Camera straps when traveling abroad

I don't generally use camera straps of any kind on my mirrorless kit, or DSLR's, but with a trip to various parts of Europe coming up I'm rethinking the idea.

I'm not concerned with preventing dropped gear etc but rather theft. The grab and run type where I figure a strap would go a long way in preventing this.

A neck strap though to me screams tourist or just target in general. I figure a decent wrist strap might be the go.

Thoughts? Experiences?

Look into the Spider Camera Holster. I started using one awhile ago, and am very pleased with it. It is very secure. I can't see how anybody can get your camera without taking you with it. Also, it addresses your desire to not use a strap.

Peak Design's Capture is another system to look into.

I'm planning on using a luma cinch when I travel abroad.

Although the Luma is nice, the OP prefers to not use a strap. That limits his options to belt style carriers.

Oops I missed that. Sorry

Cheers everyone,
The black widow version of the spider holster could be interesting being a smaller setup though I'd like to have an L plate attached.

Aus.Morgo wrote in post #18029670
...
A neck strap though to me screams tourist or just target in general...

because ONLY a tourist or someone looking to be victimized, uses a neck strap?

i dont get it...

sorry for the thread resurrection

Ltdave wrote in post #18611607
because ONLY a tourist or someone looking to be victimized, uses a neck strap?

i dont get it...

sorry for the thread resurrection

Two year old thread revival for something obvious.

No, not ONLY a tourist. I'm sure a thief doesn't care if your a tourist or a pro or whatever if they can steal your gear and I doubt people go out intentionally "looking to be victimized".

Yes neck strap can equal target, to a thief.
A neck strap with the bold CANON or NIKON in big, bright, obvious colours makes it VERY easy for thieves to identify a potential worth while target to rob out of a group of otherwise nondescript people.

Since this thread I've been and come back on that trip and while I had no issues myself, in Barcelona one night a member of the group had someone try and steal his gear by grabbing the strap and trying to make a dash. Fortunately they didn't manage to get it off him.

I don't remember the brand but, I have a camera strap that is reinforced with a steel cable. It doesn't weigh much more than a standard strap but would frustrate a slash and run thief. I purchased it from a site that sells travel related gear, not a photo dedicated site.

I usually carry two DSLR cameras one with a telephoto and one with mid range zoom.

he camera with the mid range zoom is worn around my neck and the camera with the telephoto lens is carried in a Tamrac Zoom 90 holster case which is worn "bandolier style" with the strap across my chest and the case under my left arm. The strap for the case is pretty heavy duty. Although it is not steel reinforced, it would be difficult to slash.

I have a hand strap on the camera in the case.

I have carried cameras in many different configurations, this is the safest, easiest to access and the most comfortable system I have used in over 50-years of photography...

RPCrowe wrote in post #18644282
I don't remember the brand but, I have a camera strap that is reinforced with a steel cable. It doesn't weigh much more than a standard strap but would frustrate a slash and run thief. I purchased it from a site that sells travel related gear, not a photo dedicated site.

I usually carry two DSLR cameras one with a telephoto and one with mid range zoom.

he camera with the mid range zoom is worn around my neck and the camera with the telephoto lens is carried in a Tamrac Zoom 90 holster case which is worn "bandolier style" with the strap across my chest and the case under my left arm. The strap for the case is pretty heavy duty. Although it is not steel reinforced, it would be difficult to slash.

I have a hand strap on the camera in the case.

I have carried cameras in many different configurations, this is the safest, easiest to access and the most comfortable system I have used in over 50-years of photography...

Sun-Sniper is the Black Rapid-esque type strap that has a steel cable in it - https://www.sun-sniper.com/en/

If I want to prevent theft while traveling abroad and...

* don't care to use a neck strap
* it's a DSLR I'm carrying
* and lots of walking is involved

then I'd seriously consider the Cotton Carrier Vest with a very light and breathable photographer's vest designed for warm seasons. The benefits are:

* it's right in front of you, which by in itself not an easy target, and no one can get it off without making a specific turn from the right angle
* it leaves you hands free
* great when long walking is involved because of perfect balance it provides, saving you from neck or shoulder aches

I have a Herringbone handstrap always on my camera, and it complements the CC Vest very nicely. I also have the SpiderPro Holster, but I use it primarily for my studio work or where short walk is involved or event shootings. I wouldn't use it where a long walk or all day shooting is involved due to weight imbalance.

If I'm carrying just a mirrorless camera or something as light as that, an option is to go with the Peak Design CapturePro and carry it on a backpack strap. Unless someone steals the backpack itself, no one can yank it off.

I just use a wrist strap and carry my camera in my hand.

I’ve travelled quite extensively and the only snatch and run I witnessed was in Portland Oregon where the thief grabbed a lady’s purse, knocked the lady down and ran off with the purse.

The only place I ran into trouble was in Atlanta where I had to buy ( beer and smokes ) my way out of a gang of hoodlums at a convenience store. This was 2 blocks from the downtown Westin.

Something to think about. We always fear the unknown ( travel in Europe or Asia ) yet many of these places are safer than our home towns.

Buy insurance and enjoy.

Is this available in North America?