Advice: Afraid of theft, Crumpler 4MDH

Hey all,

I'm going to be backpacking in Europe during the month of May. I recently got into photography and I can't wait to use my 20d to take some photos. However, I'm wary of theft in parts of Europe such as Italy. If I walk around the city with my Crumpler 4MDH, will it get snatched or anything? I do doubt that I would get jacked but I'd rather hear from those who have previous experiences.

Thanks!

_Dc wrote in post #5027954
Hey all,

I'm going to be backpacking in Europe during the month of May. I recently got into photography and I can't wait to use my 20d to take some photos. However, I'm wary of theft in parts of Europe such as Italy. If I walk around the city with my Crumpler 4MDH, will it get snatched or anything? I do doubt that I would get jacked but I'd rather hear from those who have previous experiences.

Thanks!

Sounds like you have some common sense as you are at least pondering this; just be aware of your surroundings and you will be fine. Don't set your bag down or leave it in a hostel, keep it with you at all times. Have fun.

Insurance is a good idea.

And just carry a monopod at all times

perryge wrote in post #5028189
Insurance is a good idea.

And just carry a monopod at all times

With a big foot spike on it...

insurance for sure, look into getting a slash proof bag as well. If anything happens to you assume it's not an accident (like getting something spilled on you) and protect what you have on you, a monopod in hand is a good idea. Don't look like an easy target, make the theives want to find someone easier

I have a friend who traveled there a few years ago and got pick-pocketed! I think if I were you I wouldn't carry a "camera" bag that advertises what you have in there. When I travel here in the US on vacation, I carry my camera gear in a regular backpack. There are many nice backpacks with tons of dividers to safely carry your gear. You can also carry extra clothes, some sandwiches, etc.

hahaha I like the idea of carrying around a monopod as a self defense mechanism. I really want to bring along a pod of some sort anyways lol. I was thinking about grabbing a gorilla pod though.

Luckily my home insurance covers the cost of my gear if I become a victim of theft.

I'm unsure about a backpack because I'm afraid I won't know what's going on back there. I'm especially afraid of this in busy areas.

If you're that paranoid about being mugged for your camera gear maybe you should stay at home and never ever leave your house!
I regularly carry around over $15K worth of gear into all sorts of places/situations and don't bat an eyelid. Yes I'm insured but I don't have time to stress about oh no, will I be mugged?

If you're that paranoid about being mugged for your camera gear maybe you should stay at home and never ever leave your house!
I regularly carry around over $15K worth of gear into all sorts of places/situations and don't bat an eyelid. Yes I'm insured but I don't have time to stress about oh no, will I be mugged?
The Crumpler 4MDH should be a great bag for what you need though.

the lowepro flipside will protect you from being "pickpocketed"

have been there done that and All I can say is do bring your camera with you no matter what but do take a different camera bag esp. if you are planning a trip to more touristic places. because that was the main reason why I could not get a crumpler. europe is not a place where you will face pick pocketing and bad memories no more than any other place on earth but when we are talking about famous places do keep an eye on your equipment even when its on your neck. good luck

sharkii wrote in post #5318083
have been there done that and All I can say is do bring your camera with you no matter what but do take a different camera bag esp. if you are planning a trip to more touristic places. because that was the main reason why I could not get a crumpler. europe is not a place where you will face pick pocketing and bad memories no more than any other place on earth but when we are talking about famous places do keep an eye on your equipment even when its on your neck. good luck

Not sure I understand your advice. What kind of bag are you suggesting would be better?

timnosenzo wrote in post #5322337
Not sure I understand your advice. What kind of bag are you suggesting would be better?

I'm sorry I wrote a lot and not the advice... my advice is to NOT to get a crumpler MDH as they tend to be pickpocketed easier than the other versions.. namely the flipside or the slingshot are much better choices when you are considering pickpocketing. I used to carry small locks to get hold of zippers as in markets or busy streets your zippers can get opened by people without you realizing. and in very poor touristic towns you should be aware of the fact that they can use razor blades to tear open under your bag to let the items in the bag fall into another one thery are holding..I have seen this happen in kazakhstan first and I was so shocked. but despite all these bad memories I still insist for everyone I know that the photos you miss by not taking your camera with you are way more valuable; like in a saying we have in Turkish "the fish you could not catch is always the bigger one".

I don't see how anybody could pickpocket my crumpler 6MDH. You'd have to undo the clip, tear open the REALLY LOUD velcro, and lift the flap to get at the stuff inside.

perryge wrote in post #5324981
I don't see how anybody could pickpocket my crumpler 6MDH. You'd have to undo the clip, tear open the REALLY LOUD velcro, and lift the flap to get at the stuff inside.

That was my thought, that velcro is like a freakin alarm.