Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

As far as your one camera not being wide angle enough for churches, I just treat the scene like a panorama and voila, I have the widest angle lens I could ever want.

nervous2 Loc: Provo, Utah

Don't let your concern over expensive camera equipment spoil your vacation. Any big city will have individuals who consider whatever you have to be theirs as well. I would suggest two alternatives if you remain overly concerned: (1) leave the cameras home and buy nice postcards, or (2) leave the good cameras home and take something like a Sony HX99 which is very small, has an amazing focal length range and delivers very nice photographs. Keep your money and your passport in your left front pocket and your small camera in your right front pocket--ready for action. If the pants that you currently own have pockets that are too tight, buy a pair with larger (preferably button-down) front pockets for the trip. Have fun! That would seem to be one of the main reasons you are going.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Is Paris burning?

photoman43

Take what you need and what you will use but be as inconspicuous as possible. No bold camera strap with "Nikon" on it. I hide my camera and lens under a large windbreaker to keep it out of site as much as possible and it helps me smuggle it into places where cameras are not liked or appreciated. And I never use big f2.8 zoom lenses. I take the smallest profile lens that has the focal length range I need.

Your wallet, credit cards, passport and money are at risk too, especially when you are concentrating on photo subjects. I was pickpocketed in Paris at the Eiffel tower. Fortunately they only got one credit card and I had a different credit card back in a safe at the hotel.

Try and have a friend with you when you are out taking pictures. They can spot the people targeting you from a distance. My wife does this for me and she has alerted me often when we are in cities or on public transportation.

Do not go out at night alone. Hire a local photo guide if necessary. They are worth it for many reasons, safety being one.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Err... Check again. You cannot IF you use an FF lens. If you use a lens made for the camera, there is no difference in viewing angle. Your desire flies against the common sense to purchase lenses adapted to the camera.

Mama Bear984 Loc: Langley, BC Canada

Been to Paris 3 times never had any trouble. But then I don’t let trouble come.
Tips: Never leave camera on a table at a restaurant always in my lap, someone will grab it fast. Don’t let strap dangle, they can grab it, it’s always around my body. I don’t take it out late at night wandering the streets. If your hotel has a safe it goes in there when I’m not in the room.
Watch out for the gypsies they come in pairs one to distract you one to steal from you.
Tell anyone NO & keep walking don’t engage at all, same for the Somalians around the tourist areas.
Keep your wallet in your front pocket. Pull out money from a pocket not a wallet in public, put aside a few euros that you think you will need in your pocket.
Put your pack sack in front of you on the subway.
And most of all enjoy yourself.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Lived in Paris, traveled to Paris...

To the thread op:

Paranoia is part of the game. The more fearful you appear, the more of a target you become.

Common sense will always beat the 'fear' but like everything you may become a 'victim' just for being there at the wrong time.

Paris is safer than many cities, despite the hype illustrated in the preceding post.

The camera you should bring (if you have a choice) is the most versatile w/o using a bag full of crap that will not only slow you down but will be completely ignored in the end.

If anything, fear the food!!! Last time I went to France, I gained 4 pounds over three months... Took some time to lose that extra weight!

BebuLamar

Really Parisans are not fat and they said although they eat a lot of fat they don't raise their animals with hormone. They said it's the hormone in US meat that makes us fat.

Hip Coyote

This issue comes up quite a lot on this forum. People are concerned about crime in foreign countries, yet, we seem to develop a sense of comfort to the crime in our our neighborhoods. For instance, Chicago and St. Louis are far more prone to violent crime than Paris. In 2020, Chicago had a murder rate of something like 87.2 per 100,000 people. Murder rates were up 30% in the US in 2020. Paris crime seems to be a different beast...high risk for pickpockets and scams. Yes, they have had some terrorism as well, but the place is not nearly as violent as St. Louis or Chicago. I could not find good data on Paris (odd that it seems to be oddly reported) but did find one site that says their murder rate was 1.2 per 100,000. As with US cities, areas where crime occurs are often localized or limited. What makes the news is when crime ventures out of those areas or targets unlikely victims (I could get political here on the ignorance of the media of so many innocent victims of crime..but that is for the attic.) Paris has the same issue...crime pockets. Want to be safe? Go live in Paris.

We went to a travel show in LA where Rick Steves was talking...and he spoke about this very topic...he said people often say to him, "well i hope you are safe in....and his response is always, I hope you remain safe in Los Angeles (or where ever they may be in the US.) He is dead on correct (pun intended.)

It is the same concept as people being worried about flying, yet drive like maniacs to get to the airport...we develop a certain sense of immunity from risk worry by doing something routinely. Want to be safe? Go fly everywhere and avoid using a car at all costs.

I travel quite a bit with a camera. I am aware of my surroundings. And anyone approaches me with an obvious scam gets told to stay away. I carry my camera in front of me on a strap. I am very careful with my wallet. I usually have it in my front pocket with my "travel" wallet in my back pocket with a few dollars and bogus credit cards from mailer/solicitations.

If I anticipate a crowded area, such as Venice, Paris, I like my PacSafe sling bag. It is cut resistant, has cable running thought the straps and takes a Houdini to get into unless you practice.

I am usually pretty aware of my environment having been in law enforcement. I tend to gravitate towards the cops in the areas where we travel to talk to them. I find it helpful to talk to them to see where is safe and not safe...and usually get other good advice as well.

Travel in groups is very helpful.

In the end, there is risk in any life activity. Bad things happen everywhere. But good things happen everywhere as well. Take reasonable precautions and go live your life. "Twer me, I'd go to Paris and enjoy myself." Buy a beret, drink some wine, eat some cheese, and take your camera.

Hip Coyote

Can you let us in on how this happened? So we can avoid the same thing?

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I don't think I have to worry about the pounds. I'm not over 130 on my bad days (heaviest I've ever been was when I was a truck driver - ballooned to 145) I'll just make sure I carry enough insulin with me to cover the chocolate croissants and Bœuf bourguignond. Still debating with myself (and soon my endo) whether or not to bring my pump and CGM or revert to pens and fingersticks for 3 weeks. If I bring my FF I won't have to worry about bringing a flash because it has good low light performance. Two months from tomorrow I should be in Bordeaux, tasting some premium red wine.

Nicholas J DeSciose

Paris is a lot safer than Omaha

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I remember looking up crime rates in Israel when I went there in 2016 (my last big trip) and seeing it was a lot safer than the US. Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv is the safest airport in the world. Besides guards everywhere they have robotic (or remote) armored vehicles patrolling the area.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends.

riderxlx Loc: DFW area Texas

Oh boy ! the comments are getting going. Look dude, take precautions REGARDLESS of what city in any place in the world you go. Get your butt to Paris and have a great time. Eat, drink, see, take pictures, enjoy the adventure.
What I previously posted to you was just basic travel common sense ! Period. Sh*t happens every where. On a wonderful trip you are going on, you do NOT want to be distracted and watching and distracted about protecting your stuff Ok !
What I was saying is that IF you take the proper safety precautions to protect yourself from thieves you can FOCUS your attention to all the lovey things around you. Paris is a place you need a year to see and enjoy. It appears you are also going to other areas of France besides Paris and this is a real blessing.
I think the comment replies about shooting inside building, wide angle shots, etc. are very helpful. You have some really good gear. It is up to you how do decide carry around all day what you really need.
Well this is my nickels worth of common sense for today.
Enjoy the trip and peace to you.
Bruce tha loose.