Travel Photography

[TheWengler]

This question is mostly for those of you with expensive equipment. Do you guys take it with you when you travel or do you bring less expensive lenses? To me it seems like the time when gear is most at risk of being lost, damaged or stolen is when you’re traveling, though I guess it matters where/when you’re going too. Your stuff is probably safer in Fiji than it is in Rome. The more expensive lenses tend to be bigger and heavier too which isn’t appealing for travel. However, traveling brings about some of the best opportunities to take pictures and is a time when high quality is really desired. I’m just curious how you guys approach this situation.

[Rhys]

This question is mostly for those of you with expensive equipment. Do you guys take it with you when you travel or do you bring less expensive lenses? To me it seems like the time when gear is most at risk of being lost, damaged or stolen is when you’re traveling, though I guess it matters where/when you’re going too. Your stuff is probably safer in Fiji than it is in Rome. The more expensive lenses tend to be bigger and heavier too which isn’t appealing for travel. However, traveling brings about some of the best opportunities to take pictures and is a time when high quality is really desired. I’m just curious how you guys approach this situation.

Lots of people just carry compacts.

I just hefted an Olympus 410 which was very nice. It's a digital SLR but oh boy - how great for travel!

[TheObiJuan]

I once read a perfect photographer's axiom: don't buy gear you wont bring with you everywhere.

There are exceptions like specialty lenses: 600 f/4, tilt shift, fisheyes.

But not bringing a 70-200 f/2.8L IS--if you own it-- is shamefull.
Ergonomic backpacks reduce the perceived weight immensely.

I took a 20D, 350D, 135L, 85L, 20 f/1.8, 50 f/1.8, 70-300, tripod, and accessories to Hawaii with me and didn't notice it too much. The backpack and sometimes the Domke shoulder bag really helped reduce the load.

Countless times I would not have been able to get a macro, low light, or distant shot if I just brought a compact digicam.

Get your gear insured with your home owner's insurance or travel company and rest assured. Theft is a serious concern when going to third world countries. I always am very vigilant when going to Mexico or Central America. I carry my Domke F2 bag that looks like a normal cloth bag, it doesn't scream: $8000 dollars sitting inside!
I also always have my free right hand hooked around the extra strap so a thief running by doesn't snatch it. If they try they'll quickly be thrown off balance and on the ground.
I also am careful where I shoot, when I shoot, and how I go about it. It is best to not draw attention and be cognizant of your surroundings.
Most things are very obvious but one doesn't always think of the obvious whenever they are snapping away and having fun.

Did I mention how well the 20D and 135L could be used to bludgeon? :eek::p

[TheWengler]

I once read a perfect photographer's axiom: don't buy gear you wont bring with you everywhere.

I can see the thinking behind that but at the same time I don't think it necessarily applies to everything.

I ask because when I get a new camera (probably not real soon) I plan on investing in very nice lenses that I might not want to haul or put at risk wherever I go. The travel insurance was a good suggestion though. My thought was to invest in a travel zoom for the K100D so I'd have a cheap body/lens combo that could produce decent results and it wouldn't be the end of the world if it was lost. Who knows though, I'm kind of getting the feeling it's very hard to go backwards in quality. After making the jump to a DSLR I don't really find using a compact camera that enjoyable anymore.

[kgosden]

I take anything that I think fits the trip. I see no point in going to once in a lifetime places to take pictures I would not want to look at for the rest of my lifetime. That said what I take is dictated by the trip and also the other way around. By that I mean I take trips where photography is a large part of my enjoyment and goal for the travel; taking a secondary camera would ruin it for me. If a trip is mostly for non-photo related reasons I might take only one of my compacts. I assume that the loss of my gear is part of the risk. Then again I don't leave my car in the garage and take the bus just to 'save' my car from a potential wreck. Come to think of it my current car was purchased after some totaled my last one and insurance gave me some cash...

[TheWengler]

I take anything that I think fits the trip. I see no point in going to once in a lifetime places to take pictures I would not want to look at for the rest of my lifetime. That said what I take is dictated by the trip and also the other way around. By that I mean I take trips where photography is a large part of my enjoyment and goal for the travel; taking a secondary camera would ruin it for me. If a trip is mostly for non-photo related reasons I might take only one of my compacts. I assume that the loss of my gear is part of the risk. Then again I don't leave my car in the garage and take the bus just to 'save' my car from a potential wreck. Come to think of it my current car was purchased after some totaled my last one and insurance gave me some cash...

Well, if you drove a Ferrari you probably wouldn't drive it to the grocery store and leave it in the parking lot. I center my trips around photography too. I also think what equipment is brought depends on the trip but not only because of the different shots I might encounter, the risk to my equipment is equally important. When I went to Rome this summer all I had was my S3 so I walked around Rome at night taking pictures because it was only a few hundred dollar hit if I lost it. I was more worried about losing the pictures than the camera. If I had the 70-200 f/2.8 IS mentioned by ObiJuan earlier would I take it out to get some night shots in Rome? It's doubtful.

[fionndruinne]

I use a battered German military rucksack for a backpack, and typically put my camera inside, top-loading case and all. That's a great way to put a drab face on some glitter, so to speak. Of course, it is a hassle to replace it in between shooting, so it's more for carrying to and from shooting locations.

[erichlund]

First, if you are afraid of it getting lost, stolen or broken, get insurance that will cover those perils. The camera is a tool.

If you are just concerned about the weight, choose what you take with you to meet your weight limitations.

In either case, if you are travelling to somewhere as picturesque as Rome, doesn't it deserve the best equipment you have to capture the moments you will experience?

I do have a caveat to that. If you are going on your honeymoon, what's more important, your new wife or your photography? There are lots of lifes events that fall under this category, and I suggest you think about that as well when deciding what equipment to take.

For instance, if I'm going on a vacation where the main focus of the event is the time to spend with my wife, I'd probably only take my 35 f2, 50 f1.8 and Tokina 12-24. I'd leave all the other heavy stuff home. The 12-24 would only come out for absolutely breathtaking landscapes. The others would be used to record what the trip was about, us.

[zmikers]

This will not apply to everyone because different people are into different fields of photography, but for me, I wouldn't buy any equipment that wouldn't be useful on one of my many travells. But like I said, I am a hobbiest and consider myself a travel photographer therefore I only buy equipment I think useful while travelling. My advice is to think about what you want to take out of your trip, photography wise, and then decide what equipment you will need to reach that goal. And yes, buy insurance!

[Rooz]

I take anything that I think fits the trip.

bingo. :)

when i travel for a holiday the last thing i wanna do is lug around my 70-200. i have enuf shit to carry around with a wife and baby. if i'm going to Africa then sure, the lens fits the trip. but otherwise. its my sigma 18-50mm, my 50mm f1.8, tripod, wide angle and flash. the telephoto and macro stay home. and the tripod and flash only come along out of the hotel room at night.

like rhys pointed out, i take a compact with plenty of zoom and capable of shooting macro anyway if i really need it.

[Rhys]

Well, if you drove a Ferrari you probably wouldn't drive it to the grocery store and leave it in the parking lot. I center my trips around photography too. I also think what equipment is brought depends on the trip but not only because of the different shots I might encounter, the risk to my equipment is equally important. When I went to Rome this summer all I had was my S3 so I walked around Rome at night taking pictures because it was only a few hundred dollar hit if I lost it. I was more worried about losing the pictures than the camera. If I had the 70-200 f/2.8 IS mentioned by ObiJuan earlier would I take it out to get some night shots in Rome? It's doubtful.

Oddly enough, night time is safer than day time in Rome. The thieves there are 90% pickpockets. You'll find that in most Latin countries the criminals are cutpurses and pickpockets rather than anything else. Go to the former USSR and Russia etc and you'll find more footpads.

[TheWengler]

Oddly enough, night time is safer than day time in Rome. The thieves there are 90% pickpockets. You'll find that in most Latin countries the criminals are cutpurses and pickpockets rather than anything else. Go to the former USSR and Russia etc and you'll find more footpads.

I would say there's still enough people out at night to justify the pickpockets working a night shift. In my pre-trip research Rome, Venice and Sevilla were supposed to be the worst places for theft but Rome was the only place where we actually heard of anything happening first hand. There was one time over the course of a month where I was completely distracted. In Granada, an old woman outside the cathedral tried to force me to give her money for a blessing. Luckly she wasn't part of any scam (other than the part where I was supposed to give her money for something I didn't want) because I totally forgot about watching my pockets and bag.

Well, thank you everyone for your input. Obviously right now my gear isn't that expensive, so I take everything everywhere, but I do plan on upgrading to higher quality gear in the future.

[Rhys]

I would say there's still enough people out at night to justify the pickpockets working a night shift. In my pre-trip research Rome, Venice and Sevilla were supposed to be the worst places for theft but Rome was the only place where we actually heard of anything happening first hand. There was one time over the course of a month where I was completely distracted. In Granada, an old woman outside the cathedral tried to force me to give her money for a blessing. Luckly she wasn't part of any scam (other than the part where I was supposed to give her money for something I didn't want) because I totally forgot about watching my pockets and bag.

Well, thank you everyone for your input. Obviously right now my gear isn't that expensive, so I take everything everywhere, but I do plan on upgrading to higher quality gear in the future.

Oddly enough - the pickpockets don't generally work at night. They like thick crowds. The number 8 trolleybus for example.

[TheWengler]

Oddly enough - the pickpockets don't generally work at night. They like thick crowds. The number 8 trolleybus for example.

It's Rome in tourist season. The crowds are always thick. :p

[kgosden]

"Well, if you drove a Ferrari you probably wouldn't drive it to the grocery store and leave it in the parking lot."

Actually, I would, but I don't believe in owning cars if you don't plan to use them. The few friends I have who have owned Ferrraris and Lambos, etc. all used them for groceries and other daily driver type tasks. What good is having nicely made, or fun toys and tools if you don't intend to use them?

[TheWengler]

"Well, if you drove a Ferrari you probably wouldn't drive it to the grocery store and leave it in the parking lot."

Actually, I would, but I don't believe in owning cars if you don't plan to use them. The few friends I have who have owned Ferrraris and Lambos, etc. all used them for groceries and other daily driver type tasks. What good is having nicely made, or fun toys and tools if you don't intend to use them?

Who said I wouldn't use it? I just wouldn't unnecessarily put it at risk. Doesn't seem that hard to understand to me. If it was black and white I wouldn't have asked the question.

[fionndruinne]

If what was black and white... the sports car? If it were I don't think many people would try to mess with it. Especially if it had bright flashing lights as well.:p

I agree with the concept of using something good. What's a fine camera for but to take fine pictures? And what's a trip for but to go to some fine places?

Fear of losing what we have is quite crippling in any of its forms, but losing a camera is, well, one of the least really important fears.

[TheWengler]

If what was black and white... the sports car?

The issue isn't black and white. The car is red with racing stripes and a model inside and the black and white car is chasing it.

I kind of feel like people are telling me what I should be doing when the question is really about what you guys do. Here's what I'm thinking, right now I have a K100D and I was considering saving for an upgrade. So if I had a K100D and a newer body with nicer glass I might just use the nicer equipment for local photography and the cheaper one for travel. I mean, a K100D paired with a Tamron 18-250 could take nice pictures. I have to say that most of the time when I take pictures I'm not traveling outside of California so I don't really think it's hard to justify the purchase of nice equipment even if it's not always taken traveling. Obviously if the Pentax couldn't handle a certain situation that I expect to encounter while traveling I'd have to make some changes. I'm not saying I would always take a cheaper/lighter set up but I definitely would when going somewhere where taking lots of equipment would be too much of a hindrance or where theft is a problem. I'm also the kind of person who travels light. On my month long trip through Europe between my girlfriend and I we had one large backpack and one small Camelbak and that was it.

[TheObiJuan]

K100D and 18-250.
Light and easy to hide when you need to.

[toriaj]

Lukas, that's a really COOL shot! I love the flare you got on the light. The blue sky is magical, and the movement blur of the people really "puts me there."

FWIW, if I thought there was any chance I would use my (imaginary :D) expensive equipment while traveling, I would take it. Wouldn't it be horrible to be in the perfect place, perfect moment, you know your (x lens, body, light, whatever) would capture it magnificiently, but you don't have it???

If it was REALLY expensive, I'd insure it before I left. But I'd still take it if I thought I'd use it.

[TheWengler]

I love the flare you got on the light

I'm not sure why the flare appears like a bar code.

[zmikers]

Oddly enough, night time is safer than day time in Rome. The thieves there are 90% pickpockets. You'll find that in most Latin countries the criminals are cutpurses and pickpockets rather than anything else. Go to the former USSR and Russia etc and you'll find more footpads.

I just got back from Russia and although my camera gear is safe, my friend did get pick pocketed there. I went from Hong Kong to England by train and was travelling for 6 weeks and staying in some pretty dodgey places. My camera gear is safe and sound back at home. The key hear is just to be smart. I took my equipment to places I thought I would use it and locked it up in security and took a P&S to places I didn't feel safe carrying everything like bars and nightclubs etc. I will not tell you what to do, because that is your choice in the end. Here's what I did: I took exactly what I thought I would need and left what I thought would just be added wait. (I was backpacking) I took my xti, 3 lenses, a few filters, extra batteries and a 120 Gig storage unit. I wouldn't have bought if I wasn't going to use it, but like I said in a previous post, I travel for the purpose of photography. Also, I bought the lowepro belt pack and turned it so everything was kept in front so that I had an eye on it at all times. Plus, I had travel insurance just incase. Anyways, I hope this helped. :) Good luck!

[kgosden]

I guess I don't see your point on risk. For me the issue is 100% black and white. I NEVER buy something I am unwilling to use or lose; PERIOD. The possibility that I would have something stolen from me does not enter my risk equation. I ASSUME that the item will one day fail, break, die, burst into flames, get hit by a stray cosmic ray and start dancing and singing, whatever. I do not let that possibility rule my life. Do I try to take a few reasonable precautions, certainly. I lock my gear up or carry it if I think it will be more secure when traveling. I don't take too many items that might not handle bad weather when camping, or at least I keep them as well protected as possible. But leave them at home in case of rain, not going to happen.

[TheWengler]

you wild man!

[Honest Gaza]

I purchased the bulk of my kit in Hong Kong about a year ago and while there, was fortunate enough that the Hotel Room had it's own individual electronic safe which I used to store any gear that I didn't want to carry for the day.

When I went to the Cook Islands last month, I took all my gear. I made sure I had full Insurance cover before going. I also checked that the accomodation included a lockable safe in the room. What I didn't realise was that the safe was made of particle board (white melamine), and the lock was attached with philips screws :D.

Whatever lenses I didn't need for the day, stayed in the safe. At least I had made all possible efforts to secure the gear should I need to file a police report for Insurance purposes :o.

Now here's what I consider to be the important part (and I don't think anyone else has mentioned it). Those days/nights that I didn't want to take any gear with me....I removed the Memory Card, and carried it with me, or hid it somewhere else in the room. I can replace the gear....but not the photos (read...memories) of the trip.

So for me....take all reasonable precautions to look after your gear....but take extra precautions with the Memory card :)

[zmikers]

Now here's what I consider to be the important part (and I don't think anyone else has mentioned it). Those days/nights that I didn't want to take any gear with me....I removed the Memory Card, and carried it with me, or hid it somewhere else in the room. I can replace the gear....but not the photos (read...memories) of the trip.

So for me....take all reasonable precautions to look after your gear....but take extra precautions with the Memory card :)

That is very good advice. Thanks for that M8