J2e Loc: Canandaigua, NY

Keep in mind that in Paris you are conspicuous as an American.
You will be identified from 50 yards as an American.

bylinecl

Yes, absolutely. Traveler's today would be well-advised to adhere to those recommendations; consider them an obvious extension of situational awareness.
Insuring your equipment and assiduously avoiding any kinds of altercation are de rigueur for travelers, anywhere, anytime, anyhow, but especially in today's France, with the influx of radical and often violent Islamists, the Beurs, and the subsequent rise of street crime.
In Paris and Lyon, make a point of avoiding the banlieues.
Check with locals as to which of the Arrondissements are the most free of social impact. Avoid the 18th and 19th. Montmarte should still be OK.
No reason to be fearful, but as always, numerous reasons to be aware.
/ cl

MarkrKnight Loc: Los Angles

Is it on your homeowners insurance? and would it be valid in a foreign country?

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

Hi, I have been to France and Paris several times. I use to work in Germany. You have a nice camera so use it. I generally shoot film using one of my Nikon F2's. I use one lens, a 35mm f/1.4 on a black strap, no camera bag. The fast f/1.4 lens allows me to take pictures in low light levels. I take my shots and then slip my camera under my lite jacket or vest. It helps if you know your camera well and know how to use it. Practice before you go on your trip. Research your must have pictures before hand and note them on a city map. Paris is a very big city, so study the map and note the areas for your must have shots. Enjoy your new camera and Paris, especially Paris at night!

Dat Quach Loc: California

There are a lot of good advices. Beware of those Gypsies with clipboards asking whether you speak English. If you slow down or stop, you’ll be immediately surrounded by at least three or four of them. By then, you’ll realize you’ve just become a victim. Just ignore them, don’t slow down, keep on walking.

I was once approached by one of those and was asked the same question. I was very annoyed because it happened at every single attraction. Because I speak French, I yelled at her “Non, fout le camp!” (No, stay away from me!). She was not pleased and yelled back “Are you crazy?” Maybe I am, so stay away!

Metro is particularly a place that thieves (usually working as a team of 4) practice their perfected skill. Do not ever let usually two guys or girls block your way to get on the metro. It’s a bad sign if you’re behind them and behind you there are two more. They’re just standing there blocking you and wait for the door to close to back out to jump on you. They are very blatant and bold. If you see them standing there and the door is about to close, just push yourself in even if you have to shove them. I did shove them and my camera bag was still with me.

Bienvenu à Paris! The following photo was taken with a … Leica in the subway.

(Download)

Schoee Loc: Europe

The last time I was on an airport shuttle bus there was a big sticker on the window warning more than 50% of all violent robberies involve an attempt to take a mobile phone. Be very careful how and where you use one.

hrblaine

When i was shooting dance, it would always take several hours of work and I was not comfortable with my camera hanging around my neck for that long so I got a wrist strap and carried the camera in my hand. Thus I was always ready for a shot, simply by raising my hand to my eye. Get a wrist strap with a metal core and use one lens for everything; I used an 85mm exclusively back then, remember, I was a college student but you might find a normal lens (50/55mm) better for street photography. As I have previously reported, my friend, pro Charlie Harbutt used a Leica with a normal lens for everything (even in Paris <g>) so I know it can be done. Harry PS BTW, we were both in our 30s then, not our 60s, for whatever that's worth. But we went everywhere and had no trouble! We had both grown up in working class neighborhoods though, so it would have taken a pretty tough Parisian to steal anything from us in those days. But I'm not sure potential thieves could tell that just by looking at us as we were well dressed and handsome. ROFLMFAO If jeans were dressy items of clothing anyway; not sure about the "handsome" part, I may have made that up. <g> I doubt that anyone could tell that we were rich Americans just by looking, except that Charlie always had his d^mned Leica with him . :-) Harry

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Years ago when I went to Paris, I brought a Panasonic LX camera a small, light camera that could be put in my pocketbook. The photographs came out great.( No lugging lenses etc.)
Be careful. My friend whose husband was a diplomat in France told me to get a pocketbook that zips and has an inside pocket that also zips to put my wallet. I am so glad I listened to her. On a crowded Paris subway I felt someone one pushing me and I said what’s going on. Another passenger yelled out pickpocket. Sure enough someone unzipped(partially) the outside zipper and was trying to unzip the inside zipper.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Two things. One they makes holder straps (and bag straps) with a steel cable thru them. About $25.00@ at B&H, and two I have insurance on my stuff. Have a good time. PS I was 67 22 years ago and still travel with a 5DIV and 2 lenses. Don't talk your self in to being old. It will kill you.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Rather than ruining your trip by worrying about your camera and not using it as often, bring a less expensive compact camera. Your nervous actions could actually attract crooks.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

I use an Olympus 35RC as a pocket 35mm film camera. It is a small fixed lens rangefinder film camera and takes excellent pictures. It was my first camera and it still gets a lot of daily use on the street. I have a wrist strap fot the camera so its always hidden on me until I pull it out and shoot. Its a great street camera when I don't use my Nikon F2 with a 35mm f/1.4 lens. The Olympus 35 RC has a 42mm f/2.8 Zuiko fixed lens.

anotherview Loc: California

Thanks for the voice of experience. I have a little different approach.

I have a camera bag fitted to one camera with a 24-105mm lens mounted on it. The bag has a comfortable sling strap which allows me to carry the kit hands free. I have mastered quickly and smoothly extracting the camera from the bag. In the bag side pocket I include lens cleaning items along with a spare battery and an SD card.

Note that I have the camera on its own sling strap for wearing my camera in the ready position. I return the camera to the bag when not shooting. This method has worked for me without incident for 10 years traveling in Baja California Norte.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

Sounds great and the system works for you, use it. When I was a young guy, I used a similar system you are using and it worked well, including backpacking and climbing activities. Now that I am 70, 71 later this week, i use one body with two prime lens, 35mm f/1.4 or 24mm f/2.8 for wide, and either an 80mm f/1.4, or 105mm f/2.8. If I will use only one lens, then it will be my 35mm f/1.4. If I have access to my car, then I will pull out my tripod and my wide 17-35 zoom and/or 80-200 zoom with my filter systerm and other csmera bodies. I guess it depends on what the photo shoot activity or subject activity will be. Your approach works well!

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Keep camera body in front of you with NO over the shoulder straps. Chest harness or hand strap around wrist. NOTHING in back pocket ... Wear security clothing with 2-3 separate security closures on pants. Keep passport, main credit cards and other irreplaceables in front abdomen pouch UNDER clothing. Only carry day needs in zippered security front pockets.... OCD is better than irreplaceable losses. If you want revenge, put sand spurs in back open pockets....

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Travel is made for seeing, learning, and memories. Cameras, like your daughter states, are made for capturing all of that.

If your concerns are too much, rent a camera to take and insure it through the rental firm. You can take a Leica like yours, test a Canon or Nikon for comparison, or go light with something like a Panasonic or Olympus with a 12-100 or a Sony RX100 vii.

If you decide to take your our equipment, insure it before you go. While you are there, just be aware of your surroundings. The hotel and people where you are at can give you advice about the areas risks. If you take a backpack, be aware some thieves will walk behind you and carefully unzip it to steal. Having one person walking slightly behind you helps prevent that. Wearing a shoulder bag across your body prevents an easy snatch. And a wired cut proof strap (Pacsafe or similar) prevents cut and snatch. If the bag or pack is put down to eat, put the strap though the chair or table such that they will take it with them stealing your camera. Do not obsess about it, but just use reasonable caution. Otherwise you will miss your whole trip and reason for going.

And now, after all the negative, realize you are going to Paris. It is still on my bucket list. I want you to go there and enjoy it for me until I get my chance to go. And put some of your best shots here when you get back to entice the rest of us to go. You and your daughter have a wonderful trip. And welcome to UHH.