Old or new camera for trip to India: I just got a Canon R6 Mark II in December to replace my 60D. I am leaving for a trip to India later this month. I know you are not supposed to take...

Cylus Loc: Maryland

I just got a Canon R6 Mark II in December to replace my 60D. I am leaving for a trip to India later this month. I know you are not supposed to take a new camera on a trip till you are more familiar with it - but this is similar to my 60D. I am concerned about camera theft (perhaps needlessly) and am preparing to take my older Rebel to be safe. I’m not usually a “sky is falling” kind of person. Anyone been to India and what do you think - is my camera safe there? Thank you in advance

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

This is your first post! Welcome.

India is a big country. Where are you going in India?

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Take the one you can shoot properly without thinking.

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Did you upgrade because of your upcoming trip? Are you planning on taking just one camera? I went to Tanzania and Zanzibar and took two cameras so if something happened to one, I still had the other, (plus i wouldn’t have to change lenses on the truck amid the road dust). I cant speak to India but I will tell you that Zanzibar is poor and very densely populated with busy, narrow streets and alleys. I had no issues and no attempts. I always wear my camera cross body. You might want to invest in a slash proof strap for added peace of mind. I didn’t do that.

KerryF

Cylus wrote:

I just got a Canon R6 Mark II in December to replace my 60D. I am leaving for a trip to India later this month. I know you are not supposed to take a new camera on a trip till you are more familiar with it - but this is similar to my 60D. I am concerned about camera theft (perhaps needlessly) and am preparing to take my older Rebel to be safe. I’m not usually a “sky is falling” kind of person. Anyone been to India and what do you think - is my camera safe there? Thank you in advance

In March 2019, my wife and I went to Northern India (Delhi, Agra, Khajuraho, Jabalpur, Mumbai) and Nepal (Kathmandu and Bhaldapur) and had no problems or concerns. Could it have stolen in India? Yes, but in your case, your camera can be stolen in Maryland, so don’t worry about it! Just be aware of your surroundings and keep your camera on you/with you (as in don’t set it down someplace) at all times and enjoy your trip.

MJPerini

Considering theft while traveling is prudent. It happens. However the R6 II is a HUGE step up from the other two.
You have to do what you are comfortable doing, but I would say insure it and take it, download your cards daily, get a cross body sling strap, and 'Walk with a purpose"
Good Luck

ken_stern Loc: Yorba Linda, Ca

I'm assuming like our trip to Egypt traveling to India is a special possibly one-life-time event
If so take the very best camera you own -- Traveling events like this is why you purchased it in the 1st place--
Keep it strapped on your shoulder when not taking shots & enjoy the hell out of your trip

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

Cylus wrote:

I just got a Canon R6 Mark II in December to replace my 60D. I am leaving for a trip to India later this month. I know you are not supposed to take a new camera on a trip till you are more familiar with it - but this is similar to my 60D. I am concerned about camera theft (perhaps needlessly) and am preparing to take my older Rebel to be safe. I’m not usually a “sky is falling” kind of person. Anyone been to India and what do you think - is my camera safe there? Thank you in advance

Take the best camera you've got. A trip like this is the point of having it. Also, starting right this minute, carry that camera everywhere, to the grocery store, to the mail box everywhere you go and everything you do. Get used to the feeling of having it with you all the time. This will make it much less likely to be left somewhere. Although I pretty much always have a camera close, I make a real point of it being a part of me starting about a month before I go on vacation.

RightOnPhotography Loc: Quebec,QC

CamB wrote:

Take the best camera you've got. A trip like this is the point of having it. Also, starting right this minute, carry that camera everywhere, to the grocery store, to the mail box everywhere you go and everything you do. Get used to the feeling of having it with you all the time. This will make it much less likely to be left somewhere. Although I pretty much always have a camera close, I make a real point of it being a part of me starting about a month before I go on vacation.

Great advice!

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Cylus wrote:

I just got a Canon R6 Mark II in December to replace my 60D. I am leaving for a trip to India later this month. I know you are not supposed to take a new camera on a trip till you are more familiar with it - but this is similar to my 60D. I am concerned about camera theft (perhaps needlessly) and am preparing to take my older Rebel to be safe. I’m not usually a “sky is falling” kind of person. Anyone been to India and what do you think - is my camera safe there? Thank you in advance

The proper camera of choice for travel today is the Sony RX100 VI/VII - get one or rent one - goes in a pocket - easy to carry/conceal. There is always danger traveling in third world countries ! 8-( .....and yes, in my eyes India IS a third world country. Leave all your large/heavy/awkward cameras at home - unless you are a stringer for NatGeo ...
Lugging a big camera and worrying about it is NOT enjoying the trip ! !

Settlit Loc: Baton Rouge LA

Cylus wrote:

I just got a Canon R6 Mark II in December to replace my 60D. I am leaving for a trip to India later this month. I know you are not supposed to take a new camera on a trip till you are more familiar with it - but this is similar to my 60D. I am concerned about camera theft (perhaps needlessly) and am preparing to take my older Rebel to be safe. I’m not usually a “sky is falling” kind of person. Anyone been to India and what do you think - is my camera safe there? Thank you in advance

I strongly recommend you simply take your smartphone. Small. Light. And unlikely to draw the unwanted attention of street people with flexible moral compasses.

Hip Coyote

Settlit wrote:

I strongly recommend you simply take your smartphone. Small. Light. And unlikely to draw the unwanted attention of street people with flexible moral compasses.

Dont want to get jacked? Stay out of DC, which I am sure is close by your loc. India is the lest of your problems.

As for India...I carry an RX 100 for travel these days, but I think if I went there, I would bring my bigger gear. It is such a vast photo opportunity. Would I worry about losing my camera? Not really...it happens, but one cannot live a full life in fear of such things.

I would, however, get very familiar with that new baby before going. It is possible to do...as others said, carry it and use it frequently.

BTW, the 60D was my starter camera...what a great camera it was.

rcarol

mizzee wrote:

Did you upgrade because of your upcoming trip? Are... (show quote)

I've always taken two cameras with me on any trip. My main camera was always an SLR, DLSR or Mirrorless with accompanying lenses. I also take a point and shoot with sufficient capabilities to cover my needs in the event my main camera selection fails or is stolen.

Avgjoe

I regret not having a better camera with me on my trips to India. If you offer to buy something from a street vendor you might get surrounded by other sellers. That said I never felt unsafe during my travels. The Taj is truly amazing as is the air quality.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

imagemeister wrote:

The proper camera of choice for travel today is the Sony RX100 VI/VII - get one or rent one - goes in a pocket - easy to carry/conceal. There is always danger traveling in third world countries ! 8-( .....and yes, in my eyes India IS a third world country. Leave all your large/heavy/awkward cameras at home - unless you are a stringer for NatGeo ...
Lugging a big camera and worrying about it is NOT enjoying the trip ! !

The Sony RX 100 certainly is a capable travel camera. That does not mean that this is the only way to travel.

I think that fears of traveling in "Third-World countries" are greatly overblown. I have traveled extensively in Latin America and Africa (as well as North America and Europe) without problems. I always travel with my Sony full-frame gear. I have a great camera kit to take pictures, not to allow it to collect dust on my shelf at home.

You have to be mindful of your environment wherever you are. Yes, I watch my stuff when photographing in Nairobi, but I do the same in Prague or Rome. Places where lots of tourists go always pose an increased risk. While I have not been to India yet, I plan to travel there in the next couple of years. And I definitely will bring my best gear.