As I mentioned here, Gabriel and I are going to South America over the winter holidays. We're planning on Argentina and Uruguay, and have also added Brazil into our itinerary. My excitement is mounting, and any free moment I have is spent scouring the web for interesting villas and resorts to stay at.
One question, though, that keeps popping into my mind, is whether or not to bring my DSLR camera with me on our trip. As a budding photographer, I love any opportunity to spend a day photographing a new country. That's half the enjoyment of the trip for me! However, I've also heard that bringing a large, flashy camera with me to South America may not be in my best interest. Perhaps I'm better off using a smaller, pocket-sized digital camera.
In NYC, I asked Gabriel's family what they thought of my dilemma of whether or not to bring a DSLR camera. Without a moment's hesitation, they all exclaimed in unison, "No!!!!!"
Don't wear jewelry, don't bring a purse, and don't, under any circumstances, bring a flashy camera!
They proceeded to tell me horror stories of people getting their earrings ripped from their ears on the streets of Buenos Aires, gold necklaces snatched in the city center, and the need for a money pouch 24/7.
I have to admit, I was a little deflated, and a little apprehensive about our upcoming travels. I know that Buenos Aires is a busy city, and, like all cities, necessary precautions must be taken. However, I do get the impression that perhaps it's not as safe as others. A few nights ago I checked out some travel photographer's forums to see what people were saying about bringing large, expensive, cameras to Buenos Aires. The general consensus seemed to be: bring it, but use extreme caution, don't carry it in a traditional camera case, and never let it out of your grip.
On the one hand, I feel like the whole purpose of a camera is to use it, so I may as well just bring it! On the other hand, if I lost it (and my photos) I would probably be devastated...but isn't that what back-up memory cards and insurance are for?!
What do you guys think? To bring or not to bring...
They proceeded to tell me horror stories of people getting their earrings ripped from their ears on the streets of Buenos Aires, gold necklaces snatched in the city center, and the need for a money pouch 24/7.
I have to admit, I was a little deflated, and a little apprehensive about our upcoming travels. I know that Buenos Aires is a busy city, and, like all cities, necessary precautions must be taken. However, I do get the impression that perhaps it's not as safe as others. A few nights ago I checked out some travel photographer's forums to see what people were saying about bringing large, expensive, cameras to Buenos Aires. The general consensus seemed to be: bring it, but use extreme caution, don't carry it in a traditional camera case, and never let it out of your grip.
On the one hand, I feel like the whole purpose of a camera is to use it, so I may as well just bring it! On the other hand, if I lost it (and my photos) I would probably be devastated...but isn't that what back-up memory cards and insurance are for?!
What do you guys think? To bring or not to bring...
21 comments:
I have never been to Buenos Aires, or even South America. I have, however, done a fair bit of travelling in other areas of the world, and I'll say this: in my experience, people ALWAYS, ALWAYS overexaggerate how dangerous or pick-pocket-y a city (or even country) is. I've heard that "earrings ripped from your ears" story for several cities that, honestly, seemed reasonable when I got there. I think the advice from the forums is probably right. Use extreme caution, try not to look like a doofy/rich/clueless tourist. Have an awesome time in Argentina!
Never been to that place either but I'd say bring it and follow what the guidebooks or advises you found on the internet.
It might NOT be as dangerous as you think. This is because I used to live in Jakarta before, a city of 25 million people that people referred to have a notorious crime reputation but nothing ever happened to me - perhaps since I know what I was doing and know how to act.
We decided that the heart ache wouldn't be worth it and returned the SLR we purchased. Dealing with insurance etc... is not fun and being robbed isn't either. Good luck with your decision!
If I were you, I'd still bring the good camera but use it with caution. Can Gabriel's family take you two on tour during the day...they can be some kind of body guard.
Best luck with your decision :)
I have had this dilemma before in my own travels. I haven't been to South America, but I always end up feeling like I would be more disappointed to not have it there if nothing happened to us, then I would be if it were stolen.
(We had our worst experience in Barcelona Spain where they pretty much took everything we were carrying with us besides my big nice camera.)
That being said, I agree- don't carry it in a typical bag (I usually wrap mine in a shirt and stick it in my purse) and I always have a death grip on it if I am ever in question about where I am at.
If you can, get a few smaller memory cards so you can switch them out each couple of days in case anything happens you wont loose all your photos!!!
Bring it if you mentally know it might be stolen and have no problems with no longer having it.
If not, keep it at home.
That's a tough one, but one of the reasons I broke down and bought a Canon SD 990 IS, was because carrying around the Nikon just got to be too much of a drag. PLUS, I almost lost it back in July in Vienna. It was only thanks to a thoughtful shop owner that I still have the thing. Point and shoot cameras can take really fine pictures, and are heaps easier to hang on to. I found this guy had decent ideas for cameras and photography in general. http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm
Just my two cents.
Bob.
We had this dilemma when we went to Europe after my husbands family from their told us all the horror stories (I didn't end up wearing my wedding rings), but we decided to bring our Canon anyways and was sooo glad we did! Everywhere we went (tourist areas) there were TONS of people with bigger cameras then mine with bigger lenses! So I would say make sure you keep it in a purse that goes over your body and keep it close, and only take it out when you are in a touristy area! For other places bring a smaller handheld camera! Good Luck and don't let it ruin your trip!
Hi..
Good luck for ur venture in South america.. I remember the steap Hills which is hilly and funny to spend your holidays.. as shown in the movie "UP" [watch it if you have not yet...]. May be take pictures urself wtihout camera so you dont need to get some destractions of ur enjoyment.
Good Luck again..Jey
hi. I dunno if you remember me (I commented once), but anyway. I'm a Brazilian living in Amsterdam.
I lived almost my entire life on a very, very big city: São Paulo. And a very violent one. So, yeah, I do have some experience, first hand, unfortunately, with violence in South America.
I'd love to help you decide, but I started to write, and the comment was becoming a post in itself. If you want, send me an email at daniduc at google mail, and then we can talk. Or, even if you want, gchat.
Doei
i would definitely bring your nice one. you'll want it when you're touring the cities and the pretty colored houses in argentina. just leave it in the hotel, hopefully in a safe, on your adventuring days. i hope you're getting a chance to check out iguazu falls. it's absolutely breathtaking from the argentina side, but i wouldn't bring my nice camera. you'll treasure your pictures no matter what, but especially if they're your good quality ones.
I travelled South America earlier this year, and yes, I did meet many people who brought their DSLR camera with them - you are going to need it for iguassu falls and all the amazing scenes that are once-in-a-lifetime!
However, Buenos Aires is quite notorious for being unsafe, when I was there I knew of over a handful of people on one week alone that got mugged. Obviously going with your boyfriend will work in your favour though.
If you own a less obvious camera that's still quite HQ, by all means go around BA with it, but maybe not the DSLR until you have your bearings.
Good luck with your trip, and you can read all my tips for South America on my blog at www.jeniwren.com
Hey Heather,
Not having really travelled anywhere since my younger years with my parents, I can't speak from experience.
But I would say to bring it 100% - and like you and others have already said, make sure that you keep a hand on it all the time. Also, just appear that you know whats going on and are aware of your surroundings. This alone will keep some of the baddies back.
I wouldn't carry the camera at my side either, as not only do some thieves cut straps to make off with whatever is on the end, some just don't both with the camera body, but will instead just snatch your lens and run away!
For several years I used to travel to Guatemala for week long mission trips to work in the villages. On my last two trips I took my nice cameras and lenses. I had to hold onto it like it was my child, but hey...I wanted great pictures of my travels.
:)
I am Canadian/Argentine and think that it is definitely a risk to take an SLR. From what I was told Brazil is even riskier.
It always depends on your personality. Your camera can get stolen anywhere in the world; but
do you think you'll feel safe having it on you all the time?
Would you be devastated if it gets stolen? (maybe you won't, especially if you back up your pics regularly during your trip). the stories about stealing in Buenos Aires are 150% true.
Furthermore, I see you have long blonde hair (I do too) and if you're around 1,70cm or more you DO look like a tourist and you will stand out.
You can always take your SLR and also a smaller good quality camera as backup for 'riskier' or uncertain locations (my Canon PoerShot SD1100 IS has tons of features and takes amazing pictures and fits in my jean pocket, that's what I took to Brazil/Argentina).
e-mail me if you want for help/advice with photography or your trip. melissabakalarz@gmail.com
mel
Hi there. I would bring the camera but wouldn't use it in the middle of calle Florida in B.A. I would of course use it during my trip to Iguazu falls. You didn't mention where you are going to in Brazil. I wouldn't use my camera in Sao Paulo or Rio, only a discreet digital. But I would use it in any Brazilian national park, Iguazu falls, small cities. You have to develop peripheric vision or develop an eye on your neck !
I think you should bring it, as long as you're prepared to possibly return home without it. It's worth the risk for all of the memories you'd be able to capture with it in tow. :)
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Sorry for offtopic
Hi Heather,
It is true that in South America you need to be very careful with your belongings. You most certainly do not want to be flashy. However on my trip this past Spring I carried my digital SLR with me in Lima, Cusco, Cordoba, and Buenos Aires. I never had a problem, however I was always extremely careful. Once you take your photograph you should put away the camera out of view. I agree that cameras are meant to be used, but I guess in this case you need to weight your options.
Bring. The. Camera.
No question.
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