First time taking SLR abroad (CHINA)

[DreDaze]

well it looks like i may be going to china in november...this is going to be the first chance to take my 40D on a real vacation, and i'm looking forward to it...the way i was figuring at first was that i would be fine with the camera in the hotel/friends house when i'm not using it, and the times that i am using it, it would always be in my hand...i am thinking of bringing a couple of lenses with me(not sure which yet)...i just spoke to my friend that i'm going with and he mentioned taking a night train..this has me a little worried about my camera/gear, but i think i can just keep it on me at all times, and be o.k....i'm also thinking of looking into getting renters issurance before i leave, and putting my camera/lenses on there...

i'm wondering if i'm worrying too much, and if there are anything's that i need to think about...

i really want to take the camera with me...after all i bought it to take better pictures...and i'm going to want to take pictures in china

thanks for any advice...

[sjones]

well it looks like i may be going to china in november...this is going to be the first chance to take my 40D on a real vacation, and i'm looking forward to it...the way i was figuring at first was that i would be fine with the camera in the hotel/friends house when i'm not using it, and the times that i am using it, it would always be in my hand...i am thinking of bringing a couple of lenses with me(not sure which yet)...i just spoke to my friend that i'm going with and he mentioned taking a night train..this has me a little worried about my camera/gear, but i think i can just keep it on me at all times, and be o.k....i'm also thinking of looking into getting renters issurance before i leave, and putting my camera/lenses on there...

i'm wondering if i'm worrying too much, and if there are anything's that i need to think about...

i really want to take the camera with me...after all i bought it to take better pictures...and i'm going to want to take pictures in china

thanks for any advice...

Where in China will you be going?

For the most part, it is generally safe to walk around with a camera as long as you follow the same common sense precautions that you would in any Western city. But yes, as far as trains, you might want to keep the gear by your side as opposed to an overhead compartment. It is not a huge risk, but it is one worth considering. You might also want to consider using luggage locks in general.

[SOK]

....i'm also thinking of looking into getting renters issurance before i leave, and putting my camera/lenses on there...

If you opt for home contents insurance (which I'm thinking is what you're talking about here), be sure that the policy covers belongings that are lost, damaged or stolen when they're not actually in the house. Taking them to a foreign country might be a dealer breaker.

Get travel specific insurance. Any travel agent can help you organise it. It's not expensive (relative to an overseas holiday and a bag full of camera gear), and it covers YOU (medical treatment, evacuations, cancelled flights etc) as well as your Canon kit.

Get insurance, so you can shoot more, and worry less.

Happy travels!

[BTW; I'm not an insurance salesman!]

[HoRnYTuRbO]

well it looks like i may be going to china in november...this is going to be the first chance to take my 40D on a real vacation, and i'm looking forward to it...the way i was figuring at first was that i would be fine with the camera in the hotel/friends house when i'm not using it, and the times that i am using it, it would always be in my hand...i am thinking of bringing a couple of lenses with me(not sure which yet)...i just spoke to my friend that i'm going with and he mentioned taking a night train..this has me a little worried about my camera/gear, but i think i can just keep it on me at all times, and be o.k....i'm also thinking of looking into getting renters issurance before i leave, and putting my camera/lenses on there...

i'm wondering if i'm worrying too much, and if there are anything's that i need to think about...

i really want to take the camera with me...after all i bought it to take better pictures...and i'm going to want to take pictures in china

thanks for any advice...

keep it in a bag and take it out when u take pics. theives are like animals they will look for the weak

[DreDaze]

thanks for all the tips everyone...i'm going to be going to shanghai, and beijing...the train is going to be in between the two...the only reason the train kinda worries me is that i'm a deep sleeper...i may just have to use my camera bag as a pillow...i am traveling with a friend that lived there for 2 years, so that should help

i'm not too worried about walking around with it...i've got common sense, and street smarts, and i've got a regular messenger bag, that i've DIY'ed into a camera bag, so it won't scream expensive camera...

the insurance is something i definitely need to look into...thanks for the tip on the travel insurance

[scotteisenphotography]

you should be fine. if a thief approaches you though, give it to him. trust me on that one. just make sure you have the insurance to get a new one. concussions are not fun after a trip overseas...to put it nicely

[DreDaze]

you should be fine. if a thief approaches you though, give it to him. trust me on that one. just make sure you have the insurance to get a new one. concussions are not fun after a trip overseas...to put it nicely


yeah i'm no hero...just need to figure a way to quickly slip the CF card out...i am looking into travel insurance now...anyone have a spot that they normally use?...right now i'm looking at worldnomads.com seems to be one of the only ones that offers more for expensive camera equipment

[frank10]

I'm taking an asia trip next week and I'm in the same boat. I am taking my camera, otherwise, what's the point of owning it? I'm planning on keeping it with me and minimizing the amount of lenses and equipment I take.

I am looking into a file service where I could upload photos daily, in case my memory card gets lost or stolen.