Camera New

Is it safe to carry my new slr camera with me in Italy and amsterdam?

I just bought it and everyone is telling me to take it, but im afraid to take it since i heard alot about pickpockting their. what should i do?

Public Comments

1. Get a lanyard and keep it around your neck. Also, keep it in it's case so that people aren't obviously drawn to it as a "top of the range" camera. Lastly, get Travel insurance so that if the worst does happen you can claim.
2. In Italy especially do not walk along the street side, walk closer to the store fronts with the camera between you and the building, scooters or motorcycle riders grab bags. . .mainly North African types do it. Also be careful of Gypsy girls walking up to you and mumbling incoherently while waving a map or newspaper in your face. They do that to distract you while their partner is pick pocketing you. Luckily I was forewarned of their trick so when that happened to me, I just backed into a parked car taking a stance with clenched fist and said, 'LADRO' which is Italian for thief. Same precautions in Amsterdam, however, watch for dog doo piles on the street. . .yeah it is gross.
3. It's no more risky to carry your camera (or anything else of value) in Italy or Holland than it is anywhere else in the world. There are lots of scare stories about thefts but you just need to use common sense. I carry a very good Nikon SLR camera (not in its case) round Rome (and other Italian cities) with me a lot and I have never yet had any problem with it. If it's an SLR it's much less likely to be stolen than a smaller digital camera - it's too obvious. And the thing most pickpockets are looking for is money or jewellery anyway - cameras need to be sold on and thieves rarely get a lot of money for them. So yes, get insurance and yes, be aware, but please do take your camera with you. Italy is such a beautiful place and you will really regret it if you leave the camera behind. Enjoy!