DSLR when travelling

[Mr. Freedom .45]

Photographing is one of my hobbies and the main reason I bought my dslr in the first place was that my old digital camera was getting too old and used with all the scratches and low megapixels. First I was going to buy just a new normal digital camera, but then the perfectionist inside me made me buy a dslr. Can't say it isn't good, it really is and once I learned the main teachings about how to take a good picture I really understanded the price of it. Now I have 2 lenses along with the kit lens and all of them are in constant use.

That dslr has been very nice travel partner on my trips to places where I haven't stayed in big cities. The problem is when I'm travelling in cities. I always want to look like a casual citizen and then dslr is just too hard to carry and handle. The problem is not carrying it in the backpack, the problem is that I find it too hard to always take it from the backpack and take couple of photos of something I like and then put it back there. It's not an option to carry it around my neck, it just looks stupid and isn't very comfortable walking around the city with the camera strap around your neck all the time. And if I would carry it in my hands my hand wouldn't be free and that would just be a very stupid feel.

I also have bought a pocket camera for those trips and I have been noticing that when I have the Canon Ixus in my pocket on my populated area trips I take way more pictures about anything nice and it is very very easy to put that camera back in my pocket and I don't even feel it there when walking. With the dslr it just feels like I'm focusing on photographing and not travelling and getting new experiences in places where I have never been.

Without the dslr it is just so easy to do whatever pops in your mind, go to a nice looking bar and get wasted without worrying your belongings.

[Sirrith]

What exactly is the point of this post?

I'm not being rude, I just can't seem to find the question that needs answering if there is one. Or do you want a discussion?

[Mr. Freedom .45]

No questions, so discussion.

Maybe I just want to know how do you deal with your camera gear on your holiday trips or when your travelling around the globe and how do others carry their dslr so it doesn't feel like it's limiting your moving. I take some of the photos on my trips with my dslr, but only those from objects I want to save with better quality than my pocket camera and those every day shots around the city are most often taken with my Ixus.

[Sirrith]

When I'm travelling in a city, I use a messenger bag, which makes camera access very easy and convenient. My backpack only comes out when I'm hiking or doing something more active than walking around.

As for the gear limiting my experience, I can see what you mean, I do have to look after my gear, but at the same time, I simply don't bring it when I know I will be doing something along the lines of going out to a club (not that I do that often anyway, I find it boring). For those occasions, I will bring my s95 out.

But for me, a big part of travelling is the photography element, so I enjoy having my gear with me.

[Malsam]

I understand where you are coming from which is why I always have 2-3 imaging devices with me. 1 for serious shooting, 1 for quick shooting and 1 for backup. In cities where you experience a lot of people who either makes you feel uncomfortable or no space for a decent shot you will want to get a camera phone or a P&S.

You will be surprise alot of photogs who own big bodies and lenses still use a P&S or rely on iphone. Nokia is coming out with a 40MP camera phone. I will be looking seriously at this sort of devices as a secondary or backup camera.

For those places where you can use whatever gear you like eg. in nature parks or deserts etc, you will want to bring your big gear with you. Not only they give u better optical resolution, they give you more controls and time to play with. Again the smallish camera should still be with you in case you just need to do a quick snap of the snow leopard dashing across the mountains while you are setting up the tripod halfway!

[facedodge]

Originally Posted by Mr. Freedom .45

No questions, so discussion.

Maybe I just want to know how do you deal with your camera gear on your holiday trips or when your travelling around the globe and how do others carry their dslr so it doesn't feel like it's limiting your moving. I take some of the photos on my trips with my dslr, but only those from objects I want to save with better quality than my pocket camera and those every day shots around the city are most often taken with my Ixus.

Best combo.... So comfortable.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...era_Strap.html


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Bag_100EG.html

Wear the bag as a pouch around waist.

[Preeb]

Originally Posted by Mr. Freedom .45

No questions, so discussion.

Maybe I just want to know how do you deal with your camera gear on your holiday trips or when your travelling around the globe and how do others carry their dslr so it doesn't feel like it's limiting your moving. I take some of the photos on my trips with my dslr, but only those from objects I want to save with better quality than my pocket camera and those every day shots around the city are most often taken with my Ixus.

I carry my 60D on an extended OpTech neck strap which is long enough to sling from left shoulder to right hip. It hangs comfortably and I can bring it up to shooting position without unslinging it. That said, I do still have my 8mp Canon PS A720IS for when I'd rather have a camera I can just put in a pocket.

[Mr. Freedom .45]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Bag_100EG.html

Wear the bag as a pouch around waist.

I actually got that bag in your link when I bought my dslr, but there's no way I'm going to put it around my waist looking like an idiot. I've been looking for camera bags and I might get a shoulder bag of some kind.

[facedodge]

Originally Posted by Mr. Freedom .45

I actually got that bag in your link when I bought my dslr, but there's no way I'm going to put it around my waist looking like an idiot. I've been looking for camera bags and I might get a shoulder bag of some kind.

These bags will help you look less like an idiot.
http://www.bagexposure.com/

BUT... if you care so much about how YOU look, you will not be likely as concerned about how the photo looks. Sometimes you have to climb up on stuff or get low angles or other stupid looking things.

I prefer to not to carry a shoulder bag while taking photos. They always seem to slide around everywhere and will give you a sore back if you carry it all day.

If you just want you camera, some batteries/filters, and another lens or two, the pouch is perfect. The backpack is nice to carry, but not convenient to dig in while walking.

If you wear the pouch on the back or side, it doesn't look so stupid. Plus everyone will see you have a camera and won't mistake you with a fanny pack wearing dork.

[Nick Laos]

Originally Posted by Mr. Freedom .45

No questions, so discussion.

Maybe I just want to know how do you deal with your camera gear on your holiday trips or when your travelling around the globe and how do others carry their dslr so it doesn't feel like it's limiting your moving. I take some of the photos on my trips with my dslr, but only those from objects I want to save with better quality than my pocket camera and those every day shots around the city are most often taken with my Ixus.

consider http://www.lowepro.com/passportsling
it doesn't scream camera bag when travelling. It's easy to handle..and you can also put some other stuff in it like a book, bottle of water and such. it's treu that inside pouch which is dedicated for camera is rather small..I can put in it just my 5D and 50L but that's the combo I usually travel with..weight is important cause I usually carry it for a month or so almost all the time..when backpacking somewhere in Asia..

[TustinMike]

I traveled to Scotland last year and bought the Crumplr 6mdh for the trip - it was perfect for what I needed, didn't look too much like a camera bag and held the camera gear plus my other essentials for day trips etc.

[Mr. Freedom .45]

Thank you for your responses. Crumpler 6 million dollar home and Lowepro Passport Sling both are very nice looking and just what I'm looking for - a bag that doesn't yell to everyone that this guy here has a big ass camera and probably is an easy target to pickpocketing when he's walking down the street feeling amazed about that great city.

[alex.hondsmerk]

I spent a month in India last summer and honestly, not taking my DSLR was a massive massive error. My thinking was that it would be too unsafe to have an expensive camera with me, but I can honestly say that I did not once feel at all unsafe during the entire trip, even though I was travelling with one other friend and staying in locals' houses and everything. It really was the trip of a lifetime, and I really regret not taking my camera... I've always travelled with my gear, all over Europe, north Africa, north and south America, everywhere really - and I've never had any problems anywhere - but this time I was just a little too nervous
Now my camera goes everywhere with me

[Mr. Freedom .45]

I decided to just think my dslr as a tool to take my holiday pictures, if it breaks or someone steals it from me I'll just deal with it and let my insurance company pay me the value of the gear that breaks or gets stolen.

[RPCrowe]

A P&S is fine for birthday shoots and party pictures.

However when I travel, I want the best quality images possible.

My travel kit is a pair of 1.6x cameras, 17-55mm f/2.8 IS and 70-200mm f/4L IS lenses, a monopod, a couple of flashes and a light travel tripod.

If I could not bring my camera gear, I would just as soon stay at home...

I carried this gear throughout China and I am over 70 years old!

See my China images at the smugmug link below...