TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

Even in the Western World, I find local guides to be a worthwhile expense. Their local knowledge includes knowing out of the way places that the big group tours do not include as well as avoiding dangerous areas. As for camera straps, you should check out pacsafe.com or other brands of straps that are knife resistant.

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

Thanks, I took 21K shots in 10 days in Myanmar.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I’ve never had a problem in any of those countries, including at Angkor Wat or any other Wat. Not sure who “they” are???
But I will say I haven’t been to Asia since 08 so maybe they’re getting tougher.
It’s possible that this year nobody likes Americans!!! LoL
I hope not because I’m planning to do a body of work at Tonle Sap in the next year or two!
SS

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

Spent well over a month in VN and never had one unpleasant moment while there. Not sure how old this warning was but nothing I saw presented itself to me as risky and believe me I went a lot of places in both cities and back country. What I really loved about all the SE Asia countries was how friendly everyone was to me during my visit. As a VN combat veteran, I was always treated nicely by the people of the "North" who were well aware of the war. Use common sense and good judgement and you won't have any issues. I felt safer there than many US cities.

Selene03

I think I felt safer in China with my cameras than anywhere else I have traveled. There are a lot of soldiers near tourist destinations and in general the Chinese were more interested in me taking their picture than raising concerns about what I was taking pictures of. Russia, on the other hand, was probably the place I felt the least safe with my cameras. Use your street smarts and you will be fine, but the police as well as theives can distract you into making mistakes that could be costly. You can take pictures almost everywhere, but many places charge you extra for bringing a camera in (this didn't bother me much, I simply paid the fee and took as many photos as I wanted). I regret that I didn't try to sneak a picture in the St. Petersburg subway because it is deep with many murals and quite fascinating. But I obeyed the no photograph rule there. I really didn't encounter any issues at all in China. I haven't been to Mongolia, Vietnam or Cambodia yet; all are on my bucket list, but friends have taken photos there with no incident. In general, I was using wider angle lenses in both China and Russia more than others. Some of this is me in that I tend to be more of a wide angle shooter.

eardoc

Steve: Great shots! I am curious as to what lens did you use with your D750?

stage36

A few years back I was in St. Petersburg with a small tour group. One lady was using a cheap film camera and it was taken by a Russian who ran away, but a few minutes later he brought it back to her and said,"here, keep it". A very discriminating thief!

Sendai5355 Loc: On the banks of the Pedernales River, Texas

Received about a month ago.

aubreybogle Loc: Albuquerque, NM

I have also visited all of these countries within the last 7 or 8 years. Several, more than once. I have also never had an issue with high end equipment. After all; most of these countries value dollars spent by travellers, and aren't going to adopt policies that discourage them from coming. There are some common sense areas that should not be photographed: military facilities and equipment, except in a museum (if permitted by the museum), critical infrastructure (dams, police stations, power grid facilities, antenna arrays, port facilities away from the cruise ship terminal, government facilities generally unless they are being openly photographed by citizerns and visitors to the country (the Kremlin in Moscow). As noted in an earlier post museums may impose a fee for taking photos, almost all will prohibit flash, and most will not allow a tripod unless you pay a lot more for a "professional" shoot. In any event, this sounds like a tremendous trip. Enjoy and take a lot of photos.

twowindsbear

I'll add international medical insurance to include evacuation home and return of your remains should your luck totally run out.

Have a great trip!

worldcycle Loc: Stateline, Nevada

I have been to all countries except for Russia numerous times. Last time was a year ago to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Wonderful, warm and actually quite safe countries. Yes there is theft, assault and every other crime imaginable there yet no more than many places right here in the good ole USA. In fact I feel much safer there. I do not go around displaying my "bling" yet when at anywhere touristy I am not afraid to have it out and ready for the "shot". I do always keep my hand on it though. Carry it on a shoulder sling as well as a JOBY wrist strap for extra security. I have attached my travel bag armada that I have just recently returned from Mexico with a couple of days ago. These two bags are my carry on's. Never a problem and years of doing it. The black bag is a LowePro soft sling bag. A few years old and the fact that I take a black Sharpie to any identifiable label or tag means that I cannot tell you which it is. Inside of it I have a 5DMlll, 24-105 f4L, 16-35 f4L, 70-300 f2.8Lll, 2x converter, 50mm f1.4, a Rokkinon 8mm manual fisheye, plus several filters, cleaning kit, battery charger, batteries and spare memory cards. Yes, tight but it all fits. The other bag is an older Lowe Arrow 30 daypack. In it I carry my 14 inch laptop, memory card reader and external hard drive. Spare change of clothes for arrival, book, toiletries. Tripod and monopod in check on. Upon arrival, depending on what I feel I might be shooting for the day I transfer that equipment into the Lowe Day pack. I use a spare shirt, rain jacket, (towel) whatever to help pad it. The lenses are protected by Atrus bags, link below. I sling this over my shoulder and head out the door. This is a very inconspicuous stealth way to carry your valuable gear if you are ever worried about it. A beat up old day pack never arouses suspicion.

Just be casual and have fun. If you are not supposed to us a camera somewhere you will be notified ahead of time.

https://www.amazon.com/Altura-Photo-Protective-Neoprene-Panasonic/dp/B00MJ3RC8E/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1544991440&sr=8-2&keywords=altura+lens+bags