Hey Guys, been a little while since i last posted, unfortunatley been busy with coursework and everything else!!

Im off to Lake Garda, Italy in the summer and I've heard there is a huge problem with pickpockets in the area targetting mainly tourists for phones money wallets and cameras! andd being a photographer this is a bit of a problem!

My kit consits of a Nikon D60 and a standard 18-55mm lens, i also have a couple of filters, spare battery and memory card, somtimes i also carry my tripod but unlikley during the day when im just out and about. i also have a small Centron camera bag backpack, it holds everything i need for the camera and other bits for the day.

My question is, what things can i do to make my kit as safe as possible when im out and about, is there anything out there that would be good to get etc etc...? the obvious is not to take my camera out but it seems such a waste when im in the Italian lakes!

Alex

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Alex

Yes, well as the wife and I are frequent visitors to Lake Garda and Italy in general I feel quite confident in saying that you are worrying too much. Take all the usual precautions as indeed you would do anywhere, including the UK, and you won't go far wrong.

Rucksacks are best carried to the front in very crowded places where you may not notice a zip being opened - the Lowepro Slingshot is excellent for this. Wallets - obviously not in the back pocket and don't carry all you own at any one time. I've seen thousands of tourists, me included, using flashy cameras with big white lenses but have yet to hear anyone cry for help etc. I'm usually found to be wearing a fisherman's vest, or at least a good lookalike, with tons of pockets for those small bits and pieces that we seem to always want to carry. This has zips on the pockets and I can highly recommend them. All in all though, don't concern yourself too much and certainly don't let it spoil your holiday and just use common sense day to day precautions.

Wear jeans or 3/4 length combats (Tesco about £10-15.00 really good)

Jeans, ticket pocket perfect for memory cards in a little carry case and newer ones I've seen have deep pockets with a popper on so you could keep you battery/filters in there, or 3/4 lengths LOADS of pockets on the legs not so easy to pick, wallet/passport etc goes without saying keep in your front trouser pocket at all times (don't trust the room safes at all) My wallet is on a chain and is VERY snug in my back pocket but if I am out and about up town or abroad or anything it immediately moves to my front trouser pockets. What about a "b*u*m bag" I know not the nicest things in the world but wear it round the front all sorts of bits and pieces can fit in it....Don't Lowepro do a bag like this now fits onto your belt holds camera/lens/battery/memory cards....just be aware of where you are and who's about, if in doubt hold on tight....My 3/4 lengths have got both popper and zip pockets just below the knee as well as the customary hip pockets there is also a smaller zip pocket as well, and 2 rear pockets....here's one a friend who used to travel a lot told me, keep a relatively small denom note in your back pocket (about a fivers worth) if you get pickpocketed, they think they've got away with it you've not lost to much and kept hold of the rest of your spending money which is hopefully secreted elsewhere on your personage...oh and take some travellers cheques SOOO Much safer than your card.....3 people I know have been done with their card details being cloned....one to the tune of 2500 grand....he got it back but not the point

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The camera never lies (but the software does if you have it)

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Keith

I wear my rucksac round the front when I'm out and about in crowds. I look like a tw*t but hey, better than someone nicking my gear. I've also used the raincover to hide the fact its a camera bag. I too have one of those fishy type jackets with a million pockets which is great. And I'll second the suggestion for combat trousers.

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Good advice above.  I think Alan is right about not having to worry too much.

But for general travel advice I'd add that as you aren't carrying very much gear a shoulder bag might suit (strap worn across the chest). Something like a smaller crumpler, or North Face messenger type bag (or cheaper, unbranded alternative)  It doesn't have to be a camera bag when you're out and about really, in fact I know a couple of travel togs who use an old rucksack and wrap their gear in a t-shirt! 

I tend to wear short sleeved shirts when travelling, with a zip or buttoned *** pocket.  Great for easy access to money (especially sat on a crowded bus) without having to pull out your wallet.

My best advice though is don't worry and don't act like a "toursit".  I know you will look like one, but as at home, the way you act can make you more or less of a target.  So don't pass the camera around the restaurant showing off your pics (flashing the cash so to speak).  Don't make it obvious to the hotel owner that you have a camera (most thefts are from hotel rooms, and unfortunately by other travellers).

Oh, and make sure your insurance covers your kit, then relax and enjoy the trip  

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Wear your bag across your chest.

Make sure your kit is insured for theft, or damage when abroad.

Never keep valuables behind you - in a rucksack or back-pocket.

Carry only the money you will need for the day and keep the rest locked in your room safe.  If you see something you want to buy, make a note of the price and go back for it the next day with cash.

Don't use your card.  My mates wife used hers in Portugal with us last year and some git cloned it and booked airline tickets to Japan with it.

Don't get into large crowds or let yourself be jostled, as that's where most pick-pockets hang out and stalk their targets.

Let the wife/girlfriend handle the day's money so you can blame them if it gets nicked... Or keep it safe in your camera bag, which will never leave your side, and have just enough change in your pocket for ice creams and coffee, or spread the cash around your pockets.

Above all enjoy your holiday and don't let anyone spoil it by being a bit lax. 

The other advice above is paramount.  Have a nice trip you lucky ...........wotsit.

PS.  I always take cash with me - about 100 quid a day.  I put each days cash in an envelope so I know what I have got.  Any money over at the end of the day goes into the following day's kitty.

You can see how mean and petty I am...

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Hey Guys,

Cheers for all the advice I've got some combat shorts and things already so thats a good idea, as i dont have much kit i might get away with stashing all my extra stuff in pockets and save the need for a bag at all, and the camera will be around my neck at all times so that will be hard to take without me noticing!

Other than that just keep it out of site at the campsite and when im not using it and things and just be careful and i should be fine!

 

 

 

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Alex

Amature Alex:

Hey Guys,

Cheers for all the advice I've got some combat shorts and things already so thats a good idea, as i dont have much kit i might get away with stashing all my extra stuff in pockets and save the need for a bag at all, and the camera will be around my neck at all times so that will be hard to take without me noticing!

Other than that just keep it out of site at the campsite and when im not using it and things and just be careful and i should be fine!

 

 

 

Maybe it's just me but I'd rather keep my camera strap looped round my wrist and camera in hand rather than have it hanging around my neck. I find it a little less obvious and if someone did make a grab for it then i'm not likely to get strangled!!
Although being over 6'3 and 16st usually means there are easier targets than me

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I'd also add that - while of course you should be vigilant - I've been to Lake Garda a number of times and wandered round with an open bag of lenses and memory cards and never had any issues.

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James De Vile
digitalcameramagazine.co.uk
Future Publishing

If you are worried, and planning on leaving it on your neck, then maybe get one of those slash proof straps, as that would be the only way someone could make a quick grab for it.

 

But honestly, i doubt you have anything to worry about, just have a good time.

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he there
i've just spent a month travelling around Italy by train (including night train) with my camera, 3 lenses and an Epson P5000 and had no troubles at all so like the others are saying, you may be worrying a little bit too much. However do make sure you have adequate insurance for your equipment.

I carried my gear in a lowepro slingshot on my back.  The only thing I did do was got some black gaffer tape and put pieces all over my bag which made it look like it was old, tatty and worth nothing. I don't think people imagined that there was a lot of camera gear inside!

Have a great trip, Italy is fantastic

martinpem has a point. "Look" tough and aware. Keep your eyes moving and be "obviously" aware of your surroundings. While I hang out in the United States, tough guys are tough guys everywhere. I've been in many places where I've crossed paths with gang members and other unsavory types. I just look them briefly in the eye and give a slight nod with no expression, and nearly every time, they return the slight nod back, and we continue on our way. Maybe it helps that my confidence comes from a Black Belt in Taekwondo, but you can act the part and become less of a target.

Cheers!