baer

Going to Mexico City for my daughter’s wedding in January and want to bring a camera. I have a Nikon D300 and Sony RX100IV. Not satisfied with either (too bulky or slow, respectively). I have mostly Nikon (FTn, D4) and a Fuji 120 film rangefinder plus 4x5 graflex.

Is it time to upgrade to NikonD850 or Fuji (or Sony) mirrorless? Any tips re camera safety in Mexico?
Thanks,
Baer

loosecanon Loc: Central Texas

Tip: don't bring one.

baer

Thanks! I’ll follow your advice.
Baer

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

Would you really go to your daughter's wedding without a camera? I certainly would not. In my mind there are three things to consider. (1) While I have not been to Mexico City recently, I know that some parts of Mexico City are relatively safe, at least during the day, while others are not. So try to find out where you are going to be and inform yourself how safe or unsafe these areas are. I always ask locals about safety. (2) Then there is the choice of camera. Perhaps I would not take a large and conspicuous camera like the D850. You should consider taking a small but capable point-and-shoot. This allows you to be very discreet. I always travel with a small camera as a second camera for this reason. I spent three days in an unsafe slum of Lima recently. I did not carry a wallet (just enough change in the pocket to make it through the day), nor a watch, nor a backpack, but I had my little camera with me (with a fresh memory card each day). I know I took a significant risk, but I came away with unique pictures. I currently travel with a Canon G9 X, but there are other cameras that would do the job as well. In fact, the Sony RX100IV you already own would work for this purpose. (3) You need to decide what kinds of pictures and memories you want to bring home from your daughter's wedding.

If this was my trip I would bring my new Sony a7 III. I have a camera to take pictures--leaving it at home is not doing me any good. I am a fairly experienced traveler, and with experience you learn that the world is not as inherently unsafe as is commonly assumed, but you also learn to assess and manage the risks and dangers that do exist. If you have a safe home base in Mexico City you may decide on a daily basis what to take along, depending on the planned activity of the day. I hope that you will have a great trip!

loosecanon Loc: Central Texas

I could see bringing a cheap, older camera with a new small card every day. Good idea. Definately not a Nikon d850 with a large "steal me" sign dangling from it. I have an old Panasonic 8 mp camera I would use. It's actuallypretty good but not worth anything.

baer

Thank you both very much! We’ll be staying at a hotel near the museums, a safe area. The groom is from Mexico City and I’m learning Spanish. I’ll take the SonyRX100IV. I live in Texas north of dallas and have been to birder towns and a couple of resorts but never Mexico City. We’re going early to try and tour the pyramids and other archeological sites.
Thanks!!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

For where you are going and looking for size and speed a Canon M50 with the 18-150 lens. Small light and fast. Has the incredible DPAF system and does 4K video too. If there is a theft it is not a bank breaker either. The small camera does not attract undue attention but gives professional results. Finally it is quiet being mirrorless which is great for a grab shot in quiet places.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If the D300 is bulky the D850 will be also. I am not familiar with Sony but it is a much smaller camera.
I use Olympus cameras and lenses when I want to go light.

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

Inquiring minds wants to know, what is a birder town?

bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur

What camera you choose to bring is your choice, but I do have thoughts about your camera "security" in Mexico City. I have spent much time in and around Mexico City and have always carried cameras. I carry a Canon 5DIV with a 100-400 lens and a 24-105 in my backpack. Not an inconspicuous outfit. I use the same common sense precautions that I would if I were walking around in Los Angeles CA, Dallas TX, Seattle WA, or Chicago IL.
Yes, there are certainly areas where you should not go in MC, especially at night, but the tourist areas you are talking about are no different than the above mentioned US cities.

halraiser

Go to your local Catholic book store or some place similar and get some stickers of the Virgin. Put them on anything you want to protect from theft, even your camera if you can find a sticker small enough to not interfere with the camera functions. It is amazing how much protection that will give. The criminals there will murder kidnap, deal drugs, etc. but they are afraid to harm anything religious. And of course try to stay in the relatively safe areas. Really sad, the country has lots of friendly, hard-working people and beautiful landscapes, but the crime and government corruption keep them down. Wife and I spent some time there as missionaries for our church and saw all that.

hookedupin2005 Loc: Northwestern New Mexico

I would be more worried about my own safety, versus camera safety; My camera can be replaced..my life cannot

Cookie223 Loc: New Jersey

I went to Mexico City about 20 years ago on business, here is my experience while there.
Before I went there the head of my company’s security department met with me and went over our travel protocols.
I was not to take ANY mode of transportation, that wasn’t sent by the company. Remove all types of jewelry even if it’s cheap knockoffs. Once I arrived at the specificly selected hotel, I couldn’t leave the property without a company representative. The hotel which was one of the better ones was surround by a fence and barbwire, there were armed security carry full automatic rifles (real assault rifles), the same scenario was practiced at movie theaters, shopping plazas, even car dealers had high walls with barbwire and armed security.
While there, there were 2 tourists found beaten and robbed by the side of the road, the had taken a local cab!
Bear in mind, I was working for a truck leasing company, My title was manager, so I really wasn’t a high value target.
It really was a shame because it’s really a beautiful place, and the people I met were absolutely wonderful.
I can assure you, things haven’t gotten any better.
Have fun, stay with a group of friends and relatives, and don’t go anywhere alone. Most important have fun.

berchman Loc: South Central PA

I was in Mexico City 59 years ago for two months, attending the University and living in a boarding house which formerly was the residence of the President of Mexico. I took buses everywhere and never had a crime problem. But when I was invited to dinner at the house of another student, she said that for safety her brothers would meet me at the bus stop and escort me to her apartment. Her family was not exactly wealthy; to telephone her I had to call the store on the corner and they would notify her that she had a call. But when I went to lunch at the private house of a student whose German mother lived in Mexico, there was no need of any escort.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

What's wrong with the D4?