Trip to Cancun

So i'm at an impasse with what to bring on my 7 day trip to Cancun. My wife and I are taking our first trip away from our kids for an extended period and I would love the chance to take the D90 and all my gear or at least the 18-200 for some real photography time, my main problem is the security of my camera when i potential won't have it on me. We are going to stay in a nice all inclusive style resort, im assuming it would be okay security wise to lock it up in the safe in my room but all i've heard is it's pretty shady business down there. id love some input on what people have done that have traveled down there recently and also if you have any specific things I 'must photograph' when down there.
Appreciate the input thanks!
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http://www.thorberg.com - Good enough to be
dangerous!

If you are going to spend your time worrying and fretting about your camera, don't take it. Instead buy a compact camera and enjoy your vacation.

--
John

Have you ever considered insuring your camera? I just took out a personal item insurance policy on my computer and camera for $50 a year. No deductible and everything is covered... even accidental.

I agree with the second poster. Not worth bringing if you'll worry about it all the time. Use the room safe but assume that a staff may be able to access it and plan for that. Call your insurance broker and run the scenario by them to see what's covered. Check your deductible, maximum ceiling, how it would be replaced and if you're covered for mysterious disappearance when out of country. Then, relax and enjoy your vacation.

My wife and I went to Cancun for our honeymoon in 2003.

While out at Chichen Itza (a GREAT place to visit and take pics by the way), our room was entered by someone with a key card (hotel employee?) and we had items stolen.

Fortunately I had my $1000 Mavica camera with me.

The hotel management was angry with me for being angry. They did nothing and would give us no information. Towards the end of our stay, when I was daily demanding answers and that something be done to those responsible, they were downright hostile! Do not trust the Cancun resorts, especially the Palace resorts! Do not use the safe! Also, get ready to be harassed by the time share a-holes. They called us at 8am every day, even when I told them repeatedly to stop.

http://www.g4orce-studios.com/chichenitza.html

--
http://www.joekleon.com
http://www.g4orce-studios.com

Travel light with a real small camera bag, and keep the camera with you. Only lock it up if you are going swimming or snorkeling, and obviously cannot take it with you.

Your Lowepro Slingshot 200 is way too big to take on vacation.

.

We stayed at the Sun Palace Resort last year and felt confident that the safe was secure. Nothing was taken and we left nothing tempting laying around in the room.

We were just there this past late august. Stayed at the Riu Cancun. Loved the hotel/beaches/mayan ruins. I took my D40 + sigma 10-20 + 18-55 + 55-200 and a SB400. I went with relatively cheap equipment. I do have D90, D300 and some much more expensive glass.

Bottom line - I never ever left my dslr in the room/safe, took along a nike backpack to keep camera stuff in - it didnt get any attention. And got some great photos I would NEVER have gotten with a P&S.

The sigma 10-20 was an absolute necessity. Also take along a mini tripod. My opinion - u will kick yourself if you do not take your dslr. Chichanitza is awesome.

Sample here:

I have been in a similar area like cancun over there. and in other countries wich might be worst, i am agree with the small package.

take your small D90 with that long zoom and enjoy your trip. if is too much for you then a point&shot is also good.

I did take 2 cameras, 80-200 nikkor 2.8, tamron 90 macro, 50mm1.8, videocamera, waterproofhousing for DSLR,sigma 70mm macro,18-70nikkor, SB800 tripod....(sometimes i take some more,sometimes less)

I know is risky leaving this uninsured gear in hotelrooms, but so far after many countries nothing happened.

My point is, we hear always the bad experiences but how often this happen? probably not enough to spoil holydays.

enjoy your trip

Thanks for all the great thoughts, I know i will really kick myself if i don't bring my camera but im simply unsure if it's worth the risk. Of course it should be since I probably won't be going on another vacation like this anytime soon.
--



http://www.thorberg.com - Good enough to be
dangerous!

I brought my camera withe me to Antigua. I was worry about it the entire time, that i took it with me where ever i went.

I visited Mexico two years ago, and had no problems leaving it in the safe. However, i do completely agree with the other posters about Mexico...there is a lot of shady stuff going on down there.

I feel i had money taken out of the safe but could know for sure, as i forgot how much i put in it. The camera was fine.

--
Evan
------------------------------------
http://www.evan631.zenfolio.com
http://www.pbase.com/evan631

I've been to the Cancun area and to several other resorts in Mexico. I suggest you bring the D90 and one zoom lens (18-200, since you have it). I have an Eagle Creek padded 'fanny pack' that has has a shoulder strap and the waist straps that can be stowed. No model number but it's approximately 10Lx6Hx5D. The D90 with my 18-105 lens drops right in while the 'shade' is attached. That combo will take 98% of the photos you want while 'in the field'. Bringing along more lenses is asking for salt, sand, and more trouble.

A bag like the above doesn't scream EXPENSIVE CAMERA INSIDE and you can bring it nearly everywhere.

I've had no issues with the resorts' room safes.

Bring extra memory cards. Take large/normal JPEGs but add RAW when the the light is mixed.

Take some panoramic shots from your balcony, beach, etc. Handheld is okay and I recommend holding the camera in the 'portrait' orientation with the horizon in the middle of the frame. Practice locking the focus and exposure. Example created with Photoshop Elements:



If you have an SB-600 or similar, bring it for some night shots and some fill/bounce flash. The resort will probably have some evening shows with dancers, etc. Practice some slow-shutter techniques with the flash set on 'rear curtain'.

If you see another couple with an SLR, offer to swap cameras and take each others' picture(s). Your photo album will appreciate it. Caution: I encourage you to set your D90 on 'Automatic' (a.k.a. "waiter mode") for these shots. I have a bunch of shots where I had the camera set for the photos I've been taking and not set it properly for a photo of me/us. (e.g. center focus point which then focuses between the two of us.)

If you go on a sailboat, party boat, snorkel boat, etc., DO NOT bring the D90. If you have a point & shoot camera, put it into a couple of zip-lock bags and bring it along instead. You will have a MUCH more comfortable boat trip.

Enjoy your trip!

I just got back from 2 weeks in Barbados. I took my Slingshot 200 filled with D40, 18-55, 70-300vr, 35 1.8 and my Canon ZR500 video camera and my Sealife 1000 underwater camera. It was great! I took it everywhere with me with different combinations of stuff in it. Took it hiking, took it on a catamaran tour for snorkeling, took it on a Segway tour to cliffs, took it on hours of public transportation visiting all kinds of places.

In my 3 different hotel rooms I stayed in, I had most of the stuff laid out on a table every day while I was out. Never worried about any of that stuff. Even forgot my wallet in the first hotel with $500US in it and by the time I got back about 5 hours later, it was at the front desk, wrapped in plastic with an inventory list. Nothing missing.

Hotel safes are barely big enough to put a wallet in anyway, you surely aren't going to fit a camera and lenses in it..

Your mileage may vary. Cancun may be running rampant with criminal cleaning ladies...
--

I got no fancy film learnin'.

You are brave - leaving wallet and camera lenses on a table while out.

I did use the safe in my hotel room in Cancun, to store 1 or 2 lenses depending on my plans for that time of day. The wife also put her jewellery in there. Never worried about it, and all was well.

But I would never leave for vacation without one of my DSLRs. The photo quality is just too good as compared to P&S. I also did only recently acquire a Panasonic LX3 for when I want to keep a pocket size but fully able P&S that can take RAW. Havent taken it for a enough of a spin yet.

That exact sentence of "never going on vacation without a DSLR" is my main hangup... The wife of course doesn't want me to risk bringing the camera as she knows ill worry about it when it's not with me. We are staying in the Gran Melia resort dunno if anyone has stayed there or not but it seems to be a reputable place.

It really sucks that you pay so much to goto a place like this and can't even trust people at the place your staying to not steal.
--



http://www.thorberg.com - Good enough to be
dangerous!

The Cancun resorts are in the tourist business, not organized theft. My experience (at other resorts) is that there is a in-closet safe that will hold a small laptop and enough other goodies that I can put away anything I care to. Staff that is accused of rummaging thru the guests' belongings gets fired and the local people both want and need the employment.

Your "I will worry if it isn't with me" attitude is why I recommended that you take one do-it-all lens and a small padded bag. You can take it nearly anywhere or you can fit it (all) in the safe if you don't want it out on the beach.

BTW, I recommend that you only take it on the beach a couple of times. You don't want random sand in your gear. A few early morning shots around the resort can catch some nice light, too.

Thanks gneil, everyone has put some of my worry to rest. I did buy that 18-200mm nikon for a reason to have the one do-it-all lens! I had a fantastic time with it and my d90 this summer on a trip to Mount Rushmore and the badlands. Hopefully i can recreate some magical shots down there in Cancun with the combo, im bringing them!!

gneil said:

The Cancun resorts are in the tourist business, not organized theft. My experience (at other resorts) is that there is a in-closet safe that will hold a small laptop and enough other goodies that I can put away anything I care to. Staff that is accused of rummaging thru the guests' belongings gets fired and the local people both want and need the employment.

Your "I will worry if it isn't with me" attitude is why I recommended that you take one do-it-all lens and a small padded bag. You can take it nearly anywhere or you can fit it (all) in the safe if you don't want it out on the beach.

BTW, I recommend that you only take it on the beach a couple of times. You don't want random sand in your gear. A few early morning shots around the resort can catch some nice light, too.

Click to expand...

--



http://www.thorberg.com - Good enough to be
dangerous!

Leave a daily tip for your maid -- put it on a piece of paper with a 'thanks' or 'gracias' note, so there's no confusion. You may find more in your room than when you left it. Like this cute señorita.

I go to Cancun and Cozumel frequently. I always leave a $5 tip every day. I have never lost a thing and am always greeted graciously by the cleaning staff. Sometimes I use the safe,sometimes not.
--
jakes
WSSA# 107

Dan,

Here's what you can expect with a DSLR. Trust me, you will want to take ur DSLR everywhere there. Just be sensible in public, didnt see any obvious threats i.e. grab and run guys. Even put my backpack on a beach chair covered partially with towel, and was in the water for long durations. And dont forget ur mini tripod. Indispensable.