jrc Posted June 17, 2007 Share #21 Posted June 17, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) One place you do not want to leave a camera bag unattended is Israel...they will blow it up. A good question for travelers to consider is why they are taking the Leica in the first place? I mean, there are several good reasons (you just like to use the camera, you do travel photography for publication, you need special high-quality low-light equipment for shooting in museums etc.) But for most people, who are just documenting a trip, a really good P&S is lighter, handier, more discreet, and perfectly fine for scrapbook-style shots, and if it does get stolen, you're out a lot less money. Take a little care with white balance and shoot .jpg, and you could probably do the trip with a couple of 1G cards and no mass-storage backup. JC Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 17, 2007 Posted June 17, 2007 Hi jrc, Take a look here M8- travel and safety in Europe. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
vanhulsenbeek Posted June 17, 2007 Share #22 Posted June 17, 2007 A good question for travelers to consider is why they are taking the Leica in the first place? [ ] But for most people, who are just documenting a trip, a really good P&S is lighter, handier, more discreet, and perfectly fine for scrapbook-style shots, and if it does get stolen, you're out a lot less money. JC Here, quality considerations come in. We have travelled, on vacation, with both PS and Canon 20D ( now Leica M8 :-) and there is no doubt in my mind that a PS cannot remotely accomplish what a good camera can in low light situations, wide angle photography, people pictures etc. Just look, briefly, at the in house shots on Homestay on Amantani and the evening shots on 26 December 2005: Buddhist Remembrance Ceremony for the Tsunami in Koggala Monastery and you will see what I mean. Even a good PS (we have a Canon S70) cannot do this. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveEP Posted June 17, 2007 Share #23 Posted June 17, 2007 A good question for travelers to consider is why they are taking the Leica in the first place? JC It's nice a small - much smaller than a DSLR that can approach the same quality. A P&S is crap compared to the M8. I have a couple of P&S - like Canon & D-Lux 3, and they just don't compare ..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted June 17, 2007 Share #24 Posted June 17, 2007 The Fuji F10/F20/F30/F31fd series is not bad. If I were buying a P&S for all situations, that is what I would get. For good lighting conditions, the Panasonic and Leica series are really not that bad. You just can't move them off the base ISO setting. If you need a small DOF, however, you are stuck with large-sensor cameras. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted June 17, 2007 Share #25 Posted June 17, 2007 No immediate plans to return to the splendid continent of Europe any time in the next year or so, but fortunately, as a citizen of the USA who also enjoys living near our northern neighbor, I can also pass for a Canadian which makes me less of a target. (Alas, I'm only half in jest here.) -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carstenw Posted June 17, 2007 Share #26 Posted June 17, 2007 No dig intended, but if you are going to try to pass as a Canadian, speaking as a Canadian, it would be really appreciated if you would fit the role to the point of adopting Canadian political views of the world in discussions with others abroad. I am afraid that if enough Americans slap on Canadian flags, then after a while even Canadians won't be tolerated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry Posted June 17, 2007 Share #27 Posted June 17, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Carsten, Polls here in the U.S. show that a significant majority of citizens do not approve of the current administration's foreign policy. It's too bad that "he" was elected twice (the first time was more than a little questionable) before people saw through the lies -- and now the whole world pays the price. I know this is very off topic and controversial, so I'll leave it at that. Larry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted June 17, 2007 Share #28 Posted June 17, 2007 Maybe Carlos was right to be worried about ruffian Europeans. Come on, own up....... Did one of you steal Carlos? ............Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlos diaz Posted June 18, 2007 Author Share #29 Posted June 18, 2007 Maybe Carlos was right to be worried about ruffian Europeans. Come on, own up....... Did one of you steal Carlos? ............Chris Thanks to you all for your words of advice and also for the advesarial words from a few. Most of the input has been very helpful and some simply entertaining, at the very least. Yes, I am safe at home, in the USA, and no one has come to "steal" me or my M8 away! Since this is Father's Day, I have been with my dad all day and have not had an opportunity to participate in this discussion. I only posed the initial question because many who are a part of this forum have apparently done a considerable amount of traveling. Although I have been to Europe, I have never been in the Med. region. I am not really worried about my travels there and feel very comfortable with my intended photographic goals. By the way, I teach in Detroit, MI (23 years) and have been using an 8 x 10 (or 10 x 8) view camera in the city since 1980. Detroit can be a very tough town yet I have only felt slightly uncomfortable shooting on maybe two occasions. So through this experience, I think I know a little bit about being cautious and using common sense. But it never hurts ask the advise of others! Chris and Stnami, if your ever out this way let me know I'd be glad to take you around the city and "show you the ropes" as they say in the states.................. So thanks again for everyones input and please allow me to end this thread the way I began by simply saying that I intended no one any insult! I really am looking forward to this taking this trip with my family to what must be one of the most beautiful parts of the world! Carlos Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bernd Banken Posted June 18, 2007 Share #30 Posted June 18, 2007 Carlos, we speak only about cameras. In the Med it's a totally different situation with cars and their content. In Spain, France and Italy I guess, there are small gangs wich use some tricks to get you stopped with your (Rent)car and grab everything from the rear seats. Most common trick is the flat tire right side rear axle. They sit with two persons on a motorbike and give you signs that something is wrong with your tire. When you stop and walk around the car one of them grabs everything and off they are. They can see by number plates that the car is used by tourists which doesn't know this trick. So in any situation keep the doors locked. Bernd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 18, 2007 Share #31 Posted June 18, 2007 It is true it happens, Bernd. But one should add that it is relatively rare. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted June 18, 2007 Share #32 Posted June 18, 2007 It is true it happens, Bernd. But one should add that it is relatively rare. The Porsche magazine Cristophorous warned about this in Barcelona, with foreign registered Porsches and other high value vehicles being particularly targeted. Even if you have locked the doors, a £400 rear tyre is no joke. I left my 911 during my visit to Barcelona, with the Porsche dealer out near the airport and used taxis. This was particularly as the car was completely full for my semi-annual move between France and the UK. The Porsche dealer had had two foreign registered Porsches in the previous week to whom this had happened, so not that uncommon. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 18, 2007 Share #33 Posted June 18, 2007 The Porsche magazine Cristophorous warned about this in Barcelona, with foreign registered Porsches and other high value vehicles being particularly targeted. Even if you have locked the doors, a £400 rear tyre is no joke. I left my 911 during my visit to Barcelona, with the Porsche dealer out near the airport and used taxis. This was particularly as the car was completely full for my semi-annual move between France and the UK. The Porsche dealer had had two foreign registered Porsches in the previous week to whom this had happened, so not that uncommon. Wilson Yes- those are Eastern European gangs interested in car parts. Mercedes, Porsche and BMW are the targets. A Ferrari or Jaguar will go untouched - as will a Leica Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Lad Posted June 18, 2007 Share #34 Posted June 18, 2007 Carlos, With normal sensible precautions and alertness I think you will be just as safe in Europe as you are in the USA, if not more so. Most of the criminal techniques such as car jacking originated in the USA and then spread to Europe so you probably are more up to date than us! You are also far less likely to be shot by a thief in Europe! However I must say that I think the fact that guns are less freely available in Europe than the USA has made the European thief come up with slightly more devious 'cons' than their armed counterparts in the USA. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe D. Posted June 18, 2007 Share #35 Posted June 18, 2007 ... I am afraid that if enough Americans slap on Canadian flags, then after a while even Canadians won't be tolerated.We have a good way to recognize the real canadian from the false.We ask them: "which city is the capital of Canada?" (but in fact, we don't care! Hunderts US citizens are visiting here each day and they are all welcome, just one called George is not) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
papimuzo Posted June 18, 2007 Share #36 Posted June 18, 2007 I guess the typo between thread and threat is not a coincidence but something Freud would wrote a book about ? Well done Pascal;) Your absolutely right. Cheers. Marcel Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marknorton Posted June 18, 2007 Share #37 Posted June 18, 2007 A good question for travelers to consider is why they are taking the Leica in the first place? I mean, there are several good reasons (you just like to use the camera, you do travel photography for publication, you need special high-quality low-light equipment for shooting in museums etc.) But for most people, who are just documenting a trip, a really good P&S is lighter, handier, more discreet, and perfectly fine for scrapbook-style shots... I am not sure what the point of having a Leica is if you DON'T take it when you go travelling, all those new places and people to photograph. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlaidlaw Posted June 18, 2007 Share #38 Posted June 18, 2007 Yes- those are Eastern European gangs interested in car parts. Mercedes, Porsche and BMW are the targets. A Ferrari or Jaguar will go untouched - as will a Leica The Barcelona dealer said it was Brazilian gangs and they were aged around 14 or 15 years, so below the age of criminal responsibility. Mind you everyone always says it is a different nationality or race who are the criminals. If they are different - they must be bad. On a happier note could I recommend to visitors to Barcelona, the Barceloneta restaurant on the quayside of the old fishing harbour (l'Escar 22, Mols del Pescadors). Not cheap but wonderful seafood - need to book tel: 93 221 21 11. Wilson Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaapv Posted June 18, 2007 Share #39 Posted June 18, 2007 Whatever it takes to be a criminal Anyway, Wilson, I prefer the happy ending of your post. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stnami Posted June 18, 2007 Share #40 Posted June 18, 2007 . http://www.camerastophahathief.com/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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