BoraBoraBob

I’m planning a trip to France, Italy and the UK. I’m concerned about carrying expensive gear and inviting theft or worse. Any thoughts on this?

Najataagihe

Travel light, carry little.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

A photographer brings their camera.

A savvy photographer brings only what they need.

Think about passing someone else inside the Cathedral of Saint Stephen in Metz. Which camera would they need to be using to impress you? That is the camera to take, along with the lens to shoot in low light.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

As a group of young lads taking Judo classes back in the day, we would question the Master, "What should I do if I'm in a dark alley and someone comes at me with a gun or knife?" After hearing questions like this time and time again he said, "Why are you always going in dark alleys and why is someone always coming at you with a gun or knife?" "You should not be going in dark alleys!!"

It was a profound answer that I remember to this day and the Master was right, don't go where you are uncomfortable or suspect danger. The best offence is a good defense.

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

I’ve done a number of river cruises in Europe, all seemed to include a trip inside a low light cathedral or something. I’ve taken everything from compacts to DSLRs, usually depending on the equivalent of a 24-70 or 24-105 or 50, constant f4 minimum, 2.8 preferred. The best historically and my planned for a trip to Sicily this October is either my Canon G16 or G5x ii. My brother takes a Sony RX100, which has served him well.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

You have a good camera so use it. Be selective what you take; remember that you will be doing some walking in various cities and will have to carry your equipment all day. A good mid-range zoom goes a long way; my Sony 24-105mm is often all I use on a trip. This eliminates having to change lenses in public, which exposes you to risk. I like to take an 18mm prime (Zeiss Batis) for church interiors in Europe. I have a very small 35mm prime that I like to take for street photography. Your needs may be different; just reduce your kit to what you absolutely need.

I have taken my Sony A7 III to Latin America, Europe, and Africa. I have never had a problem. (Okay, my backpack was sliced open at a bus terminal in Ecuador, and I lost a spare battery and charger.) I got this great camera to take great travel pictures, not to collect dust at home. You cannot avoid risk entirely; it is important to learn to manage it.

Obviously, being aware of your environment and taking precautions is important. Think how you are going to carry your camera. I would not carry it on the strap around your neck. I carry my camera in a nondescript sling back that allows me to easily take it out and put it away without taking my eyes off my surroundings. I carry it in front in crowded places. I only take my camera out to take a picture and then put it away again. I stopped using backpacks as daypack for my camera as it is difficult to see what is going on behind you.

I often take the camera strap off; that makes it harder for someone to grab your camera by the strap and run. I did that on a recent trip to Nairobi where people on motorcycles drive by and grab what they can.

Prepare, take your nice camera, and enjoy the trip.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

First, your listed countries are no worse than the USA.

A full size camera, a trinity of lenses and a tripod will get in the way of a travel quality. The exception is if the trip is specifically a solo photographic mission where nothing else counts. If the purpose of the trip for you, or your companion(s) is a "travel experience", don't let photography get in the way. Find a workflow that includes photography that does not dominate the trip.

Why not full sized gear? Can you put your gear in the typical room safe? Where do you put it when you stop in a local cafe? Your lap? Does you rental car have a lockable trunk or a widowed "tailgate".

If you are in a touring group intent on exploring the scenes, history and culture, the "photographer" in that group can quickly become the irritating slow poke. He or she has to get the shots, set up the tripod and be in the front.

The solution is to travel with a traveler's camera. Consider the Panasonic ZS100, ZS200. Or, with larger sensor, the Panasonic LX100 and LX100ii. The Sony RX100 series is always on the top of the traveler's list. The Olympus TG series has a small sensor, but is so rugged that you never have any travel worries, rain or shine! Don't leave better quality phones off the list either!

I have some larger, multi lens gear. But, my personal best travel photography has come from small cameras.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

Using what you are comfortable having on hand to shoot your vacation is what you should take. Other considerations are how much use you will get out of any lens, body or accessory and what can you comfortably carry throughout the day.

Only you can answer your need to bring expensive equipment vs the fear of losing it to theft. Personally, I bring what I want based on what I plan to shoot and take some security precautions, but I'm not paranoid about it. I spent a month in France pre-covid and took a FF DSLR, 2 lenses, backup drives, travel tripod and flash. All in a PacSafe backpack and using an OpTech sling with internal cable. 3 weeks in Paris walking and using RR and metro, no problems... but always aware. Just as you would be walking in San Francisco or your hometown.

Bill_de Loc: US

Hip Coyote

I see reference to you living in San Francisco. And you’re worried about Europe? Murder rate up something like 30% in the US. Property theft not prosecuted in California to any degree.

We saw an in person seminar by Rick Steves who pointed out the absurdity of worrying about foreign travel while ignoring crime at home. People told him to be safe while traveling and his comment was to try to stay safe at home!

Anyhoo. Take your stuff and use it.

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

I believe that was my reference to where I live, not the OP. But, you are right... property theft in the bay area is out of control.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Lots of good advice presented here!!!

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

The Canon G16 is an excellent , very capable camera!

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

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

On trips I usually only take my Sony HX99, a pocket camera I can carry in a belt pouch. I can get beautiful 20x30 prints from it, and it shoots in RAW.
On those rare occasions I carry my D850, I usually only take one lens, my 24-120 f4, and the camera is always in my hands, never leaves my hands (the thieves would have to pry it from my dead cold hands). A hand strap that you loop around your wrist could also work). A neck strap can be cut by Gypsies (yes, they are your main threat) and stolen easily. And yes, camera thefts are common especially in Italy (where it seems anything that is not nailed down is stolen).
Make sure your camera gear has high risk insurance. Many add on insurance policies do not cover camera theft. I would strongly suggest you contact your insurance provider and ask specific questions concerning the possiable theft of your equipment.
I also use a different memory card for each day or empty the card into my computer each night. If my camera is stolen on the 5th day of my vacation, the only images that are lost would be that day, not the previous 4 days.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

Use the same caution as you do while traveling in the United States. I have traveled and photograph in 44 countries: never had a problem.