ganmar37 Loc: Southern California

My wife and I are going to be staying in Paris and plan to go to several museums in April 2016. The museum I am concerned about is the Louvre. I understand that backpacks, flash photography and tripods are not allowed. My question, to anyone who might know, is a beltpack bag allowed. I ordered, from B&H, a Lowepro LO12OOAWB Inverse 200AW beltpack and plan to wear it in front of my body while in museums. So far, I haven't gotten any definitive answers about a bag, such as this, being allowed.
I'll be using a Canon T2i and will be taking the Tamron 28-300mm, Canon 50mm and Canon 18-55mm lenses. Should I be taking a 2x converter? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
:?: :?: :?:

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I'd contact the museum directly, and provide them a photograph of the item in question.
--Bob

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

Why would you need a converter? Try using your feet to zoom!

Look at what the museum is trying to prevent, is it photographs or some random act of destruction. If it is the former, I'd say the bag would not be allowed because of its contents. If it is the later, they may simply want to search it. Either way I would contact them directly.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Use your belt and your camera strap to stabilize your camera

ddonlewis

Cameras are definately allowed, and flashes definately are not. Photos are allowed in the permanent exhibits and are not allowed in temporary exhibits like a special King Tut exhibit etc. I'm pretty sure tripods are not allowed. The best advice on bags is that a classic shoulder bag is allowed, and I would say your small belly pouch is not a problem. Back packs are a little tricky. Smaller ones generally are ok, but to large a backpack may not. I will also make the following statement. Carrying a big camera bag with Lowepro or some other big name is like having a big sign saying there is thousands of dollars equipment inside "please steal". All large cities in Europe have very professional teams looking for what they can steal from tourists. We were with my mother in law in London, and she had a small camera backpack that was stolen from right in front of our nose in a McDonalds. You can take 98% of your pictures with a 28-105mm lens, so I would streamline my equipment and have a subtle bag.

ganmar37 Loc: Southern California

Thanks, Bob, I emailed the museum, but haven't heard back yet.

ganmar37 Loc: Southern California

Capture48,
I'm sorry for not making myself clear, I didn't intend to use the converter in the museum. I merely meant that it would be in my bag. I intended to use it for long shots while walking around Paris.
-Marv

ganmar37 Loc: Southern California

I'm still trying to figure out how to reply in UHH.
ddonlewis, thanks for the comprehensive reply. I will note your suggestions. I plan to carry the bag in the front, at all times. It is a rather large bag and I wouldn't want to bump into art objects. If I find the bag is too cumbersome, I will try my vest to carry what I need. That, too, might present a pickpocket problem. I don't know what else to do. All my equipment is insured, that should alleviate some of my worries. Thanks again.
-Marv

NJphotodoc Loc: Now in the First State

Having lived in France and having spent many a weekend at the Louvre and other museums in France, cameras are OK but leave your flash at your hotel. Same for tripods/monopods and items that could potentially harm century-old floors.
At a matter of reference, this is taken from the official Louvre website:
The Visitor Regulations authorize photography without the use of flash in the permanent collection exhibition rooms, under certain conditions:
"Artworks in the permanent collection exhibition rooms may be photographed or filmed for private use by the operator. The use of flash and other lighting equipment is prohibited. Photography and filming is strictly prohibited in the temporary exhibition rooms.
Filming and photography of installations and technical equipment is also strictly prohibited."
If you are planning to write to the Louvre or any other museum and expect a quick answer, you are probably overoptimistic. Since the attacks on Paris and Brussels, even a small pack is likely to cause suspicion and a visual search would be required and in a place like the Louvre, the person doing the inspection is probably dressed in combat attire and has a 9mm on his/her waist.
So, probably your best bet is assume that if you can't carry it on a neck strap or in a pocket, it won't be worth the hassle. Maybe a decent prime lens with nothing less than f/1.8 for inside shots and a lightweight zoom for everything else. Et bon voyage!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Due to recent muslim attacks information even a few weeks old might be incorrect. Check with the museums but also what the police are looking at on the streets as well. Home grown European native radicals are being used now and all ages. A lot of these people are former green peace terrorists from the 80's who were quite good at bombing. Check and be careful. Have a good time and just be aware of your surroundings.

ganmar37 Loc: Southern California

Thanks, Architect1776, that's good information. We've been told several times to be aware of our surroundings and hopefully will heed those warnings.

ganmar37 Loc: Southern California

Thank you, photodoc, for your response. I sent the message to the info person at the Louvre two days ago and received the response today. She, however, did not even address or mention the issue about the beltpack I intend to use, which is my main concern. I expect the bag to be searched just about everywhere I go and am not offended or worried about that. If I have to, I'll just take the 18-55 lens on my camera. Last time we were in Paris I had only the Tamron 28-300mm and that seemed to do the trick. I do not intend to take a flash or tripod into any of the museums or churches, where prohibited.

sbschippers Loc: Baltimore MD

I was in Paris about two weeks after the terrorist attack last fall. Crowds were light everywhere but there were no issues carrying a messenger-style bag with photo equipment. Most museums - including the Louvre - had a security check at the entrance but it was just a cursory inspection, no X-rays or scans. Some stores also had a rent-a-cop at the door for a quick visual inspection of bags but they never reached in or asked me to remove anything.

Plenty of law enforcement and military on display. Police always traveled in twos, soldiers by three.

Have a good time!

MW

We have friends from Brussels. It isn't the camera in the bag they are so concerned with anymore. It's the thing that's not a camera. Sorry for the the downer but welcome Europe 2016.

Smokey66 Loc: Hanover, ON, CA

Former green peace terrorists from the 80's would be in their fifties at least. It seems that the current crop of terrorists are very young and would not fit your description. Only a young naive person would believe they are going to heaven to be served by a hundred nymphs if they become suicide bombers.