You mention equipment but the first thing I would worry about is how you carry it and how conspicuous you look. I carry my EOS-1Ds and L lenses in a student type generic backpack with the lenses in nylon draw string pouches. Forget the Canon logos, etc. If you ride on a bus or subway, ALWAYS hug the backpack in front of you. People can open the zipper from behind very easily. If your standing at a bus stop or in a subway station and the backpack is over your shoulder, lean against a wall. To me a tripod screams out what you are carrying.
I got my wallet stolen in Rome a year ago in a packed bus during the 5:00pm rush hour. Two 10-14 year old eastern European girls working as a team got it. One unzipped my fanny pack (in my front but under my camera backpack) and took my wallet. She immediately passed it to the second girl holding a baby. I knew something was up when they suddenly wiggled to the door and got off just before the door closed and we started to move. I also had $200 stolen from my Zurich hotel room about four years ago while I was out for the day. I believe it was one of the "guest worker" eastern European housekeepers but I could never prove it. After that I have never left any of my camera stuff or money in my hotel room during the day. In the evening during dinner they are not around. It was one of those small, three star hotels that ask you to leave your room key at the reception desk. I was not staying in a Hilton, etc. John Lovda --- Paul Wasserman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'm going to Madrid & Barcelona soon, and am > considering what to bring > along. I'll be shooting street scenes, urban > scenics, inside museums & > other buildings, night shots. > > Normally, I would just err on the side of bringing > everything I thought > I was likely to need, weight & size being secondary > considerations. > > I understand, though, that these locations have high > rates of theft, > particularly Barcelona. So, I'm hoping to travel > relatively light and > as low-profile as possible, while trying not to miss > any significant > opportunities. > > I'm looking for feedback on my equipment choices, > especially any > specific instances in Madrid or Barcelona where > these might come up > short. Any successful 'theft-deterrent' strategies > are also welcome. > > PLAN TO TAKE WITH: > - EOS 1V (primary plus backup) > - 24-70 2.8 > - 70-200 with 1.4x & 2x > Debated between the f4 or the 2.8 IS. IS 2.8 would > be nice, but it's > big and very noticeable. I've probably settled on > the f4 given that > it's a little less obtrusive. Just a shame it's not > available in black > & lacks the rubber seal. In any case, I will have > the 2.8 24-70 if > needed for the indoors shots or rainy weather. > - Gitzo 1228 tripod w/arca swiss (for night shots) > - Lowe Pro off-road bag (just fits 1V with lens > attached and 1 extra > lens) > > MIGHT TAKE WITH: > - 28-135 IS (leave that in the hotel with the backup > 1V just in case) > > PROBABLY LEAVING HOME :( > - 16-35 (might miss a few shots but the 24-70 will > do for many) > - PB-E2 (too obtrusive, not essential) > - 550EX (probably not allowed in most museums, extra > bulk, might miss it > for fill or indoors) > > THEFT DETERRENT STRATEGIES I've heard: > - Whenever possible, just wear the camera & lens, > don't carry anything > extra > - Have an ID label on each piece of equipment > - Wear any bags or backpacks in front, not back > > Paul Wasserman __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
