Gaddysmom

Like SB I have been to Cuba and more than once. It is a very safe country with extreme punishments for Cubans who interfere in any way with the country’s main source of hard currency, which is tourism. Follow their rules and common sense and you will not have any problems.

There are many opportunities for photography, but street photography is the most obvious. And, as with any travel photography, less is more. Not only will you find weight to be an issue, but the people with whom you travel will not wait for you to constantly change lenses.

daldds Loc: NYC

I was there a year ago February with a photo workshop as I neared my 83rd year. Senior is as senior does. It was before you-know-who did you-know what (PC?).
I found the people tremendously friendly and willing models for photos. I emailed several back to Cuba pp. My primary lens is a 12-100mm, which on my Oly micro 4/3 equates to 24-200. I have a light-weight small flash, larger than the pop-ups common on cameras, that I used routinely for fill.
If you really are concerned with weight, take your Canon and 18-250, extra batteries and an extra charger, a current converter and a triple plug.
Take the best pocket camera you have, not because of confiscation, but as a back-up in case you damage your Canon.
You will be told about what can not be photographed (very little, such as military barracks). If you will not be transferring images to a hard drive until you get home, take enough memory.
I included a few shots to tease you.
Please contact me directly if you want more info.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

I have been to Cuba 8 times in the past few years mostly to photograph in Havana and the surrounding areas. Cuba is one of the safest countries that I have been to with zero concerns about crime. I have taken DSLRs and a full lens kit from wide angle to telephoto including zooms and primes. I have walked through the back streets with my gear and have never been worried. For my last 2 outings, I engaged a local guide who accompanied me to some places that tourists would never find. He also does walking tours of Havana and I have referred many of my friends to him. Alex is fluent in English and Spanish and if you have any trepidation, I’d suggest that you contact him. PM me and I’ll provide his contact info.

Bullfrog Bill Loc: CT

I spent a week in Havana with a day trip to Vinales two years ago. I had my full D800 kit but never felt the need for anything beyond 35 mm f1.4. I left my 70-200, 24-70 and 16-35 in the hotel room. I did plenty of street photography (including night) and never felt threatened walking around alone. Most people are very friendly and like to have their picture taken. If they say no ar ask for money, just walk away. Tourism is not new to Cuba. Europeans have been going there for years.

bob.mueller Loc: Sarasota FL

I was there last July and felt totally safe. The people were a delight. I used my phone and a small Nikon pocket PS S82

We had a private tour guide and drove around in an air conditioned 54 Chevy. We have since recommended Duramis to a few other couples that have had a great experience. She has a good DSLR and will take pictures of your tour and include you. At the end she will give you a zip/thumb drive with all your photos.

If you are interested I will get you her contact info.


Relax and enjoy your trip.

anotherview Loc: California

If going to Cuba with a tour group, then ask the tour company for its recommendations and experience regarding camera gear.

That said, I suggest one camera, one lens, and one bag containing as well all accessories. You can then carry on all your gear aboard the airplane. Travel light.

Optionally, yes, carry a small camera that goes in a pocket. I own and carry almost everywhere my Canon G9 X, in a sling pouch. Note that Canon has released a Mark II version of this fine little camera.

Enjoy your tour of Cuba.

jtwind

Depends where you go in Cuba, it's a big island. People are great, tourism is a big deal and they appreciate it. Those not involved in tourism sort of ignore you. What you want to photograph makes a difference, Havana and many of the towns are street photography, my 18-105 was great. If you go to places like Vinales there lot of landscapes, so wide can be nice. I also did lots of birding there so had a super zoom sony for that. Great place, just keep normal track of you gear, I never heard of much theft!

digit-up Loc: Flushing, Michigan

way too much B.S. Your opinion ,And mine, for that matter, does nothing to help answer the guys' question. Quit muddy-ing up the site. RJM

berchman Loc: South Central PA

Think for a moment. In what way do you see a possible equivalence between Kenya/Tanzania and Cuba? Is it because they are both outside of the U.S.? Would you ask this question if you were going to France and crossing the border to Switzerland? Does all "foreign" travel make you anxious? Here in South Central PA, there are people who would never go to NYC because they fear it. When these people hear that I toured Iran for three weeks without any problems whatsoever, taking pictures freely, strangers asking where I'm from and being truthfully told, America, which caused them to be even more friendly than the already notoriously friendly Iranians, they look at me in disbelief, thinking how brave and reckless I must have been to tour Iran. Just goes to show that Americans are among the most provincial people of any first world country.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Gentlemen, I am of Cuban origin and although I have not been there in 58 years I have talked to many persons who have visited the island and took photographic gear with them. NONE of them experienced a problem but it is obvious that common sense has to be used and refrain from photographing military subjects. A friend of mine, an excellent street photographer got into trouble photographing two prostitutes near a casino at night. He was accused of trying to "insult the Revolution" and spent a few hours in jail till he was cleared by a local friend working for the media there. That has been the only incident I have heard of.
Cuba has a lot to offer not only to the street photographer but also to those that enjoy landscape photography. In general authorities do not pay much attention to tourists with cameras UNLESS they are seen photographing military installations. I have not heard of any gear stolen. When shooting at night do not do it alone.
From what I know Cubans are very friendly and the majority of them will not object to have their picture taken. In many places around La Habana you will see persons posing for tourist for a small fee.
It does not hurt to ask authorities what can and cannot be photographed during your visit.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Its still a very backward third world country run by ruthless thugs, but if you're on a tour, it might be tolerable...take your best pocket camera

For tBragg Guy Loc: Fort Bragg Ca

I also had a great trip to Cuba and wondered around all the cities we visited without a single worry. The people were kind and happy to have Americans there. I wondered Havana at night and no worries. Sure there are some sore heads there but the vast majority want us there.
Now on the political side, if we could just get our government to open their eyes to reality and drop the embargo and let things settle out..........

ELNikkor

That Canon S95 will get you your memories without the fuss, it is a great little camera for street photography and documenting your trip.

anotherview Loc: California

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. It helps to draw a fair picture of Cuba for tourists doing photography there.

I have this burning itch to visit Cuba. Its colonial building style attracts my eye.

My lady friend finally got her U.S. passport. Maybe she will go there with me in a tour group. I'm sure we'd have a good time.

Ron Dial Loc: Cuenca, Ecuador

I have been to Cuba twice (legally on a permit). When you first get off the plane, you will realize that EVERYTHING you thought you knew about Cuba is wrong.

January is the best time to go as it is not so hot. Theft is a problem. Consider a "steel theft net" to secure your camera to something in your room. Don't lay your camera down ANYWHERE. If you are going on a government sanctioned tour, the secret police will be around your group (you can't see them) to assure that nothing untoward happens. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) are very prevalent. If you go to Santiago de Cuba on the tip of the island, make sure the towels in your room are cleaned every day, as getting a STD from a towel is possible there. Crime is also very big in Santiago. When I went, the police had done a sweep of criminals two days before because Fidel's son was coming through. Cuban people are very friendly and love Americans. Cubans speak Castilian Spanish and they speak very fast. Bring a phrase book; Cubans are usually very patient with language problems.

Do not take pictures of anything military (vehicles, uniformed personnel, etc.) as it is forbidden and they are very serious about it. Depending on where you are, the power will go out in the middle of the day, every day. Last time I went, laptops were forbidden and would be confiscated at the airport. So check. Stay with your group and if you are going to leave the group, be sure and get permission. I went out at night to take night pictures in Havana and a secret policeman followed me everywhere. Havana is pretty safe, but got some cool pictures. If you take pictures of adults you have to tip them (used to be $1). If you take pictures of kids, used to be a tip of a piece of hard candy. Cuban parents usually love for their kids to have their pictures taken. Check with your tour group. I brought several bags of hard candy with me. Do not criticize the government, even in remote areas. 20% of the population is on the payroll of the secret police. So keep your opinions to yourself. The current president used to be called "the Chinese girl" in reference to his sexual preference. But be careful who you talk to.

Unless things have changed, you will tip your guide and bus driver in Cuban Pesos on the last day of your tour, but you take Euros into the country and exchange them at the airport. The first time I went, dollars were OK. The second time they were forbidden. If you need to do a currency change, there are three kinds of banks and they all have different holidays. So plan ahead.

I took battery powered hard drives that would download cards. If you take film, the US officials are jerks about it. They will xray it even if it is in an xray bag. US travel officials are far more problematic than Cubans. Have a great time. Cuba is a magical place caught in a time warp. And pay attention to what you are permitted to bring back. You can check on the website of the US Office of Foreign Asset Control.