rfreudenheim

I suggest three things. Be careful and use common sense where you go. Buy insurance for your camera. Have fun and stop worrying.

david vt Loc: Vermont

Based on this follow up, and with your knowledge of the city, you got this!.

Your cross body bag is a good start, and will not make it look expensive. I like the suggestion for a single (or small number) of lenses, if nothing more to keep your weight down and make the day more enjoyable.

If you are really worried, get a rider for your homeowners insurance for piece of mind on this specific camera. More importantly are the images rather than the camera, so take make sure you can either swap to a new card each day or download each night to a backup device, keep all of that separate from your day bag. That way, if the worst happens, you still have the “memories”

-Finally. You mention you are taking pictures, which sounds like more of a fun sightseeing trip with family. You may consider a pocket sized camera like the Sony RX100, which i love as an upper-end “point and shoot”.

Have fun, take normal precautions, and share your best image upon return

traderjohn Loc: New York City

"I would be heartbroken to lose this “Holy grail” camera to a crook. Or worse" Insure the camera and lens. Be concerned about safety. Oh yeah, carry a cell phone as a backup camera.

bikerguy

Make sure that your camera and equipment is insured and go use it. Your daughter is correct. The Leica might be the "holy grail" to you but it is a brick sitting in a drawer or closet at home while you use a smart phone camera.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Same here, never had a problem.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

You didn't say what Leica you have. They make a lot of compact cameras. On my last trip before the pandemic we went to London. As it was a vacation with my wife and not a photography trip, I took a compact camera which would fit in a front pocket of my pants. I do several things when I travel overseas: I use a day pack by Pacsafe, which has a metal mesh sewn into the fabric to prevent slashing, it has a steel wire in the shoulder straps to prevent slashing, and it has locks on the zippers. I also wear pants that have zipper pockets for the camera and hidden pockets for cash and credit cards.

If you have a larger camera, consider getting a strap from Pacsafe. They have steel cables inside to prevent cutting.

http://pacsafe.com/pages/anti-theft

http://shop.bluffworks.com/products/ascender-chino-regular-fit-desert-khaki

With all that being said, I have never had anything stolen during travels to Asia, Central and South America, South Africa, and Europe. That is because I always stay aware of my environment, do not wander in unknown parts of a town or city, and avoid making myself a victim in other ways. Never look lost - always walk with purpose. Never stop for someone asking for money or the time. Never wearing flashy jewelry - I wear a $35 Timex watch which seems to tell time as well as a Rolex and does not invite theft.

Always assume in a crowd that you will be subject to pickpockets. Zippered pockets and inside-the pants pockets help. Never put valuables in your rear pocket. Always assume anyone bumping into you is trying to steal your stuff! In the Mercado Central in San Jose, Costa Rica, one of my fellow travelers was walking down the sidewalk. The young man in front of her turned around suddenly as if he forgot something, causing her to run into him. He apologized...but in the confusion his compatriot walking behind her had slit open her knapsack and helped himself to some of her stuff. But that trick happens everywhere - a college classmate in Boston was riding his bicycle back from school with his briefcase on the back rack. A young man stepped out in front of him and he ran into him, knocking everyone down. As he made sure the kid was OK, he realized that another kid had stepped out from between the parked cars and had taken his briefcase. He started to run after him, but quickly realized he wouldn't be able to catch him. Of course, when he turned around, he saw that the first kid was riding off on his bicycle!

The moral of those stories is to always be aware of distraction techniques. The only time I encountered a pickpocket was on an escalator in Paris at one of the Metro stations. A gentleman was walking up the escalator, and as he passed me (saying "excuse me" in English - he obviously had us pegged as tourists), he dropped his cigarette lighter on the stair in front of me. He leaned down to pick it up, and I realized that he was leaning against me and soon I would have to grab the rails with both hands or fall backwards into my wife, who was behind me. I immediately processed the thought: why is he doing this? OH CRAP - he is going to pick my pockets! We were nearing the top of the escalator - I shoved him hard and he went down. My wife looked at me as though I had gone crazy! He, on the other hand, immediately jumped up and ran away, never saying a word...

So - just be aware, be careful, but have a great time. Also - if you have not been to Paris before, we found the Rick Steve's Guidebook to be very informative. For example, get the 5-day (or whatever) Museum Pass. It allows you to skip the line to buy admission tickets, and some museums, like the Louvre, have a special entrance. You also then do not feel compelled to spend the whole day at the Louvre, since you can come back for a few hours the next day if you like... If you are unfamiliar with Rue Cler, read up on it. It is a photographer's dream.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

If you are worried about your camera or bag being ripped off, invest in some PacSafe products.
I have a PacSafe camera bag and camera strap, both have cut proof wires built into the straps.
The bag also has special zippers that can be fixed to be very hard to quickly open.

Will

Bayou

Looks like someone stole their website.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Hmmm - it works for me....

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

PacSafe is the brand. Expensive, though.

anotherview Loc: California

Man up. If you look weak, worried, and vulnerable, then rest assured that thieves will see you that way for easy pickings. Speak in a commanding voice if confronted. Thieves suffer from nerves, too. Your big voice might cause them to back off.

Suggestion: Put the telephone number of the local police on your cellular telephone, on speed-dial. Call the police immediately if confronted.

You could keep your camera in a suitable bag with a strong sling strap. (I buy straps at: https://www.optechusa.com/.) Take out your camera when ready to shoot; otherwise, keep it hidden in the bag.

You could also buy camera insurance. So in case of theft, you could recover. Or rent a camera when there, along with insurance.

Enjoy Paris.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Why get the camera if you are not goin to use it?

That said, there are a lot of fine anti-theft camera straps and other approaches out there. Thieves recognize them and will pass you by for easier pickings, if you take precautions.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

it is https://pacsafe.com/pages/anti-theft where the start is "https" do not leave out the "s"

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Not really an option for long exposures.

timbuktutraveler

HI,

I have been to Paris over 25 times and never had a problem
I am 79.

I do things the easy way. I have one camera with a zoom lens (24-120 in my case)
The camera is attached to a sling strap which goes diagonally over my shoulder.

I do not carry a camera bag while out touring, just a very light small nylon backpack
for any thing I need while I am walking around.

Paris is a great city. If you plan to ride the metro, buy a carnet (car nay). It is pack of 10 metro tickets
and you will save about 1/3 the price.

Enjoy the beauty of the city!

Larry