NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

Large cities in Europe are similar to cities in the USA. I am sure there are places in Philly that you would either not go to or if you would go be very aware of your surrounding. Take the same precautions. No matter were i am I have my camera slung over one shoulder and under the opposite arm. Very safe secure easy to grab and bring it up to my eye to take a shot.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Use commun sens. Be aware of your surroundings. Don't go in areas that are notorious for problems. Don't go alone. Insure your equipment. Get straps for your camera and bag with cables in them ( B&H about $25.00@)
Have fun but stay aware

jhigbie Loc: Ventura, CA

I wear a messenger bag with padding in the bottom across my chest along with a sling strap for the camera. The camera stays in the messenger bag until I want to shoot so my camera is not exposed to everyone all of the time. Also some of the overseas hotels have room safes to store extra lenses.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

May I ask what you normally do here in America to protect your gear. America has thieves as well and they live in every city in the country. I know because I have arrested many of them. I have traded to many European cities, Rome, London, Barcelona, Istanbul, Athens and have never had any problem. When I started traveling I carried a Nikon D800 and a Nikon D90 with of course a different lens on each. I watched where I went, made sure my wife was safe at all times and kept aware of my surroundings at all times, just as I do wherever I travel in America.

While at lunch in Germany one of our fellow tour passengers came up to my wife and me and said another passenger had just lost all of his camera gear to a thief, maybe a block from us. The victim and his wife had sat down for lunch at an outside table and the husband had gone to get the food. His wife was on one side of the table and the camera gear was on the chair next to where the husband would have been sitting. A thief simply walked up to the area, saw the camera gear, grabbed it and ran off. I believe had the husband told his wife to hang on to the straps while he was gone it would still be his. That is what I mean by being aware of your surroundings and being careful.

Cable straps are all well and good, changing to a generic camera strap might be nice thinking but does anyone really think thieves are out there thinking, I need to look for a Nikon D5 or some other specific camera? No, they steal cameras no matter what the neck strap says. It is all profit to them.

Dennis

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

It's easy... Take what you could afford to lose or insurance.

Cheers!

jdub82 Loc: Northern California

Don't take more gear than you can carry with you all the time. Your camera body and two lenses with the most common focal ranges you will need should be sufficient. It isn't safe to leave gear anywhere, such as in a hotel room, so you will need to carry it. When carrying your gear bag, it is important to carry your bag at your side, or in front of you and not on your back in a backpack. As others have mentioned, do everything you can to make your gear less conspicuous.

maxiu9

I use a wrist strap, so I'm always holding a camera that is also strapped to me. No neck strap, no cross-body strap. When I'm not holding it, it usually is in a sling bag that I can move to the front of my body if I need to secure it. I also never carry very much gear, usually a zoom and a f/1.8 prime or two, and that's it. Nothing too expensive, no fast glass, etc. Europe in general is pretty chill. Most crimes are crimes of opportunity, so I try not to provide the opportunity. To be honest, I'm usually more worried about my phone or wallet.

The overwhelming majority of tourists have no problems, so while it's good to be safe and concerned, don't blow things out of proportion or you'll drive yourself crazy.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

I shoot with Fuji gear. When traveling I carry my camera, lenses and accessories in a smallish Lowpro Nova 170 AW. This hip bag goes over my head and I carry all my camera gear on my hip. I have traveled throughout Europe, Portugal and Spain and China and have never had a problem with my camera and gear.

I have heard countless stories of theft of camera gear in backbacks in both Europe and Spain.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

One last thought not covered, never, ever hand your camera to a stranger to take your photo even if they offer. Maybe okay if in your group but I see people doing that regularly. Right out of a movie scene, two sisters lost a nice camera that way on a trip I was on. He actually took the photo first, then ran. Guess wanted a souvenir of the victim.

Mike1017

Hi I Been to Europe many times just got back from Amsterdam and Germany and Switzerland and was in Russia a year ago, had no problems just don't leave any gear laying around and out of site you will be just fine no worries Have fun Mike world traveler The last trip I had my D5 and D 850 24-70 16-35 I have good insurance .. Enjoy

charlienow Loc: Hershey, PA

A lot of very good advice from Hoggers...I dont have anything to add but will reiterate what has been said...first and foremost keep alert of your surroundings!!!

The horror stories you hear are few and far between...A vast majority of people travel with NO problems whatsoever...

Since I got my 18-300 zoom i rarely need any other lens...It covers everything I want to capture...I now only take my camera and 2 lenses along with a flash. Not sure why i carry a flash since i dont really use it...I dont bother with either a tripod or unipod...most places you cant use them anyway...I guess if you are going on a photography tour where the time is taken to stop and set up equipment you just wont have time to do so...also many places dont allow them...I do take a bridge camera with me as a backup...hopefully I will never need it...

In addition I carry 16 64 gig cards, changing them every day and keeping the ones I have used secure...I also download them to an external WD hard drive that does not require a computer to us...It has a slot on it...It also has an internal rechargeable battery so it can be used throughout the day if you choose..

While out I carry my camera and the 18-300 lens during the day and at night I carry my 17-50 2.8 lens. I simply do not like changing lenses... I always have a spare battery in my pocket...In a day of shooting I have not needed more that 2 batteries...without using the flash i get around 1000 pictures per battery....I have rarely needed to change batteries...My camera has 2 card slots...one i record raw and 2 i record back up in jpg...again one card has always been enough...

My camera has a strap with steel wire thru it...and I try and keep a hand on the camera at all times. While eating my camera is usually draped over my knee under the table.

I also carry a large ziplock bag in case of unforeseen inclement weather...if the weather is nasty to begin the day i take my weather proof cover and shoot away...

I could go on but I have said enough...Just remember to enjoy your trip and dont fumble with equipment so much...that is unless you are going to sell your photos...I make a large book when i return using shutterfly and several hundred photos. 11x18 book with around 120 pages...

DaveD65 Loc: Queen City, Ohio

On Amazon I've seen camera straps and bags that are supposed to be cut proof. Apparently, there is steel wire woven into the straps and material that can't be cut with a knife. A lot thefts are the grab-cut-run type of thefts. Check it out.

d2b2 Loc: Catonsville, Maryland, USA

jldodge

I have traveled extensively throughout Europe without any problems whatsoever. I usually pack two cameras in a backpack along with a point-and-shoot and a GPS device. I use Pacsafe straps and I always clip the zipper tabs on my backpack in case someone wants to try something. I figure that would stall them long enough for me to realize their presence and turn around or whatever. I do watch what is around me and try to avoid crowds (impossible to do in the Vatican!). After 15+ years of international travel, I do not hesitate to bring whatever camera gear I feel is necessary.

Dwiggy Loc: Dunedin, FL

When traveling internationally I always carry my Canon G12. There are newer bridge camera's you may consider with better adjustments and megapixels. My G12 can be pocketed and for an older camera it still has much my DSLR will do. I also have an older Sony mirrorless NEX5N that fits in my pocket but takes awesome shots. Of course, I travel to undeveloped countries where a camera is worth a lot. If you are an amateur or photo is a hobby like me, then you are looking for memories and not perfection. However, sometimes I get perfection with the G12 or the Sony! Have a great trip!