Replacement For D2X For Trip To Less 'Secure' Country (ies)

Hey folks,

I thought this might be a good place to put this and I hope this question is appropriate here. I figure if anyone can understand this issue and can help it would be here. If not my apologies to you all.

I'll be traveling to a few places for business very shortly (was told yesterday leaving next Tuesday) so I don't have a ton of time to research.

I usually take my D2X and nice glass but I am not keen on walking around with 5K+ worth of gear or even just the D2X and a lens or two. I'd like to not stand out in the crowd with a big sign that says hit this guy in the head (or worse) and take his stuff

I am thinking maybe a better idea is to take something that isn't an SLR but gives me plenty of performance. I'll be shooting basically travel type photos but definitely not something Conde Nast would be interested in.

The key is performance and not having to lug around lenses or buy a cheaper SLR and lenses. I can't see buying a set of lenses and a body for this purpose.

I really know nothing about this breed of camera so I am hoping some kind soul(s) can recommend a couple of digital cameras that would be a good alternative.

I'd love it if I could use the same memory cards that my D2X uses.

--Ideally it would have great glass in a zoom that would be in the range for street scenes, maybe some medium or close distance landscape work.

--I am thinking $500-650 dollar price range. Or even less or a little more if that is what folks recommend.

--If possible I'd love to be able to put filters on it but obviously not the big honkin filters for the D2X lenses.

Anyhow, I'd appreciate any recommendations to help narrow down the choices. I'll check back in a bit and in the meantime I'll try to do some self help, here on the site.

Respectfully,
John

D40 and the 18-55 lens for 499 at B&H. You could add the 55-200 in another kit for a bit more and buy a cheap bag.

Or Panasonic Lumix LX3 with the Leica 24-60 f/2-2.8 lens in a P&S.
--
David

Rather than waste money on something less desirable than your D2X, you should purchase insurance for your equipment. Verify with your insurer that the items are covered in case of theft or other type of loss while traveling.

Thank you for your input. The issue is the attention it attracts when standing around with the D2X and a lens or two. My company would certainly reimburse me for a loss like that but, I am trying to avoid a metal plate being installed in my head. And with the size of my head that would be a lot of metal and rather expensive. I assume they charge by the square foot.

And I am not sure my wife would be very happy with me if I got cut up or beaten down and I don't feel like listening to her say I told you so over and over again

I know photo-journalist are great at ensuring that they stay out of trouble when and if possible but I don't have that skill set. In fact I have pretty bad luck and I am the kind of guy that would get mugged by my own grandmother in Mayberry RFD.

Anyhow, I also don't think I need gear at that level. I just like to memorialize my journeys and get some shots of things of interest.

Again thanks for your input, I appreciate you taking moment to help me out.

Respectfully,

John

sidelight said:

D40 and the 18-55 lens for 499 at B&H. You could add the 55-200 in
another kit for a bit more and buy a cheap bag.

Or Panasonic Lumix LX3 with the Leica 24-60 f/2-2.8 lens in a P&S.
--
David

Click to expand...

David thanks!. I'll take a look at the Panasonic. I thought about the D40 route but I am considering a new back up body or replacing the D2X and using it as a back up. So not sure if getting a D40 and a lens is prudent. I was trying to stay away from the SLR/removable lens things.

It may just make sense to do that. I noticed the Coolpix P600 or 5000 or the P80. I might check these out.

Thank you for taking a moment to help me out. I do appreciate it.

Respectfully

John

Anyone else?

The Panasonic has manual controls (and auto of course) and is aimed at advanced shooters. The 24mm equiv f/2.0 Leica lens is hard to beat. It is highly respected and owned by some good shooters here on the site. See the dpreview.
--
David

Any other input for this discussion?

To recap: I am going to some countries on business where it is not prudent to whip out a D2X and start shooting street scenes.

Taking the D2X is not really an option so getting insurance is not a good solution. The company would pay for damages anyhow. The issue is attracting unwanted and possibly violent attention if someone decides they should be the new owner of my D2X and lenses.

I don't have a lot of time to research and check stuff out so I am hoping for some recommendations and I'd go from there. Ideally i'd buy it this weekend and do some trial runs this weekend and take it with me next week.

I'll be shooting street scenes some casual landscape so probably a wide angle and maybe some zoom to normal lense.

Fixed lens but similar to a DSLR with view finder etc.

I'd like to buy maybe a sky light and maybe a polarizer so filter capability a plus.

Any help would be very much appreciated. Normally I would do the research etc on my own but this is a great opportunity but unfortunately it is short notice and getting ready for the meetings, etc. will take up most of my pre trip time...

Thanks again

Respectfully,

John

I got a coolpix5400 for $140. Hate the thing. Takes ages to take a shot and the images look so much more digital than a dslr. I have a d2x and a d1x, a d100 which I am going to convert to ir, I sometimes dont like carrying a big slr when it is not work which is why I got the coolpix but I find instead I use an old film rangefinder, a ukranian kiev4, absolutely gorgeous 50mm f2 lens (summicron copy I beleive) You can get these for $30, might need to buy 4 to get a worker or do a bit of work on it, mine has worked perfecty from day one though. I also have about 4 or 5 zorkis which are leica screw mount. Alternatively a yashica or canonet 35mm RF will get you great results for less than $50, spend the rest on film and scanning, and laugh at the idiot who steals the camera from you. )) Maybe way off what you were thinking but if you are like me you will have more fun and be more satisfied with the results. I also use a zeiss ikonta folding 645 medium format camera, cost me $20, fits in a jeans pocket comfortably and makes sharp images on 120 film.

In really bad places they will cut your throat for $20 so it may not make a difference whether you use a d2x or a disposable, they want your wallet.

Thanks for the idea. I have gone completely digital but stuff have a metric ton (literally) or RB67 gear that I never use. After going to the digital darkroom I unfortunately don't have the patience for film anymore.

I have been looking at some of the upper end I guess prosumer P&S cameras like the Leica and the recommended Panasonic. They both seem to fit the bill fairly well in size and good lens quality. I have never been a big fan of wide ranging zooms but not much else I can do.

If anyone else has suggestions I am open to them.

Thanks

Go look at DPReviews reviews of the compact point and shoot cameras, in the top category.

There's several good choices there, with all the details in the world.

A firiend of mine works in Afghanistan and Tajikistan, and he just took a point and shoot he can put in his pocket, and reports that was a bretter decision than carrying a D-SLR.

BAK

If the likely hood of getting mugged is high, it won't make a whole lot of difference what you are carrying. To a drug addict looking for a quick score ..anything of value makes you a target.

I'd suggest taking the camera you are most comfortable with and using caution judiciously when using it. Don't wander off unescorted to take pictures of graffiti in a ghetto. You can hire an armed bodyguard inexpensively in countries with low average income and to get spectacular shots in dangerous areas ..that might be the way to go. You could also seek advice from local photo journalists as to how to avoid problems.

If all else fails there are some 4 or 5 mp cell phones out now.

Good luck.
jj
--
My photo collection:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jjlad/sets/

Thanks for your input. I am at the odd position of having been caught not being so frank. I am not all that worried about criminals I am too ugly and weird looking for them to mess with and unfortunately the guys with guns in those countries LOVE to look at me so I thought maybe I could be a little less noticeable.

Not that I am doing anything wrong but for example people like Geraldo show up and they fire their guns down alleys at nothing, putting a big show on and later on everything thinks a big dramatic event happened. Goofy lookin folks like me show up they point their guns at me for some reason. I am like a magnet for that. Maybe I need a bushy moustache.

The D2X that I often was carrying seemed to only add to the attention. Go figure. The security aspect I have covered (ugly) I just wanted to be nice and peaceful during my quest for the world's coolest stock photos.

I'll go with either the Leica I was looking at or the Panasonic recommended earlier. Or maybe I'll just suck it up and carry what I got. Or maybe it is a good excuse to get a D3 even though it is not less obvious but it will give me an excuse mentally.

BAK very cool. I kinda scrolled through that and liked it. Maybe that is the ticket. Thanks again!!

ooooh RB stuff eh, I am thinking of getting another rb kit. I am just going to see how my 4x5" phase pans out first.

What makes you think cameras are the only things worth stealing?

If you think there's danger lurking, don't go there. If you must go there, don't take a camera. If you must take a camera, take a P&S. If you don't have to go to Philadelphia, pick a safe place like Chicago (the crime wave is over now that Blago is gone).

An interesting bit of personal insecurity on the part of the OP.

I'm travelling to the USA from the UK in a few weeks. Primarily on holiday. I'll be mainly in New York.

I hear that people carry guns in the USA, and that muggings, shootings, theft, assaults and all sorts of really nasty behaviour are rife. Even the Police carry guns as a matter of course.

I've seen the TV programmes that show it all. So it must be true.

So, on that basis where is less secure than the USA?

Do I need a Kevlar vest? Should I swap my Canon for a cannon?

Security is all about keeping your wits about you and being aware of what's going on in your surroundings.

In more than 40 years of living in a city which once had a "dangerous" reputation, and travelling with a camera all over Europe and North Africa, I've only ever had one potential "situation", which I dealt with by simply changing direction before it developed into something more serious.

Please, let's not get too paranoid, or we'll never go anywhere.
--
KenC

I agree with this in principle, but not to the point where we ought to pretend that, for the sake of not giving offense, all places are more or less equally safe as long as we keep our wits about us. I would submit there is a rather large difference in public safety between Portland Maine and Johannesburg; or between Munich and Lagos, Nigeria; or between Geneva and South Central L.A.

Ken Christie said:

where is less secure than the USA?

Click to expand...

Most places in the third world, for starters, although it's probably a toss-up between Mogadishu and St. Louis. ;-)

dc

Ken Christie said:

An interesting bit of personal insecurity on the part of the OP.

I'm travelling to the USA from the UK in a few weeks. Primarily on
holiday. I'll be mainly in New York.

I hear that people carry guns in the USA, and that muggings,
shootings, theft, assaults and all sorts of really nasty behaviour
are rife. Even the Police carry guns as a matter of course.

I've seen the TV programmes that show it all. So it must be true.

So, on that basis where is less secure than the USA?

Do I need a Kevlar vest? Should I swap my Canon for a cannon?

Security is all about keeping your wits about you and being aware of
what's going on in your surroundings.

In more than 40 years of living in a city which once had a
"dangerous" reputation, and travelling with a camera all over Europe
and North Africa, I've only ever had one potential "situation", which
I dealt with by simply changing direction before it developed into
something more serious.

Please, let's not get too paranoid, or we'll never go anywhere.
--
KenC

Click to expand...

I've taken expensive cameras to a lot of places, and can think of only one where I didn't, and that was at the express advice of locals, regular visitors and the Foreign Office travel advisory website: Sao Paolo.

There I took my old Nikon FM and a Sigma 70-300 lens.

Ben

--
http://www.photographybybenlovejoy.com

You will regret not having your 'real' gear with you. Get over it, don't stress, buy insurance. No point in buying nice gear and worrying so much you can't use it...

--
[email protected]
http://www.courtlevephoto.com

On trips were I know
a) I do not understand the language fully
b) I'm not familiar with local customs and geographic neighboorhoods
c) Even a disposable 1 time usage camera is an asset
d) theft is known to happen quite often
e) theft is known to be exercised by robbery

If al these points are true then I take a old film slr with me + insurance.

If I'm still not sure about my lense I take a Canonet (70' camera with superb build in lens) with me. Or just take anything you are willing to throw immediately to a mugger (either as defence or to give in)

Whatever you do minimize the photo's that may get lost. Used film is worthless to thieves, a memory card remains resale value even if it is filled with the most sentimental shots of your trip.