In regards to the camera thread....

[l_josiah]

Sorry to piggyback on to the OP's thread but... I wanted to know if travellers feel safe taking their expensive camera's onto shore? Our TA gave us some hints about tkaing our camera onto sore with us. She said that some of the locals are crazy and that they can easily slice your camera strap right off of yur neck. Is this true? We're sailing off in two days and I have a great Canon that I'm just dying to take but..I was thiking that maybe I should buy digital cameras for on-shore activities and just use my BABY for all things on-board. What do you guys think?

I would so love to take some great shots of the islands but if it means putting my camera in jeopardy than FO-GET-ABOT-IT!!!!!!!!!:cool:

[FlyingPhotog]

Sorry to piggyback on to the OP's thread but... I wanted to know if travellers feel safe taking their expensive camera's onto shore? Our TA gave us some hints about tkaing our camera onto sore with us. She said that some of the locals are crazy and that they can easily slice your camera strap right off of yur neck. Is this true? We're sailing off in two days and I have a great Canon that I'm just dying to take but..I was thiking that maybe I should buy digital cameras for on-shore activities and just use my BABY for all things on-board. What do you guys think?

I would so love to take some great shots of the islands but if it means putting my camera in jeopardy than FO-GET-ABOT-IT!!!!!!!!!:cool:

 

Here's what I think is the BEST thing to do: INSURE IT!

 

I take about $1,500 gear with me on shore and everywhere I travel. I insure it with a "Personal Articles Policy" with my agent at State farm. It's only like $30 a year, and you're covered if something is stolen or even dropped accidentally in the water.

[Sue L]

We always take our camera on shore! Where are you going that your TA told you this? I have never felt threatened in any port. I would be more worried my purse, but I feel that way anywhere I travel.

[Ruggermags06]

If your camera is that nice, you must have a bag or a case that it goes into. Carry your camera in that and it will be less obvious to anyone and harder to swpie (although it sounds like your TA is a bit paranoid). My fiance has a very nice camera but he has a case that is a backpack that houses the camera and the lens. I have no worrys about anyone (local or otherwise- not sure it matters) being able to swipe it that easily.

[Iamthesea]

I stick my camera in my shoulder bag. I have never had any worries about it getting stolen off my person. I am usually very careful to make sure I do not set it down somewhere that I might forget it.

 

 

l_josiah - I hope you don't mind if I ask about your name??? My family has many generations of Josiah's. Although biblical, it's not a typical name that we see often.

[DivineDivia]

Put me in the paranoid category. I would take something I wouldn't miss too much should something happen.

[Napi's Mom]

When we were in Egypt, we had an Armed guard with us at all times on our private tour. At one point he became MY private bodyguard, as my walking difficulties made me fall behind, and he stayed with me as the group had the advantage of numbers, and I was vulnerable,( Egypt will make you feel that way but the History is worth it, police with AK47's everywhere,on camels surrounding the Pyramids, every bus armed guards and police escorted thru traffic!). Anyway while walking...he reached up and tried to snatch the camera my DH was carrying in his hand...didn't get it but it was to prove a point to him...watch everything you have closely while in many countries

(And at home really also). MY camera was around my neck...as was my purse strap...made for difficulties but worth the safety ! Never before was I so paranoid...but the world has changed!

But if you go to these wonderful spots...do NOT take a cheap camera, or your memories will be bad pictures! Insure by all means if it is so valuable (would personal ins. not cover you there?)

[phopte]

I've carried our Nikon D50 with 28-200 zoom all over New York and the Caribbean with no problems. I tend to wrap the strap around my arm a couple of times for both security and stability when taking pictures. A bigger issue is to make sure that you don't get so carried away with taking the picture that you lose sight of your surroundings. I think the pictures you will get and enjoy will be more than worth the risk.

 

If you can afford it, get an extra battery and memory card so you don't run out of either. In NY, we took so many pictures and forgot to turn it off that the battery ran down while waiting on the elevator to the top of the Empire State building. My wife was embarassed by me taking the charger and plugging in to the outlets in the hall. I would wait as long as I could then catch up to them. Most people smiled at me and I was able to get enough charge into the battery that we got lots of great pictures from the top! :-)

[l_josiah]

I agree with the poster that stated if I want to have great memories than definately take my god camera because I will have crappy memories if I choose not too. Also, I do have a camera bag but I was thinkin of my family relaxin on Seven Mile beach and all of us wanting to get in the water and bo one there to guard the camera -

To that poster who wanted to know where we were going:

It will be Ocho Riso, Jamaica (mon) & the Cayman Islands

Also, to the other poster regarding the name:

My oldest son's name is Lawrence Douglas & my youngest is Josiah Alexander

I too love that name!!!:)

[l_josiah]

Oh I 4got:

That personal items insurance sounds great that State Farm offers.. We've been with State Farm for awhile and I'm sure that we can get a great deal.

And for $30.00 bucks a month...sweet!!

[futaba951]

Here's what I think is the BEST thing to do: INSURE IT!

 

I take about $1,500 gear with me on shore and everywhere I travel. I insure it with a "Personal Articles Policy" with my agent at State farm. It's only like $30 a year, and you're covered if something is stolen or even dropped accidentally in the water.

 

I've heard someone else mention a rider on their homeowners policy. It may have been you. That is an excellent idea. To the OP; my theory is, you bought a great camera to take great photos and memories, but what good is it if you are afraid to use it at the very time when great photos ops and memories are being made. Use the hell out of it and enjoy it for the reasons that you bought it in the first place. It's like having a $500,000 Ferrari in your garage that is 5 years old but only has 1000 miles on it. You can tell everyone you have it, but you're not enjoying it. :D

[ISTDS]

I agree with the other posters. I just returned from a Western Caribeen on the VOS. I took my DSLR with 3 lenses and Assorted other items in My Lowepro Shoulder bag. We used my wifes Panasonic TZ-1 for the on Ship shots and My DSLR for everything else. I was also worried a little about the camera but it was never an Issue. I too added a rider on my homeowners to Cover it for loss or damage.

I looked at it this way. If it did get stolen I would be Mad. But then i would have a reason to upgrade to the new Camera and some new lenses.

[Iamthesea]

Originally Posted by PT737SWA

Here's what I think is the BEST thing to do: INSURE IT!

 

I take about $1,500 gear with me on shore and everywhere I travel. I insure it with a "Personal Articles Policy" with my agent at State farm. It's only like $30 a year, and you're covered if something is stolen or even dropped accidentally in the water.

We have State Farm. I didn't know such a rider exist! Would that also cover cell phones? My DD has dropped hers in the water two times and my other DD dropped her brand new camera on the floor. It jammed the zoom lens and became non-operational, so COSTCO replaced it for free. :D

 

Lawrence and Josiah's mom, is Josiah a family name for you as well, or did you just pick it out from the bible?