Hi all,
I am going to Rome (1st trip) with family by end of this month.
I plan to bring my Canon 6D, 16-35L, 50mm 1.4 and 580EX flash.
I check from google that Rome is famous for pickpocket and scams.
Do you have any experience to bring your full frame dslr camera and lenses there?
Regards,
Anthony
Generally Europe is pretty safe. Singapore is safer, sure, but it's not like the streets of Europe are plagued by hordes of people out for tourists to knock-off
I've taken various DSLRs & tons of gear to all the main cities and never had a problem. With simple, common sense precautions you will be fine -
* when not shooting, keep everything zipped up in a bag. Having a sturdy shoulder strap when carrying the camera openly will be better than the crappy ones the camera comes with (and easier to snap fleeting moments you see too)
* use common sense at night - if you are shooting a major sight, such as the colosseum, using a tripod you will be fine. Wandering around back streets far from tourists or other people may be less safe, but will still PROBABLY be ok.
* scams - no idea what you mean by this?
* remember that Rome is full of other local and tourist photographers. Brazen daylight robbery of a ton of SLR equipment is EXCEEDINGLY rare, about as rare as here in Singapore. You will be one of thousands of people taking photos across the city at any given moment.
* pickpockets are a risk anywhere and JB is much more dangerous in that regard. Keep your wallet as safe and secure as your camera and you'll be fine. Remember theives in any country are looking for an EASY target, not someone who has taken precautions, is self aware and might conceivably fight back.
* there will be people wielding more expensive kit and more of it than you. I've seen PRC tourists in Rome & Paris with THREE 1DX hanging from their neck, each with a different pro-grade lens attached. The biggest risk for them is back strain
Remember, if there is someone hell-bent on stealing gear then if it's a choice between you and someone not taking simple, sensible precautions they would go for the easier target. But fact is, you will be fine if you just apply common sense. Don't let the fact Singapore is unnaturally safe put you off enjoying the holiday and the photographic opportunities. Rome is not Syria or Iraq
Have a great trip