lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Just buy a P n S for your trip and it is unlikely to be targeted.

Schoee Loc: Europe

If you see a distressed looking young woman running towards you, especially in tourist areas like Champs Elysées or Eiffel Tower, yelling out “do you speak English?” Just ignore her. It is a setup to rip you off, usually has an accomplice nearby on motorbike. Do not get engaged in conversation with her. It is distraction while they rob you.

William Royer Loc: Kansas

Can you obtain insurance for your camera that covers it when you are outside the US?

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

My wife and visited Paris a few years as part of a group. Despite what some people say about never having problems, your concerns are justified. First, get a generic strap... whether it be wrist or shoulder. Assuming your Leica is a compact, I recommend a wrist strap, either an OpTech or PacSafe. That way, thieves would have to literally grab it out of your hand. If you use a bag, a messenger works best and keep it in front of your body, definitely not behind you. Same rule applies for purses or any other carry bag. Lean down your wallet and carry in front pocket, if possible. Never under any circumstances, take advantage of someone offering to take your picture. Actually, be on the lookout for group grabs that are very good at distracting, then snatch and run. For the record, our group was about 20 people and were warned. At the Eiffel Tower, one woman lost her purse and two men lost wallets. That said, we had a great time. Just be aware. And by all means, you didn’t buy that Leica to leave it home.

Garty Northrop Loc: SE Washington State

MY wife and I have traveled with our cameras to over 50 countries in the past
20 years. Never saw or had a problem with theft. There's a lot of hysteria out
there.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

Just because you had no problems doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
I have always believed in the old saying, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Nothing wrong with utilizing preventative measures.

Will

Hip Coyote

Given that you are in the US and do late night tripod shooting in cities, you already exposed yourself to possible criminal activity...Paris is no different (and less likely to be in an armed confrontation.)

I do a few things depending on the environment I am going into, equipment I want to use, etc. There are a few ways to protect your gear...concealment and fortification.

Fortification: I have a PacSafe sling bag that is pickpocket resistant. The material the bag is made from has metal mesh and the straps have cables in them to thwart someone cutting the strap. PacSafe makes camera straps and backpacks. The sling bag can be carried on your back or in front of you for quick access. I use M43 gear so I have plenty of room in that bag. I wore it in very crowded conditions in Venice....no issues that I was aware of. (It would be impossible to surreptitiously get into the bag.) Obviously, someone using a knife to take your gear dramatically changes the scenario...if someone were insistent on getting my gear and was armed, Id give it to them.

Concealment: On other occasions, when it is cool outside and I just want my camera and one lens, I simply sling my camera cross body and keep it under my jacket.

I always have two wallets. One with a little money and usually bogus credit cards...carried in my back pocket should I be pick pocketed. My other wallet is carried in a front pocket or some other concealed area.

I am not a fan of branded camera straps or bags that scream "take me." I am not sure tape over brands makes any difference, but a huge black and yellow Nikon strap does identify the gear.

I keep awareness of my surroundings. I do not allow obvious scammers to approach, but do not allow paranoia to ruin a trip. I often approach people to photograph and have had wonderful experiences meeting people around the world. Ive traveled in some sketchy areas and have had very positive experiences. In Rome was approached by obvious scammers and had to push them away...no biggie...they got the message to stay away from me..do not act like a victim.

We are fans of Viator and often take small tours around cities...so being in groups also helps.

I have a rider on my home insurance that covers my gear as well.

Go have fun!

When all else fails, I plan on pointing to my wife and yelling that she has all the money and then run.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

You bought it to satisfy thieves.

dpfoto Loc: Cape Coral, FL

My camera is securely attached to me with a chest harness (Op/Tech). If someone tries to grab it, I'd gently touch them and give them a free gift: 8 MILLION VOLTS from my flashlight taser! There are several options for good locations... Head, chest, and my favorite, TESTICLES!

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

Deleted

Manny Myers

I have traveled a lot to Paris over the past thirty years and learned not to carry a camera bag around; one body, one lens. Great advice already about straps and the rest is about pointing, clicking and shooting... GO AND ENJOY!!! Just be careful with baguette crumbs around the camera; not a good combination...

philo Loc: philo, ca

My concern is when we travel alone. three may be a crowd but there is safety in numbers. the problems is that as photographers is that when something catches our eye; we forget and go off on our own.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

So that is a 15% theft rate at just one attraction.

Those who say not a problem are lucky.

My son was picked on his one trip to Paris a couple of years ago. And he was aware and cautious.

Also note that cell phones are their highest priority target. Then comes credit cards.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

Make sure your camera is on a strong strap and it's hanging around your neck - always!

peter.zimmerman

Several things to remember and to take into account:

1) check the US State Department travel advisories to see if there is specific info on Paris
2) follow all of the usual advice for tourists. Don’t be conspicuous. Don’t knowingly court problems.
3) really, camera theft isn’t that common anywhere, so it’s not likely to happen to you.
4) Get a pickpocket-deterrent camera strap with a steel cable embedded in it. That way it can’t be cut off with a quick knife stroke. Do much the same for a camera bag.
5) Smaller kit is better, if only because the weight will tire you out, and you might get careless.
6) Never carry the camera strap over one shoulder. It can slip off or be grabbed.
7) Call your home insurance agent/company. Purchase a personal articles floater policy that will cover listed items for full value in case of theft or loss and will also pay for repairs in case of accident. Then relax. If somebody comes after the Leica, you don’t care because it’s not your financial loss. Just “give” them the camera, avoid danger, and buy a new one. Many years ago I was taking pictures of the Hudson River valley, and while changing lenses dropped my 50mm f/2.0 Nikkor over the cliff. It was last seen entering the river. My insurance paid for a new one.
8) You bought that Leica because it takes gorgeous pictures. Take reasonable precautions, but take pictures.
9) OK, I would carry an expendable P&S if I were going to the nightclub district of an evening. Insure it too.
10) ENJOY your trip!