestors came from have long ago burned those bridges, and some continue these practices today. Israel is the only country I'd ever consider visiting, and that would still be more money than I'd spend on a trip. My idea of a trip is photography across the USA.

bodiebill

Peru like many Latin American countries has a reputation of thievery. Listen to your wife and others who recommend that you take a pocket sized good quality "bridge camera".
Even baggage at the airport while still aboard the in-transit plane has been looted.
Don't dress and look like a "gringo tourist" with a big DSLR camera strapped around your neck, that makes you a prime target.
Ever body has cell phones with cameras that take good pictures, use yours and you will not be a "lit up target".
Also keep your passport in the pocket next to your heart.
Many visitors do not become victims--be one of them.

RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA

Bipod, This kind of fact-based input completely discourages the subjective opinions that we rely on. You should know better!

peedee187

4 of us did Peru last year 3 with dslr's and all with Pacsafe backpacks. Just like any other place else in world, pay attention of who is around you. In Lima walked around with mine on a cross body camera sling thats also slash proof. My wife even has a purse and a waist pouch from Pacsafe. Pacsafe even has an oulet store, https://pac.factoryoutletstore.com/ which will save you a few bucks.

Safe Travels

P.S. since you will be taking pictures of landscapes, if you have a smartphone like a iphone, get something like a moment lens and a Sling Bag, Crossbody Anti-theft Daypack that you can ware under a jacket.