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

Chicago? What about NYC. This morning I heard that some nut set off a smoke bomb in the subway and shot a bunch of people and others were hurt in the confusion that followed. I haven't heard the report recently, but the last I saw was that 5 were shot and 13 hurt. Apparently the guy was wearing a gas mask and an orange safety vest at the time. This world's going to h*ll in a handbasket!

10MPlayer Loc: California

Agree 100%. I've commented on similar questions several times. After realizing I was watching my daughter's ballet recitals and softball games through a viewfinder for a couple of years I realized I was missing out on all the good stuff of being a dad while taking what turned out to be crummy snapshots. I finally put the camera down. Well at least I took a lot less snapshots. Same thing when travelling. I take a few but I don't go to Europe or wherever to get it all on "film."

Unless you are on a very specific photo vacation where you plan out the shots you want and make the effort to be where you need to be to get the perfect lighting then I'd recommend leaving the big camera home and take a small pocket camera to capture a few shots just to jog your memory in future years. That's just the way I look at it and I know a lot of folks see things differently.

We went to Belgium and the Netherlands just before the pandemic and I have to admit I took the DSLR along and shot a lot of photos. I ended up making a very nice book of my shots. Kudos to Blurb for doing a bangup job with the printing and binding of the book, by the way.

Whatever way you decide to go, I'd strongly suggest taking along a quality pocket camera. They do a great job and are so much easier on an aging body, walking around Paris for hours. Make sure you see Sainte Chapell church when you're there. It has the most beautiful stained glass in the world ( my opinion ). I'll tell you right now you won't get great photos because the lighting sucks but it's worth your time if you appreciate medieval cathedrals.

Hip Coyote

Folks, bad things happen. And it is not always predictable where it might occur. Statistically, Chicago has more crime and it is therefore more likely that one might be a crime victim there. But using "one off" incidents and indicative of anything is pointless. I was on a business trip in Indiana. On a day off my wife and I went bicycle riding along some bike trail in corn fields and happened upon (just missed it actually...victim still on the ground, suspect fled) a drug deal that ended up in a shooting...in Amish country. So am I now afraid of riding bikes in Amish country? No. Is it indicative that Amish county is dangerous? No, it is a one off incident. Am I cautious when in New York? Yes. Would I ride the subway? Yes.

I was in Great Britain when the bombs went off on their subway system and a bus...am I afraid, will I not ride the Tube or get on a bus? No. Am I cautious? Yes.

Go, have fun, be careful, keep your wits about you and live your life. The only thing worse than being dead is living a life in fear and holing up somewhere. Take your gear, take reasonable steps to protect it and move on. Keep Calm and Carry On!

OleMe Loc: Montgomery Co., MD

Paris is a least as safe as St. Louie! Like any big city, be cautious - especially in crowds / tourist areas. Stay outta certain East St. Louie neighborhoods.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

Why would you take that “beast” travelling??? It was never designed for this purpose.

Cheers!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Not living by using what life one has left is worse than dying.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Well said "Yoda"!

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

I seems this thread has taken a turn toward the philosophical. I'll take the a99ii and the 24-105 and if I need to, switch to APS-C mode to get more distance. I still haven't decided yet whether or not ot take my 12 MP bridge.

hrblaine

ROFLMFAO And you've experienced both so we now have your expert opinion. If I had to choose between the two, death would NOT be my first choice! Harry PS I've never "lived in fear" not even when I was in combat in Korea so maybe I'll be OK with a camera in a large city. I used to wander around Seoul, taking pics with a 35mm and never had a problem. Harry

Hip Coyote

I actually have. No combat but many years of law enf in a major city at the height of the violent 80 and 90s. A shooting, a few colleagues killed, etc. I cannot imagine not going to Paris or carrying my camera out of some fear.

gitano48 Loc: Houston

Nice gear, but as you travel you might eventually find it heavy and cumbersome. Specially if you're walking which you will probably do a lot. I've been to Europe several times during the last few years and taken a lot of pix. Never taken more than a compact SLR or DSLR with a mid-range zoom. In fact, the last trip I took I used a Canon PowerShot w/25x optical zoom and it worked out very well...in my pocket and hands free. However, that may not be suitable enough for your needs or expectations on your trip.
As far as safety in Paris goes, no problems at all as long as you stay alert of your surroundings...same as any other major city. Just ask the Japanese tourists with ~$5K worth of equipment hanging from their necks. And yes, in Paris you will be walking a lot - best way to see that beautiful city.
Have a great trip.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Fear of the unknown is a terrible fear.

rcscruffy

Pickpocket got my wallet from my front pocket. I recommend a steel cable locked to the walled and around your waist.

therwol Loc: USA

Japanese tourists often (but not always) travel in groups. I can see an element of safety in that.